Search

Aim: Maternal pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), type 1 or type 2, has been established as a potential risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD). At the same time, the correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and increased risk of CHD has not been yet fully elucidated. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO number: CRD42020182390) was to analyze the existing evidence on PGDM and to attempt to fill, to the best of our ability, the remaining knowledge gap in the association of GDM with CHD. Materials and methods: Two authors have independently searched the Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Theses Global databases with keywords and Boolean operators. The search yielded 9333 relevant articles, which were later screened for eligibility. Original peer-reviewed (case-control or cohort) studies were included if they were published in English between 1997 and 2020. Thirteen studies on mothers with PGDM and seven studies on mothers with GDM were finally included in our meta-analysis to investigate the association of maternal diabetes with the risk of delivering a child with CHD. The selected studies were all assessed for their methodological quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Associations with p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Our meta-analysis (I² > 75%, total population: n = 12,461,586) of 79,476 women with PGDM and 160,893 with GDM produced an odds ratio of 3.48 (2.36–4.61) and 1.55 (1.48–1.61), respectively. Additionally, we did not find any noticeable difference in the risk for CHD among diabetic women living in the USA and Europe. Nevertheless, it still needs to be clarified, whether or not the gestational diabetic population includes undiagnosed women with preexisting diabetes, which might account for the increased risk of delivering a child with CHD in women classified as suffering from GDM. Conclusion: While both GDM and PGDM seem to significantly increase the risk of CHD in comparison with the general population, PDGM appears to have a greater association with CHD, being correlated with a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of malformation. Preconceptional and gestational diabetes care are, therefore, essential to mitigate the adverse effect of hyperglycemia on fetal heart formation during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiable programming has recently received much interest as a paradigm that facilitates taking gradients of computer programs. While the corresponding flexible gradient-based optimization approaches so far have been used predominantly for deep learning or enriching the latter with modeling components, we want to demonstrate that they can also be useful for statistical modeling per se, for example, for quick prototyping when classical maximum likelihood approaches are challenging or not feasible. In an application from a COVID-19 setting, we use differentiable programming to quickly build and optimize a flexible prediction model adapted to the data quality challenges at hand. Specifically, we develop a regression model, inspired by delay differential equations, that can bridge temporal gaps of observations in the central German registry of COVID-19 intensive care cases for predicting future demand. With this exemplary modeling challenge, we illustrate how differentiable programming can enable simple gradient-based optimization of the model by automatic differentiation. This allowed us to quickly prototype a model under time pressure that outperforms simpler benchmark models. We thus exemplify the potential of differentiable programming also outside deep learning applications to provide more options for flexible applied statistical modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines thesentence processing ability of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes. In addition to standard MCI neuropsychological tests, an experimental approach was applied to assess language. 133 people (93 MCI/40 controls) participated in novel computerized sentence processing tasks. Results presented statistically significant differences between MCI/controls andMCI subtypes (ANOVA):(a) duration F(2,92) = 19.259,p < .001) in sentence construction; (b) correct answers (F(2, 89) = 8.560,p < .001) and duration (F2,89) = 15.525,p < .001)in text comprehension; (c) correct answers (F(2, 92) = 8.975,p < .001) andduration (F(2, 92) = 4.360,p = .016) in metaphoric sentences comprehension; (d) correct answers (F(2, 92) = 12.836,p < .001) andduration (F(2, 92) = 10.974,p < .001) in verb form generation. Subtle changes in MCIsubtypes could affect sentence processing and provide useful information for cognitive decline risk estimation and screening purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-one (51) olive cultivars (six trees per cultivar) were planted in an alluvial soil of an experimental field in Northern Greece for study of their growth. Soil is sandy loam (SL) - loamy sand (LS), moderately alkaline and presents no salinity or alkalinity. Despite the applied agronomic practices, i.e., soil fertilization, irrigation, and pest control, about half of the trees did not respond positively to the field conditions, while the remaining ones showed low to moderate growth based on measurements of height and crown diameter. Soil and leaf tissues analysis as well as penetration resistance (PR) measurements showed that olive trees' growth problems could be attributed to a combination of high PR values (>3 MPa) and to a certain degree to low fertility (especially nitrogen and potassium deficiencies). Under the prevailing soil conditions, the most resistant olive cultivars proved to be Dafnolia, Maronia, Oblonca, Ascolana, and Frantoio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many universities have implemented tuition differentials for certain undergraduate degree programs, citing higher degree costs or higher demand. However, most college accounting systems are unsuited for measuring cost differentials by degree program. This research outlines a method that can convert commonly available financial data to a more appropriate form for cost analysis. Results show that the average faculty teaching salary cost differs between degree programs, but that these differences are more a function of class size and success rates than average faculty salaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of selected spatiotemporal characteristics of isolated thunderstorms in relation to cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning over part of the eastern Mediterranean is performed. The purpose of the study is twofold: to better understand and improve the basic knowledge of the physical mechanisms of the phenomenon and to offer new means of nowcasting the lightning activity in such thunderstorms. Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) Rapid Scan Service (RSS) infrared imagery which offers the option of tracking the examined storms with a time frequency of 5 minutes is one of the two utilized datasets, the other being ZEUS very low frequency (VLF) lightning detection system’s CG discharge data. It was shown that a cloud top temperature of about −20°C is required for the onset of lightning activity. A rapid drop of the cloud-top temperature of about 11°C in 5 minutes on average is observed a few minutes before or during lightning initiation. The maximization of the activity is usually quite close to the overall minimum cloud-top temperature of the cell. A temperature increase of 3.5°C from this overall minimum can mark the end of the activity, which is also associated to the time evolution of the cell’s horizontal extent. In fact, after the cell’s horizontal area stops to increase and/or starts to gradually diminish, CG lightning activity is expected to stop. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of this study was to examine the moment-arm and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the patellar tendon (PT) and the hamstrings after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The right knee of five males who underwent ACL reconstruction with a PT graft and five age-matched controls was scanned using magnetic resonance image scans. Based on three-dimensional (3D) solids of the PT, CSAs and moment-arms of semitendinous (ST), biceps femoris (BF) long head and semimembranosus (SM) were estimated. Analysis of variance indicated no significant group differences in muscle moment-arms (p>0.05). 3D moment-arms of PT, ST and BF were significantly lower than the corresponding 2D values (p < 0.05). The ACL group displayed a significantly higher maximum BF CSA, a lower ST CSA (p < 0.05) but similar PT and SM CSAs compared with controls. It is concluded that any alterations in PT properties 1 year after harvesting do not affect knee muscle moment-arms compared with age-matched controls. Moment-arm estimation differed between 3D and 2D data, although it did not affect comparisons between ACL reconstruction group and controls. Design of rehabilitation programmes should take into consideration a potential alteration in hamstring morphology following surgery with a PT graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit rots are some of the most important diseases of grape and strawberry. With recent public concern regarding pesticide residues on fruit, there is a need for alternative disease management practices that will reduce the risk to consumers. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the commercial product BOTRY-Zen (active ingredientUlocladium oudemansii[U3 strain]) to control strawberry and grape fruit rots. BOTRY-Zen at 6 g/L reduced significantly the percentage of rotted fruit in comparison with the untreated control. However, its effectiveness was significantly less than that of the fungicide Switch 25/37.5 WG (fludioxonil: cyprodinil) at a rate of 1 g/L (recommended by producer). There was no significant difference between the BOTRY-Zen at rate of 4 g/L and untreated plants. The results of this study showed that the commercial product BOTRY-Zen, at 6 g/L, could be a useful tool to control fruit rots of strawberry and grape in biological fruit production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(thio)urea receptors (1–4) based on 1,2-bisaminocyclohexane are shown to function as transmembrane anion antiporters. The results show thatcis-receptors have a greater propensity for anion transport than analogoustrans-receptors. Stability constants using1H NMR techniques highlight the significance of stereoisomerism on anion binding in solution, ascis-receptors bind anions more strongly thantrans-receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was aimed at the study of some physical properties of two current light-cured dental resin composites, Rok (hybrid) and Ice (nanohydrid). As filler they both contain strontium aluminosilicate particles, however, with different size distribution, 40 nm–2.5 μm for Rok and 10 nm–1 μm for Ice. The resin matrix of Rok consists of UDMA, that of Ice of UDMA, Bis-EMA and TEGDMA. Degree of conversion was determined by FT-IR analysis. The flexural strength and modulus were measured using a three-point bending set-up according to the ISO-4049 specification. Sorption, solubility and volumetric change were measured after storage of composites in water or ethanol/water (75 vol%) for 1 day, 7 or 30 days. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed in air and nitrogen atmosphere from 30 to 700°C. Surface roughness and morphology of the composites was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The degree of conversion was found to be 56.9% for Rok and 61.0% for Ice. The flexural strength of Rok does not significantly differ from that of Ice, while the flexural modulus of Rok is higher than that of Ice. The flexural strengths of Rok and Ice did not show any significant change after immersion in water or ethanol solution for 30 days. The flexural modulus of Rok and Ice did not show any significant change either after immersion in water for 30 days, while it decreased significantly, even after 1 day immersion, in ethanol solution. Ice sorbed a higher amount of water and ethanol solution than Rok and showed a higher volume increase. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that Rok contains about 80 wt% inorganic filler and Ice about 75 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A trial was conducted during two years (2000/01 and 2001/02) on two sites using 'Shambar' grapefruit trees grafted to five rootstocks. The sites were located on the Greek island of Kos to evaluate the effect of rootstock and location on fruit production and leaf mineral composition of 'Shambar' grapefruit. Results indicated that yields were higher in 2001/02 than in 2000/01 and these differences were greater at site 2. Leaf nitrogen (N), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and to some degree phosphorus (P) content was slightly deficient to deficient for the majority of the samples taken. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels ranged from normal to high. The copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) leaf contents and the manganese (Mn) content of most samples were in the optimum range. The interactions between rootstock, site, and year upon yield and nutrient content were statistically significant. There were also significant correlation coefficients between yield and nutrient content as well as among the nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The suitability of a manganese (Mn)-rich solid industrial waste (Thermanox) as soil amendment was tested in biennial field trials. This waste results as a by-product of an industry producing raw materials for dry batteries. It is neutralized with calcium hydrate. It has a 8.0 pH, it contains 14% total Mn, relatively high content in aluminum (Al), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and smaller quantities of many heavy metals, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and tin (Sn). For these trials, quantities of this solid waste were incorporated into the soil one year before the onset of the experiments, amounting to 0 (control), 400, 500, and 600tha[sup -1]. Fertilizers, either organic or inorganic, were not applied in the trial plots prior to the onset of trials or over the growing season. The response of the vegetable crops tomato, eggplant and pepper to this mixture was studied. It was found that the addition of this industrial by-product at the concentrations of 500 and 600 t ha[sup -1] to the soil improved the yield of the crops tested. In particular, yields of these crops (mean of 2 years), comparing to the control, increased in tomato by 1.6 times for biomass, by 2.5 times for fruit yield, by 1.6 times for number of fruits and by 1.5 times for average fruit weight per experimental plot (2m²). The respective increases in eggplant were 3.5, 4.0, 2.2, and 1.8 and in pepper 2.6, 6.9, 3.9, and 1.8. The concentration of various nutrient elements and heavy metals in plant tissue were found within physiological levels, with the exception of boron (B) that was found very low and of Cu that was rather high, but not in toxic levels for the plants. The concentrations of heavy metals Mn, Fe, lead (Pb), Ni, Co, Cr, and Cd were higher in plants receiving the soil amendment treatment than in the controls. In the third year after the incorporation of the industrial by-product into the soil, a movement... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the application of queuing modeling in intelligent multimedia user interfaces (IMUIs). We propose that queuing modeling constitutes an effective means for providing at runtime, assessment information concerning user-computer interaction (UCI) and can thus contribute to runtime adaptation. We present specific queuing systems that model the load posed to the user's sensory channels in IMUIs under different assumptions, and indicative (media-and-modalities allocation) adaptation policies that build on this modeling are exemplified. This article also outlines the implementation of an assessment software module that uses the proposed queuing modeling framework and its subsequent integration into an existing IMUI (in which it is used for the assignment of information to output modalities); both activities were undertaken to practically demonstrate that queuing modeling can be effectively used in IMUIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]