Two decades ago, the sequence of the first human genome was published. Since then, advances in genome technologies have resulted in whole-genome sequencing and microarray-based genotyping of millions ...of human genomes. However, genetic and genomic studies are predominantly based on populations of European ancestry. As a result, the potential benefits of genomic research-including better understanding of disease etiology, early detection and diagnosis, rational drug design and improved clinical care-may elude the many underrepresented populations. Here, we describe factors that have contributed to the imbalance in representation of different populations and, leveraging our experiences in setting up genomic studies in diverse global populations, we propose a roadmap to enhancing inclusion and ensuring equal health benefits of genomics advances. Our Perspective highlights the importance of sincere, concerted global efforts toward genomic equity to ensure the benefits of genomic medicine are accessible to all.
Background The risks and benefits of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on cardiovascular outcomes have not been well established. We pooled evidence from all available clinical ...trials to assess the cardiovascular effects of this drug. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Methods We queried electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov) from their inception to July 2017 for published and unpublished placebo controlled trials of SGLT2 inhibitors. Only studies with a follow-up period of at least 24 weeks and reporting at least one cardiovascular outcome were included. Results from trials were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and were pooled using a random-effects model. Results Thirty-five eligible studies (canagliflozin, nine; empagliflozin, eight; dapagliflozin, 18), consisting of 34,987 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Pooled results show that SGLT2 inhibitors, when compared to placebo, significantly reduce all-cause mortality (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.89; P < 0.001), major adverse cardiac events (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.76-0.92; P < 0.001), non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.98; P = 0.03) and heart failure/hospitalisation for heart failure (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.59-0.76; P < 0.001) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of stroke (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.85-1.21; P = 0.87), atrial fibrillation (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.31-1.19; P = 0.15) or unstable angina (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.73-1.25; P = 0.73). In addition, there was no heterogeneity between different drugs in the SGLT2 inhibitor class for all of the clinical outcomes studied ( I
= 0). Conclusions SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduce the incidence of mortality, major adverse cardiac events, non-fatal myocardial infarction and heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subtypes of SGLT2 inhibitors appear to have similar cardiovascular effects.
Salinity stress is one of the major global problems that negatively affect crop growth and productivity. Therefore, ecofriendly and sustainable strategies for mitigating salinity stress in ...agricultural production and global food security are highly demandable. Sugarcane press mud (PM) is an excellent source of the organic amendment, and the role of PM in mitigating salinity stress is not well understood. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate how the PM mitigates salinity stress through the regulation of rice growth, yield, physiological properties, and antioxidant enzyme activities in fine rice grown under different salinity stress conditions. In this study, different levels of salinity (6 and 12 dS m
) with or without different levels of 3, 6, and 9% of SPM, respectively were tested. Salinity stress significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA, 38%), hydrogen peroxide (H
O
, 74.39%), Na
(61.5%), electrolyte leakage (40.32%), decreased chlorophyll content (32.64%), leaf water content (107.77%), total soluble protein (TSP, 72.28%), and free amino acids (FAA, 75.27%). However, these negative effects of salinity stress were reversed mainly in rice plants after PM application. PM application (9%) remained the most effective and significantly increased growth, yield, TSP, FAA, accumulation of soluble sugars, proline, K
, and activity of antioxidant enzymes, namely, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Thus, these findings suggest a PM-mediated eco-friendly strategy for salinity alleviation in agricultural soil could be useful for plant growth and productivity in saline soils.
The objective of this study is to assess the impact of value addition chain and investment size on the sales revenue of export-oriented firms in Pakistan. Pakistan is severely facing the economic ...crisis because of its declining exports and growing external debt. The manufacturing of the intermediate products - yarn and fabric - belong to the capital-intensive industries. The large part of these products is exported to USA, China, European Union and Bangladesh. The importing partners convert these intermediate products into finished goods (garments, home textile, towel, etc.). Similarly, the finished goods which are produced by Pakistani companies and exported directly by the producers or small-scale brokerage houses do not have Pakistani brand names. The clothing sector companies in European Union and USA sale these products in super stores and retail shops under their brand names. This mechanism explains the distribution of benefits through the global value addition chain in textile and clothing industry. It is hypothesized in this study that sale revenues of textile manufacturing companies ares determined by the size of investment, type of products (stage of the integration), average lending rates, exchange rate in term of rupees per US dollar and the market access. Data for this analysis was extracted from the Annual Reports of the companies listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange. The data consists of 248 companies and 14 years (from 2003 to 2016). Through this panel data we quantified the impacts of the size of investment and the stage of value addition in textile chain on sales revenue. It is concluded that size of a company is a serious matter, while the total assets lead further increase in the sales revenue, however the negative sign with significant and robust parameters attached with the composite variable of the large companies' category and value of its total assets reflects the decreasing rate of return on additional investment in large-scale companies. The devaluation of Pakistani currency has been positively affecting the sales of exporting sector companies. However, the lending rate of interest has not shown a significant impact.
This article investigates the second law of thermodynamics for chemically reactive Sisko nanofluid by a rotating disk saturated with non-Darcy porous medium. Thermophoresis and Brownian motion on ...irreversibility has been examined through Buongiorno model. The novel features of nonlinear thermal radiation, Joule heating, MHD and non-uniform heat source/sink are accounted. Modified Arrhenius model is executed to characterize the impact of activation energy. The governing flow equations are solved and validated numerically by adopting Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method. It is noticed from the present analysis that irreversibility rate and Bejan number have reverse behavior for Brinkman number. Growing behavior of concentration is witnessed for greater estimations of activation energy variable. Total entropy generation has significant impact on reaction rate constant.
This article predicts the electromagneto squeezing rotational flow of carbon-water nanofluid between two stretchable Riga plates. Riga plate is known as electromagnetic actuator which is the ...combination of permanent magnets and a span wise aligned array of alternating electrodes mounted on a plane surface. Mathematical model is developed for the flow problem with the phenomena of melting heat transfer, viscous dissipation and heat generation/absorption. Water and kerosene oil are utilized as the base fluids whereas single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes as the nanomaterials. Numerical solutions of the dimensionless problems are constructed by using built in shooting method. The correlation expressions for Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are developed and examined through numerical data. Characteristics of numerous relevant parameters on the dimensionless temperature and velocity are sketched and discussed. Horizontal velocity is found to enhance for higher modified Hartman number.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose The study examines the impacts of debt financing on infrastructure development, investment, creation of new business entities, subsidies to private sector and GDP growth. ...Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on five simultaneous equations which have been estimated through panel least square. Findings The most important conclusion of this study is the significant role of sovereign bonds in determination of subsidies to private sector. The role of domestic credit is important in South Asian context because of its significant role in creation of new businesses. Research limitations/implications This study supports the enhancement in credit financing to private sector for creation of new business activities in the economy. Practical implications The improvement in liquidity position by enhancing domestic credit facilities may ensure the sustainability and continuity of business activities. Such activities may improve GDP growth in future. Social implications The most important aspect of the study is to identify the role of debt financing in subsidies and creation of new businesses which are important elements of social economics. Originality/value Usually the impacts of sovereign bonds and external debts on infrastructure development and GDP growth are examined. But, to relate these debts to creation of business entities and subsidies is a new dimension.
Financial inclusion is an international policy agenda and can be achieved through financially literate people, who can make informed financial decisions and improve individuals' well-being. The area ...of Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion is fairly highlighted in the literature; however, the collective importance of how these two areas are researched together needs scholarly attention. This paper carries out a mapping, scientometric and content analysis by compiling studies at the intersection of financial literacy and financial inclusion from a sample of 10,091 studies spread over the last 45 years and conducted on a sample of more than 850,000 individuals worldwide. We find that the number of studies increases; by fields, Finance and Economics dominate the literature; by countries, most studies come from developed countries, in particular the US; by authors, citations are skewed and by measures; studies are moving from non-functional measures to functional measures. Overall, the interest in financial literacy in bringing financial inclusion and its multifaceted role is elaborated using conceptual framework following which future research is positioned. Thus, aiding policymakers, regulators, and academicians to know the distinction of Financial literacy in Financial inclusion and to identify the potential research areas.
Surface deformation is a multi-factor, laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) defect that cannot be avoided entirely using current monitoring systems. Distortion and warping, if left unchecked, can ...compromise the mechanical and physical properties resulting in a build with an undesired geometry. Increasing dwell time, pre-heating the substrate, and selecting appropriate values for the printing parameters are common ways to combat surface deformation. However, the absence of real-time detection and correction of surface deformation is a crucial LPBF problem. In this work, we propose a novel approach to identifying surface deformation problems from powder-bed images in real time by employing a convolutional neural network-based solution. Identifying surface deformation from powder-bed images is a significant step toward real-time monitoring of LPBF. Thirteen bars, with overhangs, were printed to simulate surface deformation defects naturally. The carefully chosen geometric design overcomes problems relating to unlabelled data by providing both normal and defective examples for the model to train. To improve the quality and robustness of the model, we employed several deep learning techniques such as data augmentation and various model evaluation criteria. Our model is 99% accurate in identifying the surface distortion from powder-bed images.
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