We present a Radio Recombination Line (RRL) survey of the Galactic plane from the H i Parkes All-sky Survey and associated Zone of Avoidance survey, which mapped the region l = 196°–0°–52° and ...|b| ≤ 5° at 1.4 GHz and 14.4 arcmin resolution. We combine three RRLs, H168α, H167α, and H166α to derive fully sampled maps of the diffuse ionized emission along the inner Galactic plane. The velocity information, at a resolution of 20 km s−1, allows us to study the spatial distribution of the ionized gas and compare it with that of the molecular gas, as traced by CO. The longitude–velocity diagram shows that the RRL emission is mostly associated with CO gas from the molecular ring and is concentrated within the inner 30° of longitude. A map of the free–free emission in this region of the Galaxy is derived from the line-integrated RRL emission, assuming an electron temperature gradient with Galactocentric radius of 496 ± 100 K kpc−1. Based on the thermal continuum map, we extracted a catalogue of 317 compact (≲15 arcmin) sources, with flux densities, sizes, and velocities. We report the first RRL observations of the southern ionized lobe in the Galactic Centre. The line profiles and velocities suggest that this degree-scale structure is in rotation. We also present new evidence of diffuse ionized gas in the 3-kpc arm. Helium and carbon RRLs are detected in this survey. The He line is mostly observed towards H ii regions, whereas the C line is also detected further away from the source of ionization. These data represent the first observations of diffuse C RRLs in the Galactic plane at a frequency of 1.4 GHz.
Acidic soils rapidly retain applied phosphorus fertilizers and consequently present low availability of this nutrient to plants. The use of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms to help plant ...phosphorus (P) absorption is a promising sustainable strategy for managing P deficiencies in agricultural soils. Trichoderma strains have been one of the most studied filamentous fungi for improving the production and development of several crop species mainly due to their capability for symbiotic associations and their ability to control soil-borne plant diseases. Thus, this work sought to bioprospect Trichoderma strains from the Amazon rainforest capable of solubilizing/mineralizing soil phosphate and promoting soybean growth. Soybean plants inoculated with selected Trichoderma strains were cultivated in soil under greenhouse conditions and under a gradient of rock phosphate and triple superphosphate. As a result, 19.5% of the isolated Trichoderma strains were able to solubilize phosphate. In addition, those strains produced different organic acids during the solubilization process. Trichoderma spp. strains showed positive responses in the promotion of soybean growth-from 2.1% to 41.1%-as well as in the efficiency of P uptake-up to 141%. These results reveal the potential of Trichoderma spp. from the Amazon biome as promising biofertilizer agents.
Mixed connective tissue disease was first described as a new autoimmune rheumatic disease in 1972 based on the claim of a distinct clinical picture associated with anti-RNP antibody positivity. ...Subsequently, this new entity has divided opinions in the rheumatology community. We have reviewed recent cohort studies with more than 100 patients, comparing the clinical and immunological features, treatment, prognosis and evolution to well-defined autoimmune rheumatic diseases. We also reviewed clinical features of undifferentiated autoimmune rheumatic diseases based on the most recent studies. After gathering and reviewing these data, we discuss whether the designation “mixed connective tissue disease” should be maintained.
To assess whether sex, education level, and health insurance affect the use of health services among the adult Brazilian population with chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCD).
Data from a ...cross-sectional survey were analyzed, the National Health Survey (PNS). Frequency of use of services in the population that referred at least one NCD were compared with the frequency from a population that did not report NCD, according to sex, education level, health insurance, and NCD number (1, 2, 3, 4, or more). The prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated crude and adjusted for sex, age, region, and 95% confidence intervals.
The presence of a noncommunicable disease was associated with increase in hospitalizations in the last 12 months, in 1.7 times (95%CI 1.53-1.9). Failing to perform usual activities in the last two weeks for health reasons was 3.1 times higher in NCD carriers (95%CI 2.78-3.46); while the prevalence of medical consultation in the last 12 months was 1.26 times higher (95%CI 1.24-1.28). NCD carriers make more use of health services, as well as women, people with higher number of comorbidities, with health insurance, and higher education level.
NCD carriers make more use of health services, as well as women, people with higher number of comorbidities, with health insurance, and higher education level.
To analyze factors associated with self-reported high blood pressure among adults in Brazilian state capitals.
The study uses data from Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para ...Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (Vigitel - Surveillance System of Risk and Protection Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases by Telephone Survey) collected in 2013. Prevalence rates and their respective 95% confidence intervals by gender were estimated according to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, reported noncommunicable diseases and self-rated health status. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to identify variables associated with self-reported high blood pressure with α < 0.05.
Prevalence of self-reported high blood pressure among adults living in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District was 24.1%. The following variables were associated with self-reported high blood pressure: age group, taking 18-24 as reference (all age groups presented increased risk - from 25-34 years OR = 2.6; 95%CI 2.0-3.4 up to 65 years or more OR = 28.1; 95%CI 21.7-36.4); low education level (9 to 11 years of study OR = 0.8; 95%CI 0.7-0.9 and 12 years or more OR = 0.6; 95%CI 0.6-0.7); Black race or skin color (OR = 1.3; 95%CI 1.1-1.5); being a former smoker (OR = 1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.3); obesity (OR = 2.7; 95%CI 2.4-3.0); diabetes (OR = 2.9; 95%CI 2.5-3.5%), and high cholesterol (OR = 1.9; 95%CI 1.8-2.2).
Approximately one quarter of the adult population living in Brazilian state capitals reported having high blood pressure. Information from Vigitel is useful to monitor high blood pressure and identity its associated factors, supporting public policies for health promotion, surveillance and care.
We present the derivation of the free-free emission on the Galactic plane between ℓ= 20° and 44° and |b|≤ 4°, using radio recombination line (RRL) data from the H i Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS). ...Following an upgrade of the RRL data reduction technique, which improves significantly the quality of the final RRL spectra, we have extended the analysis to three times the area covered in Alves et al. The final RRL map has an angular resolution of 14.8 arcmin and a velocity resolution of 20 km s−1.
The electron temperature (T
e) distribution of the ionized gas in the area under study at 1.4 GHz is derived using the line and continuum data from the present survey. The mean T
e on the Galactic plane is 6000 K. The first direct measure of the free-free emission is obtained based on the derived T
e distribution. Subtraction of this thermal component from the total continuum leads to the first direct measurement of the synchrotron emission at 1.4 GHz. A narrow component of width 2° is identified in the latitude distribution of the synchrotron emission. We present a list of H ii regions and supernova remnants (SNRs) extracted from the present free-free and synchrotron maps, where we confirm the synchrotron nature of the SNRs G42.0−0.1 and G41.5+0.4 proposed by Kaplan et al. and the SNR G35.6−0.4 recently re-identified by Green.
The latitude distribution for the RRL-derived free-free emission shows that the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) maximum entropy method is too high by ∼50 per cent, in agreement with other recent results. The extension of this study to the inner Galaxy region ℓ=−50° to 50° will allow a better overall comparison of the RRL result with WMAP.
Protective bilayer composite coatings based on polyetherimide (PEI) containing ZnO or CuO particles were applied on mild steel (MS) by the sol-gel dip coating method and exposed to aggressive NaCl ...solutions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of homogenous coatings and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed the presence of ZnO or CuO. Although attenuated total reflectance (ATR) proved that the polymer structure was not affected by the presence of the oxide particles, water contact angle revealed that PEI-CuO fallen within the hydrophobic range, whereas PEI alone and PEI-ZnO presented a hydrophilic behaviour. Upon immersion, the PEI-CuO coating was preserved, whereas the PEI and PEI-ZnO coatings were more susceptible to damage and the exposed MS presented different corrosion profiles, depending on being previously coated with blank PEI or PEI-ZnO coatings. The corrosion resistance was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and demonstrated that the barrier properties of the composite coating and the corrosion resistance of MS, over a short period of immersion, were improved with PEI-CuO. The coating modified with CuO particles, immersed for 8 days in NaCl, presented impedance values above 5 × 105 Ω.cm2, and represented a protective efficiency greater than 99% compared to PEI alone, or to the coating modified with ZnO for which the impedance was in the order of 103 Ω.cm2.Therefore, the most protective composite coating, due to the presence of CuO, brings potential to be explored as an anti-biofouling solution.
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•Composite PEI coatings with ZnO or CuO were applied on mild steel (MS)•An improved corrosion protection of MS was achieved with PEI-ZnO, followed by PEI-CuO coatings•The protection in the presence of CuO was related with an altered porosity, thickness, and hydrophobicity of the coating•PEI-CuO coating proved its potential for further studies, namely as an antibiofouling agent
To identify the types of nasogastric/nasoenteric tube (NGT/NET)-related adverse events and to analyze the degree of harm and the factors associated with mechanical device-related complications.
A ...prospective cohort study was conducted from October 2017 to April 2019 in seven Brazilian hospitals. Data from 447 adult patients with NGT/NET were collected through electronic forms. Three methods were used to assess the NGT/NET-related adverse events: (1) encouraging spontaneous reports; (2) regular visits to the wards; and (3) review of medical records. The events were classified as mechanical device-related complications and other events. The degree of harm was classified according to the World Health Organization's International Classification for Patient Safety. Data were analyzed using the R program, version 3.5.3. The following tests were applied to identify associations between the explanatory and response variables: Cochran-Armitage Chi-Square test, Fisher's exact test, and Linear-by-linear Chi-Square test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to verify the predictors of mechanical device-related complications. All analyses were performed considering a 5% significance level.
191 NGT/NET-related adverse events were identified in 116 patients; the majority were mechanical device-related complications and resulted in mild harm to the patient. At the moment of the event, patients had a mean of 3.27 comorbidities, were highly dependent on nursing care, with high risk of death and altered level of consciousness. There was no association between the degree of harm and the care complexity, disease severity or level of consciousness. Intensive care was the strongest predictor for mechanical device-related complications and critical patients had a four times greater likelihood of presenting this type of event when compared to patients receiving minimal care.
Intensive care patients should receive special attention as the complexity of care is an important predictor for mechanical device-related complications in tube fed patients.
Newborns with one-or-more adverse birth outcomes (ABOs) are at greater risk of mortality or long-term morbidity with health impacts into adulthood. Hence, identifying ABO-associated factors is ...crucial for devising relevant interventions. For this study, ABOs were defined as prematurity (PTB) for gestational age <37 weeks, low birth weight (LBW) <2.5 kg, macrosomia >4 kg, asphyxia for a 5-minute Apgar score <7, congenital anomalies, and neonatal sepsis. This study aimed to assess factors associated with ABOs among babies delivered at the only hospital of Sao Tome & Principe (STP), a resource-constrained sub-Saharan-Central African country.
A hospital-based unmatched case‒control study was conducted among newborns from randomly selected mothers. Newborns with one-or-more ABO were the cases (ABO group), while healthy newborns were the controls (no-ABO group). Data were collected by a face-to-face interview and abstracted from antenatal care (ANC) pregnancy cards and medical records. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify ABO-associated factors considering a level of significance of α = 0.05.
A total of 519 newborns (176 with ABO and 343 no-ABO) were enrolled. The mean gestational age and birthweight of cases and controls were 36 (SD = 3.7) weeks with 2659 (SD = 881.44) g and 39.6 (SD = 1.0) weeks with 3256 (SD = 345.83) g, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, twin pregnancy aOR 4.92, 95% CI 2.25-10.74, prolonged rupture of membranes aOR 3.43, 95% CI 1.69-6.95, and meconium- fluid aOR 1.59, 95% CI 0.97-2.62 were significantly associated with ABOs. Eight or more ANC contacts were found to be protective aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.18-0.60, p<0.001.
Modifiable factors were associated with ABOs in this study and should be considered in cost-effective interventions. The provision of high-quality ANC should be a priority. Twin pregnancies and intrapartum factors such as prolonged rupture of membranes and meconium-stained amniotic fluid are red flags for ABOs that should receive prompt intervention and follow-up.
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