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Rationale: The mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (mPAWP) is the critical hemodynamic factor differentiating group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) from group 2 pulmonary hypertension associated with left heart disease. Despite the discrepancy between the mPAWP upper physiologic normal and current PAH definitions, the implications of the initial mPAWP for PAH clinical trajectory are poorly understood. Objectives: To model longitudinal mPAWP trajectories in PAH over 10 years and examine the clinical and hemodynamic factors associated with trajectory membership. Methods: Adult patients with PAH with two or more right heart catheterizations were identified from a multiinstitution healthcare system in eastern Massachusetts. mPAWP trajectories were constructed via group-based trajectory modeling. Feature selection was performed in least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between trajectory membership, baseline characteristics, and transplant-free survival. Measurements and Main Results: Among 301 patients with PAH, there were two distinct mPAWP trajectories, termed "mPAWP-high" (n = 71; 23.6%) and "mPAWP-low" (n = 230; 76.4%), based on the ultimate mPAWP value. Initial mPAWP clustered around median 12 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 8-14 mm Hg) in the mPAWP-high and 9 mm Hg (IQR, 6-11 mm Hg) in the mPAWP-low trajectories (P < 0.001). After feature selection, initial mPAWP ≥12 mm Hg predicted an mPAWP-high trajectory (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.1; P = 0.0006). An mPAWP-high trajectory was associated with shorter transplant-free survival (vs. mPAWP-low, median, 7.8 vs. 11.3 yr; log-rank P = 0.017; age-adjusted P = 0.217). Conclusions: Over 10 years, the mPAWP followed two distinct trajectories, with 25% evolving into group 2 pulmonary hypertension physiology. Using routine baseline data, longitudinal mPAWP trajectory could be predicted accurately, with initial mPAWP ≥12 mm Hg as one of the strongest predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulation of salty and fresh water through the electrodes of a deionization cell produces a voltage between the electrodes caused by the Capacitive Donnan Potential (CDP). The voltage so generated is very low (100 mV), but this work demonstrates that it is possible to develop a power converter suitable to inject this energy into the grid or into energy storage systems; this is a relevant aspect of this paper, for most works in the literature simply dissipate this energy over a resistor. To increase the input voltage, a stack of electrodes is connected in series. A bridgeless rectifier that uses a dual buck–boost converter to operate with both the positive and negative cycles is used to extract the energy from the cell. The topology chosen, which is operated as a current source, can work at extremely low voltage levels and provide power factor correction. After this stage, an H-bridge inverter can be included to inject the energy into the AC grid. The whole system implements a hysteresis control system using the current through the inductor of the power converter as control variable. This paper investigates the influence of such current on the efficiency of the total system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) for the El Saltillo community, in Jilotepec, State of Mexico, with risk mapping purposes. Design/Methodology/Approach: A Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was developed based on sociodemographic indicators, housing characteristics, and the conditions of the production systems. The information sources for the SVI indicators were obtained from official Basic Geostatistical Area (AGEB) censuses and from an online survey carried out in the community under study. The SVI was cross-referenced with data from four previously published natural hazard studies for risk mapping purposes. Results: The methodological proposal uses equal weight index statistical techniques to develop the SVI. Using online surveys is a clearly viable option for research studies that require to obtain more detailed data on housing characteristics, as well as the population's perception of certain changes in precipitation and temperature patterns that are happening in their community and the measures, they take to face these natural phenomena. Study Limitations/Implications: Online surveys are relatively recent, which implies the need to design and implement validation and sampling mechanisms for the results. Findings/Conclusions: Risk mapping enabled the territorial visualization and identification of the communal vulnerability conditions, which facilitates a conceptual approach to the social reality of the population and will allow the formulation of potential future scenarios of climate change and the implementation of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors of this study evaluated the potential benefit on visual performance of a novel 3 week visual rehabilitation program based on the use of Gabor patches in patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery with the implantation of two models of trifocal diffractive intraocular lens (IOL). A total of 30 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: a study group (15 patients) that used a videogame based on Gabor patches and a placebo group (15 patients) that used a videogame without specific stimuli for improving visual performance. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in distance, intermediate, and near post-training visual acuity (p ≥ 0.15). Significantly better distance contrast sensitivity (CS) was found for the spatial frequencies of 6 (p = 0.02) and 12 cpd (p = 0.01) in the study group. Likewise, significantly better values of near CS were found in the study group compared to the placebo group for the spatial frequency of 1.5 cpd (p = 0.02). In conclusion, a 3 week visual rehabilitation program based on the use of Gabor patches in the immediate postoperative period after the bilateral implantation of trifocal diffractive IOLs seems to be beneficial for improving both distance and near visual performance achieved with the implant.

A detailed knowledge of how poplar leaf litter decomposes under Mediterranean marginal conditions can help to minimize fertilization inputs and determine the profitability and sustainability of energy crops established in these particularly sensitive areas for bioenergy. Leaf litter decomposition was monitored for 32 months using the litterbag technique in a poplar crop under short rotation conditions in a marginal Mediterranean area. In addition, nutrient dynamics, together with the production and composition of the woody and foliar biomass produced, were studied for a period of four years. Leaf litter decomposition was relatively slow, particularly during the winter months, and accelerated in early spring, coinciding with the rainy season. At the end of the decomposition study 50% of the initial litterfall was decomposed, releasing roughly 60% of the N, 40% of the K, and 70% of the P initially present in fresh leaves. Annual yields of 6.0 dry Mg ha−1 were obtained. The aerial biomass produced the first year of the second rotation cycle extracted 83, 8.7, and 29 kg ha−1 of N, P, and K, respectively, whereas the amount of nutrients that were estimated to be naturally supplied to the system through leaf litter decomposition were 180 kg ha−1 of N, 19 kg ha−1 of P, and 30 kg ha−1 of K. Therefore, four years after establishing the energy crop, leaf litter was able to release higher amounts of primary macronutrients into the environment than the nutrient uptake by the produced aboveground biomass (woody and foliar biomass).

Since the early work of Justus von Liebig on nutrient absorption in plants in the 1800s [...]

Objective: To limit the artisanal fishing zones in the mirror-still water of Bahía Magdalena, by means of interpolation. Design/methodology/approach: Social, economic and biological production data were collected through surveys from a sample of 56 artisanal fishing cooperatives. The data are integrated into a relational database with geospatial reference and geostatistically processed with interpolation methods using a geographic information system. Results: Four zoning maps were established based on the interpolation of the variables target species, fishing effort, extraction volume and sale value. Limitations on study/implications: The remoteness and difficult access to the study area. Findings/conclusions: The methodology can be used at the national level to generate a delimitation of the priority zones for artisanal fishing in Mexico, contributing to decision making and management plans that can consider variables of the fisherman's social life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the sustainability of two agricultural production systems (native and improved maize) using the MESMIS methodology. Design/Methodology/Approach: Understanding the social, economic, and environmental factors that make up the production systems, as well as their management methods, in the municipality of Jilotepec, State of Mexico enables the development of sustainable rural development strategies. The study included 30 production systems and compared the level of sustainability between producers of native and improved maize. In September 2022, information was collected in the field, through participatory workshops, semi-structured interviews, and surveys. Additionally, soil sampling was carried out to analyze soil fertility. Results: The two systems studied have high agricultural production costs and are highly dependent on external inputs, especially those that use improved maize. Most of the systems depend on external economic income. Agriculture is increasingly exposed to drought conditions and changes in rainfall patterns, forcing the population to implement adaptability measures. Owning livestock is an important economic support for production systems. The regional soil is fertile and suitable for growing maize. The perception of happiness among the interviewees is high; they consider their quality of life to be good and therefore do not migrate. Findings/Conclusions: This study is the result of an integrated analysis of several methodologies used in the sustainability indicators measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccolithophores have global ecological and biogeochemical significance as the most important calcifying marine phytoplankton group. The structure and selection of prokaryotic communities associated with the most abundant coccolithophore and bloom‐forming species, Emiliania huxleyi, are still poorly known. In this study, we assessed the diversity of bacterial communities associated with an E. huxleyi bloom in the Celtic Sea (Eastern North Atlantic), exposed axenic E. huxleyi cultures to prokaryotic communities derived from bloom and non‐bloom conditions, and followed the dynamics of their microbiome composition over one year. Bloom‐associated prokaryotic communities were dominated by SAR11, Marine group II Euryarchaeota and Rhodobacterales and contained substantial proportions of known indicators of phytoplankton bloom demises such as Flavobacteriaceae and Pseudoalteromonadaceae. The taxonomic richness of bacteria derived from natural communities associated with axenic E. huxleyi rapidly shifted and then stabilized over time. The succession of microorganisms recruited from the environment was consistently dependent on the composition of the initial bacterioplankton community. Phycosphere‐associated communities derived from the E. huxleyi bloom were highly similar to one another, suggesting deterministic processes, whereas cultures from non‐bloom conditions show an effect of stochasticity. Overall, this work sheds new light on the importance of the initial inoculum composition in microbiome recruitment and elucidates the temporal dynamics of its composition and long‐term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation on the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and structures. Methods: Myopic refractive surgery candidates who underwent posterior chamber EVO+ ICL implantation were evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. High-resolution images of the iridocorneal angle (nasal, superior, temporal and inferior quadrants) were acquired during gonioscopy. A masked observer, blinded to study visits and patients' information, evaluated the angle width, apparent iris root insertion, iris configuration, and trabecular meshwork pigmentation according to the Spaeth scale in two different occasions. The intra-rater reliability was estimated using the weighted Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (AC2). Differences between visits were analyzed using the Cochran Q test or the Friedman test. Results: Twenty-one patients (13 females and 8 males) aging 31.3 ± 6.3 years old were recruited. The intra-rater reliability of gonioscopy assessment was excellent for every parameter assessed (AC2 ≥ 0.97). No significant differences were found among the study visits for any quadrant in the angle width (p ≥ 0.74), apparent iris root insertion (p ≥ 0.22), iris configuration (p ≥ 0.21) and trabecular meshwork pigmentation (p ≥ 0.24). Mean pigmentation of trabecular meshwork for the four quadrants did not vary either among visits (p = 0.25). Conclusions: The EVO+ ICL implantation after uneventful procedures appears not to clinically affect the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and/or structures during a short-medium follow-up using gonioscopy assessment. The intra-rater reliability of glaucoma specialists assessing iridocorneal angle structures using gonioscopy images is very high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]