Ocean-Surface Wave Measurements Using Scintillation Theories on Seaborne Software-Defined GPS and SBAS Reflectometry Observations.

In this study, a low-cost, software-defined Global Positioning System (GPS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) Reflectometry (GPS&SBAS-R) system has been built and proposed to measure ocean-surface wave parameters on board the research vessel New Ocean Researcher 1 (R/V NOR-1) of Taiwan. A power-law, ocean-wave spectrum model has been used and applied with the Small Perturbation Method approach to solve the electromagnetic wave scattering problem from rough ocean surface, and compared with experimental seaborne GPS&SBAS-R observations. Meanwhile, the intensity scintillations of high-sampling GPS&SBAS-R signal acquisition data are thought to be caused by the moving of rough surfaces of the targeted ocean. We found that each derived scintillation power spectrum is a Fresnel-filtering result on ocean-surface elevation fluctuations and depends on the First Fresnel Zone (FFZ) distance and the ocean-surface wave velocity. The determined ocean-surface wave speeds have been compared and validated against nearby buoy measurements.

Differences in the Clinical Characteristics and 1-Year Mortality Rates of Patients with Dermatomyositis with anti-Jo-1 and anti-MDA5 Antibodies.

Objective: Patients with anti-Jo-1 antibodies (Abs) and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) Abs are at a higher risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and have a mortality rate higher than that of patients with anti-Jo-1 Abs. This study investigated differences in the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs with dermatomyositis (DM). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with DM from January 2000 to December 2021. The patients were divided into anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs groups. The basic demographic data, clinical manifestations, and 1-year mortality rates of the groups were compared. Results: Among the 38 patients, 30 were anti-Jo-1-Abs positive and 8 patients were anti-MDA5 Aba positive. The patients with anti-MDA5 Abs presented with more apparent cutaneous symptoms and aggressive pulmonary manifestations than did those with anti-Jo-1 Abs. The mortality rate in the anti-MDA5 Abs group (1.95/person-year (PY)) was much higher than that in anti-Jo-1 Abs group (0.094/PY), and most of the mortalities occurred within the first 1-3 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Distinct cutaneous and pulmonary manifestations were observed in the anti-Jo-1 Abs and anti-MDA5 Abs groups. The mortality rate in the anti-MDA5 Abs group was significantly higher than that in the anti-Jo-1 Abs group. Early recognition is crucial to ensuring higher chances of survival for patients with anti-MDA5 Abs.

Is Heart Failure Associated With Risk of Suicide?

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of heart failure (HF) in developed countries imposes a substantial burden on health care resources. Depression is widely recognized as a risk factor associated with HF. This study examined the relationship between suicide and HF after controlling for depression and other comorbidities. METHODS AND RESULTS: The population comprised 52,749 adult patients who died from suicide from 2000 to 2012 and 210,996 living control subjects matched by age, sex, and residence area. Data were obtained from the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Taiwan. Multivariable models were constructed to evaluate the relationship between HF and suicide. In the case and control groups 1624 (3.08%) and 4053 (1.92%) patients had HF, respectively, indicating that HF was associated with an increased risk of suicide (odds ratio [OR] 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-1.79). The risk of suicide was highest during the initial 6 months after HF (adjusted OR 7.04, 95% CI 5.37-9.22) and subsequently declined gradually. Among psychiatric disorders, mood disorders (adjusted OR 7.42, 95% CI 7.06-7.79) yielded the highest odds of suicide. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of suicide is higher for patients with HF than for healthy individuals without HF. This risk is particularly high during the first 6 months after HF diagnosis. This study provides strong evidence that depression is a negative prognostic factor for patients with HF and increases the risk of suicide. The results suggest that early screening and treatment for depression and suicide risk should be conducted for patients with HF.

Suicide and chronic kidney disease: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis with suicide is not well established. The objectives of this study were to assess the association of suicide with CKD and dialysis and investigate whether differences exist between dialysis modalities or the durations of dialysis. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 51 642 patients who died from suicide between 2000 and 2012 and 206 568 living control patients matched by age, gender and residency area were examined. Known risk factors included sociodemographic characteristics, physical comorbidities and psychiatric disorders, which were controlled for as covariates in the analysis. The crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (aORs) for various risk factors were obtained using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: After potential confounders were controlled for, CKD was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicide [aOR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-1.34]. End-stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis (HD) had an increased risk of suicide compared with controls (aOR = 3.35, 95% CI = 3.02-3.72). Moreover, patients who initially underwent dialysis within 0-3 months had a significantly increased risk of suicide (aOR = 20.26, 95% CI = 15.99-25.67). CONCLUSIONS: CKD and HD are positively associated with suicide. Suicide is preventable; therefore, assessing mental and physical disorders is essential and recommended to all physicians, particularly those treating patients in the early phase of HD.

Acute Coronary Syndrome and Suicide: A Case-Referent Study.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents a significant burden on healthcare resources. A robust association exists between depression and increased morbidity and mortality after ACS. This study examined the relationship between suicide and ACS after adjusting for depression and other comorbidities. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this case-referent study conducted in Taiwan, the cases were people aged 35 years or older who died from suicide between 2000 and 2012 and 4 live referents, each matched by age, sex, and area of residence. The covariates adjusted for in the analysis were sociodemographic characteristics, physical comorbidities, and psychiatric disorders. We identified 41 050 persons who committed suicide and 164 200 referents. In the case and referent groups, 1027 (2.5%) and 2412 (1.5%) patients had ACS, respectively. After potential confounders were adjusted, ACS was significantly associated with increased odds of suicide (aOR=1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.05-1.26). The odds of suicide were highest during the initial 6 months post-ACS diagnosis (OR=3.05, 95% CI=2.55-3.65) and remained high for at least 4 years after ACS diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients are at an increased risk of suicide compared with otherwise healthy people. The risk of suicide is particularly high in the 6 months after ACS diagnosis. Our results suggest that we need to identify efficacious methods to recognize those at risk for suicide and to develop effective interventions to prevent such deaths.