To validate externally the CACE-HF clinical prediction rule, which predicts 1-year mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).
We performed an external validation of the CACE-HF risk score in ...patients included in the RICA heart failure registry who had completed 1 year of follow-up, comparing the characteristics of the derivation and validation cohorts. The performance of the risk score was evaluated in terms of calibration, using calibration-in-the-large (a), calibration slope (b), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and in terms of discrimination, using the area under the ROC curve.
In total, 3337 patients were included in the validation cohort. There were no significant differences between the derivation and validation cohorts in 1-year mortality (24.63% vs. 22.98%) or in the risk score and risk classes. The discrimination capacity in the validation cohort was slightly lower, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.69), compared to that of the derivation cohort. Calibration results were a −0.05 (95% CI: −0.14, 0.03), indicating that the average predictions did not differ from the average outcome frequency, and b = 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.86), indicating a modest inconsistency in predictor effects. Observed mortality versus predicted mortality according to the deciles and risk classes were very similar in both cases, indicating good calibration.
The results of the external validation of the CACE-HF risk score show that although the capacity for discrimination was slightly lower than in the derivation cohort, the calibration was excellent. This tool, therefore, can assist in decision-making in the management of these patients.
•To improve our management of HF we need tools to optimize the available resources.•The prognostic models help us differentiate the life expectancy of the HF patients.•We have externally validated a risk model to predict 1-year mortality.•The model was developed and validated in real-world cohorts of HF patients.
•Mean field theory and in-situ analysis are jointly employed to study QDs nucleation.•The diffusion parameter is related to the atoms supply rate from islands precursors.•QDs and wetting layer ...changes in the BQDs are associated to the reduction of strain.•The diffusion rate and 2D-3D transition thickness reach steady values a certain BQD.•Likewise, an elastic equilibrium state is reached when the strain shows minima changes.
The growth front stacking of bilayer quantum dot (BQD) InAs/GaAs heterostructures was studied by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The mean-field theory was employed to describe the quantum dots (QDs) nucleation, which was experimentally monitored during the intensity changes of the (002)-RHEED diffraction spot along the two- to three-dimensional (2D-3D) InAs growth mode transition. The diffusion parameter obtained from fits of the 2D-3D transition curves was associated to the rate of atoms supply from 2D and 3D islands precursors. The variation of the nucleation parameters during the vertical alignment of QDs associated to the coupling of strain fields were related to the changes of the QDs size and the wetting layer thickness. Numerical simulations indicated that these changes reduce the strain in the BQD heterostructures. Damped oscillatory behavior was observed for the InAs/GaAs critical thickness (Hc) as a function of the number of BQD. The bilayer number after which Hc did not vary significantly, coincided with the one without important variation of the diffusion parameters. The number of BQD layers required to reach this quasi-equilibrium condition depends on the growth parameters of the first layer and the spacer layer thickness, as supported by numerical simulations.
In this work, were studied the aging spectral markers of three types of tequila: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo (white, rested, and aged, respectively) by Raman spectroscopy with the aim of ...qualitatively assessing the aging state of tequilas. The samples were elaborated in the same distillery to increase the correctness of the analysis since the contribution of manufacturing process factors, e.g., the type of water used for the elaboration, the origin of raw materials like agaves, sugar, barrels, and others would be similar for all the kinds of tequila. It was demonstrated that complementary information can be obtained through the employment of two excitation wavelengths: 532 and 785 nm. Fluorescence intensity increases with the aging degree of the tequilas as observed with the 532 nm line providing qualitative information about the resting time within the barrels. Additionally, by employing the 785 nm line it was possible to discern through the
ν
s
-CCO
ν
a
-CCO bands, (C–O) and (C–H) stretching modes and CH
2
wagging bonds, the aging spectral markers of tequila.
•Metamorphic InGaAs graded layers have been grown varying the In mole fraction.•Strain driven dislocations reactions during annealing improve the crystal quality of graded layers.•Energy band bending ...due to hyperbolic-tan profiles accelerates free carriers improving THz emission.•New research line throughout near-surface band bending is envisioned for THz applications.
The growth and characterization of InxGa1-xAs layers with hyperbolic tangent In concentration profiles is presented. Along the growth the molecular beam fluxes of Ga and In, and the substrate temperature were varied. Since the concentration of In is varied during growth process the strain is expected to increase monotonically, and eventually be relaxed via dislocation formation. Positively, reordering of the ternary alloy and the improvement of its crystal quality were propitiated by annealing the samples. The gradual In concentration propitiated along the thickness of the film conduced to variations of the near-surface band bending. The THz emission from GaAs, InAs, and graded samples was investigated by femtosecond laser pumping excitation. The band-bending from hyperbolic-tan graded composition InxGa1-xAs layers causes depth dependence of effective mass and built-in electric fields modifying accordingly the THz emission.
The optical non-destructive characterization of tin-doped GaN
x
As
1−x
layer grown on GaAs (100) is presented. Molecular beam epitaxy was employed to grow GaNAs:Sn samples with nitrogen molar content ...at two different values,
x
~ 0.001 and ~ 0.02. The n-type doping concentration was controlled by the Sn effusion cell temperature (
T
Sn
), exploring the range from 700 to 850 °C. High-resolution x-ray diffraction rocking curves of the samples indicate that it is possible to obtain GaNAs:Sn layers with appropriated crystallinity. Raman spectra present modifications in vibrational modes related to the Sn atom incorporation. The plasmon-phonon-coupled mode frequency and intensity are evaluated, showing a
T
Sn
-dependent donor atom concentration range from 10
16
to 10
19
cm
−3
. Spectral signatures obtained by photoreflectance spectroscopy reveal an increasing
E
−
broadening parameter as the Sn effusion cell temperature is raised. Additionally, from Franz–Keldysh oscillations it is observed that the internal electric field strength increases with the donor concentration. The optical results were contrasted using the four-point probe method, demonstrating changes in sheet resistivity for the samples according with the employed spectroscopies. For similar
T
Sn
, the set of samples with
x
~ 0.02 shows increased properties related to tin incorporation for each characterization technique.
Prodiplosis longifila Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an insect pest that attacks various types of crops, including tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), a vegetable with substantial ...economic significance worldwide. Prodiplosis longifila is a widely distributed pest in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, countries characterized by the presence of significant geographic barriers like the Andes Mountains. It has been reported that geographic barriers affect the dynamics and genetic differentiation of insect populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of P. longifila through the analysis of sequences within the mitochondrial region of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and rDNA‐ITS2 in 27 populations located in Colombia and Ecuador. Analyses were performed on populations distributed in three geographic groups separated by the presence of the Andes Mountains. A total of 11 haplotypes were identified with the COI gene and only one haplotype in the rDNA‐ITS2 was found. Analyses of population structure and demographic history revealed that there is a structure associated with the Andes, which is reflected in an uneven distribution of the haplotype frequencies between regions, but even so, gene flow between populations was detected which produces low genetic differentiation. Because P. longifila has a short‐range dispersion that determines its territorial nature, it would be expected that other factors are producing the genetic exchange between populations. We suggest that the anthropogenic effect produced by farming practices, such as the use of seedlings as seed, which may carry P. longifila larvae, cause passive dispersal of pest throughout the Andes, particularly in Colombia.
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