It has been recognised that volcanic soils, particularly Andosols, can store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). This study investigates the factors controlling the regional and vertical ...distributions of SOC in soils of volcanic origin. To this aim, we investigated the vertical distribution of SOC in a total of 212 soil profiles representing all combinations of soil-forming factors in a volcanic area with a high diversity of ecosystems and soil types. We analysed the SOC contents in relation to intrinsic (soil type and relevant soil properties: texture and pH) and extrinsic factors (climate, parent material, relief), and we studied the patterns of SOC distribution with depth by fitting the SOC contents to different curve models. Furthermore, we selected ten soil profiles for a more detailed study to assess the effect of vegetation by examining the relationships of the SOC storage and depth distribution to the amount and allocation of plant roots and litterfall.
SOC storage was controlled by the interaction of climatic (rainfall), time (substrate age), topographic (slope) and biotic (plant-mediated) factors. Our results indicate that under humid conditions, large organic inputs and the inhibition of microbial degradation due to low pH, Al-toxicity and persistent anaerobiosis within soil microaggregates largely contributed to SOC accumulation. Soil type was a poor predictor of SOC storage, most likely due to the co-occurrence of young and evolved Andosols and a certain andic character in many soils that did not qualify as Andosols. The distributions of root carbon and SOC appeared to be closely interrelated, suggesting a major role of roots in the supply of organic matter and the lack of significant bioturbation. The depth distribution of SOC was best fitted by the quadratic, cubic and power models, the latter being a feasible alternative that should be used to this aim in volcanic soils rather than the widely used exponential model.
•We analysed the extrinsic and intrinsic factors driving SOC storage in volcanic soils•Climate (mainly moisture) and topography (slope) were the major environmental drivers•In humid conditions, low pH and anoxia within microaggregates can enhance SOC storage•Andosols showed average SOC stocks similar to those of other WRB Groups•SOC depth distribution was best fitted by quadratic, cubic and power models
Mechatronics and Robotics (MaR) have recently gained importance in product development and manufacturing settings and applications. Therefore, the Center for Space Emerging Technologies (C-SET) has ...managed an international multi-disciplinary study to present, historically, the first Latin American general review of industrial, collaborative, and mobile robotics, with the support of North American and European researchers and institutions. The methodology is developed by considering literature extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, and Aerospace Research Central and adding reports written by companies and government organizations. This describes the state-of-the-art of MaR until the year 2023 in the 3 Sub-Regions: North America, Central America, and South America, having achieved important results related to the academy, industry, government, and entrepreneurship; thus, the statistics shown in this manuscript are unique. Also, this article explores the potential for further work and advantages described by robotic companies such as ABB, KUKA, and Mecademic and the use of the Robot Operating System (ROS) in order to promote research, development, and innovation. In addition, the integration with industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, architecture and construction, aerospace, smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, and computational social science (human-robot interaction) is analyzed to show the promising features of these growing tech areas, considering the improvements to increase production, manufacturing, and education in the Region. Finally, regarding the information presented, Latin America is considered an important location for investments to increase production and product development, taking into account the further proposal for the creation of the LATAM Consortium for Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics, which could support and work on roboethics and education/R+D+I law and regulations in the Region. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-025 Full Text: PDF
Background Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are an invaluable tool for research and therapeutic application regarding degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. Methods Human MSC from cryopreserved ...mononuclear (c-MSC) cell populations were isolated from bone marrow (BM) and compared with MSC isolated directly from the same BM for immunophenotype, differentiation capacity and Parathormone (PTH) response. Results c-MSC showed a similar immunophenotype, division and differentiation capacity as standard MSC obtained from the same BM. This capacity was maintained during various culture-growing passages. Treatment with PTH(1–34) from days 6 to 24, after c-MSC induction to osteoblasts and adipocytes, had no significant effect on osteoblastogenesis yet inhibited adipogenesis. This effect was similar in MSC from the same BM. Discussion We propose cryopreservation of mononuclear cells obtained from BM as a simple and convenient means for routine storage of MSC to be used for therapeutic and research applications.
BackgroundPharmacists are involved in critical steps for the performance of clinical trials (CT), such as the reception, dispensing and storage of samples.PurposeTo describe the profile and analyse ...the complexity level of CT.Material and methodsDescriptive and observational study. CT began in the years 2000–2018 were included. The complexity was assessed according to the classification of Calvin Lamas et al.: low complexity=6–10 points, moderate complexity=11–19 and high complexity=20–33 points. This classification is based on eight items: blinding, number of samples/CT, type of dispensation, number of pharmacy unit professionals involved, use of interactive system (IWRS/IVRS), pharmacy preparation, storage conditions and need for additional conditioning material. The complexity between the two time periods was compared (period 1=2000–2008 versus period 2=2009–2018). The following variables were also collected: name of CT, clinical units, phase, control and randomisation.ResultsTwo-hundred and four CT were started. There were 120 phase III (58.8%), 48 phase IV (23.5%) and 26 phase II (12.7%). One-hundred and two CT were no-blind (50%), 95 were double-blind (46.6%), five were simple-blind (2.4%) and two were triple-blind (1%). 91.2% CT were randomised and 85.1% were controlled. The median of samples/CT was 2 (0–11). 63.7% of CT had samples stored at room temperature (15°C–25°C), 21.9% refrigerated (2°C–8°C) and 14.4% both type of storage. Preparation under aseptic conditions was required for 20.6% CT. In 61.4% CT, the samples were dispensed to the investigator group and in 38.6% CT were dispensed directly to patients. Clinical units involved: oncology 16.2%, nephrology 15.7%, haematology 14.2%, pneumology 8.8%, infectious disease 7.8%, cardiology 6.9% and the rest of the units 30.4%. 12.8% of CT had high complexity, 36.8% moderate complexity and 50.5% low complexity. When comparing CT between both periods of time, 59.8% (67/112) versus 39.1% (36/92) were low complexity; 31.3% (35/112) versus 43.5% (40/92) were moderate complexity; and 8.9% (10/112) versus 17.4% (16/92) were high complexity; in periods 1 and 2, respectively.ConclusionThe most frequent CT was phase III, no-blind, randomised and controlled. Oncology, haematology and nephrology units performed almost half of the CT during the study period. Period 2 was characterised for having a higher number of high complexity CT.References and/or acknowledgementshttps://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/61916246.pdfNo conflict of interest.
Abstract
Introduction and objectives
Readmission rates at 30 days after heart failure (HF) hospitalizations are high. Disease management programs have shown to reduce them; however, the results of ...clinical trials are difficult to extrapolate to the entire population with HF. Our hospital has a multidisciplinary program for HF management (MHFP) led by the Cardiology Department, based on early post-discharge follow-up in a day hospital, for clinical-analytical assessment, optimization and titration of pharmacological treatment, structured education, promotion of self-care and intravenous treatment if appropriate. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the MHFP on our patients all cause 30-day readmission rate (MHFP group), compared with the rest of our region (control group).
Methods
All discharges with HF as main diagnosis in our region were analysed through anonymized consultation of the Minimum Basic Data Set (an administrative public data base) in the period 2009–2015. The first admission of each patient in the period was identified as index admission. Patients who died in the index admission were excluded. Epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities and hospital stay were compared in the two groups. The outcome variable was the time to first readmission in the first 30 days after discharge. Quantitative variables were compared using Student's t and categorical variables with χ2. Cox method was used for multivariate analysis.
Results
We included 62,162 patients, 1,447 in the MHFP group and 60,715 in the control group. Epidemiological characteristics and main comorbidities were compared, and the results are shown in the table. Readmission rate was significantly lower in the MHFP group (13.5 vs 16%, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.98 in multivariate analysis). The variables independently associated with an increase in readmissions at 30 days were age adjusted Charlson index, hospital length of stay in index admission and several comorbidities (obstructive pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction, and renal failure)
Conclusions
Over a period of 6 years, a MHFP significantly reduced 30-day readmissions after admission for HF, in its reference area. The generalization of these programs could have a relevant impact on costs reduction.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
A
bstract
A measurement of the inelastic proton-proton cross section with the CMS detector at a center-of-mass energy of
s
=
13
TeV is presented. The analysis is based on events with energy deposits ...in the forward calorimeters, which cover pseudorapidities of −6
.
6
< η <
−3
.
0 and +3
.
0
< η <
+5
.
2. An inelastic cross section of 68
.
6 ± 0
.
5(syst) ± 1
.
6(lumi) mb is obtained for events with
M
X
>
4
.
1 GeV and/or
M
Y
>
13 GeV, where
M
X
and
M
Y
are the masses of the diffractive dissociation systems at negative and positive pseudorapidities, respectively. The results are compared with those from other experiments as well as to predictions from high-energy hadron-hadron interaction models.
A
bstract
Properties of the Higgs boson are measured in the H → ZZ → 4ℓ (ℓ = e,
μ
) decay channel. A data sample of proton-proton collisions at
s
=
13
TeV, collected with the CMS detector at the LHC ...and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb
−1
is used. The signal strength modifier
μ
, defined as the ratio of the observed Higgs boson rate in the H → ZZ → 4ℓ decay channel to the standard model expectation, is measured to be
μ
= 1.05
− 0.17
+ 0.19
at
m
H
= 125.09 GeV, the combined ATLAS and CMS measurement of the Higgs boson mass. The signal strength modifiers for the individual Higgs boson production modes are also measured. The cross section in the fiducial phase space defined by the requirements on lepton kinematics and event topology is measured to be 2. 92
− 0.44
+ 0.48
(stat)
− 0.24
+ 0.28
(syst)fb, which is compatible with the standard model prediction of 2.76 ± 0.14 fb. Differential cross sections are reported as a function of the transverse momentum of the Higgs boson, the number of associated jets, and the transverse momentum of the leading associated jet. The Higgs boson mass is measured to be
m
H
= 125.26 ± 0.21 GeV and the width is constrained using the on-shell invariant mass distribution to be Γ
H
< 1.10 GeV, at 95% confidence level.
Abstract
Introduction
In the first few months after a heart surgery, hospital readmissions and are common. To reduce these events, we developed an early follow-up protocol after discharge based on ...attention in our cardiological day hospital (CDH), which allows clinical and analytical assessment, monitoring and intravenous treatment if needed, at successive visits. The objective of the study is to assess the protocol impact on the rate of early readmissions, after its implementation in January of 2016.
Methods
Patients in our area discharged after heart surgery between 2013 and 2019 were included. They were divided into two groups, one with conventional follow-up and one with initial follow-up in CDH. Baseline clinical characteristics, type of surgery and surgical risk were compared. The primary endpoint was the time to the first any-cause readmission. The follow-up time was 200 days from discharge. Quantitative variables were compared using Student's t test and categorical variables using chi-square test. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis.
Results
436 patients, 166 with conventional and 270 with CDH follow-up, were included. Baseline characteristics are shown in the table. We found a trend of decreasing readmissions in the CDH group (23,5% in conventional group, 16,3% in CDH group, HR 0,74; CI 95%: 0,48–1,14, p 0,19) although statistical significance was not achieved. In multivariate analysis, the variables independently associated (p<0.05) with an increased risk of readmission at 200 days were: active encocarditis, prior atrial fibrillation, hypertension, Euroscore II surgical risk index >1.13, hospital length of stay >14 days and age>73 years. The time to a first cardiological assessment after discharge decreased significantly in the CDH group (64 vs 18 days, p<0.001).
Conclusions
In patients followed in CDH after heart surgery, there is a trend towards less readmissions in the first months after discharge. Some baseline characteristics have been shown to be independently associated with the risk of readmission, which will help us to identify the most at-risk patients, on which an intervention could have a greater benefit.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
PDF
