Introduction: Stenoses in the path of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) for hemodialysis are a very prevalent problem and there is long experience in their treatment by percutaneous angioplasty (PTA). These procedures, however, involve non-negligible equipment requirements, exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast that are not beneficial for the patient and make their performance more complex. This study reviews our initial experience with Doppler ultrasound-guided angioplasty. Methods: Prospective cohort of patients with native AVF dysfunction due to significant venous stenosis treated by Doppler echo-guided PTA. AVF puncture, lesion catheterization, balloon localization and inflation, and outcome verification were performed under ultrasound guidance. Only one fistulography was performed before and another one after dilatation. As a control, the cases performed during the same period by the usual angiographic method were also collected. Results: Between February 2015 and September 2018, 51 PTAs were performed on native AVF, of which 27 were echogenic (mean age, 65.3 years; 63% male). The technical success rate was 96%. In 26% of cases, PTA was repeated due to residual stenosis after angiographic imaging. There were 7.3% periprocedural complications. 92% of the AVFs were punctured at 24 hours. Primary patency at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year was 100%, 64.8% and 43.6%, and assisted patency was 100%, 87.2% and 74.8%. There were no significant differences in immediate or late results with respect to angiographically guided AVF angioplasty. Conclusions: AVF-PTA can be performed safely and effectively guided by Doppler ultrasound, which simplifies the logistics required for its performance, although we still need to improve the capacity for early verification of the result with this imaging technique.

In this paper, we examine a possible application of ordered weighted average (OWA for short) aggregation operators in the insurance industry. Aggregation operators are essential tools in decision-making when a single value is needed instead of a couple of features. Information aggregation necessarily leads to information loss, at least to a specific extent. Whether we concentrate on extreme values or middle terms, there can be cases when the most important piece of the puzzle is missing. Although the simple or weighted mean considers all the values there is a drawback: the values get the same weight regardless of their magnitude. One possible solution to this issue is the application of the so-called Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operators. This is a broad class of aggregation methods, including the previously mentioned average as a special case. Moreover, using a proper parameter (the so-called orness) one can express the risk awareness of the decision-maker. Using real-life statistical data, we provide a simple model of the decision-making process of insurance companies. The model offers a decision-supporting tool for companies.

This article presents an analysis of Russia’s outward foreign direct investment based on the balance of payments. The country has been affected by the “Dutch disease,” characterized by a heavy reliance on the mining industry and revenues from oil and gas exports. The financial account reveals a consistent outflow of capital from Russia, surpassing inflows. A significant portion of domestic investment goes abroad, often to offshore destinations. This capital outflow has not been fully offset by foreign capital inflows. These findings underscore the challenges faced by Russia in managing its financial position, including the need to address capital outflows, diversify the economy, and reduce dependence on raw material exports. Furthermore, this article aims to identify the presence of Russian capital in OECD countries by comparing data from the Central Bank of Russia and the OECD. The analysis reveals significant discrepancies between the two datasets, primarily due to unavailable or confidential information in the OECD dataset. These variations can also be attributed to differences in methodology and the specific nature of Russian outward direct investments, particularly those involving offshore jurisdictions. As a result, accurately determining the extent of Russian capital in OECD countries based on the available data becomes a challenging task (including for the tourism industry as well).

This research presents a bibliometric review of scientific production on the social and economic factors that influence mortality from tuberculosis between the years 2000 and 2024. The analysis covered 1742 documents from 848 sources, revealing an annual growth of 6% in scientific production with a notable increase starting in 2010, reaching a peak in 2021. This increase reflects growing concern about socioeconomic inequalities affecting tuberculosis mortality, exacerbated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main authors identified in the study include Naghavi, Basu and Hay, whose works have had a significant impact on the field. The most prominent journals in the dissemination of this research are Plos One, International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and The Lancet. The countries with the greatest scientific production include the United States, the United Kingdom, India and South Africa, highlighting a strong international contribution and a global approach to the problem. The semantic development of the research shows a concentration on terms such as “mortality rate”, “risk factors” and “public health”, with a thematic map highlighting driving themes such as “socioeconomic factors” and “developing countries”. The theoretical evolution reflects a growing interest in economic and social aspects to gender contexts and associated diseases. This study provides a comprehensive view of current scientific knowledge, identifying key trends and emerging areas for future research.

In order to seek management alternatives for anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.), at the Tibaitatá Research Center of the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation AGROSAVIA (formerly CORPOICA), an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the application of the major elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) on infections of the fungus C. gloeosporioides strain-52. For this purpose, a randomized complete block design was used with an arrangement of treatments in an orthogonal central composite design. To evaluate the relationship of fertilization levels and disease severity, an artificial inoculation was made on thorny blackberry stems using 0.5 cm mycelial discs at a concentration of 9.53 × 104 conidia. Observations consisted of: disease severity (S), incubation period (IP) and rate of development (r). Data analysis was done by the cluster method on the severity variable, a Pearson correlation analysis between variables, as well as a regression to estimate the effect of nutrients applied on the severity of C. gloeosporioides strain-52. The treatments were concentrated in four groups with the ranges (in parentheses) S (15.9% and 91.8%), PI (9 and 15.3) and Tr (0.0254 and 0.0468). A positive and significant correlation was observed between S and r (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between PI with S and r (P < 0.001). By means of regression analysis, a linear model was generated that showed a reduction in disease severity with increasing N dose and an increase with the levels of P and Ca applied.

In the era of globalization and advanced information transparency, competition between companies has become increasingly fierce due to the large number of products and services that have similar characteristics. This situation creates a competitive and dynamic business climate, where companies must adapt quickly to the changes that occur. This study investigates the impact of servant leadership on employee performance at Mandiri In health, focusing on employee engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior as relevant mediating variables. The study used a proportionate stratified random sampling method to determine the sample of respondents, which ultimately consisted of 206 individuals who were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. The main findings of the study show that servant leadership has a significant direct influence on employee performance, employee engagement, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the company. This indicates that service-oriented leadership practices not only influence individual performance, but also contribute to employee volunteering and active engagement in the organization. Employee engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior affect employee performance directly, there is no evidence that servant leadership affects employee performance indirectly through the mediation of employee engagement. There is an indication that Organizational Citizenship Behavior acts as a mediator between servant leadership and employee performance, indicating the importance of organizational citizenship behavior in facilitating the positive relationship between leadership and performance. These findings provide a deeper understanding of how leadership strategies can significantly contribute to the achievement of organizational goals in a competitive business environment.