Asteroseismology of a High-amplitude δ Scuti Star GSC 4552-1498: Mode Identification and Model Fitting

In this paper, the pulsation behavior of high-amplitude δ Scuti star GSC 4552-1498 was analyzed. Using the high-precision photometric data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, two new independent frequencies F1 = 22.6424(1) day−1 and F2 = 28.6803(5) day−1 were identified for this source, along with the fundamental one F = 17.9176(7) day−1, which was previously known. In addition, the classical O − C analysis was conducted to give a new ephemeris formula of BJDmax = T 0 + P × E = 2453321.534716(4) + 0.055811(0) × E. The O − C diagram reveals a continuous period increase, but the rate of (1/P)(dP/dt) = 1.11(3) × 10−7 yr−1 seems much larger (about hundreds) than predicted by evolution theories, which is long been noticed but not well understood, possibly related to nonlinear mode interaction. Based on frequency parameters (i.e., F, F1, and F2), a series of theoretical models were conducted by employing the stellar evolution code. It turns out that F1 should be a non-radial mode and F2 is the second overtone radial mode. Due to the mass–metallicity degeneracy, the stellar parameter of the star can however not be determined conclusively. We suggest high-resolution spectral observation is highly desired in the future to further constrain models. We note GSC 4552-1498 is located on the main sequence in the H-R diagram.

Fungal Infections in COVID-19 Intensive Care Patients

Opportunistic fungal infections increase morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients monitored in intensive care units (ICU). As patients’ hospitalization days in the ICU and intubation period increase, opportunistic infections also increase, which prolongs hospital stay days and elevates costs. The study aimed to describe the profile of fungal infections and identify the risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 intensive care patients. The records of 627 patients hospitalized in ICU with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were investigated from electronic health records and hospitalization files. The demographic characteristics (age, gender), the number of ICU hospitalization days and mortality rates, APACHE II scores, accompanying diseases, antibiotic-steroid treatments taken during hospitalization, and microbiological results (blood, urine, tracheal aspirate samples) of the patients were recorded. Opportunistic fungal infection was detected in 32 patients (5.10%) of 627 patients monitored in ICU with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The average APACHE II score of the patients was 28 ± 6. While 25 of the patients (78.12%) died, seven (21.87%) were discharged from the ICU. Candida parapsilosis (43.7%) was the opportunistic fungal agent isolated from most blood samples taken from COVID-19 positive patients. The mortality rate of COVID-19 positive patients with candidemia was 80%. While two out of the three patients (66.6%) for whom fungi were grown from their tracheal aspirate died, one patient (33.3%) was transferred to the ward. Opportunistic fungal infections increase the mortality rate of COVID-19-positive patients. In addition to the risk factors that we cannot change, invasive procedures should be avoided, constant blood sugar regulation should be applied, and unnecessary antibiotics use should be avoided.

Hypotension during endovascular treatment under general anesthesia for acute ischemic stroke

Objective The effect of anesthetic management (general anesthesia [GA], conscious sedation, or local anesthesia) on functional outcome and the role of blood pressure management during endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke is under debate. We aimed to determine whether hypotension during EVT under GA is associated with functional outcome at 90 days. Methods We retrospectively collected data from patients with a proximal intracranial occlusion of the anterior circulation treated with EVT under GA. The primary outcome was the distribution on the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days. Hypotension was defined using two thresholds: a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 70 mm Hg and a MAP 30% below baseline MAP. To quantify the extent and duration of hypotension, the area under the threshold (AUT) was calculated using both thresholds. Results Of the 366 patients included, procedural hypotension was observed in approximately half of them. The occurrence of hypotension was associated with poor functional outcome (MAP <70 mm Hg: adjusted common odds ratio [acOR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35–0.94; MAP decrease ≥30%: acOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.48–1.21). In addition, an association was found between the number of hypotensive periods and poor functional outcome (MAP <70 mm Hg: acOR, 0.85 per period increase; 95% CI, 0.73–0.99; MAP decrease ≥30%: acOR, 0.90 per period; 95% CI, 0.78–1.04). No association existed between AUT and functional outcome (MAP <70 mm Hg: acOR, 1.000 per 10 mm Hg*min increase; 95% CI, 0.998–1.001; MAP decrease ≥30%: acOR, 1.000 per 10 mm Hg*min; 95% CI, 0.999–1.000). Conclusions Occurrence of procedural hypotension and an increase in number of procedural hypotensive periods were associated with poor functional outcome, whereas the extent and duration of hypotension were not. Randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm our hypothesis that hypotension during EVT under GA has detrimental effects.

MO957LONG TERM OUTCOME OF POST-TRANSPLANT INFECTIONS IN ADULT RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Background and Aims Infections are a significant cause of morbidity in the form of graft loss and mortality in RTR. Several factors in the pre and peri transplant period increase the susceptibility to PTI, affecting the overall graft and patient survival. Method An observational study of 644 adult RTR (=&gt;18yrs) between Jan 2010 and Dec 2015, followed till Jun 2019. The primary objective was to study the epidemiology of risk factors of PTI. The secondary objective was to evaluate transplant outcomes. Results PTI were seen in 83.1%, of which majority (64%) occurred in the first year. Of all infections, 55.5% were bacterial, 18.5% viral, 10.8% parasitic, 8% fungal, and remaining 7.1% mycobacterial. UTI (37.4%) was most common infection with E. Coli (18.9%) being the commonest cause. Relative risk with PTI for graft dysfunction was 3 times higher (95% CI 1.70-3.57, p=0.00), 3 times higher for graft failure (95% CI 1.35-4.93, p=0.002) compared to non-PTI group and death was 3 times higher (95%CI 1.3-7.2, p=0.01) as compared to non-PTI. Overall, graft loss was 19.4% and the mortality rate was 12.1% of the study population. The relative risk of fungal infections to cause graft loss was 2 times higher as compared to other infections (95% CI 1.23-2.18, p&lt;0.003). The relative risk of fungal infections to cause death was 2 times higher than other infections (95% CI 1.20-2.56, p &lt;0.008) On multivariate analysis, the predictors of PTI were ATG induction (P&lt;0.01), pre transplant Tuberculosis (P=0.02) and dialysis vintage (P=0.02). On KM survival analysis, graft and patient survival was inferior in PTI at 1,5and 9years; (graft: 94.6%; 81.8%;70.1% vs non PTI 97.2%; 92.2%; 88.1%, p = 0.006, patient: PTI 97.1 %; 88.2%; and 81.9%vs non PTI 99.1% , 95.8%; 92.9% , p=0.012) Conclusion PTI have a significant impact on graft survival (70% vs 88%) and patient survival (82% vs 93%) in RTR, with fungal infections having worse outcomes.

Hardening Cement Conglomerates by Mining Industries Waste

About 3.5 billion tons of mining waste is generated annually in Russia. The task of their utilization is urgent in connection with the accumulation of large-tonnage waste of simultaneously mined rocks, enrichment waste and crushing screenings. The problem can be solved by using these wastes as mineral additives to artificial cement-based conglomerates. According to the study results it was found, that the compressive strength of hardened cement paste increased during all hardening periods, when finely dispersed mining wastes were introduced. In the early stages of hardening, limestone had a predominant effect. Introduction of diopside led to the greatest hardening together with the hardening period increase. Linear and nonlinear mathematical models, describing the dependence of cement strength on the type and amount of mineral additives, were constructed. The highest strength values of hardened cement paste, both after hardening under normal conditions for 28 days, and after heat and moisture treatment could be achieved with 7% dispersed diopside. At the same time, the hardening effect (increase in the strength of cement by 35–40%) was retained when 1/3 of the diopside in the complex additive was replaced by dispersed limestone. An increase in the content of limestone in the complex additive composition over 1/3 was impractical.

Epidemiological and clinical features of the course of postoperative sternomediastinitis (clinical case)

Health-care-related infections are becoming more relevant today. The difficulty and largely of diagnosis increased impact of adverse effects (postoperative period, increase of bed-days, use of irrational antibacterial therapy, use of excessive methods of disinfection) factors of the hospital environment on the human body, contributing to the development of severe postoperative complications, among them, sternomediastinitis occupies a special place in cardiac surgery. The clinical case we represent clearly demonstrates the atypical flow of sternominetite caused by the hypervirulent strain Klebsiella pneumoniae blaNDM-Type. Generally, sternomediastinitis causes Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Every week the patient stays in the cardiothoracic ward of the hospital is associated with a 15 % increase in the risk of mediastinitis development. The data indicate the need for continuous epidemiological monitoring of the relevant microorganisms that are potential agents of nosocomial infections. Thus, adequate diagnosis, choice of rational treatment tactics and effective antibacterial therapy significantly improve the prognosis of the current of a given severe disease. Early epidemiological diagnosis will help to reduce the risk of the development and spread of hospital-acquired infections in the post-operative period.

Does a Finite-Time Double Support Period Increase Walking Stability for Planar Bipeds?

For many planar bipedal models, each step is divided into a finite time single support period and an instantaneous double support period. During single support, the biped is typically underactuated and thus has limited ability to reject disturbances. The instantaneous nature of the double support period prevents nonimpulsive control during this period. However, if the double support period is expanded to finite time, it becomes overactuated. While it has been hypothesized that this overactuation during a finite-time double support period may improve disturbance rejection capabilities, this has not yet been tested. This paper presents a refined biped model by developing a finite-time, adaptive double support controller capable of handling the overactuation and limiting slip. Using simulations, we quantify the disturbance rejection capabilities of this controller and directly compare them to a typical, instantaneous double support model for a range of gait speeds and perturbations. We find that the finite-time double support controller increased the walking stability of the biped in approximately half of the cases, indicating that a finite-time double support period does not automatically increase disturbance rejection capabilities. We also find that the timing and magnitude of the perturbation can affect if a finite-time double support period enhances stability. Finally, we demonstrate that the adaptive controller reduces slipping.

POTENSI AGENSIA HAYATI DALAM MENEKAN LAJU SERANGAN PENYAKIT BLAS (Pyricularia oryzae) PADA TANAMAN PADI

Blast disease is an important disease that affects many rice plants. Blasts can damage rice leaves (leaf blasts), nodes (node blasts), neck blasts, colar blasts and rice grains. Symptoms on the leaves are rhombic-shaped spots with a tapered tip. The center of the patch is gray surrounded by brown to reddish brown on the edge of the spot. The color of the spots at the beginning of the symptoms is white or gray, surrounded by green-brown. Based on market demand, agricultural products that are safe and healthy for consumers as well as environmentally friendly are increasing, therefore controlling plant pathogens by using antagonistic microorganisms is one of the ways that must be considered. A number of microbes have been widely tested and are quite effective in controlling plant pathogens. PGPR and Streptomyces are biological agents that are able to reduce the level of attack of plant diseases, especially in rice blast disease. This study used a comparative method between rice cultivation and biological agent applications and rice cultivation without biological agents or control plant applications. The results obtained indicate that the application of biological agents can reduce the percentage of disease severity, reduce the percentage of infected leaves, the biological agents are also able to extend the incubation period, increase plant height growth, number of tillers and also the number of grains per panicle.

Accidental perioperative hypothermia

The problem of perioperative hypothermia is still relevant. There are many reasons for that. One of them: a decrease in the patient’s body temperature during the operation often goes unnoticed, or is not perceived by medical staff as a serious complication. Perioperative unintentional hypothermia is a decrease in the patient’s core body temperature <36 °C in the periods: 1 h before anesthesia, during surgery and 24 h after anesthesia. Usually a decrease in body temperature activates the hypothalamic mechanisms of thermoregulation, which provide first vasoconstriction, which reduces heat loss, and then the development of cold shivering (contractile thermogenesis) – heat production. Modern anesthetics affect the regulation of central temperature and lead to its reduction in the perioperative period. Unintentional intraoperative hypothermia accompanies many surgeries performed under general and regional anesthesia. It is perhaps the most important factor in the “triad of death” (hypovolemia, acidosis, hypothermia), which significantly increases the risk of complications, including: prolongation of the duration of action of anesthetics and muscle relaxants and the recovery period; increase in the volume of intraoperative blood loss; from the cardiovascular system complications up to fatal consequences; development of wound infection, increase in wound healing time; increasing the frequency of cold shivering, nausea and vomiting in the postoperative period. Thus, perioperative hypothermia leads to an increase in hospitalization and nosocomial mortality. An important role in the prevention and relief of perioperative hypothermia is played by the competence and motivation of the nurse to timely and effective action in all areas of the perioperative process using thermometry methods available in a specific medical institution (axillary, esophageal or tympanic), prevention of heat loss through the skin under the influence of the environment (room air temperature, operating and equipment), passive and active (convection systems) heating patients with a body temperature <36 °C, rapid thawing and heating to 37 °C of allogeneic blood components. It is especially important during emergency operations, when it is necessary to start warming and temperature monitoring in the intensive care unit of the admission department.

Magnesium maintains length of circadian period in Arabidopsis thaliana

The circadian clock coordinates the physiological response of a biological system to day and night rhythms through complex loops of transcriptional/ translational regulation. It can respond to external stimuli and adjust generated circadian oscillations accordingly to keep an endogenous period close to 24 h. To date, the interaction between nutritional status and circadian rhythms in plants is poorly understood. Magnesium (Mg) is essential for numerous biological processes in plants and its homeostasis is crucial to maintain optimal development and growth. Magnesium deficiency in young Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings increased the circadian period of pCCA1:LUC oscillations and dampened its amplitude in constant light in a dose-dependent manner. Although circadian period increase by Mg deficiency was light dependent, it did not depend on active photosynthesis. Mathematical modelling of the Mg input to the circadian clock reproduced the experimental increase of the circadian period and suggested that Mg is likely to affect global transcription/translation levels rather than a single component of the circadian oscillator. The model prediction was supported by a synergistic interaction between Mg deficiency and cyclohexamide, an inhibitor of translation. These findings suggest that proper Mg supply is required to support proper timekeeping in plants.One sentence summaryMagnesium maintains the circadian period in Arabidopsis seedlings and interferes with the circadian oscillator most likely through translational mechanisms.