Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent evolutions in pediatric and congenital echocardiography

Purpose of review Echocardiography is the first-line diagnostic technique in patients with congenital heart disease. Recent developments include further standardization of pediatric and congenital echocardiography with general-specific and lesion-specific guidelines. New research focuses on clinical validation of echocardiographic quantitative techniques for assessing right ventricular and single ventricular function. Recent findings Recent guidelines include standardization of pediatric echocardiographic measurements and description of utilization of imaging techniques in patients diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. Description of resource utilization and organizational standards, including systems for quality assurance, are important tools for improving the diagnostic quality of pediatric echocardiographic laboratories. We highlight interesting new research on the echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in patients after tetralogy of Fallot repair, patients with single-ventricle physiology and pediatric cardiomyopathies. Summary Pediatric and congenital echocardiography is evolving as an important specific area within echocardiography. It is developing its own standards and quality control, and research in this field focuses on development of more quantitative methods for assessing ventricular function.
The Impact of Human Leukocyte Antigen Mismatching on Sensitization Rates and Subsequent Retransplantation After First Graft Failure in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients

Background U.S. allocation policies currently place less emphasis on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching in pediatric kidney transplant candidates to minimize dialysis time. The impact this may have on pediatric recipients after graft failure has not been extensively examined. Methods Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database, we examined HLA sensitization after graft loss and regraft survival of all pediatric primary kidney transplant recipients younger than 18 years transplanted between 1990 and 2008, stratified by HLA-DR mismatch (MM) of first and second kidney transplant. Results Of 11,916 pediatric primary kidney transplant recipients, 2704 were relisted after first graft failure. 1847 received a retransplants, and 857 remained on the waiting list. Mean % panel reactive antibody increased from 6% to 45% for retransplant and from 8% to 76% for those on the waiting list. The degree of sensitization and waiting time to retransplantation increased with DR MM at first kidney transplantation. Two DR MM statuses at first transplant were associated with a 20% reduction in the hazard of receiving a retransplant (hazard ratio, 0.80 for 2 vs. 0–1 DR MM; P<0.001). Five-year retransplant graft survival was associated with the number of HLA MM at first and second kidney transplant. Retransplant graft survival was similar in the circumstance of a 0–1 DR MM living donor following a deceased donor, and the converse. Conclusion In pediatric recipients, increasing number of initial HLA-DR MMs is associated with HLA sensitization, longer waiting time, decreased rate of retransplant, and decreased regraft survival. Consideration of DR matching at first transplant may mitigate these risks.
Acaenasuchus geoffreyi (Archosauria:Aetosauria) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Group: Juvenile of Desmatosuchus haplocerus

Aetosaur scutes assigned to Acaenasuchus geoffreyi Long and Murry, 1995, are juvenile scutes of Desmatosuchus haplocerus (Cope, 1892), so A. geoffreyi is a junior subjective synonym of D. haplocerus. Scutes previously assigned to Acaenasuchus lack anterior bars and a strong radial pattern of elongate pits and ridges, but do possess an anterior lamina and a raised boss emanating from the mid-dorsal surface of the scute. Desmatosuchus is the only aetosaur with this combination of features, and the replacement of the anterior bar with a lamina is an autapomorphy of Desmatosuchus. Other characters used by previous workers to distinguish Acaenasuchus from Desmatosuchus include deeply incised pitting on the dorsal scutes and the division of the raised boss posteriorly into two lateral flanges in Acaenasuchus. We interpret the deeply incised pitting as an artifact of ontogenetic variation. The more exaggerated pits and thin grooves on the scutes of "Acaenasuchus" represent a juvenile stage of development, an ontogenetic feature we have observed on other aetosaurs, notably Aetosaurus. The divided boss is the most unique characteristic of "Acaenasuchus/' but even this feature could also represent immature development. Further, of the four localities (the Blue Hills, the Placerias quarry and the Downs' quarry-all near St. John's, AZ, and another locality near Winslow, AZ) that have produced scutes assigned to Acaenasuchus, two (the Placerias and Downs' quarries) also produce abundant adult specimens of Desmatosuchus, and all four localities are in strata of equivalent (latest Carnian) age. Thus, in all critical details of morphology, except size, scutes assigned to Acaenasuchus appear to represent scutes of Desmatosuchus. The apparent rarity and limited geographic and stratigraphic range of Acaenasuchus relative to Desmatosuchus are artifacts of preservational and collecting biases.
Determinants of Information Technology Adoption in Portugal

There is an absence of empirical studies on information technology (IT) adoption decision in Portugal. This paper is based on a representative sample of 2626 Portuguese firms and it analyzes the determinants of web site and e-commerce adoption decisions using a technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework. The proposed statistical methodology advocates that the IT adoption decisions are taken sequentially, stage by stage. Findings also suggest that the relevant drivers of web site and e-commerce adoption are not necessarily the same. For web site adoption we found 8 drivers. For e-commerce we found 5 drivers. Explanations and implications are offered.
Analysis of subwavelength slit transmittances on Ag and Au plates at terahertz range

The behavior of power transmission of a normally incidence plane wave with transverse magnetic polarization through subwavelength slits on silver and gold plates at 30 terahertz is investigated for various slit widths and plate thicknesses. The analysis is performed based on a rigorous mode matching technique which is appropriate to this geometry. The transmission patterns versus plate thickness in the range 0.25 to 4 free-space wavelengths are contrasted to those of a slit on perfectly conducting plate.
Analyzing the relationships between travel mode indicators and the number of passenger transport fatalities at the city level

ABSTRACT Objective: A number of efforts have been conducted on travel behavior and transport fatalities at the neighborhood or street level, and they have identified different factors such as roadway characteristics, personal indicators, and design indicators related to transport safety. However, only a limited number of studies have considered the relationship between travel behavior indicators and the number of transport fatalities at the city level. Therefore, this study explores this relationship and how to fill the mentioned gap in current knowledge. Method: A generalized linear model (GLM) estimates the relationships between different travel mode indicators (e.g., length of motorway per inhabitants, number of motorcycles per inhabitant, percentage of daily trips on foot and by bicycle, percentage of daily trips by public transport) and the number of passenger transport fatalities. Because this city-level model is developed using data sets from different cities all over the world, the impacts of gross domestic product (GDP) are also included in the model. Conclusions: Overall, the results imply that the percentage of daily trips by public transport, the percentage of daily trips on foot and by bicycle, and the GDP per inhabitant have negative relationships with the number of passenger transport fatalities, whereas motorway length and the number of motorcycles have positive relationships with the number of passenger transport fatalities.
A Calibrated Pulse Generator for Impulse-Radio UWB Applications

A 100-Mb/s pulse position modulation generator is presented for impulse-radio ultra-wideband applications. The pulse generator provides a data rate of 100 Mb/s and a pulse width of 1 ns. To achieve an accurate pulse position and pulse width, a mixed-mode calibration circuit is used to calibrate the output buffer of the delay-locked loop. The proposed circuit has been fabricated in a 0.35-mum CMOS process. After the calibration, the measurement results show that both the pulse-width error and the pulse-position error are less than 4%
Effect of Clinical Factors on Bacterial Contamination of Bone Chips Collected During Implant Surgery

Purpose:The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between various clinical factors and bacterial contamination of bone chips (BC) collected during dental implant surgery and to elucidate how bacterial contamination might be minimized. Materials and Methods:Implants were installed in 55 partially edentulous patients (36 men and 19 women), among whom the relationship between various clinical factors and bacterial contamination of BC collected by bone trap was investigated in 37. The effect of rinsing with a saline on BC was determined in 18 patients. Number of contaminating microorganisms was expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs). Results:CFUs in the maxilla were lower than those in the mandible (P < 0.01). CFUs at the incisors or canines were lower than those at the premolars or molars (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed a relationship between average bacterial count and duration of surgery (odds ratio, 1.046; 95% CI, 1.012–1.081). Rinsing of BC reduced bacterial contamination. Conclusion:Duration of surgery is a major clinical factor affecting contamination risk in BC, and rinsing of BC with a sterile saline solution reduces bacterial number.
A System for Microscope-Assisted Guided Interventions

We present a system for surgical navigation using stereo overlays in the operating microscope aligned to the operative scene. This augmented reality system provides 3D information about nearby structures and offers a significant advancement over pointer-based guidance, which provides only the location of one point and requires the surgeon to look away from the operative scene. With a previous version of this system, we demonstrated feasibility, but it became clear that to achieve convincing guidance through the magnified microscope view, a very high alignment accuracy was required. We have made progress with several aspects of the system, including automated calibration, error simulation, bone-implanted fiducials and a dental attachment for tracking. We have performed experiments to establish the visual display parameters required to perceive overlaid structures beneath the operative surface. Easy perception of real and virtual structures with the correct transparency has been demonstrated in a laboratory and through the microscope. The result is a system with a predicted accuracy of 0.9 mm and phantom errors of 0.5 mm. In clinical practice errors are 0.5–1.5 mm, rising to 2–4 mm when brain deformation occurs.
Riding the Research Roller Coaster: What Went Right, What Went Wrong?

Evidence-based practice drives nursing procedures and standards of care. Supporting practice with valid research can be a challenge. After identifying a knowledge- and problem-focused trigger, a group of WOC nurses began a research journey. Our purpose was to determine the effectiveness of the rectal trumpet compared to the fecal collector in maintaining skin integrity in patients with fecal incontinence. The methodology included a convenience sample of 100 patients randomized to rectal trumpet or fecal collector versus standard care. Data were collected on signs of increased skin breakdown or healing, stool leakage around device, dislodgement, and discomfort from device. This article will reveal our journey in conducting this clinical research. After many challenges, the study was terminated, but the experiences and lessons learned during our efforts were invaluable. Even well-planned studies can encounter problems that prevent completion. It is important to evaluate these problems so that lessons can be learned and shared. This is our roller coaster ride in the research world.
Extraorbital Lacrimal Gland Excision: A Reproducible Model of Severe Aqueous Tear-Deficient Dry Eye Disease

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish and characterize extraorbital lacrimal gland excision (LGE) as a model of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye disease in mice. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice at 6 to 8 weeks of age were randomized to extraorbital LGE, sham surgery, or scopolamine groups. Mice that underwent extraorbital LGE or sham surgery were housed in the standard vivarium. Scopolamine-treated mice were housed in a controlled environment chamber that allowed for the continuous regulation of airflow (15 L/min), relative humidity (30%), and temperature (21–23°C). Clinical disease severity was assessed over the course of 14 days using the phenol red thread test and corneal fluorescein staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess corneal mRNA expression of interleukin 1&bgr;, tumor necrosis factor &agr;, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Flow cytometry was used to assess T helper cell frequencies in the conjunctivae and draining lymph nodes. Results: Extraorbital LGE markedly reduced aqueous tear secretion as compared with the sham procedure and induced a more consistent decrease in aqueous tear secretion than was observed in mice that received scopolamine while housed in the controlled environment chamber. Extraorbital LGE significantly increased corneal fluorescein staining scores as compared with those of both the sham surgery and scopolamine-treated groups. Extraorbital LGE significantly increased the corneal expression of interleukin 1&bgr;, tumor necrosis factor &agr;, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Further, extraorbital LGE increased T helper 17–cell frequencies in the conjunctivae and draining lymph nodes. Conclusions: Extraorbital LGE induces aqueous tear-deficient dry eye disease in mice as evidenced by decreased aqueous tear secretion, increased corneal epitheliopathy, and induced ocular surface inflammation and immunity.
Current Trends of Topology Discovery in OpenFlow-based Software Defined Networks

The explosion of Internet services such as video on demand, big data, server virtualization and cloud services is among the trends driving the networking industry to change traditional network architectures to more flexible and dynamic schemes. Software Defined Networking is an emerging network architecture that could address the needs of services providers and networks operator. This new technology consist in decoupling the control plane from the data plane, enabling to centralize control functions in a concentrated or distributed platform. It also creates an abstraction between the network infrastructure and network applications that allows to design more flexible and programmable networks. However, in order to both services and network applications can run properly, a global and updated view of the network is required at every moment. This paper attempts to address the main protocols and approaches of the topology discovery service provided by the controller in a single administrative domain. Also the procedure of topology discovery in a network composed by non-OpenFlow and OpenFlow switches are presented. In addition, attention is focused on Layer 2 discovery protocols LLDP and BDDP and major limitations of these procedures are discussed.
Recirculation over complex terrain

This study generated eddy covariance data to investigate atmospheric dynamics leeward of a small, forested hillside in upstate New York. The causes and effects of recirculation eddies were examined to support the larger goal of improving measurement of the exchange of energy, moisture, and trace gases between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere over complex terrain. Sensors operated at five different altitudes on two separate towers—one at the top of the hill and one down the slope to the east—for approximately 8 weeks in the spring of 2013. During the experiment, the vertical potential temperature gradient was found to be the primary factor for determining whether winds interacting with the terrain features caused a recirculating eddy leeward of the hill. The study found evidence that the recirculation influenced carbon dioxide flux and caused the air column to be vertically well mixed.
Analysis of DC/DC converter efficiency for energy storage system based on bidirectional fuel cells

Renewable energy sources are fluctuating depending on the availability of the energy source. For this reason, energy storage is becoming more important and bidirectional fuel cells represent an attractive technology. Fuel cells require high-current low-voltage dc-dc or dc-ac converters as power interface to the grid. In power electronics, the converter efficiency is characterized at fixed operating voltage for various output power. This type of characterization is not suitable for fuel cells, since as the power from the fuel cell increases, the cell voltage decreases. This paper analyses how the fuel cell I-V characteristics influences the power electronics converter efficiency and their consequence on the overall system. A load-dependent efficiency curve is presented based on experimental results from a 6 kW dc-dc converter prototype including the most suitable control strategy which maximizes the dc-dc conversion efficiency.
Quantity and Size Distribution of Cough-Generated Aerosol Particles Produced by Influenza Patients During and After Illness

The question of whether influenza is transmitted to a significant degree by aerosols remains controversial, in part, because little is known about the quantity and size of potentially infectious airborne particles produced by people with influenza. In this study, the size and amount of aerosol particles produced by nine subjects during coughing were measured while they had influenza and after they had recovered, using a laser aerosol particle spectrometer with a size range of 0.35 to 10 μm. Individuals with influenza produce a significantly greater volume of aerosol when ill compared with afterward (p = 0.0143). When the patients had influenza, their average cough aerosol volume was 38.3 picoliters (pL) of particles per cough (SD 43.7); after patients recovered, the average volume was 26.4 pL per cough (SD 45.6). The number of particles produced per cough was also higher when subjects had influenza (average 75,400 particles/cough, SD 97,300) compared with afterward (average 52,200, SD 98,600), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1042). The average number of particles expelled per cough varied widely from patient to patient, ranging from 900 to 302,200 particles/cough while subjects had influenza and 1100 to 308,600 particles/cough after recovery. When the subjects had influenza, an average of 63% of each subject's cough aerosol particle volume in the detection range was in the respirable size fraction (SD 22%), indicating that these particles could reach the alveolar region of the lungs if inhaled by another person. This enhancement in aerosol generation during illness may play an important role in influenza transmission and suggests that a better understanding of this phenomenon is needed to predict the production and dissemination of influenza-laden aerosols by people infected with this virus. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resources: a PDF file of demographic information, influenza test results, and volume and peak flow rate during each cough and a PDF file containing number and size of aerosol particles produced. ]
Improving Number of Antepartum Computerized Fetal Heart Monitoring Testingin Women with Preeclampsia with Severe Features does not Improve Maternal or Perinatal Outcome but Improve the Incidence of Caesarean Delivery

Objective: To evaluate if computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) twice a day improved maternal or perinatal outcome compared to daily cCTG in women with severe preeclampsia remote from term. Study design: This is a 5 year population-based observational study. Women with severe preeclampsia remote from term (<34 weeks) monitored with cCTG twice a day were compared to women with severe preeclampsia remote from term monitored with daily cCTG. Algorism for cCTG were based on Dawes/Redman antepartum CTG analysis by using Sonicaid (Sonicaid Obstetric Solutions, Huntleigh). The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of indicated preterm birth (PTB)<34 weeks. Results: 989 women with severe preeclampsia remote from term managed with expectant management (i.e., prolonging pregnancy beyond 48 h) were included in the analysis. 401 were monitored with daily cCTG and 588 were monitored with cCTG twice a day until delivery. After adjusting for confounders, we found that women with severe preeclampsia monitored with computerized CTG twice a day had a similar risk of indicated PTB<34 weeks, HELLP, DIC, pulmonary edema, abruption placentae, renal failure, eclampsia, cerebral hemorrhage, liver hemorrhage, maternal death, perinatal death and stillbirth compared to controls. Women monitored with cCTG twice a day had a significantly higher risk of cesarean delivery compared to those who were monitored with daily cCTG. Conclusion: Improving number of antepartum computerized fetal heart monitoring testing in women with preeclampsia with severe features remote from term does not improve maternal or perinatal outcome but improve the incidence of cesarean delivery. Therefore, we recommend daily antepartum cCTG in women with severe preeclampsia managed expectantly.
Survey of Approaches for Handling Static Analysis Alarms

Static analysis tools have showcased their importance and usefulness in automated detection of code anomalies and defects. However, the large number of alarms reported and cost incurred in their manual inspections have been the major concerns with the usage of static analysis tools. Existing studies addressing these concerns differ greatly in their approaches to handle the alarms, varying from automatic postprocessing of alarms, supporting the tool-users during manual inspections of the alarms, to designing of light-weight static analysis tools. A comprehensive study of approaches for handling alarms is, however, not found. In this paper, we review 79 alarms handling studies collected through a systematic literature search and classify the approaches proposed into seven categories. The literature search is performed by combining the keywords-based database search and snowballing. Our review is intended to provide an overview of various alarms handling approaches, their merits and shortcomings, and different techniques used in their implementations. Our findings include that the categorized alarms handling approaches are complementary and they can be combined together in different ways. The categorized approaches and techniques employed in them can help the designers and developers of static analysis tools to make informed choices.