Advanced Machine Learning Techniques for Corrosion Rate Estimation and Prediction in Industrial Cooling Water Pipelines.

This paper presents the results of a study on data preprocessing and modeling for predicting corrosion in water pipelines of a steel industrial plant. The use case is a cooling circuit consisting of both direct and indirect cooling. In the direct cooling circuit, water comes into direct contact with the product, whereas in the indirect one, it does not. In this study, advanced machine learning techniques, such as extreme gradient boosting and deep neural networks, have been employed for two distinct applications. Firstly, a virtual sensor was created to estimate the corrosion rate based on influencing process variables, such as pH and temperature. Secondly, a predictive tool was designed to foresee the future evolution of the corrosion rate, considering past values of both influencing variables and the corrosion rate. The results show that the most suitable algorithm for the virtual sensor approach is the dense neural network, with MAPE values of (25 ± 4)% and (11 ± 4)% for the direct and indirect circuits, respectively. In contrast, different results are obtained for the two circuits when following the predictive tool approach. For the primary circuit, the convolutional neural network yields the best results, with MAPE = 4% on the testing set, whereas for the secondary circuit, the LSTM recurrent network shows the highest prediction accuracy, with MAPE = 9%. In general, models employing temporal windows have emerged as more suitable for corrosion prediction, with model performance significantly improving with a larger dataset.

On the relationship between valence and arousal in samples across the globe.

Affect is involved in many psychological phenomena, but a descriptive structure, long sought, has been elusive. Valence and arousal are fundamental, and a key question-the focus of the present study-is the relationship between them. Valence is sometimes thought to be independent of arousal, but, in some studies (representing too few societies in the world) arousal was found to vary with valence. One common finding is that arousal is lowest at neutral valence and increases with both positive and negative valence: a symmetric V-shaped relationship. In the study reported here of self-reported affect during a remembered moment (N = 8,590), we tested the valence-arousal relationship in 33 societies with 25 different languages. The two most common hypotheses in the literature-independence and a symmetric V-shaped relationship-were not supported. With data of all samples pooled, arousal increased with positive but not negative valence. Valence accounted for between 5% (Finland) and 43% (China Beijing) of the variance in arousal. Although there is evidence for a structural relationship between the two, there is also a large amount of variability in this relation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The clinical and molecular cardiometabolic fingerprint of an exploratory psoriatic arthritis cohort is associated with the disease activity and differentially modulated by methotrexate and apremilast.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate clinical and molecular cardiovascular disease (CVD) signs and their relationship with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) features and (2) to identify a clinical patient profile susceptible to benefit from methotrexate (MTX) and/or apremilast regarding CVD risk. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with PsA and 100 age-matched healthy donors. In addition, an exploratory cohort of 45 biologically naïve patients treated for 6 months with apremilast, MTX or combined therapy according to routine clinical practice was recruited. Extensive clinical and metabolic profiles were obtained. Ninety-nine surrogate CVD-related molecules were analysed in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Hard cluster analysis was performed to identify the clinical and molecular phenotypes. Mechanistic studies were performed on adipocytes. RESULTS: Cardiometabolic comorbidities were associated with disease activity and long-term inflammatory status. Thirty-five CVD-related proteins were altered in the plasma and PBMCs of PsA patients and were associated with the key clinical features of the disease. Plasma levels of some of the CVD-related molecules might distinguish insulin-resistant patients (MMP-3, CD163, FABP-4), high disease activity (GAL-3 and FABP-4) and poor therapy outcomes (CD-163, LTBR and CNTN-1). Hard cluster analysis identified two phenotypes of patients according to the rates of cardiometabolic comorbidities with distinctive clinical and molecular responses to each treatment. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Novel CVD-related proteins associated with clinical features could be emerging therapeutic targets in the context of PsA and (2) the pleiotropic action of apremilast could make it an excellent choice for the management of PsA patients with high CVD risk, targeting metabolic alterations and CVD-related molecules.

Association between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and the Use of Biological or Small Molecule Therapies in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the association of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and also the presence of atheromatous plaque, with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, in an established cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on a cohort of patients with RA and a registry of healthy controls, in whom the CIMT and presence of atheromatous plaque were assessed by ultrasound. Data were collected on disease activity, lab results and treatments. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed and two multivariate linear regression models (with CIMT as the dependent variable) were constructed to identify variables independently associated with CIMT in our sample of patients with RA. RESULTS: A total of 176 individuals (146 patients with RA and 30 controls) were included. A higher percentage of patients than controls had atheromatous plaque (33.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.036), but no differences were found in terms of CIMT (0.64 vs. 0.61, p = 0.444). Compared to values in patients on other therapies, the CIMT was smaller among patients on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors (mean [SD]: 0.58 [0.10] vs. 0.65 [0.19]; p = 0.013) and among those on Janus kinase inhibitors (mean [SD]: 0.52 [0.02] vs. 0.64 [0.18]; p < 0.001), while no differences were found as a function of the use of the other therapies considered. The multivariate linear regression analysis to identify factors associated with CIMT in our patients, adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoproteins, diabetes mellitus and smoking, showed that male sex, older age and having a greater cumulative erythrocyte sedimentation rate were independently associated with a larger CIMT, while patients on TNFα inhibitors had a CIMT 0.075 mm smaller than those on other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TNFα inhibitors may protect against subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RA, patients on this biologic having smaller CIMTs than patients on other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Nonetheless, these results should be confirmed in prospective studies with larger sample sizes.

Protocolo del estudio 'ADHIFAC': valoración de la adherencia al tratamiento hipoglucemiante y detección de hipoglucemias en farmacias comunitarias españolas / The 'ADHIFAC' study protocol: assessment of adherence to glucose-lowering treatment and detection of hypoglycemia in Spanish community pharmacies

INTRODUCCIÓN: la falta de adherencia implica peor control de la diabetes y aumento del número de complicaciones, lo que a menudo se traduce en un mayor gasto sanitario. Las hipoglucemias, en ocasiones inadvertidas, son una de las principales consecuencias de la no adherencia y su prevención pasa por intervenciones multidisciplinares que ayuden a la mejora de la adherencia. OBJETIVOS: medir la adherencia a hipoglucemiantes, detectar y cuantificar hipoglucemias inadvertidas y recurrentes, conocer la percepción de los pacientes sobre su tratamiento y derivar al médico en casos de no adherencia e hipoglucemias no solucionadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional, transversal y multicéntrico, en farmacias comunitarias, realizado a partir de abril de 2019 con diabéticos tipo 2 en tratamiento con hipoglucemiantes que lleven ≥12 meses con la misma pauta. Para la detección de hipoglucemias, los que estén en tratamiento con sulfonilureas, glinidas y/o insulinas. Diseño de un cuestionario con datos sociodemográficos, enfermedades y tratamientos. Utilización del test MMAS-8 para detectar no adherencia y del test de Clarke para hipoglucemias. Si se detecta incumplimiento y/o hipoglucemia y no se puede solucionar por el farmacéutico se derivará al médico de familia. ANÁLISIS ESTADÍSTICO: se utilizará el programa STATA13 para Windows®. Se realizarán análisis bivariados y multivariados. La significación se fijará en p < 0,05. Aplicabilidad de los resultados: se espera conocer la falta de adherencia y los factores que la causan y la prevalencia de las hipoglucemias inadvertidas para, en otro proyecto, establecer un programa de intervención farmacéutica que se muestre eficiente para mejorar la adherencia farmacoterapéutica de los pacientes en tratamiento con hipoglucemiantes y disminuir la aparición de hipoglucemias

INTRODUCTION: Lack of adherence results in worse control of diabetes and an increased number of complications, often resulting in higher healthcare spending. Hypoglycemia, which is sometimes unrecognized, is one of the main consequences of non-adherence to treatment. It is prevented through multidisciplinary interventions which help improve adherence. OBJECTIVES: to measure adherence to hypoglycemic agents, to detect and quantify unrecognized and recurrent hypoglycemia, to learn patients' perceptions of their treatment and refer them to doctors in cases of non-adherence and unsolved hypoglycemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study in community pharmacies, conducted from April 2019 with type 2 diabetics in treatment with hypoglycemic agents for ≥12 months on the same drug regimen. To detect hypoglycemia, those treated with sulfonylureas, glinides and/or insulin. Design of a questionnaire with sociodemographic data, diseases and treatments. Use of the MMAS-8 test for non-adherence and the Clarke hypoglycemia awareness test. If non-compliance and/or hypoglycemia is detected and cannot be resolved by the pharmacist, it will be referred to the family doctor. Statistical analysis: the STATA13 program will be used for Windows®. Bivariate and multivariate analyses will be conducted. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05. APPLICABILITY OF THE RESULTS: we hope to gain awareness of the lack of adherence and its causal factors and the prevalence of unrecognized hypoglycemia so that, in another project, an efficient pharmaceutical intervention program can be established to improve adherence to pharmacotherapy of patients treated with hypoglycemic agents and reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia

Correction to: Influence of HLA-B27 on the Ankylosing Spondylitis phenotype: results from the REGISPONSER database.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Influence of HLA-B27 on the Ankylosing Spondylitis phenotype: results from the REGISPONSER database.

OBJECTIVE: To assess HLA-B27 influence on the clinical phenotype of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients. METHOD: An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study of AS patients from the Spanish REGISPONSER database was performed. Demographic, clinical, disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)), and radiographic data (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI) score) were compared regarding HLA-B27 status. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables independently related to the presence of HLA-B27. RESULTS: Data from 1235 patients (74.8% male) were analyzed; 1029 were HLA-B27 positive (83%). HLA-B27-positive patients showed higher family aggregation and an earlier onset of disease compared with those who were HLA-B27 negative. HLA-B27-negative patients presented statistically higher BASDAI and BASFI scores and higher prevalence of arthritis, dactylitis, and extra-articular manifestations (psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) but not anytime uveitis compared with those who were HLA-B27 positive. In the multivariate analysis, family history (odds ratio (OR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.49), younger age at diagnosis (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98), presence of peripheral arthritis (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.89), dactylitis (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.56), psoriasis (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.78), and IBD (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.12-0.40) were the main variables independently related to the presence or not of HLA-B27. CONCLUSION: In Caucasian AS patients, the presence of HLA-B27 is related to an earlier disease onset and higher family aggregation. Absence of HLA-B27 is related to a higher frequency of peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and extra-articular manifestations. Being HLAB27 positive is not related to a higher burden of disease or anytime uveitis.