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Generating big-data is becoming imperative with the advent of machine learning. RIN-Neuroimaging Network addresses this need by developing harmonized protocols for multisite studies to identify quantitative MRI (qMRI) biomarkers for neurological diseases. In this context, image quality control (QC) is essential. Here, we present methods and results of how the RIN performs intra- and inter-site reproducibility of geometrical and image contrast parameters, demonstrating the relevance of such QC practice.American College of Radiology (ACR) large and small phantoms were selected. Eighteen sites were equipped with a 3T scanner that differed by vendor, hardware/software versions, and receiver coils. The standard ACR protocol was optimized (in-plane voxel, post-processing filters, receiver bandwidth) and repeated monthly. Uniformity, ghosting, geometric accuracy, ellipse's ratio, slice thickness, and high-contrast detectability tests were performed using an automatic QC script.Measures were mostly within the ACR tolerance ranges for both T1- and T2-weighted acquisitions, for all scanners, regardless of vendor, coil, and signal transmission chain type. All measurements showed good reproducibility over time. Uniformity and slice thickness failed at some sites. Scanners that upgraded the signal transmission chain showed a decrease in geometric distortion along the slice encoding direction. Inter-vendor differences were observed in uniformity and geometric measurements along the slice encoding direction (i.e. ellipse's ratio).Use of the ACR phantoms highlighted issues that triggered interventions to correct performance at some sites and to improve the longitudinal stability of the scanners. This is relevant for establishing precision levels for future multisite studies of qMRI biomarkers.

Introduction: Preclinical models have demonstrated that PD-1 and its ligand programmed death ligand1 (PD-L1) play significant roles in both graft induction and the maintenance of immune tolerance. It has also been suggested that PD-L1 tissue expression may predict graft rejection; however, the available data are sparse and inconclusive. Some studies were conducted on patients with cancer; most of them do not concern the liver, especially within the context of the use of immunohistochemical tests. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the relationship between tissue expression of PD-L1 in a unique material, i.e., in the liver biopsies of pediatric patients after transplantation with the presence of acute cellular rejection (ACR). Material and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 55 biopsies from 55 patients who underwent protocol liver biopsies. The control group consisted of 19 biopsies from 13 patients diagnosed with acute cellular rejection (rejection activity index/RAI/ from 2 to 8). An immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for PD-L1 was performed in all of the liver specimens; its expression was analyzed in different regions of liver tissue (in inflammatory infiltrates and within the endothelium and hepatocytes). The following changes were re-evaluated in each specimen: features of any kind of rejection (acute cellular, antibody-mediated, chronic); the presence and severity of fibrosis (Ishak scale); and the presence of cholestasis and steatosis. Clinical parameters were also evaluated, including tests of liver function (AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin). Results: The age of patients in the study group ranged from 2.37 to 18.9 years (median 13.87 years), with the time after transplantation being 1–17 years (median 8.36 years). The age of patients in the control group ranged from 1.48 to 17.51 years (median 7.93 years), with their biopsies being taken 0.62–14.39 years (median 1.33 years) after transplantation. We found a statistically significant relationship between PD-L1 expression on inflammatory infiltrates and ACR; however, there was no statistically significant relationship between PD-L1 endothelial expression and ACR. PD-L1 was not positive in the hepatocytes regardless of if it was the study or control group that was under observation. Conclusion: PD-L1 appears to be a promising marker to predict graft rejection.

Objective: analyze the asymmetries of information in the content of the synthetic reports issued by the Credit Rating Agencies (CRA) Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch on the Brazilian sovereign rating. Method: a content analysis was performed on the CRA synthetic reports to create variables and categories. Correspondence Analysis (CA) aimed these same category variables at a multidimensional space for comparative analysis. Originality/Relevance: the study shows how the asymmetry of information between lenders and borrowers of sovereign bonds can also be preceded by the CRAs when they make different assessments of the same financial product available to the market. The result shows that information asymmetry between creditors and borrowers does not end; it just changes the source of information. Results: the results showed that, although the content of the evaluations was harmful in the CRA, there are asymmetries in specific categories. Standard & Poor's, for example, was the agency that stood out the most in the analyses; this is because it differs from other CRAs and positions itself more freely between categories in different years. Theoretical/Methodological contributions: the study integratesqualitative and quantitative methods to expand research on CRA information asymmetry. The study also analyzes synthetic reports, the most accessible to decision-makers in the market, showing that the analysis of complex reports and robust data is not exclusive to analyzing asymmetric information. In addition, it explores results on information asymmetry and the Brazilian sovereign, where fewapproaches and investigations have focused on the national academic scenario., Objetivo: analisar as assimetrias de informações no conteúdo dos relatórios sintéticos emitidos pelas Agências de Classificação de Risco (ACR) Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s e Fitch sobre o ratingsoberano brasileiro. Método: realizou-se uma análise de conteúdo nos relatórios sintéticos das ACR com a finalidade de criar variáveis e categorias. Por meio da Análise de Correspondência (AC), objetivou-se essasmesmas variáveis de categorias em um espaço multidimensional para análise comparativa. Originalidade/Relevância: o estudo mostra como a assimetria de informações entre credores e mutuários de títulos soberanos também pode ser precedida pelas próprias ACR quando disponibilizam para o mercado diferentes avaliações sobre um mesmo produto financeiro. O resultado mostra que assimetria de informações entre credores e mutuários não finda, apenas muda a fonte de informação. Resultados: os resultados mostraram que, embora o teor das avaliações tenha sido negativo nas ACR, há assimetrias em categorias específicas. A Standard & Poor’s, por exemplo, foi a Agência que mais se destacou nas análises. Ela se difere das demais ACR e se posiciona mais livremente entre as categorias em anos distintos. Contribuições Teóricas/Metodológicas: contribui com a integração de métodos qualitativos e quantitativos para ampliação de pesquisas sobre assimetria de informações das ACR. O estudo também analisa relatórios sintéticos, isto é, os mais acessíveis aos tomadores de decisão no mercado, mostrando que não é exclusiva a análise de relatórios complexos e dados robustos para analisar informações assimétricas. Além disso, explora resultados sobre assimetria de informações e soberano brasileiro, onde poucas abordagens e investigações teve enfoque no cenário acadêmico nacional.

Background & aims: Population-based studies have suggested a protective effect of coffee against development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), possibly through coffee's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. Studies on coffee and kidney function decline in the general population are scarce. We studied associations of habitual coffee consumption with repeated assessments of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Methods: We used data from 7,914 participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study. Baseline coffee consumption data (cups/day) were obtained from home interviews and validated food frequency questionnaires (1997–2008). Repeated assessments of eGFR (ml/min per 1.73 m2, 1997–2014) were calculated according to the creatinine-based CKD Epidemiology Collaboration equation of 2012. Repeated assessments of urinary albumin and creatinine were used to estimate ACR (mg/g, 2006–2014). Data were analyzed by applying linear mixed models, adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle and dietary factors, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Predefined subgroup analyses were performed stratified by CKD risk factors. Results: Participants’ mean (SD) baseline age was 66 (10) years, 57% were women and median [IQR] coffee consumption was 3.0 [2.0, 5.0] cups/day. Those drinking more coffee were more likely to smoke, and to have type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Mean eGFR was 79 (15) ml/min per 1.73 m2. In the total study population, coffee was not associated with longitudinal eGFR during a median of 5.4 years of follow-up (β = 0.04 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per one cup/day [95% CI: −0.10,0.18]). However, among those aged >70 years, one additional coffee cup/day was associated with on average 0.84 (0.51,1.18) ml/min per 1.73 m2 higher longitudinal eGFR. Among obese participants this estimate was 0.32 (0.01,0.63). A protective trend was also observed among former smokers (0.17 [−0.03,0.39]) and those with T2D (0.42 [−0.05,0.88]). Coffee was not associated with longitudinal ACR (0.01 mg/ml [−0.01,0.02]). Conclusion: While coffee was not associated with eGFR and ACR in the total population, more coffee consumption was associated with higher longitudinal eGFR among those at higher risk for CKD, i.e., among those aged 70+ and obese participants. These findings require confirmation in other prospective cohort studies.

Objective. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been recently introduced in neurorehabilitation and neuroprosthetics as a promising, non-invasive sensory feedback restoration alternative to implantable neurostimulation. Yet, the adopted stimulation paradigms are typically based on single-parameter modulations (e.g. pulse amplitude (PA), pulse-width (PW) or pulse frequency (PF)). They elicit artificial sensations characterized by a low intensity resolution (e.g. few perceived levels), low naturalness and intuitiveness, hindering the acceptance of this technology. To address these issues, we designed novel multiparametric stimulation paradigms, featuring the simultaneous modulation of multiple parameters, and implemented them in real-time tests of performance when exploited as artificial sensory inputs.Approach. We initially investigated the contribution of PW and PF variations to the perceived sensation magnitude through discrimination tests. Then, we designed three multiparametric stimulation paradigms comparing them with a standard PW linear modulation in terms of evoked sensation naturalness and intensity. The most performant paradigms were then implemented in real-time in a Virtual Reality-TENS platform to assess their ability to provide intuitive somatosensory feedback in a functional task.Main results. Our study highlighted a strong negative correlation between perceived naturalness and intensity: less intense sensations are usually deemed as more similar to natural touch. In addition, we observed that PF and PW changes have a different weight on the perceived sensation intensity. As a result, we adapted the activation charge rate (ACR) equation, proposed for implantable neurostimulation to predict the perceived intensity while co-modulating the PF and charge per pulse, to TENS (ACRT). ACRTallowed to design different multiparametric TENS paradigms with the same absolute perceived intensity. Although not reported as more natural, the multiparametric paradigm, based on sinusoidal PF modulation, resulted being more intuitive and subconsciously integrated than the standard linear one. This allowed subjects to achieve a faster and more accurate functional performance.Significance. Our findings suggest that TENS-based, multiparametric neurostimulation, despite not consciously perceived naturally, can provide integrated and more intuitive somatosensory information, as functionally proved. This could be exploited to design novel encoding strategies able to improve the performance of non-invasive sensory feedback technologies., Journal of Neural Engineering, 20 (3), ISSN:1741-2560, ISSN:1741-2552

Eine Koronarangiographie als diagnostische Basis für eine perkutane Koronarintervention (PCI) ist derzeit Goldstandard in der interventionellen Behandlung des chronischen und akuten Koronarsyndroms, erlaubt jedoch nur eine 2D-Betrachtung des Interventionsgebietes. Mittels optischer Kohärenztomographie (OCT) ist eine intravaskuläre Bildgebung möglich. Die Verknüpfung von intravaskulären Bildern und der Koronarangiographie kann sich jedoch schwierig darstellen und zu Geographical Mismatch (GM) führen. Die vorliegende Studie analysierte im ersten Teil (OPTICO-Integration-I-Studie) die Auswirkung eines kommerziell verfügbaren Systems zur Koregistrierung (OPTIS™ Integrated System; Abbott, Chicago, USA) auf die Entscheidungsfindung der Operateur*innen während PCI sowie auf das Interventionsergebnis. Im zweiten Teil beschreibt sie die retrospektive Analyse bezüglich Inzidenz und Auswirkungen von GM in Patient*innen mit akutem Koronarsyndrom (OPTICO-Cover-Studie). In der OPTICO-Integration-I-Studie wurden 50 Patient*innen mit 58 Koronarläsionen prospektiv, monozentrisch eingeschlossen und die Interventionsstrategie der Operateur*innen nach Angiographie, OCT und angiographisch koregistriertem OCT (ACR) erhoben. Die Nutzung von ACR resultierte in Strategie-Änderungen in 40.7% der Läsionen, primär Stentlänge, -größe und Lokalisation (24.1%). In 5.6% wurden die Stent-Diameter größer, in 1.9% kleiner. In 14.8% wurden die Stents länger und in 7.4% kürzer. Postinterventionell hatte die ACR keinen signifikanten Einfluss. Nach Nutzung von ACR betrug die Rate an GM 8.7%. In komplexen Läsionen kam es signifikant häufiger zu einer Veränderung der Interventionsstrategie nach ACR. Im zweiten Teil (OPTICO-Cover-Studie) wurden aus der prospektiven, multizentrischen OPTICO-ACS Studie 120 Patient*innen mit OCT-Analyse der ein akutes Koronarsyndrom auslösenden Culprit Lesion (CL) herangezogen und per Koregistrierung die Rate an GM und die Auswirkung auf das Outcome 12 Monate nach ACS bestimmt. Bei 36.7% der Patient*innen blieb ein Teil der CL nicht vollständig abgedeckt. Im Vergleich dazu konnte bei den Thromben eine deutlich bessere Abdeckungsrate von 89.0% erreicht werden. Patient*innen mit GM hatten signifikant längere CL, eine geringere Thrombuslast und eine kürzere Symptom-to-Balloon-Zeit. Per logistischer Regression zeigte sich GM als unabhängiger Prädiktor für das Auftreten von Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events sowie Hospitalisationen aufgrund von Angina (MACCE+) nach einem Jahr (Odds-Ratio 5.824, p = 0.033). Zusammenfassend zeigten die vorliegenden Studien erstmals den signifikanten Einfluss von Echtzeit-ACR auf die PCI-Strategie, insbesondere in komplexen Läsionen. Außerdem konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, dass CL häufig unvollständig und deutlich schlechter per Stent abgedeckt wurden als die Thromben im Bereich der CL und dass ein resultierender GM ein unabhängiger Prädiktor für das Auftreten von MACCE+ darstellt., Coronary angiography as diagnostic basis for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is currently the gold standard in the interventional treatment of chronic and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but only allows for a 2D view of the intervention area. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) facilitates an intravascular view. However, the association between intravascular images and coronary angiography can be difficult and may lead to geographic mismatch (GM). The present study analyzes in the first part (OPTICO-Integration I study) the impact of a commercially available co-registration system (OPTIS™ Integrated System; Abbott, Chicago, USA) on operator decision making during PCI and interventional outcome. In the second part, the study describes the retrospective analysis regarding incidence and impact of GM in patients with ACS (OPTICO-Cover study). In the prospective, monocentric OPTICO-Integration I study, 50 patients with 58 coronary lesions were included and the intervention strategy of the operators after angiography, OCT, and angiographic coregistered OCT (ACR) was noted. Use of ACR resulted in changes of the intervention strategy in 40.7% of cases, primarily regarding stent length, size, and location (24.1%). Stent diameters were increased in 5.6% and were decreased in 1.9% of cases. Stents were chosen to be longer in 14.8%, and shorter in 7.4% of cases. Postinterventionally, ACR had no significant effect. After use of ACR, the rate of GM was 8.7%. In complex lesions, changes in intervention strategy were significantly more frequent after ACR. For the OPTICO-Cover study, 120 patients with OCTs of their ACS-causing culprit lesion (CL) from the prospective, multicenter OPTICO-ACS study were selected and coregistration was performed to assess the rate of GM and its effect during 12-months follow-up. In 36.7% of the patients, a part of the CL remained uncovered. In comparison, a significantly better coverage rate (89.0%) of the thrombi was achieved. Patients with GM had significantly longer CL, lower thrombus burden, and shorter symptom-to-balloon time. In logistic regression, GM was shown to be an independent predictor of Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events and Hospitalization due to Angina (MACCE+) at one year (odds ratio 5.824, p = 0.033). In conclusion, the present studies demonstrate for the first time the significant impact of real-time ACR on PCI strategy, especially in complex lesions. Furthermore, it was shown for the first time that CL were often incompletely and less well covered than thrombi in the area of CL, and that resulting GM was an independent predictor for the occurrence of MACCE+.

Objective: The lordotic shape of the lumbar spine differs substantially between individuals. Measuring and recording strain during spinal biomechanical tests is an effective method to infer stresses on spinal implants and predict failure mechanisms. The geometry of the spine may have a significant effect on the resultant force distribution, thereby directly affecting rod strain.Methods: Seven fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens (T12-sacrum) underwent standard (7.5 Nm) nondestructive sagittal plane tests: flexion and extension. The conditions tested were intact and pedicle screws and rods (PSR) at L1-sacrum. The posterior right rod was instrumented with strain gauges between L3–4 (index level) and the L5–S1 pedicle screw. All specimens underwent lateral radiographs before testing. Lordotic angles encompassing different levels (L5–S1, L4–S1, L3–S1, L2–S1, and L1–S1) were measured and compared with rod strain. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analyses.Results: Strong positive correlations were observed between lordosis and posterior rod strain across different conditions. The L3–S1 lordotic angle in the unloaded intact condition correlated with peak rod strain at L3–4 with PSR during flexion (R = 0.76, p = 0.04). The same angle in the unloaded PSR condition correlated with peak strain in the PSR condition during extension (R = -0.79, p = 0.04). The unloaded intact L2–S1 lordotic angle was significantly correlated with rod strain at L3–4 in the PSR condition during flexion (R = 0.85, p = 0.02) and extension (R = -0.85, p = 0.02) and with rod strain at L5–S1 in the PSR condition during flexion (R = 0.84, p = 0.04).Conclusion: Lordosis measured on intact and instrumented conditions has strong positive correlations with posterior rod strain in cadaveric testing.

Background Biologics have demonstrated efficacy in PsA in randomized clinical trials. More evidence is needed on their effectiveness under real clinical practice conditions. The aim of the present work is to provide real-world evidence of the effectiveness of biologics for PsA in the daily clinical practice. Methods CHRONOS was a multicenter, non-interventional, cohort study conducted in 20 Italian hospital rheumatology clinics. Results 399 patients were eligible (56.9% females, mean (SD) age: 52.4 (11.6) years). The mean (SD) duration of PsA and psoriasis was 7.2 (6.9) and 15.3 (12.2) years, respectively. The mean (SD) duration of the biologic treatment under analysis was 18.6 (6.5) months. The most frequently prescribed biologic was secukinumab (40.4%), followed by adalimumab (17.8%) and etanercept (16.5%). The proportion of overall responders according to EULAR DAS28 criteria was 71.8% (95% CI: 66.7–76.8%) out of 308 patients at 6 months and 68.0% (95% CI: 62.7–73.3%) out of 297 patients at 1 year. Overall, ACR20/50/70 responses at 6 months were 41.2% (80/194), 29.4% (57/194), 17.1% (34/199) and at 1-year were 34.9% (66/189), 26.7% (51/191), 18.4% (36/196), respectively. Secondary outcome measures improved rapidly already at 6 months: mean (SD) PASI, available for 87 patients, decreased from 3.2 (5.1) to 0.6 (1.3), the proportion of patients with dactylitis from 23.6% (35/148) to 3.5% (5/142) and those with enthesitis from 33.3% (49/147) to 9.0% (12/133). Conclusions The CHRONOS study provides real-world evidence of the effectiveness of biologics in PsA in the Italian rheumatological practice, confirming the efficacy reported in RCTs across various outcome measures.

Background: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the relationship between dyslipidemia and renal function in these patients remains controversial. Our objectives were to determine the triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C), evaluate the correlation between TG/HDL-C and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), and estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to MDRD in CKD patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 152 patients with CKD at the Endocrine Clinic, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Study subjects were medically examined and recorded information on the data collection form. Subjects were tested for total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, urea, creatinine and albumin, urine creatinine, and eGFR according to the MDRD formula. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 20.0. Results: The average age was 58.08 ± 15.69 years, and the overweight and obesity rate was 54%. Most patients had comorbidities, among which the most common diseases were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Among the subjects, 57.3% were CKD stage 3 patients, and ACR was in the range of 30–300 mg/g. According to the classification of CKD using GFR and ACR categories, 40.8% of patients were at very high risk. The average TG/HDL-C ratio was 5.09 ± 4.26. There was a medium negative correlation between TG/HDL-C and eGFR (R = 0.44, p < 0.01) and a weak positive correlation between TG/HDL-C and ACR (R = 0.34, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The TG/HDL-C ratio was a risk factor associated with CKD and was noticeable in monitoring and assessing the risk of progression of CKD.

Background age-adapted definition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) does not take individual risk factors into account. We aimed at investigating whether functional impairments influence CKD stage at which mortality increases among older people. Methods our series consisted of 2,372 outpatients aged 75 years or more enrolled in a multicentre international prospective cohort study. The study outcome was 24-month mortality. Kidney function was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Geriatric assessments included handgrip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), cognitive impairment, dependency in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and risk of malnutrition. Analysis was carried out by Cox regression, before and after stratification by individual functional impairments. Survival trees including kidney function and functional impairments were also investigated, and their predictivity assessed by C-index. Results overall, mortality was found to increase starting from eGFR = 30–44.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.81–5.95) to ACR = 30–300 mg/g (HR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.23–3.10). However, in survival trees, an increased risk of mortality was observed among patients with impaired handgrip and eGFR = 45–59.9 ml/min/1.73 m2, as well as patients with ACR Conclusions physical performance helps to identify a proportion of patients at an increased risk of mortality despite a mild–moderate impairment in kidney function and improves predictive accuracy of individual measures of kidney function.

Background Managing low back pain (LBP) often involves MRI despite the fact that international guidelines do not recommend routine imaging. To allow us to explore the topic and use this knowledge in further research, a reliable method to review the MRI referrals is needed. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of a method evaluating lumbar spine MRI referrals’ appropriateness. Methods Four inexperienced students (chiropractic master’s students) and a senior clinician (chiropractor) were included as independent raters in this inter-rater reliability study. Lumbar spine MRI referrals from primary care on patients (> 18 years) with LBP with or without leg pain were included. The referrals were classified using a modified version of the American College of Radiology (ACR) imaging appropriateness criteria for LBP. Categories of appropriate referrals included; fractures, cancer, previous surgery, candidate for surgery or suspicion of cauda equina. Inappropriate referrals included lacking information on previous non-surgical treatment, no word on non-surgical treatment duration, or “other reasons” for inappropriate referrals. After two rounds of training and consensus sessions, 50 lumbar spine MRI referrals were reviewed independently by the five raters. Inter-rater reliability was quantified using unweighted Kappa statistics, and the observed agreement was calculated with both a pairwise comparison and an overall five-rater comparison. Results Inter-rater reliability was substantial, with a Kappa value for appropriate vs. inappropriate referrals of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.55–0.89). When six and eight subcategories were evaluated, the Kappa values were 0.77 (95% CI: 0.58–0.91) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.92), respectively. The overall percentage of agreement for appropriate and inappropriate referrals was 92% and ranged from 88 to 98% for the pairwise comparisons of the five raters’ results. For the six and eight subcategories, the overall agreement was 92 and 88%, respectively, ranging from 88 to 98% and 84–92%, respectively, for the pairwise comparisons. Conclusion The inter-rater reliability of the evaluation of the appropriateness of lumbar spine MRI referrals, according to the modified ACR-appropriateness criteria, was found to range from substantial to almost perfect and can be used for research and quality assurance purposes.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ixekizumab (IXE), a monoclonal antibody selectively targeting interleukin-17A, in patients with inadequate response to one or two TNF inhibitors (TNFi). Methods A phase 3 study (SPIRIT-P2; NCT02349295) randomized patients with PsA with inadequate response or intolerance to one or two TNFi to receive 80-mg IXE every 2 weeks (n = 123) or every 4 weeks (n = 122) after a 160-mg starting dose or placebo (PBO; n = 118) through week 24. This post hoc analysis used data from inadequate responders to one or two TNFi, measuring the percentage achieving: ≥50% improvement in ACR response criteria (ACR50) and 100% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 100), ACR50, improvement in HAQ-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) ≥0.35, minimal disease activity (MDA), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Good Response Criteria [improvement in Disease Activity Score 28 CRP (DAS28-CRP) >1.2], and Disease Activity in PsA (DAPSA) ≤14. Results There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between inadequate responders to one and two TNFi. At week 24, significantly more patients irrespective of previous TNFi experience receiving IXE than PBO achieved ACR50, HAQ-DI ≥0.35 improvement, MDA, EULAR good response, and DAPSA ≤14, and significantly more patients with inadequate response to one TNFi receiving IXE than PBO achieved ACR50 and PASI 100. Improvement persisted in all measures through week 52. Conclusion IXE improved the signs and symptoms of PsA in a population of difficult-to-treat patients with inadequate response to one or two TNFi.

Objective: In the present modern era of time, poor and frantic lifestyle has led to an enumerate increase in the number of people with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Epidemiological studies have shown the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk factors in individuals with obesity and MS; despite the nonclear evidence on the existing potential risk factors, it became important to reassess existing potential risk factors that are involved in disease progression and its further complications. The strongest risk factor of CKD, albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) recognized as a marker of MS and obesity. This study was carried out to identify the association of obesity (body mass index [BMI]) as a risk factor for albuminuria and to observe the dependence and association with albuminuria of each critical and basic factor of MS. Design: We conducted the potential risk factor analysis on 913 subjects, including 398 females and 515 males, from various diabetic hospitals of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh from early 2013 to June 2015. The medical records of the patients followed up; the anthropometric measurements and clinical parameters were retrospectively collected. The total subjects were categorized as subjects with and without MS as per National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATPIII) and the subjects with BMI more than 30 kg/m2 were defined as obese according to WHO classification. Results: Student’s t test analysis indicates a significant difference for ACR with mean values of 39.5 ± 44.8 and 18.4 ± 24.3 (P < 0.0001) in subjects with MS and without MS, 43.4 ± 48.3 and 36.7 ± 42.5 (P < 0.02) in obese and nonobese subjects, respectively. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association (P < 0.05) between MS and ACR and correlation analysis manifested significant association (P < 0.01) between ACR and FBS, TG, B.P, and Age in subjects with MS. The subjects with high prevalence of albuminuria exhibited significant association with an odds ratio (OR) of 1 (referent) 1.9 (95% CI, 1.34–2.58, P = 0.0002), 1.5 (95% CI, 1.11–1.96, P = 0.0082) for FBS >110 mg/dL, and TG > 150 mg/dL, respectively. Although the subjects with obesity showed no correlation with albuminuria, the risk for albuminuria was 1.5 times (95%CI 1.03–2.40, P = 0.03) higher among obese male subjects compared to obese female subjects. Conclusion: Our study strongly supports that albuminuria is highly prevalent among the subjects, with MS showing a significant positive association between obesity (BMI) with albuminuria in males only.

International audience; Introduction: This is a clinical case illustrating a diagnosis of an IgG4 related-disease (IgG4-RD) diagnosed in a vascular context.Case report: A 47-year-old man with no past medical history consulted for a recent and disabling Raynaud phenomenon without trophic disorder. Vascular examinations revealed multiple arterial thromboses with no abnormal finger and toe pressures. Secondly, weight loss and submandibular glands enlargement appeared, leading to the diagnosis of IgG4-RD without a link being able to be established with vascular involvement. This is the second observation of this association. A French translation of the new classification criteria for IgG4-RD published in 2019 by the American College of Rheumatology and European Ligue Against Rhumatism (ACR/EULAR) is offered with direct application to the clinical case.Conclusion: A Raynaud phenomenon with distal arterial thrombosis is rarely observed in the IgG4-RD.; Introduction: Les phénomènes de Raynaud secondaires sont exceptionnellement rapportés au cours de la maladie associée aux IgG4. Nous en rapportons une observation et détaillons les nouveaux critères diagnostiques de la maladie associée aux IgG4.Observation: Un homme de 47 ans sans antécédent présentait un phénomène de Raynaud des mains, bilatéral, d'apparition récente, sans trouble trophique. Les examens vasculaires révélaient des thromboses artérielles multiples et distales sans anomalie des pressions digitales. Quelques mois après, une perte de poids et une hypertrophie sous-mandibulaire conduisaient au diagnostic de maladie associée aux IgG4 selon les critères de l'American College of Rheumatology/European Ligue Against Rhumatism (ACR/EULAR 2019) dont une traduction française est proposée. Il s'agit de la deuxième observation d'un phénomène de Raynaud avec thromboses artérielles distales au cours d'une maladie associée aux IgG4.Conclusion: Un phénomène de Raynaud avec thromboses artérielles distales s'observe de façon exceptionnelle au cours de la maladie associée aux IgG4.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of 9%. Major obstacles to successful treatment of pancreatic cancer are the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and antigenic complexity or heterogeneity. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed on PDAC and immunosuppressed cells within the TME, providing suitable immunotherapy targets. We applied a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) strategy to target immune checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 interactions. Lentiviral vectors were used to express the extracellular domain of human PD-1 (PD-1-CD28-4-1BB activating chimeric receptor [PD1ACR]) or the single-chain variable fragment (scFv) region of anti-PD-L1 (PDL1CAR) that binds to PD-L1, and each was fused to intracellular signaling domains containing CD3 zeta, CD28, and 4-1BB (CD137). Both engineered CAR T cells recognized and eliminated PD-L1-overexpressing CFPAC1 cells efficiently at approximately 80% in vitro. Adoptive transfer of both CAR T cells enhanced T cell persistence and induced specific regression of established CFPAC1 cancer by >80% in both xenograft and orthotopic models. Ki67 expression in tumors decreased, whereas proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines increased in CAR T cell-treated mouse sera. PD1ACR and PDL1CAR obtained a similar therapeutic efficacy. Thus, these armed third-generation PD-L1-targeted CAR T cells confer antitumor activity and the ability to combat T cell exhaustion, providing a potentially new and innovative CAR T cell immunotherapy against pancreatic cancers., Graphical Abstract, Yang et al. developed armed third-generation PD-L1-targeted ACR/CAR T cells utilizing a PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint axis. Both engineered CAR T cells significantly improved tumor control and survival in models of PD-L1-expressed pancreatic cancers.

Hypertension is often found in patients with type 2 diabetes. Albumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR) is used to detect early symptoms of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between ACR and hypertension, as well as its relationship with other risk factors in type diabetes patients 2. Data were collected from 112 diabetic patients at PROLANIS FKTP Banyumas to see ACR and blood pressure. The results showed that poor glycemic control could be one of the risk factors. It can be concluded that detecting kidney dysfunction through ACR and starting treatment as early as possible can avoid the worst possibilities in type 2 diabetes patients.

Introduction: The occurrence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is regarded as an early clinical sign of incipient kidney damage. Microalbuminuria is often evaluated as urinary albumin to urinary creatinine ratio (ACR). Aim: To assess determinants of microalbuminuria in T2DM patients without prior diagnosis of nephropathy using ACR cut-off values. Materials and Methods: ACR was measured in a total of 90 T2DM patients, during two months in three non-consecutive days, and routine biochemical analyses were performed, including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum uric acid (SUA), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). The cut-off values of ACR were ≤ 2.5 mg/mmol in males, and ≤ 3.5 mg/mmol in females. Duration of T2DM, history of hypertension, HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), AIP, and SUA were investigated for association with microalbuminuria. Results: According to ACR patients were considered as non-albuminuric (n= 57) and microalbuminuric (n = 33). Compared to non-albuminuric group, microalbuminuric group had increased urinary creatinine, urinary albumin, HbA1c, triglycerides and SUA, whilst decreased HDL-cholesterol levels. Although eGFR was generally reduced, the correlation between LogACR and eGFR was not significant (p > 0.05). However, the correlation between LogACR and LogHbA1c was significant. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed HbA1c (t = 3.42; p = 0.012) and SUA (t = 2.44; p = 0.040) as independent predictors of microalbuminuria in T2DM patients. Conclusion: At ACR cut-off values, concentrations of HbA1c and SUA were independent predictors of microalbuminuria in T2DM patients not yet diagnosed with nephropathy.

This diploma thesis is puzzled with influence of NATO on Army of Czech Republic (ACR)'s armaments and if this influence is key factor in decision making regarding new acquisition projects or if other factors have bigger impact on decision making in question. NATO with the USA as its main sponsor is more benevolent than Warsaw Pact of which The Czech Republic was part during Cold War. Even though we can observe attempts to force member states into increasing their defense budgets from position of power, the main principle in new armament acquisition is standardization, which is based on semi-voluntary bases. However, in case of The Czech Republic standardization is not starting factor for new acquisition project. Change in security environment after Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014 forced states to into increasing their defense budgets, which was manifested itself in summit in Wales in 2014, where NATO member states promised to allocate 2% of GDP by 2024. However, it was observed that not all states will meet this deadline and that size of state do not play significant role. Increasing of defense budget allowed ACR to start long awaited modernization projects. This diploma thesis found that not NATO but outdated equipment with fear from being dependent on Russian provisioning plays a key role.

Title: Anthropometric factors of Czech artillery soldiers Objectives: The aim of this paper is to evaluate somatotype and body composition of Czech artillery soldiers. It compares three different methods of determining body fat and searches for an easily measurable and reliable predictor of low bone density, whereas evaluating correlations between selected anthropometric factors. Methods: Members of the 13th Artillery Regiment Jince were divided into three groups according to their classification, after which a stratified selection was used to maintain appropriate ratio of the groups. The study involved 189 men and 20 women (age 31.7 ± 6.4 years; height 178.4 ± 7.7 cm; weight 83.8 ± 13.6 kg). All participants were active professional soldiers at the time of the measurement. The data were obtained in the Jince Military Base and in the biomedical laboratory at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of Charles University. Each volunteer underwent four procedures - Heath- Carter somatotyping, Durnin-Womersley body fat estimation, a detailed bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) using Tanita MC-980, and a full-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) using Horizon System. To determine mutual relations, Kendall rank correlation coefficient was used and the level of significance was set at p =...

Tota empresa que tracta amb residus ha de tenir una regulació del material d'entrada i sortida per complir amb la llei vigent. En aquest treball es desenvoluparà una aplicació destinada a poder registrar aquests residus d'una manera senzilla i eficaç, poder accedir-hi i visualizar-los intuïtivament, i poder extreure'n informes adaptats al client a qui va destinat el sistema. Every company that deals with waste must have a regulation of the input and output material to comply with current law. In this work, an application will be developed to be able to register this waste in a simple and efficient way, to be able to access and visualize it intuitively, and to be able to extract reports adapted to the client for whom the system is intended. Toda empresa que trata con residuos debe tener una regulación del material de entrada y salida para cumplir con la ley vigente. En este trabajo se desarrollará una aplicación destinada a poder registrar estos residuos de una forma sencilla y eficaz, poder acceder a ellos y visualizarlos intuitivamente, y poder extraer informes adaptados al cliente al que va destinado el sistema.

U razvoju algoritama za obradu i kodiranje videa, kao i kod prijenosa i pohrane videa koriste se objektivne i subjektivne metode za ocjenu njegove kvalitete. Objektivne metode koriste matematičke modele za procjenu kvalitete videa, dok se subjektivnim metodama procjena kvalitete dobije na temelju ocjena koje daju ljudi. Osnovni problemi koji se pojavljuju pri ocjenjivanju videa subjektivnom metodom su relevantnost podataka i odabir metode provođenja testa. U završnom radu su obrađene subjektivne metode, a obrađena je i primjena masovne podrške za provedbu subjektivne ocjene kvalitete videa. U namjenu prikupljanja podataka za analizu, u okviru ovog rada napravljeno je web sučelje koje je zasnovano na metodi masovne podrške. Web aplikacija omogućava izbor između 4 različite metode subjektivnog procjenjivanja: ACR, ACR-HR, DSIS i PC čije su primjene različite. Baza podataka koja je spojena s web sučeljem omogućuje registraciju velikog broja korisnika, te se na temelju testa za daltonizam određuje može li korisnik pristupiti ocjenjivanju videa, koji su komprimirani H.264 koderom. Kao krajnji rezultat ovog rada dobiveno je funkcionalno web sučelje koje se sastoji od korisničkog i administrativnog sučelja, te koje grupira rezultate ocjenjivanja prema jednoj od 4 različite metode i datumu kada je odrađen test. In the development of algorithms for video processing and encoding, as well as in the transmission and storage of video, objective and subjective methods are used to assess its quality. Objective methods use mathematical models to assess video quality, while subjective methods use quality assessment based on ratings given by people. The main problems that occur when evaluating video by the subjective method are the relevance of the data and the choice of the method of conducting the test. The final paper deals with subjective methods and deals with the application of crowdsourcing for the implementation of subjective video quality assessment. In order to collect data for analysis, a web interface based on the crowdsourcing method was developed in the scope of this final thesis. The web application provides the application of 4 different methods of subjective video quality assessment: ACR, ACR-HR, DSIS and PC whose applications are different. The database connected to the website enables the registration of many users, and based on the color blindness test, it is determined whether the user can access the evaluation of videos, which are compressed with the H.264 encoder. As a result of this work, a functional web interface was obtained, which consists of a user and administrative interface, and sorting of the evaluation results according to one of 4 different methods and the date when the test was performed.

ilustraciones, fotografías, gráficas, tablas Esta investigación permitió evaluar los efectos de los residuos de cilindros de ensayos de concreto utilizados como agregado grueso sobre la durabilidad del concreto, diseñando mezclas de concreto que cumplan una resistencia, característica para ser usada como material estructural, para dos diferentes porcentajes de reemplazo de agregado natural por agregado reciclado y con una relación de agua cemento de 0.63. Se determinaron la resistencia a compresión, penetración de cloruros, carbonatación y expansión de sulfatos del concreto con agregado grueso sustituido al 50% por agregado de concreto reciclado - ACR, frente al concreto convencional. Los resultados de los diferentes ensayos evidenciaron que es posible producir estructuras de concreto que incorporen cantidades del 50% de agregados reciclados gruesos siempre que se garantice su calidad y su origen, ya que el concreto obtenido tuvo resultados comparables a los del concreto de referencia, cumpliendo con los requerimientos normativos de resistencia a la compresión. No se apreciaron evidencias significativas entre concretos expuestos a ataques de sulfatos con agregado de concreto reciclado y agregado natural, pero con leve mejoría en resultados cuando se trata de AN y cuando se especifica un diseño de resistencia mayor. Los datos obtenidos del concreto con ACR que se expuso a carbonatación acelerada mostro menor desempeño, pues se presentó un aumento del 45% en las mediciones de profundidad, con relación a las mezclas de concreto con AN. Las mezclas de concreto con ACR, arrojaron resultados menores de resistencia al ion cloruro de un 10% con relación a las mezclas con AN, esta diferencia se mantuvo tanto para los diseños de resistencias de 3000psi y 4000psi. This research allowed to evaluate the effects of concrete test cylinder residues used as coarse aggregate on the durability of concrete, designing concrete mixtures that meet a specific resistance, characteristic to be used as structural material, for two different percentages of replacement of natural aggregate by per each recycled aggregate and with a water-cement ratio of 0.63. The resistance to compression, chlorides penetration, carbonation and expansión of sulfates of concrete with coarse aggregate replaced by 50% have been determined per each recycled concrete aggregate - RCA, compared to conventional concrete. The results of the different tests showed evidence that it is possible to produce concrete structures that incorporate 50% amounts of coarse recycled aggregates as long as their quality and origin are guaranteed, since the concrete obtained had results comparable to those of the reference concrete, complying with the normative requirements of compressive strength. No significant evidence was seen among concretes exposed to sulfate attacks with recycled concrete aggregate and natural aggregate, but with slight improvement in results when it comes to NA and when a greater resistance/strength design is specified. The data obtained from the concrete with RCA that has been exposed to an accelerated carbonation showed a lower performance, since there was an increase of 45% in the depth measurements in relation to the concrete mixtures with NA. The concrete mixtures with RCA, showed lower results of resistance to chloride ion of 10% in relation to the mixtures with NA, this difference was maintained for both the 3000psi and 4000psi resistance/ strength designs. Maestría Magíster en Construcción Esta investigación se clasifica de tipo cuantitativa, basándose en teoría e investigaciones previas acerca del tema con diversas variables para compararla con los resultados finales del presente estudio, por medio de análisis de datos obtenidos de ensayos de laboratorio para realizar comparaciones y así determinar conclusiones y aportes de la investigación (Hernández Sampieri R., Metodología de la investigación., 2010) Concretos

The main objective of the article is to describe the changes in managing the peer learning system in the Department of Abdominal Imaging at our institution during the pandemic and its restrictions. The pandemic poses diverse challenges to academic institutions across the country including radiology education and peer learning. The health sector in some areas of the country has been stretched by the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. In March 2020, our institution cancelled all in-person conferences as per guidelines from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the conferences were shifted to virtual platforms. Our recent peer learning approach allowed us to practice appropriate social distancing while following the institutional and national guidelines with minimal disruption. Other institutions that are facing similar challenges can adopt or modify our framework of a successful and efficient virtual peer learning process.

In this paper, the different root cause analysis (ACR) methodologies referenced in the literature were described and each step of the PROACT methodology are presented in detail used to analyze the failure that was presented in the mobile blades of the Francis turbines in the hydroelectric of Alto Anchicaya. According to Empresa de Energia del Pacifico - EPSA criteria, this type of failure, because it is complex in a generation plant, requires a priority level of intervention, for this reason, this failure was analyzed using the Proact Suite V 4 software as a tool to facilitate the follow-up of the steps of the methodology and systematize and standardize the different failure analyzes that have occurred in their different generation plants. As a result of this methodology, three elements of the turbine involved in the fault were determined: Intermediate bushings, Asparagus and Packs, this identification allowed to establish corrective measures to reduce its occurrence. The main cause was located in the intermediate bushings of the mobile blade and determined that the material of the bushings that best fits the working conditions of the blades are the D-glide bushings.

Graphical abstract, Background The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is seeing a rapid increase in infected people worldwide and linked with various risk factors. Objective To find out the risk factors zone associated with Coronavirus disease among children under five age using malnourished status, pre-existing morbidity conditions, household environmental factors, and also with case fatality and active case rate of COVID-19 disease in India. Data sources & Methods: Data was utilized from the 4th round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2015-16, and CFR and ACR of COVID-19 related data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on 18th May 2020. Mean, standard deviation, and Z-score statistical methods have been employed to identify the risk factors zone and hot spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi) has been used. Results The states and UTs which have a high composite vulnerability score of the COVID-19 among under-5 children are Meghalaya (CVS=1), Uttar Pradesh (CVS=0.93), Jharkhand (CVS=0.86), Bihar, (CVS=0.74), Madhya Pradesh (CVS=0.74), and Odisha (CVS=0.55). The states and UTs which have low composite vulnerability score of the COVID-19 among under-5 children are Sikkim (CVS= -0.90), Daman & Diu (CVS= -0.76) Lakshadweep (CVS= -0.74), Kerala (CVS= -0.72), Chandigarh (CVS= -0.71). The COVID-19 vulnerable/ risk factors zone (hot spot: 99% Confidence interval [CI]) were observed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Meghalaya states of India, which are spatially high clustered. The low rates of (cold spot: 95% CI) less vulnerable zones were observed in Kerala, Mizoram which is spatially low clustered. Conclusions Well-built public health measures, including rapidly searching in high focus areas and testing of COVID-19, should be performed in vulnerable areas of COVID-19.

Cue counting is a method developed for estimating vocally active wildlife density by dividing the density of cues (number of cues per unit area surveyed per unit time) by the average cue rate (ACR) at which individuals vocalize. It has been used successfully to estimate whale density using passive acoustic monitoring, but its efficacy has had limited testing in birds. We tested whether cue counting can be used to infer bird abundance using autonomous recording units and estimated the minimum effort required to obtain a reliable cue rate at individual and population levels. We recorded Dupont's Lark (Chersophilus duponti) vocalizations at 31 sites where traditional field censuses were also performed. We estimated the ACR using three methodologies: directional recordings, recordings from an online database of bird sounds (xeno-canto), and behavioral field studies. The ACRs estimated using directional recordings and behavioral field studies were similar, and bird numbers were over and underestimated by 0.8 and 10%, respectively (74–77% of the sampling sites were well estimated). However, the ACR estimated using xeno-canto recordings was much higher than those estimated using the other two methods, and bird numbers were underestimated by 41%. We also performed a cost-effectiveness assessment of the number of individuals and recording durations needed to optimize the estimation of a reliable ACR. We found that ACR estimates were more efficient if long (25 min) recordings were used when < 4 males were recorded, whereas 5-min recordings were more efficient for ≥ 20 males. We conclude that cue counting can be useful to infer bird density around recorders but requires an accurate measure of the ACR. Further research should evaluate the effectiveness of passive cue counting on a large number of species and under different circumstances. Le comptage des détections est une méthode qui a été élaborée pour estimer la densité de la faune active vocalement en divisant la densité de détections (nombre de détections par unité de surface étudiée par unité de temps) par le taux moyen de détections (TMD) auquel les individus chantent ou crient. Cette méthode a été utilisée avec succès pour calculer la densité des baleines à l'aide d'un suivi sonore passif, mais son efficacité a peu été testée chez les oiseaux. Nous avons testé si le comptage des détections pouvait être utilisé pour déduire l'abondance des oiseaux en utilisant des enregistreurs automatisés et avons calculé l'effort minimum requis pour obtenir un taux de détections fiable au niveau des individus et des populations. Nous avons enregistré les manifestations sonores du Sirli de Dupont (Chersophilus duponti) sur 31 sites où des recensements traditionnels ont également été effectués. Nous avons calculé le TMD de trois façons : à partir d'enregistrements directionnels, d'enregistrements provenant d'une base de données de cris et de chants d'oiseaux accessible en ligne (xeno-canto) et d'études comportementales sur le terrain. Les TMD calculés à l'aide d'enregistrements directionnels et d'études comportementales étaient similaires, et le nombre d'oiseaux était surestimé et sous-estimé de 0,8 et 10 %, respectivement (la mesure de 74-77 % des sites d'échantillonnage était juste). Cependant, le TMD calculé à l'aide d'enregistrements de xeno-canto était beaucoup plus élevé que ceux obtenus au moyen des deux autres méthodes, et le nombre d'oiseaux était sous-estimé de 41 %. Nous avons également réalisé une évaluation coût-efficacité du nombre d'individus et des durées d'enregistrement nécessaires pour optimiser le calcul d'un TMD fiable. Nous avons constaté que la mesure du TMD était meilleure si des enregistrements longs (25 min) étaient utilisés lorsque < 4 mâles étaient enregistrés, tandis que des enregistrements de 5 min étaient plus efficaces pour ≥ 20 mâles. Nous concluons que le comptage des détections peut être utile pour calculer la densité d'oiseaux autour des enregistreurs, mais une mesure précise du TMD doit d'abord être effectuée. D'autres recherches devraient se pencher sur l'évaluation de l'efficacité du comptage passif des détections dans le cas d'un grand nombre d'espèces et dans différentes circonstances. This study was supported by the Programa de Investigación y Conservación del Zoo de Barcelona within the project “Nuevas tecnologías para viejos trabajos: Uso de grabadores automáticos para la detección y censo de especies raras y amenazadas: El caso de la alondra ricotí en Lleida y otras poblaciones pequeñas”; the Education, Youth and Sport Bureau (Madrid Regional Government); and the European Social Fund for the Youth Employment Initiative (PEJ15/AMB/AI-0059 and PEJ1D-2018-PRE/AMB-8063). This work is a contribution to the Excellence Network Remedinal 3CM (S2013/MAE2719), supported by Comunidad de Madrid; and to the projects “Census of Dupont’s Lark in Guadalajara 2017 (SSCC/046/2017)”, supported by Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha; LIFE Ricotí (LIFE15-NAT-ES-000802), supported by the European Commission, and “BBVA-Dron Ricotí”, funded by the BBVA Foundation.

Purpose- Performance appraisal is crucial for enhancing the productivity of employees working in any sector. This paper investigates the prevailing performance appraisal system and promotion policy of selected public commercial banks (Sonali Bank Ltd, Rupali Bank Ltd, and Agrani Bank Ltd) in Bangladesh. Design/Methodology- The study is a descriptive case of three banks. The researchers interviewed six experienced banking professionals who provided rich data about their respective banks' performance appraisal and feedback systems. The findings of the study are based on the thematic analysis of the respondents’ statements. However, the study also utilized secondary sources for other relevant information. Findings- The study found that all the banks have an established system for evaluating employee performances through ACR with structured criteria for the promotion. The standard criteria include ACR, academic degree, banking diploma, length of service, etc. However, the grading scale for promoting to different positions is differing among the banks. The study also addressed some limitations of the ACR method as rating only by the manager, biasness on ratings, no appraisal feedback to employees etc. Practical Implications- The study seeks to drive the attention of policymakers to utilize their existing performance appraisal system better and design a more effective one with a well-established promotion policy to encourage the employees to give their best effort at the workplace.

This paper deals with the impact of content on the perceived video quality evaluated using the subjective Absolute Category Rating (ACR) method. The assessment was conducted on eight types of video sequences with diverse content obtained from the SJTU dataset. The sequences were encoded at 5 different constant bitrates in two widely video compression standards H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC at Full HD and Ultra HD resolutions, which means 160 annotated video sequences were created. The length of Group of Pictures (GOP) was set to half the framerate value, as is typical for video intended for transmission over a noisy communication channel. The evaluation was performed in two laboratories: one situated at the University of Zilina, and the second at the VSB—Technical University in Ostrava. The results acquired in both laboratories reached/showed a high correlation. Notwithstanding the fact that the sequences with low Spatial Information (SI) and Temporal Information (TI) values reached better Mean Opinion Score (MOS) score than the sequences with higher SI and TI values, these two parameters are not sufficient for scene description, and this domain should be the subject of further research. The evaluation results led us to the conclusion that it is unnecessary to use the H.265/HEVC codec for compression of Full HD sequences and the compression efficiency of the H.265 codec by the Ultra HD resolution reaches the compression efficiency of both codecs by the Full HD resolution. This paper also includes the recommendations for minimum bitrate thresholds at which the video sequences at both resolutions retain good and fair subjectively perceived quality.

Objectives This study aimed to test the performance of the new ACR and EULAR criteria, that include ANA positivity as entry criterion, in JSLE. Methods Performance of the ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria were compared with Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC-2012), using data from children and young people (CYP) in the UK JSLE Cohort Study (n = 482), with the ACR-1997 criteria used as reference standard. An unselected cohort of CYP positive for ANA (n = 129) was used to calculate positive/negative predictive values of the criteria. Results At both first and last visits, the number of patients fulfilling the different classification criteria varied significantly (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the SLICC-2012 criteria was higher when compared with that of the ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria at first and last visits (98% vs 94% for first visit, and 98% vs 96% for last visit; P < 0.001), when all available CYP were considered. The ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria were more specific when compared with the SLICC-2012 criteria (77% vs 67% for first visit, and 81% vs 71% for last visit; P < 0.001). Significant differences between the classification criteria were mainly caused by the variation in ANA positivity across ages. In the unselected cohort of ANA-positive CYP, the ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria produced the highest false-positive classification (6/129, 5%). Conclusion In CYP, the ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria are not superior to those of the SLICC-2012 or ACR-1997 criteria. If classification criteria are designed to include CYP and adult populations, paediatric rheumatologists should be included in the consensus and evaluation process, as seemingly minor changes can significantly affect outcomes.

Objective The efficacy of the novel interleukin (IL)-23p19 inhibitor guselkumab for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has recently been demonstrated in two phase 3 trials (DISCOVER-1 & -2) but has not been evaluated vs other targeted therapies for PsA. The objective was to compare guselkumab to targeted therapies for PsA for safety and joint and skin efficacy through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in January 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials. Bayesian NMAs were performed to compare treatments on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 response, mean change from baseline in van der Heijde-Sharp (vdH-S) score, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75/90/100 response, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results Twenty-six phase 3 studies evaluating 13 targeted therapies for PsA were included. For ACR 20 response, guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks (Q8W) was comparable to IL-17A inhibitors and subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Similar findings were observed for ACR 50 and 70. For vdH-S score, guselkumab Q8W was comparable to other agents except intravenous TNF therapies. Results for PASI 75 and PASI 90 response suggested guselkumab Q8W was better than most other agents. For PASI 100, guselkumab Q8W was comparable to other active agents. For AEs and SAEs, guselkumab Q8W ranked highly but comparative conclusions were uncertain. Similar results were observed for all outcomes for guselkumab 100 mg every four weeks. Conclusions In this NMA, guselkumab demonstrated favorable arthritis efficacy comparable to IL-17A and subcutaneous TNF inhibitors while offering better PASI response relative to many other treatments.

Electronic Warfare has, in recent years, become a key field in modern armed forces. After wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and experience from conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, Western armed forces turned their attention to the field of Electronic Warfare. The most powerful armed forces of the world are being modernized under the Network-Centric Warfare and Multi-Domain Operations concepts based on real-time data-sharing and communications in the Electromagnetic spectrum. This master thesis deals with Great Powers perspectives (the US, Russia, and Israel), lessons learned from the conflicts mentioned above in Ukraine and Syria, compares it with doctrinal documents of the Czech Armed Forces, and identifies lessons for Czech Armed Forces. The main goal of this thesis is to identify lessons learned for the Czech Armed Forces and key priorities in modernization for the Czech Armed forces to be prepared for future threats and battlefield. Based on the discussed approaches and conflicts, the author identifies the following implications. There is a need to update Czech doctrinal documents. Czech Armed Forces should not focus only on the modernization of special Electronic Warfare units but to introduce the field of Electronic Warfare across the Armed forces. Czech Air Force needs to be equipped with offensive...

Objective The efficacy of the novel interleukin (IL)-23p19 inhibitor guselkumab for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has recently been demonstrated in two phase 3 trials (DISCOVER-1 & -2) but has not been evaluated vs other targeted therapies for PsA. The objective was to compare guselkumab to targeted therapies for PsA for safety and joint and skin efficacy through network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in January 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials. Bayesian NMAs were performed to compare treatments on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70 response, mean change from baseline in van der Heijde-Sharp (vdH-S) score, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 75/90/100 response, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results Twenty-six phase 3 studies evaluating 13 targeted therapies for PsA were included. For ACR 20 response, guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks (Q8W) was comparable to IL-17A inhibitors and subcutaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Similar findings were observed for ACR 50 and 70. For vdH-S score, guselkumab Q8W was comparable to other agents except intravenous TNF therapies. Results for PASI 75 and PASI 90 response suggested guselkumab Q8W was better than most other agents. For PASI 100, guselkumab Q8W was comparable to other active agents. For AEs and SAEs, guselkumab Q8W ranked highly but comparative conclusions were uncertain. Similar results were observed for all outcomes for guselkumab 100 mg every four weeks. Conclusions In this NMA, guselkumab demonstrated favorable arthritis efficacy comparable to IL-17A and subcutaneous TNF inhibitors while offering better PASI response relative to many other treatments.

Background: Semiquantitative dipstick tests are utilized for albuminuria screening. Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional survey, we analyzed the diagnostic test validity of the semiquantitative colorimetric indicator-dye-based Combur9-Test&reg, and the albumin-specific immunochromatographic assay Micral-Test&reg, for the detection of albuminuria, the distribution of the semiquantitative measurements within the albuminuria stages according to KDIGO, and the utility for albuminuria screening compared with an albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in a walk-in population. Results: In 970 subjects, albuminuria (&ge, 30 mg/g) was detected in 12.7% (95% CI 85.6&ndash, 96.3%) with the ACR. Sensitivity was 82.9% (95% CI 75.1&ndash, 89.1%) and 91.9% (95% CI 88.7&ndash, 96.9%) and specificity 71.5% (95% CI 68.4&ndash, 74.6%) and 17.5% (95% CI 15.0&ndash, 20.2%) for the Combur9-Test&reg, and Micral-Test&reg, respectively. Correct classification to KDIGO albuminuria stages A2/A3 with the Combur9-Test&reg, was 15.4%, 51.4%, and 87.9% at cut-offs of 30, 100, and &ge, 300 mg/dL, and with the Micral-Test&reg, it was 1.8%, 10.5%, and 53.6% at cut-offs of 2, 5, and 10 mg/dL, respectively. Overall, disagreement to KDIGO albuminuria was seen in 27% and 73% with the Combur9-Test&reg, respectively. From the total population, 62.5% and 15.3% were correctly ruled out and 2.2% and 1% were missed as false-negatives by the Combur9-Test&reg, respectively. Conclusion: Compared to the Combur9-Test&reg, the utility of the Micral-Test&reg, is limited, because the fraction of correctly ruled out patients is small and a large proportion with a positive Micral-Test&reg, require a subsequent ACR conformation test.

The crystal structure of the light-gated anion channel GtACR1 reported in our previous Research Article (Li et al., 2019) revealed a continuous tunnel traversing the protein from extracellular to intracellular pores. We proposed the tunnel as the conductance channel closed by three constrictions: C1 in the extracellular half, mid-membrane C2 containing the photoactive site, and C3 on the cytoplasmic side. Reported here, the crystal structure of bromide-bound GtACR1 reveals structural changes that relax the C1 and C3 constrictions, including a novel salt-bridge switch mechanism involving C1 and the photoactive site. These findings indicate that substrate binding induces a transition from an inactivated state to a pre-activated state in the dark that facilitates channel opening by reducing free energy in the tunnel constrictions. The results provide direct evidence that the tunnel is the closed form of the channel of GtACR1 and shed light on the light-gated channel activation mechanism.

The crystal structure of the light-gated anion channel GtACR1 reported in our previous Research Article (Li et al., 2019) revealed a continuous tunnel traversing the protein from extracellular to intracellular pores. We proposed the tunnel as the conductance channel closed by three constrictions: C1 in the extracellular half, mid-membrane C2 containing the photoactive site, and C3 on the cytoplasmic side. Reported here, the crystal structure of bromide-bound GtACR1 reveals structural changes that relax the C1 and C3 constrictions, including a novel salt-bridge switch mechanism involving C1 and the photoactive site. These findings indicate that substrate binding induces a transition from an inactivated state to a pre-activated state in the dark that facilitates channel opening by reducing free energy in the tunnel constrictions. The results provide direct evidence that the tunnel is the closed form of the channel of GtACR1 and shed light on the light-gated channel activation mechanism.

Foraminifers and ostracods were studied in a gravity-core recovered near Cape Adare (Ross Sea, Antarctica) with the aim of identifying the climatic and oceanographic variations during the last 30 ka. The sedimentary sequence represents conditions of a cool-water carbonate factory, which evidences that during the Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS2) the area was ice-free and very productive. The overall preservation of delicate skeletal remains such as bryozoans and molluscs indicated moderate bottom currents. This carbonate factory was interrupted by some terrigenous levels, representing conditions of instability/retreat of the ice shelves southward. The younger levels were referred to the meltwater pulse (MWP)-1A and 1B events. The Holocene sequence comprised more terrigenous sediments, reflecting high bottom-currents similar to the present-day conditions. Very abundant and well preserved foraminifers and ostracods, representative of shelf-upper slope paleoenvironments, were recovered. Epistominella exigua, among the foraminifers, suggested the influence of the Circumpolar Deep Water during some periods of the late Quaternary. Heavy-test taxa, such as Cibicides refulgens, indicated strengthening bottom hydrodynamics. As for the ostracods, peaks in the presence of Australicythere devexa, Bairdoppilata simplex and Pseudocythere aff. caudata together with significant values of Polycope spp. allowed us to identify environments rich in nutrients with the influence of cold and deep water upwelling phenomena.

Beton je zgodovinsko gledano eden najbolj pomembnih in uporabljenih materialov in ravno zaradi tega je njegovo propadanje zelo velik problem. Za njegovo preprečitev pa je potrebno razumeti različne vzroke propadanja betona. Največji delež k propadanju betona gre prepisati naravnim in kemijskim dejavnikom. Alkalno-karbonatna reakcija spada med kemijske reakcije in s svojim delovanjem omogoča pospešeno propadanje betona. Glavni proces ACR reakcije je dedolomitizacija, ki je sicer neškodljiva, se pa zaradi nje zmanjša prostornina faz in s tem nudi možnost prodiranja ASR gela globje v beton. V diplomski nalogi so predstavljene tudi metode in aparature za določevanje mikrostrukture in različnih tipov faz v procesu propadanja betona zaradi ACR reakcije. Concrete is historically one of the most important and most used materials in the world. Because of this, its degradation is very big problem. However, to prevent the degradation of concrete, it is necessary to understand the various causes of concrete degradation. Most common reason for degradation of concrete are natural and chemical factors. The alkali-carbonate reaction is type of chemical reaction and its action enables accelerated degradation of the concrete. The main process of the ACR reaction is dedolomitization which is harmless but it reduces the volume of the phases and thus offers the possibility of penetrating the ASR gel deeper into the concrete. The degree paper also presents methods and analytical equipment for determining the microstructure and different types of phases in degradation of concrete due to the ACR reaction.

A story from long ago reminds us of the importance of quality in our practices, of taking ownership of our patients, and of our role as physicians. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted our practices. Before the pandemic, many practices were stretched thin by the amount of work that needed to be done. The work stoppage in many locations brought an unwelcome pause but gives us time to reflect on our practices. How can we maintain quality when high volumes return? The role of artificial intelligence, and our role in its development, needs to be considered. At the same time, we need to take more ownership of the patient and be more help to our referring providers. Our own ACR staff are great examples of taking ownership. Finally, we must recognize that patients and their families are important for optimal patient care. Making that connection is significant. Let us we start where we began—in the service of our patients as their physicians. This role is rewarding and, together with a focus on quality and taking ownership, can lead to successful practices that are good for everyone, including ourselves.

Background: The chaperone activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Acr is an important function that helps to prevent misfolding of protein substrates inside the host, especially in conditions of hypoxia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the correlation of structure and function of recombinant Acr proteins both before and after gel filtration chromatography. The aim was also to find the oligomeric conformation of these samples and use this information to explain differences in activit. Material and Methods: M. tuberculosis acr gene was cloned with an N-terminal His-tag in pET28a and expressed with IPTG induction in BL2 (DE3) competent Escherichia coli. The activity of a recombinant Acr without gel filtration was checked by preventing thermal aggregation of citrate synthase at 45°C and the chaperone activity against insulin B chain aggregation at 60°C and 37°C. On further purification using gel filtration chromatography, the protein was again tested for chaperone activity using insulin as substrate at 37°C with two types of samples without and with gel filtration designated A and B respectively. The effects of pre–heat treatment at 60 °C on chaperone activity of both A and B samples were studied by performing the chaperone assay at 37°C. Results: The level of expression was 40 to 50 mg /l. The protein was expressed in a soluble form at 37°C and subsequently purified by a 3 step gradient of imidazole using Ni-NTA resin. Gel filtration chromatography showed recombinant Acr to be a mixture of 9 to 15-mers, whereas Native-PAGE analysis showed a large proportion of 5 and 7 mers in the non gel-filtered sample, while non gel –filtered samples showed more proportions of higher size oligomers. The chaperone activity of non gel-filtered (A) samples was less than gel-filtered (B) samples at 37°C with 24 µM required of A for complete inhibition as compared to 6 µM of B. The chaperone activity of non gel–filtered samples at 60°C showed complete inhibition of activity at a concentration of 44 µM. Molecular interaction studies showed influence of size of oligomers on molecular coverage of insulin B chain. Pre-heat treatment improved the activity only after the gel filtration. Conclusions: The larger proportion of monomers in the non gel-filtered sample could explain the difference in activity as compared to the gel-filtered samples in terms of molecular interaction with insulin. Increased oligomer size favorably affected secondary structure, a finding not reported so far, and warranting further investigation. A molecular level interaction of inhibition was predicted using Avogadro number of molecules and oligomer size. The difference in activity after pre–heat treatment seemed to indicate an important role for oligomerization.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Gilberto Maringoni Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Humanas e Sociais, São Bernardo do Campo, 2020. Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral, analisar as instituições financeiras do BRICS (NBD e ACR). O acrônimo para Brasil, Rússia, Índia, China e África do Sul, é analisado como expressão de ascensão dos países emergentes. Nossa hipótese é que o grupo, com a criação de NBD e o ACR, apesar de não confrontarem diretamente a ordem financeira estabelecida - por se colocarem no cenário global dentro das regras da economia de mercado e das instituições multilaterais - são iniciativas que introduzem nova qualidade na ação de atores que - pelo porte de suas economias - não se contentam somente em ser coadjuvante nas decisões globais, que historicamente foram protagonizadas pelas potências centrais. Em termos específicos, o objetivo é descrever a atuação brasileira na formulação e condução das instituições financeiras do BRICS, - Novo Banco de Desenvolvimento (NBD) e o Arranjo Contingente de Reserva (ACR). This research aims to analyze the BRICS financial institutions (NDB and CRA). The acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is analyzed as an expression of rising emerging countries. Our hypothesis is that the group with the creation of NBD and ACR, despite not directly confronting the economic financial order - as it presents a global scenario within the rules of the market economy and multilateral institutions - are initiatives that introduced new quality in the action of actors who - by the size of their sales - are not content merely to be supportive in the global decisions, which historically were played by the central powers. Specifically, the objective is to describe a Brazilian action to protect and conduct BRICS financial institutions, - New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).

Цель работы – разработка витрины Ð´Ð°Ð½Ð½Ñ‹Ñ Ð´Ð»Ñ расширенного информационного взаимодействия между налогоплательщиком и налоговым органом. Задачи работы: описание Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð°ÐºÑ‚ÐµÑ€Ð¸ÑÑ‚Ð¸ÐºÐ¸ компании; проведение анализа требований к системе; разработка концепции и выбор инструментов для реализации; разработка методологического проектного решения; разработка Ñ‚ÐµÑ Ð½Ð¸Ñ‡ÐµÑÐºÐ¾Ð³Ð¾ проектного решения; описание Ð¾ÑÐ½Ð¾Ð²Ð½Ñ‹Ñ Ñ„ÑƒÐ½ÐºÑ†Ð¸Ð¾Ð½Ð°Ð»ÑŒÐ½Ñ‹Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð´ÑƒÐ»ÐµÐ¹; описание разработок и доработок функционала под требования Ð¾Ð¿Ñ€ÐµÐ´ÐµÐ»Ñ‘Ð½Ð½Ñ‹Ñ Ðº системе. Работа выполнена на Ð¼Ð°Ñ‚ÐµÑ€Ð¸Ð°Ð»Ð°Ñ Ð¾ деятельности нефтегазовой компании ПАО «Газпром». Использованные методы: моделирование бизнес-процессов, сравнительный анализ, статические методы оценки, Ð°Ñ€Ñ Ð¸Ñ‚ÐµÐºÑ‚ÑƒÑ€Ð½Ð¾Ðµ моделирование, экспертное оценивание, сбор и обработка Ð´Ð°Ð½Ð½Ñ‹Ñ . Результаты работы: дана Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð°ÐºÑ‚ÐµÑ€Ð¸ÑÑ‚Ð¸ÐºÐ° компании; сформулированы требования к ИС; описаны бизнес процессы, связанные с налоговой отчётностью; описана модель Ð°Ñ€Ñ Ð¸Ñ‚ÐµÐºÑ‚ÑƒÑ€Ð° предприятия; описаны разработки для Витрины Ð´Ñ‹Ð½Ð½Ñ‹Ñ ; продемонстрирован функционал Витрины Ð´Ð°Ð½Ð½Ñ‹Ñ . Практическая значимость работы для компании обусловлена автоматизацией процесса формирования и сдачи налоговой отчетности в соответствии с современными требованиями ФНС., The purpose of the work is the development of a data showcase for enhanced information interaction between the taxpayer and the tax authority. Tasks of work: description of the characteristics of the company; analysis of system requirements; concept development and selection of tools for implementation; development of a methodological design solution; development of technical design solutions; description of the main functional modules; description of the development and refinement of the functional to the requirements defined by the system. Work is performed on the basis of on the activities of the oil and gas company PJSC Gazprom Methods: business process modeling, comparative analysis, static assessment methods, architectural modeling, expert evaluation, data collection and processing. The main results of the work: the characteristic of the company is given; requirements for the information system are formulated; business processes related to tax reporting are described; the model of enterprise architecture is described; developments for melon showcases are described; demonstrated data showcase functionality. The practical significance of the work for the company is due to the automation of the process of formation and submission of tax reporting in accordance with modern requirements of the Federal Tax Service.

A multi-isotope environmental record comprising an upper section of the late Pleistocene and the lower and middle Holocene, including isotopic data on 30 samples of peat, marl, tufa, Lymnaea viatrix shells, and Hippidion sp. teeth, is described from a 15 m profile at Arroyo Leuto Caballo, Neuquén Province, Argentina. The chronology of the Pleistocene sequence was derived from five modeled 14C ages. δ18O of L. viatrix, assumed as a proxy for δ18O of meteoric water isotopic composition and thus sensitive to air temperature changes, showed a warming period from 14.03 cal ka BP until ca. 13.90 cal ka BP, followed by a rapid decline in temperature, attaining a minimum between 13.79 and 13.56 cal ka BP and a subsequent warming reestablishment. In addition, a “specular pattern” of δ13C of L. viatrix peaking in the same time span would be probably showing aridity. This pattern developed within the globally defined Antarctic Cold Reversal-ACR-time span (from 14.6–2.8 cal ka BP), and prior to the onset of the Huelmo Mascardi Cold Reversal episode, HCMR, from ca 13.30–1.87 cal ka BP. Given the characteristics and the time span covered, it could be related to a continental expression of the ACR event. Fil: Panarello, Hector Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; Argentina Fil: Sanci, Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Wassenaar, Leonard I.. International Atomic Energy Agency; Austria

Subjective listening tests are routinely conducted by academic researchers and industry professionals to assess the quality of various speech and audio processing algorithms and transmission services. Listening tests often take place in controlled environments for the sake of consistency, but in many cases, listening tests could be undertaken remotely using a suitable web interface. Despite the work of several projects in the past, there is no publicly available, fully hosted listening test platform which allows for easy test creation, deployment and data collection. Here, we present a fully functional end-to-end listening test platform which allows a user to create and share MUSHRA, ACR and A/B tests within minutes. Collected data can then be downloaded in various forms. For users who would prefer to host the system on their own servers, we provide Docker and AWS images for easy installation.

Low serum bilirubin concentrations are reported to be strongly associated with cardio-metabolic disease, but this relationship has not been reported among Indigenous Australian people who are known to be at high risk for diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypothesis: serum bilirubin will be negatively associated with markers of chronic disease, including CKD and anaemia among Indigenous Australians. Method: A cross-sectional analysis of 594 adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (TSI) people in good health or with diabetes and markers of CKD. Measures included urine albumin: creatinine ratio (ACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), haemoglobin (Hb) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Diabetes was defined by medical history, medications or HbA1c. ≥. 6.5% or ≥. 48. mmol/mol. Anaemia was defined as Hb. < . 130. g/L or < . 120. g/L in males and females respectively. A multivariate regression analysis examining factors independently associated with log-bilirubin was performed. Results: Participants mean (SD) age was 45.1 (14.5) years, and included 62.5% females, 71.7% Aboriginal, 41.1% with diabetes, 16.7% with anaemia, 41% with ACR > 3mg/mmol and 18.2% with eGFR < 60mL/min/1.73m 2 . Median bilirubin concentration was lower in females than males (6 v 8μmol/L, p < 0.001) and in Aboriginal than TSI participants (6 v 9.5μmol/L, p < 0.001). Six factors explained 35% of the variance of log-bilirubin; Hb and cholesterol (both positively related) and ACR, triglycerides, Aboriginal ethnicity and female gender (all inversely related). Conclusion: Serum bilirubin concentrations were positively associated with Hb and total cholesterol, and inversely associated with ACR. Further research to determine reasons explaining lower bilirubin concentrations among Aboriginal compared with TSI participants are needed. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

The sensitivity of tropical glaciers to paleoclimatic conditions that prevailed during the Antarctic cold reversal (ACR, ca. 14.5-12.9 ka) has been the subject of a wide debate. In 2014 a paper suggested that tropical glaciers responded very sensitively to the changing climate during the ACR (Jomelli et al., 2014). In this study, we reexamine the conclusions from this study by recalculating previous chronologies based on 226 10Be and 14 3He ages respectively, and using the most up-to date production rates for these cosmogenic nuclides in the Tropical Andes. 53 moraines from 25 glaciers were selected from the previous analysis provided by Jomelli et al. (2014) located in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. We then focused on two distinct calculations. First we considered the oldest moraine and its uncertainty for every glacier representing the preserved evidence of the maximum glacier extents during the last deglaciation period, and binned the results into 5 distinct periods encompassing the Antarctic cold reversal and Younger Dryas (YD) chronozones: pre-ACR, ACR, ACR-YD, YD and post-YD respectively. Results revealed a predominance of pre-ACR and ACR ages, accounting for 60% of the glaciers. Second we counted the number of moraines per glacier according to the different groups. 21 moraines (40%) of the selected glaciers belong to the pre-ACR-ACR chronozones while 3 moraines only (5%) were dated to the YD and YD-Holocene groups. The rest was assigned to the ACR-YD. These results suggest that moraine records are a very good proxy to document the ACR signal in the Tropical Andes.

This paper deals with the influence of bit depth on the subjective video quality assessment. To achieve this goal, eight video sequences, each representing a different content prototype, were analysed. Subjective evaluation was performed using the ACR method. The analysed video sequences were encoded to 8 and 10-bit bit depth. Two most used compression standards H.264 and H.265 were evaluated with 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 Mbps bitrate in Full HD and UHD resolution. Finally, the perceived quality of both compression standards using the subjective tests with emphasis on bit-depth was compared. From the results we can state, that the practical application of 10-bit bit depth is not appropriate for Full HD resolution in the range of bitrate from 1 to 15 Mbps, for Ultra HD resolution, it is appropriate only for videos encoded by H.265/HEVC compression standard.

BACKGROUND: Huge number of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers is produced during the process of sepsis. Its mortality prediction value needs to be determined. AIM: To assess the prognostic value of Albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) in septic patients and its ability to predict mortality in comparison with Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score (APACHE II). METHODS: Seventy-five Septic patients were included within 24 hours of sepsis diagnosis and were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ACR values were obtained within 6 hours of ICU admission for all patients. Prognostic scoring systems [APACHE II and Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores] were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty percent of enrolled patients died within 28 days of hospital admission. ACR was significantly higher in non-survivor in comparison to survivors (55.1 ± 20.5 versus 30.2 ± 35.7, p = 0.006). ACR ≥ 40 (mg/gm creatinine) was the cut-off point for predicting mortality with a sensitivity of 90.7% and specificity of 71.8% with total accuracy of 66% and AUC 0.75 (CI 0.62-0.88). Mean APACHE II score was significantly higher in non-survivors than survivor groups (21.4 versus 10.8, p < 0.001). ACR was positively correlated with highest SOFA score (r = 0.3, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ACR is a simple prognostic marker in septic patient and could be used as a mortality predictor, particularly in early (within 6 hours) septic patients.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) produces a diverse range of antigenic proteins in its dormant phase. The cytokine profiles of CD4+ T cell responses, especially subsets other than Th1 type (non-Th1 type), against these latency-associated M. tuberculosis antigens such as α-crystallin (Acr), heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA), and mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 (MDP-1) remain elusive in relation to the clinical stage of M. tuberculosis infection. In the present study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from different stages of M. tuberculosis-infected cases and control PBMCs were stimulated with these antigens and ESAT-6/CFP-10. Cytokine profiles of CD4+ T cells were evaluated by intracellular cytokine staining using multicolor flow cytometry. Our results demonstrate that Th1 cytokine responses were predominant after TB onset independent of the type of antigen stimulation. On the contrary, non-Th1 cytokine responses were preferentially induced by latency-associated M. tuberculosis antigens, specifically IL-10 response against Acr in latent M. tuberculosis infection. From these results, we surmise a shift in the CD4+ T cell response from mixed non-Th1 to Th1 dominant type during TB progression., Frontiers in Immunology, 10, art.no.2807; 2019

The root cause of distress in two different concrete structures made from carbonate coarse aggregates that fit the textural and compositional criteria cited for ACR was found to be caused by ASR, not ACR. Stereo-optical examination and transmitted polarized light microscopy (PLM) analysis showed that the concretes contain some dark gray, fine-grained argillaceous dolomitic coarse aggregates in which secondary white deposit filling the cracks extending from these aggregates into the paste (as well as lining air voids) is ASR gel. Back scattered electron (BSE) imaging with EDS spectra and x-ray elemental mappings, clearly confirm that the white secondary deposits consist of ASR gel. BSE images with EDS spectra and X-ray maps of different samples for each element within areas occupied by the gel showed typical ASR gel. High magnification PLM examination showed the presence of cryptocrystalline to microcrystalline quartz in pockets in the matrix of the rock. The presence of Si-rich phases as finely divided interstitial cryptocrystalline silica minerals intermixed with the matrix and locally in pockets in the matrix of the rocks is confirmed by X-ray mapping, and these silica minerals are the source of silica for ASR. The uniform Mg concentration as reflected by the scan across the dolomite rhombs indicates no sign of dedolomitization, and there was no evidence of brucite formation. While the aggregates have the classic texture often cited for ACR, there is no evidence of the deterioration of the dolomite rhombs or migration of Mg into the rims/peripheries of the dolomite rhombs. Instead, in these cases there is compelling evidence that the concrete distress was caused by ASR and not ACR.

Two essential key events in acrylamide (ACR) acute neurotoxicity are the formation of adducts with nucleophilic sulfhydryl groups on cysteine residues of selected proteins in the synaptic terminals and the depletion of the glutathione (GSx) stores in neural tissue. The use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been recently proposed as a potential antidote against ACR neurotoxicity, as this chemical is not only a well-known precursor of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH), but also is an scavenger of soft electrophiles such as ACR. In this study, the suitability of 0.3 and 0.75 mM NAC to protect against the neurotoxic effect of 0.75 mM ACR has been tested in vivo in adult zebrafish. NAC provided only a mild to negligible protection against the changes induced by ACR in the motor function, behavior, transcriptome and proteome. The permeability of NAC to cross blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed, as well as the ACR-scavenging activity and the gamma-glutamyl-cysteine ligase (γ-GCL) and acylase I activities. The results show that ACR not only depletes GSx levels but also inhibits it synthesis from NAC/cysteine, having a dramatic effect over the glutathione system. Moreover, results indicate a very low NAC uptake to the brain, probably by a combination of low BBB permeability and high deacylation of NAC during the intestinal absorption. These results strongly suggest that the use of NAC is not indicated in ACR acute neurotoxicity treatment., This work was supported by the NATO SfP project MD.SFPP 984777 (D.R.) and the Spanish Government (CTM2017-83242-R; D.R.). M.F acknowledges financial support from the Beatriu de Pinós programme (Grant No. 2016 BP 00233) provided by the Secretariat of Universities and Research department of the Ministry for Business and Knowledge, Catalonia Government. Mention of specific products or trade names does not indicate endorsement by the US federal government.