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The updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) definition for bleeding events after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) lacks of clinical validation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of bleeding events following TAVR as defined by recent VARC-3 criteria. A total of 2,384 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR were included. Early (at index hospitalization) and late (after hospital discharge) bleeding complications were defined according to VARC-3 criteria as type 1, 2, 3, or 4. Baseline, procedural, and follow-up (24 [IQR: 12-43] months) data were prospectively collected. Bleeding events occurred in 761 patients (31.9%): types 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 169 (22.2%), 399 (52.4%), 149 (19.6%), and 44 (5.8%) patients, respectively. The primary vascular access site and gastrointestinal locations were the most common bleeding sources among early and late bleeding events, respectively. Female sex, thoracotomy access, larger (14-F) sheath use, and dual antiplatelet therapy determined an increased risk of early bleeding events (P < 0.02 for all). The use of the radial artery for secondary access was associated with a significant risk reduction of early bleeding (P < 0.001). Type 2 and type 3 events were associated with an increased mortality risk at 30-day (HR: 2.94 [95% CI: 1.43-6.03; P = 0.003] and HR: 4.91 [95% CI: 2.19-11.03; P < 0.001], respectively) and 1-year (HR: 1.86 [95% CI: 1.28-2.69; P = 0.001] and HR: 2.28 [95% CI: 1.41-3.66; P = 0.001], respectively) follow-up. A similar prognostic pattern was observed when applying VARC-2 criteria but with a much lower global incidence of early bleeding events (19% vs 27%; P < 0.001). Bleeding events after TAVR were associated with poorer short- and long-term survival. The magnitude of this correlation was proportional to bleeding severity defined according to VARC-3 criteria. Further studies on bleeding prevention following TAVR are warranted to improve procedural safety and patient prognosis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 definition for myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) lacks of clinical validation. This study sought to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of periprocedural myocardial injury (PPMI) following TAVR as defined by recent VARC-3 criteria. We included 1,394 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with a new-generation transcatheter heart valve. High-sensitivity troponin levels were assessed at baseline and within 24 hours after the procedure. PPMI was defined according to VARC-3 criteria as an increase ≥70 times in troponin levels (vs ≥15 times according to the VARC-2 definition). Baseline, procedural, and follow-up data were prospectively collected. PPMI was diagnosed in 193 (14.0%) patients. Female sex and peripheral artery disease were independent predictors of PPMI (P < 0.01 for both). PPMI was associated with a higher risk of mortality at 30-day (HR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.50-4.82; P = 0.001) and 1-year (for all-cause mortality, HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.04-2.27; P = 0.032; for cardiovascular mortality, HR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.68-5.50; P < 0.001) follow-up. PPMI according to VARC-2 criteria had no impact on mortality. About 1 out of 10 patients undergoing TAVR in the contemporary era had PPMI as defined by recent VARC-3 criteria, and baseline factors like female sex and peripheral artery disease determined an increased risk. PPMI had a negative impact on early and late survival. Further studies on the prevention of PPMI post-TAVR and implementing measures to improve outcomes in PPMI patients are warranted. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharing economy models are expanding and making substantial contributions to economic transitions and quality of life globally. This has been made possible mainly because of the development of information and communication technologies. Vietnam – an emerging economy with high technology adaptability – cannot escape the inevitable global trend by which sharing economy models – mainly Uber, Grab and Airbnb – have recently made a significant appearance throughout the country to meet the high demand for transportation or to enhance individuals' quality of life. We employ a rich set of quantitative techniques, such as logit and probit estimations and propose that eight antecedents of customer intention to use Uber/Grab services exist, including gender, age, living costs, distance, utility of Uber/Grab, dissemination of Uber/Grab, tendency to use Uber/Grab from relatives and the community and attractiveness of public and private transport. This study provides new empirical evidence on customer behaviour within the context of new technological infrastructure. Hence, based on the findings of the paper, we propose recommendations for stimulating and enhancing the development of Uber/Grab services in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The treatment of municipal wastewater in the Arctic is challenging due to a variety of financial, operational, climatic and technical issues. To better understand the efficacy of current wastewater treatment in this region and the hazard posed to receiving waters, we assessed the occurrence of nutrients and contaminants (i.e., pharmaceuticals, antibiotic resistance genes) as they moved through a lagoon-based treatment system in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada. Wastewater treatment in this community is performed by the use of a lagoon-tundra wetland system that is discharged into the marine environment and is representative of current common practices throughout the region. In 2014, samples were collected before and during lagoon discharge from two locations in the main lagoon, one location downstream from the lagoon effluent and three locations offshore. Grab samples were collected to measure nutrients (e.g., total nitrogen and phosphorus) and the presence of antibiotic resistance gene-bearing microbes, and Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) were deployed to collect passively organic contaminants in all locations. A total of six pharmaceuticals were detected from a screen of twenty-eight analytes during the study: atenolol, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, metoprolol, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. The greatest concentrations of nutrients, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and pharmaceuticals were found in sampling locations within the treatment lagoon. Offshore of the release point, we observed limited to no detection of pharmaceuticals and ARGs, but no change in total nitrogen and phosphorus from pre-release. We conclude that the current concentrations of monitored pharmaceuticals do not pose a significant hazard at this time to aquatic organisms in Cambridge Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contextual processing (or context processing; CP) is an integral component of cognition. Contextual processing allows people to manage their thoughts and actions by adjusting to surroundings. The process involves the formation of internal representations of context in relation to the environment, maintenance of information over a period of time, and the updating of mental representations to reflect environmental changes. Each of these functions can be affected by aging and associated brain conditions. Here, we update the current research investigating the impact of aging and neurodegeneration on CP. Method: Through searching the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar databases, 18 studies that focused on aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) impacts on CP were retrieved and reviewed in detail. Result: Older adults of normal aging had a delayed onset and reduced amplitude of electrophysiological response to information detection, comparison, and execution. MCI patients demonstrated clear signs of impaired CP compared to normal aging. The only study reporting CP in AD suggested a decreased proactive control in maintaining contextual information, but seemingly intact reactive control. On the other hand, PD without dementia showed limited ability to use contextual information in cognitive and motor processes, exhibiting impaired reactive control. Conclusion: Data suggest that accelerated aging and neurodegeneration can further impact the changes in CP with age, providing insights for improving intervention strategies. This study highlights the need for increased attention to research this important but understudied field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of lignin as a source of phenolic compounds requires highly efficient and selective depolymerization catalysts. Herein, lignin depolymerization was investigated over Ni 2 P catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped activated carbon (Ni 2 P/AC_N). The catalysts were prepared by an incipient wetness co-impregnation method followed by reduction with H 2 gas. The presence of nitrogen-containing functional groups on the activated carbon surface resulted in the dispersion of Ni 2 P particles. The good distribution and small crystal size of Ni 2 P significantly increased the active surface area, which enhanced both the catalytic activity and phenol selectivity. Investigations of the catalytic activity at different reaction temperatures and lignin-to-catalyst ratios using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed that the highest phenol selectivity of 80% was achieved using the Ni 2 P/AC_N25% catalyst. The proposed reaction mechanism involves lignin depolymerization via C–O and C–C cleavage with subsequent phenol formation by demethoxylation. Owing to its high phenol selectivity, the Ni 2 P/AC_N catalyst has good potential for the transformation of lignin to phenol. [Display omitted] • Ni 2 P catalysts supported on nitrogen-doped activated carbon were synthesized. • Smaller and more disperse Ni 2 P particles formed at higher nitrogen doping contents. • A large active surface area enhanced the lignin depolymerization activity. • Ni 2 P on activated carbon with 25 wt% nitrogen gave a phenol selectivity of 80%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand uses more than a ton of pesticides each year; many of these are mobile, relatively persistent, and can make their way into waterways. While considerable effort goes into monitoring nutrients in agricultural streams and programs exist to monitor pesticides in groundwater, very little is known about pesticide detection frequencies, concentrations, or their potential impacts in New Zealand streams. We used the 'Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler' (POCIS) approach and grab water sampling to survey pesticide concentrations in 36 agricultural streams in Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland during a period of stable stream flows in Austral summer 2017/18. We employed a new approach for calculating site-specific POCIS sampling rates. We also tested two novel passive samplers designed to reduce the effects of hydrodynamic conditions on sampling rates: the 'Organic-Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films' (o-DGT) aquatic passive sampler and microporous polyethylene tubes (MPTs) filled with Strata-X sorbent. Multiple pesticides were found at most sites; two or more were detected at 78% of sites, three or more at 69% of sites, and four or more at 39% of sites. Chlorpyrifos concentrations were the highest, with a maximum concentration of 180 ng/L. Concentrations of the other pesticides were generally below 20 ng/L. Mean concentrations of individual pesticides were not correlated with in-stream nutrient concentrations. The majority of pesticides were detected most frequently in POCIS, presumably due to its higher sampling rate and the relatively low concentrations of these pesticides. In contrast, chlorpyrifos was most frequently detected in grab samples. Chlorpyrifos concentrations at two sites were above the 21-day chronic 'No Observable Effect Concentration' (NOEC) values for fish and another two sites had concentrations greater than 50% of the NOEC. Otherwise, concentrations were well-below NOEC values, but close to the New Zealand Environmental Exposure Limits in several cases. Image 1 • Multiple pesticides were found at most sites. • Chlorpyrifos, atrazine, diazinon, and 2-4-D were commonly detected. • Pesticides were detected most frequently in POCIS due to higher sampling rates. • Site-specific POCIS sampling rates for atrazine were lower in stagnant streams. • Chlorpyrifos was above the No Observable Effects Concentration at some sites. A number of current-use pesticides were found in New Zealand streams; detection frequencies and concentrations obtained with three passive samplers and grab water samples were compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the coral called Leptoseris kalayaanensis found in South China Sea. It references a study by Bert W. Hoeksema at the National Museum of Natural History in the Netherlands, and his colleagues, published in an issue of "Zoological Studies." The researchers studied a specimen that was photographed on the side of a big boulder under a steep cliff, which has a white coral margin and white-tipped spines. They conclude that the coral represents the first ever record of the species from Vietnam.