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Abstract This study focuses on the allocation of household labor in Italy, finely differentiating between various forms of married and unmarried cohabiting unions. Specifically, currently married and cohabiting individuals are differentiated on the basis of the type of their first union. We employ data on individuals’ partnership histories from the 2016 “Families and Social Subjects” survey, which allows us to consider the role of previous (marital or non-marital) unions and, for currently or previously married individuals, whether or not they cohabited before marriage. A composite index measuring gender equality in household labor allocation is constructed based on different domestic tasks, weighting each task according to how time consuming the associated activity is. Results highlight the importance of considering the first union to explain the division of household labor even within later relationships. In particular, for men, cohabitation does not, as one might expect, mean a more egalitarian division of labor, once selection factors are taken into account and independently from the type of previous relationships. However, considering activities by gender, some signals of a greater participation in female-typed tasks are observed for married and cohabitating men who experienced previous (premarital) cohabitations. For women, instead, cohabitation implies a more egalitarian way to share household labor, if it is a first union or in any situation for which it was the first approach to life as a couple. Cohabitation does not imply a more egalitarian division of labor for women if their first union was a marriage. These differences in household labor allocation for women mainly follow from those observed in female-typed tasks, whereas couple differences in male-typed activities are weaker.

This paper aimed to characterize and verify whether the linear relationships between agronomic traits of white oat are different between crops with and without chemical fertilization; and identify the agronomic ideotype that enhances the agronomic performance of white oats. Two uniformity tests were carried out with and without chemical fertilization in the 2020 harvest. In each trial, on 285 plants, agronomic traits were measured. Pearson's linear correlation coefficients and the direct and indirect effects of the trial analysis were calculated. The regression tree algorithm and Kohonen map neural network were used to identify the agronomic ideotype. The linear relationships between agronomic characters of white oat are similar between crops with and without chemical fertilization. White oat genotypes with greater panicle grain weight can be selected indirectly by panicle weight, regardless of cultivation with or without fertilization. White oat genotypes measuring 114.57 cm in height, 97.41 cm in panicle insertion, 18.11 cm in panicle length, 1.31 g in panicle weight and 27.92 grains in the panicle characterize the agronomic ideotype that maximizes panicle grain weight.

IntroductionThe incidence of adverse short-term outcomes for infants who undergo complex congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still high. Early identification and treatment of high-risk patients remain challenging, especially because clinical risk factors often fail to explain the different outcomes of this vulnerable population. Metabolomics offers insight into the phenotype of the patient and the complex interplay between the genetic substrate and the environmental influences at the time of sampling. For these reasons, it may be helpful to identify the mechanisms of physio-pathological disruptions experienced in neonates undergoing congenital heart surgery and to identify potential therapeutic targets.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO: ID 565112) of studies investigating the association between targeted or untargeted metabolomic analysis of infants undergoing elective surgery with CPB for CHD and clinical outcomes. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE via Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization's International Trials Registry and Platform.ResultsSeven studies involving 509 children (aged 1 day to 21.3 months), all of whom underwent cardiac surgery requiring CPB, were included for qualitative analysis. We found associations between metabolomic profiles and various clinical outcomes, such as mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), and neurological outcomes. Specific metabolites (mainly amino acids, their metabolic products and fatty acids) were identified as potential biomarkers for these outcomes, demonstrating the utility of metabolomics in predicting certain postoperative complications.ConclusionThe quality of the evidence was limited due to heterogeneity in study designs and small sample sizes, but the findings are promising and suggest that further research is warranted to confirm these associations.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, PROSPERO ID 565112.

Abstract We focus on the process of leaving home among young Italians and aim to discern: (a) the extent to which the potential economic vulnerability associated with certain individual labour market conditions affects the pathway of leaving the parental home; (b) whether the impact of such conditions has changed over generations of young adults. Data come from the pooling of two cross-sectional rounds of the ‘Families and Social Subjects’ survey conducted by the Italian National Institute of Statistics in 2009 and 2016. Specifically, we consider young adults who at the time of interview were between the ages of 20 and 44, for a total of 22,218 respondents. We employ discrete-time event history models, including a competing risks approach. Our findings suggest that labour market status differs in its influence according to reason for exit and gender. While we observe a clearly negative impact of being out of the labour market for both union and non-union related reasons for men, this negative impact is observed only for non-union-related motives for women. Meanwhile, economic uncertainty connected with precarious jobs does not necessarily have a negative impact on the risk of leaving parental home, both for union and non-union related reasons. Furthermore, we see signs of differences across cohorts relative to this latter set of motives for men. The results highlight the importance of considering reasons for exit in analyses of departure from the parental home.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frightening gastrointestinal emergency in newborns. Despite being primarily a disease of premature infants, neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of development. Acute and chronic hemodynamic changes in this population may lead to mesenteric circulatory insufficiency. Objectives: In this narrative review, we describe monitoring tools, alone or in multimodal use, that may help in the early recognition of patients with CHD at major risk of NEC development. Methods: We focused on vital parameters, echocardiography, Doppler flowmetry, abdominal near-infrared spectroscopy (aNIRS), and abdominal ultrasound (aUS). Results: The number of studies on this topic is small and includes a wide range of patients’ ages and types of CHD. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and certain echocardiographic indices (antegrade and retrograde velocity time integral, cardiac output, etc.) do not seem to differentiate infants with further onset of NEC from those not developing it. Hypotensive events, persistent diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta, and low mesenteric oxygen saturation (rsSO2) measured by aNIRS appear to occur more frequently in infants who later develop NEC. aUS may be helpful in the diagnosis of cardiac NEC, potentially showing air contrast tracked to the right atrium in the presence of pneumatosis. Conclusions: This narrative review describes the current knowledge on bedside tools for the early prediction of cardiac NEC. Future research needs to further explore the use of easy-to-learn, reproducible instruments to assist patient status and monitor patient trends.

In experiments considering cell handling in microchannels, cell sedimentation in the storage container is a key problem because it affects the reproducibility of the experiments. Here, a simple and low-cost cell mixing device (CMD) is presented; the device is designed to prevent the sedimentation of cells in a syringe during their injection into a microfluidic channel. The CMD is based on a slider crank device made of 3D-printed parts that, combined with a permanent magnet, actuate a stir bar placed into the syringe containing the cells. By using A549 cell lines, the device is characterized in terms of cell viability (higher than 95%) in different mixing conditions, by varying the oscillation frequency and the overall mixing time. Then, a dedicated microfluidic experiment is designed to evaluate the injection frequency of the cells within a microfluidic chip. In the presence of the CMD, a higher number of cells are injected into the microfluidic chip with respect to the static conditions (2.5 times), proving that it contrasts cell sedimentation and allows accurate cell handling. For these reasons, the CMD can be useful in microfluidic experiments involving single-cell analysis.

Based on what we have witnessed in the last two years from several uncontrollable factors, such as natural disasters, disease pandemics and wars, it is worth exploring the potential rising prices of coffee-based products in the future. This research aims to find out people’s perceptions about the actual prices of coffee and their reasoning for their continuous financial contribution to the coffee-based industry. It is also looking for solutions regarding a suitable increase in the price range to maintain customer interest in coffee-based products in the Romanian market. Presuming that the target customers have already noticed the change in prices, different data-gathering methods come into effect to determine the level of awareness that a regular customer has regarding said price fluctuations. This will aid in providing answers to our research problem: How much can the prices be increased before profits drop significantly? The research sample consisted of 22 international people and the data found was processed to obtain the best accuracy of the results, in SPSS.

BackgroundAccording to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the number of cancer survivors is growing every year and is now estimated at over 12 million in Europe. A main objective of the European Commission is to ensure that cancer survivors can enjoy a high quality of life, underlining the role of digital technology and eHealth apps and tools to achieve this. ObjectiveThe main objective of this study is the development of a user-centered artificial intelligence system to facilitate the input and integration of patient-related biopsychosocial data to improve posttreatment quality of life, well-being, and health outcomes and examine the feasibility of this digitally assisted workflow in a real-life setting in patients with colorectal cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. MethodsA total of 60 patients with colorectal cancer and 30 patients with acute myeloid leukemia will be recruited from 2 clinical centers: Universitätsmedizin der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz (Mainz, Germany) and IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori “Dino Amadori” (IRST, Italy). Psychosocial data (eg, emotional distress, fatigue, quality of life, subjective well-being, sleep problems, and appetite loss) will be collected by questionnaires via a smartphone app, and physiological data (eg, heart rate, skin temperature, and movement through step count) will be collected by a customizable smart wrist-worn sensor device. Each patient will be assessed every 2 weeks over their 3-month participation in the ONCORELIEF study. Inclusion criteria include patients with the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia or colorectal cancer, adult patients aged 18 years and older, life expectancy greater than 12 months, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2, and patients who have a smartphone and agree to use it for the purpose of the study. Exclusion criteria include patients with a reduced cognitive function (such as dementia) or technological illiteracy and other known active malignant neoplastic diseases (patients with a medical history of treated neoplastic disease are included). ResultsThe pilot study started on September 1, 2022. As of January 2023, we enrolled 33 patients with colorectal cancer and 7 patients with acute myeloid leukemia. As of January 2023, we have not yet started the data analysis. We expect to get all data in June 2023 and expect the results to be published in the second semester of 2023. ConclusionsWeb-based and mobile apps use methods from mathematical decision support and artificial intelligence through a closed-loop workflow that connects health professionals and patients. The ONCORELIEF system has the potential of continuously identifying, collecting, and processing data from diverse patient dimensions to offer health care recommendations, support patients with cancer to address their unmet needs, and optimize survivorship care. Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) 00027808; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00027808 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/45475

Abstract Background Double lumen tube (DLT) intubation is the most commonly used technique for one lung ventilation. Bronchial blockers (BB) are an alternative, especially for difficult airways. The EZ-bronchial blocker (EZB) is an innovative y-shaped and double-ended device of the BB family. Methods A randomised, controlled trial was conducted in 80 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery using DLT or EZB for one lung ventilation (German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00014816). The objective of the study was to compare the clinical performance of EZB with DLT. Primary endpoint was total time to obtain successful one lung ventilation. Secondary endpoints were time subsections, quality of lung collapse, difficulty of intubation, any complications during the procedure, incidence of objective trauma of the oropharynx and supraglottic space and intubation-related subjective symptoms. Results 74 patients were included, DLT group (n = 38), EZB group (n = 36). Median total time to obtain one lung ventilation [IQR] in the DLT group was 234 s [207 to 294] versus 298 s [243 to 369] in the EZB group (P = 0.007). Median total time was relevantly influenced by different preparation times. Quality of lung collapse was equal in both groups, DLT group 89.5% were excellent vs. 83.3% in the EZB group (P = 0.444). Inadequate lung collapse in five patients of the EZB group resulted in unsuccessful repositioning attempts and secondary DLT placement. Endoscopic examinations revealed significantly more carina trauma (P = 0.047) and subglottic haemorrhage (P = 0.047) in the DLT group. Postoperative subjective symptoms (sore throat, hoarseness) were more common in the DLT group, as were speech problems. Conclusions Using EZB prima facie results in prolonged time to obtain one lung ventilation with equal quality of lung collapse for the thoracic surgeon. If preparation times are omitted in the analysis, the time difference is statistically and clinically not relevant. Our data showed only little evidence for reducing objective airway trauma as well as subjective complaints. In summary both procedures were comparable in terms of times and clinical applicability. Therefore decisions for DLT or EZB should depend more on individual experience, in-house equipment and the individual patient, than on any times that are neither clinically significant nor relevant. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00014816 , prospectively registered on 07.06.2018

Water droplets move smoothly at a constant speed down an inclined tilted slippery lubricated surface. Here, droplets of polymer fluids are shown to exhibit for the same homogenous surface an oscillatory motion down the slope due to the viscoelastic properties of the solutions.

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most frightening gastrointestinal emergency in newborns. Despite being primarily a disease of premature infants, neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of development. Acute and chronic hemodynamic changes in this population may lead to mesenteric circulatory insufficiency. Objectives: In this narrative review, we describe monitoring tools, alone or in multimodal use, that may help in the early recognition of patients with CHD at major risk of NEC development. Methods: We focused on vital parameters, echocardiography, Doppler flowmetry, abdominal near-infrared spectroscopy (aNIRS), and abdominal ultrasound (aUS). Results: The number of studies on this topic is small and includes a wide range of patients' ages and types of CHD. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and certain echocardiographic indices (antegrade and retrograde velocity time integral, cardiac output, etc.) do not seem to differentiate infants with further onset of NEC from those not developing it. Hypotensive events, persistent diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta, and low mesenteric oxygen saturation (rsSO2) measured by aNIRS appear to occur more frequently in infants who later develop NEC. aUS may be helpful in the diagnosis of cardiac NEC, potentially showing air contrast tracked to the right atrium in the presence of pneumatosis. Conclusions: This narrative review describes the current knowledge on bedside tools for the early prediction of cardiac NEC. Future research needs to further explore the use of easy-to-learn, reproducible instruments to assist patient status and monitor patient trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]