Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Are Parents’ Experiences With Their Child’s Hearing Aid Use in the First 5 Years?

Objectives: Parents are required to make informed choices for their children regarding the use of hearing amplification after hearing loss has been diagnosed. If parents choose a listening and spoken language approach for their child where the development of age appropriate spoken language is the parents’ goal, then the early fitting and frequent use of hearing aids is crucial. Within the framework of family centered care, parents have the ultimate responsibility for supporting their child’s hearing aid use. However, few studies have focused on parents’ insights regarding the aspects that shape hearing aid use in the early years. Thus the aim of this study was to explore parents’ firsthand experiences with their child’s hearing aid use in the first 5 years. Understanding parents’ insights will help improve service provision to optimize outcomes for children with hearing loss. Design: The study utilized a prospective qualitative design to explore parents’ firsthand experiences with their child’s hearing aid use. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 12 parents who participated in semi-structured interviews. Parents’ responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes were conceptualized, namely: (a) towards hearing aids - journey into the wilderness; (b) adjusting to hearing aids - it’s the journey, not the destination; and (c) support for my child’s hearing aid use - it’s not where you are going, it’s who you have beside you. Each theme was further divided into categories and subcategories. Conclusions: This study identified that parents have much to contribute to service providers’ understanding regarding the aspects that shape consistent hearing aid use in young children. Parents shared many insights such as the emotionally daunting nature of the first few months post hearing loss confirmation, the influence of family support, and the importance of building connections and understanding about hearing loss and hearing aid use within their social networks. Based on these insights, the authors provide recommendations for clinical best practice that draw upon key principles of family centered care. They consist of practical suggestions including strategic support to overcome less optimal hearing aid use and ways to facilitate parent support within their familial and communal networks.
Effect of a biosynthetic bacterial 6-phytase on the digestibility of phosphorus and phytate in midlactating dairy cows

Abstract The effect of a biosynthetic bacterial 6-phytase (PhyG) on the digestibility and excretion of crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and phytate-P (PP) in midlactating dairy cows was investigated. Thirty Holstein-Friesians were assigned to three treatments with 10 cows per treatment in a randomized block design. Cows were fed forage (grass and corn silage) provided ad libitum, and a concentrate (without added inorganic phosphate) administered separately in amounts individualized per cow according to milk production, supplemented with phytase according to treatment. The formulated forage-to-concentrate-ratio was ~65%:35%. Dietary treatments comprised the control diet (CON) and CON supplemented with 2,000 (PhyG2,000) or 5,000 (PhyG5,000) phytase units (FTU)/kg DM in the total diet. The experiment comprised an 18-d preperiod for the collection of data to facilitate the allocation of cows to the treatments, followed by a 19-d experimental period comprising a 14-d diet adaptation period and 5 d of twice daily feces collection. Fecal samples were analyzed for the determination of apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of chemical constituents in the diet. The ATTD of PP was 92.6% in CON suggesting a high but incomplete degradation of phytate by ruminal microbial phytases. Cows fed PhyG2,000 exhibited increased ATTD of CP and PP [68.4% (2.7% points above CON) and 95.1% (2.5% points above CON), respectively] whilst PhyG5,000 further increased ATTD PP and also increased ATTD P [54.1% (7.8% points above CON)]; ATTD of Ca tended to be increased in PhyG5,000 vs. CON. Linear dose–response relationships were observed for ATTD of DM, CP, P, Ca, and PP. In addition, fecal excretion of P, and PP linearly reduced and that of Ca and CP tended to linearly reduce with increasing PhyG dose level. No difference was observed for DM intake and milk composition was unaffected except for milk protein which tended to be higher in cows fed PhyG5,000 than CON. In summary, the addition of exogenous phytase at 2,000 FTU/kg or higher to diets of lactating dairy cows improved P, PP, Ca, and CP digestibility and reduced fecal excretion of P, PP, and CP in a dose-dependent manner.
Implementation of Sphinx/Lynx as daily QA equipment for scanned proton and carbon ion beams

Abstract Purpose Reporting on the first implementation of a proton dedicated commercial device (IBA Sphinx/Lynx) for daily Quality Assurance (QA) of scanned proton and carbon ion beams. Methods Daily QA trendlines over more than 3 years for protons and more than 2 years for carbon ions have been acquired. Key daily QA parameters were reviewed, namely the spot size and position, beam range, Bragg peak width, coincidence (between beam and imaging system isocenters), homogeneity and dose. Results The performance of the QA equipment for protons and carbon ions was evaluated. Daily QA trendlines allowed us to detect machine performance drifts and changes. The definition of tolerances and action levels is provided and compared with levels used in the literature. Conclusion The device has been successfully implemented for routine daily QA activities in a dual particle therapy facility for more than 2 years. It improved the efficiency of daily QA and provides a comprehensive QA process.
Design methodology for Sievenpiper high-impedance surfaces: an artificial magnetic conductor for positive gain electrically small antennas

The Sievenpiper high-impedance surface is a periodic structure characterized by a substrate filled with an array of vertical vias, capped by a capacitive frequency selective surface (FSS). It functions as the ideal antenna groundplane for wireless applications because it simultaneously enhances the gain of the antenna as it suppresses the surface waves associated with it (thus reducing the undesired back-lobe and the reactive coupling to nearby circuits). These two properties are known to occur approximately over the frequency bandwidth where the phase of the reflection coefficient of the surface changes from +90/spl deg/ to -90/spl deg/. Since this behavior takes place at frequencies where the unit cell of the structure is small compared to the wavelength, it can be modeled in terms of a layered homogeneous material where each layer has an anisotropic magneto-dielectric tensor. These tensors, readily derived using an effective medium model, can be designed to obtain independent control of the bandwidths of gain increase and surface wave suppression. Based on a transverse resonance model of the effective medium material model, it is shown that Sievenpiper high-impedance surfaces exist that can suppress TE surface waves alone or TM surface waves alone, or both TE and TM surface waves at the same time. Maximum TM surface wave suppression bandwidth is obtained when the distance between the vias in the via array is as close as possible to /spl lambda//2. Maximum TE bandwidth is obtained when the conductors of the capacitive FSS offer maximum blockage to the normal magnetic field of the wave. A reduction of the transverse resonance solution to nearly closed form is used to obtain a simple picture of the design space available when the desired operating frequency is fixed.
Space Weather and the Global Positioning System

The ability to monitor space weather in near–real time is required as our society becomes increasingly dependent on technological systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). Certain critical applications such as railway control, highway traffic management, emergency response, commercial aviation, and marine navigation require high-precision positioning. As a consequence, these applications require real-time knowledge of space weather effects. In recent years, GPS itself has become recognized as one of the premier remote sensing tools to monitor space weather events. For this reason, Space Weather has opened a special section called “Space Weather Effects on GPS. ” Papers in this section describe the use of GPS as a monitor of space weather events and discuss how GPS is used to observe ionospheric irregularities and total electron content gradients. Other papers address the implications that these space weather features may have on GPS and on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) operations in general. Space weather impacts on GPS include the introduction of range errors and the loss of signal reception, both of which can have severe effects on marine and aviation navigation, surveying, and other critical real-time applications. To recognize the many important contributions that were made during the pioneering years of the 1980s and early 1990s and to provide some insight as to what can be expected in the years to come, we introduce the GPS special section by reviewing the 25-year history of GPS as an ionospheric monitoring system. This review will help give readers the context they need to understand ideas presented in this special section.
Limit cycle behavior in three or higher dimensional nonlinear systems: the Lotka-Volterra example

The existence of limit cycle behavior in three or higher dimensional nonlinear systems is studied. The procedure by which the existence of limit cycles is established consists of two steps: 1) the boundedness of the system states is established; and 2) all equilibrium points of the system are destabilized. This procedure is applied to a three dimensional Lotka-Volterra system to determine sets of parameters for which the system exhibits limit cycle behavior. The procedure by which the existence of limit cycle behavior in nonlinear systems is established, is applicable to planar or higher dimensional systems conveniently. However, establishing the boundedness of the system states (step 1) may be difficult for some systems. Moreover, this procedure does not exclude the possibility of quasi-periodic or chaotic behaviors.
Ankle fractures of the geriatric patient: a narrative review

The present narrative review provides a summary of current concepts for the treatment of ankle fractures in elderly patients. Despite a high complication rate, open reduction and internal fixation is the gold standard for operative care. However, individual patient-based treatment decision considering the soft-tissue status, the fracture pattern, as well as the patient’s mobility and comorbidities is mandatory to achieve sufficient patient outcomes. Due to high complication rates after surgery in the past, techniques such as fibular nails or minimal invasive techniques should be considered.
Gap between cognitions and behaviors among children’s guardians of influenza vaccination: The role of social influence and vaccine-related knowledge

ABSTRACT The seasonal influenza vaccine coverage remains suboptimal among children even though guardians expressed high willingness to vaccinate their children. This study aimed to determine the association between vaccine hesitancy and uptake to facilitate vaccination; thus, bridging the gap. A cross-sectional design, using stratified cluster random sampling, was conducted among guardians of 0–59-month-old Chinese children from July to October in 2019. A structural equation model was applied to explore the interrelationships between factors including vaccine hesitancy, vaccination, social influence, and relative knowledge among guardians. Of the 1,404 guardians, 326 were highly hesitant to vaccinate their children, 33.13% (108/326) of whom had vaccinated their children. Moreover, 517 and 561 guardians had moderate and low vaccine hesitancy, with corresponding vaccine coverage of 42.75% (221/517) and 47.95% (269/516). Guardians’ gender, age, and education level were demographic variables with significant moderating effects. Social influence considered impact of communities, family members, friends, neighbors, healthcare workers, bad vaccination experience and sense on price. Actual vaccine uptake was negatively significantly associated with hesitancy (β = -0.11, p < .001) with positive association with social influence (β = 0.61, p < .001). Vaccine hesitancy was negatively significantly associated with relative knowledge (β = -2.14, p < .001) and social influence (β = -1.09, p < .001). A gap is noted between cognitions and behaviors among children’s guardians regarding influenza vaccination. A comprehensive strategy including emphasizing benefits of the influenza vaccination, risk of infection, and ensuring high vaccine confidence among healthcare workers can help transform the willingness to engage in the behavior of vaccination.
Demographic trade-offs and functional shifts in a hurricane-impacted tropical forest.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Understanding shifts in demographic and functional composition of forests after major natural disturbances has become increasingly relevant given the accelerating rates of climate change and elevated frequency of natural disturbances. Although plant demographic strategies are often described across a slow-fast continuum, severe and frequent disturbance events influencing demographic processes may alter the demographic trade-offs and the functional composition of forests. We examined demographic trade-offs and the shifts in functional traits in a hurricane-disturbed forest using long-term data from the Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFPD) in Puerto Rico. METHODS We analyzed information on growth, survival, seed rain, and seedling recruitment for 30 woody species in the LFDP. In addition, we compiled data on leaf, seed, and wood functional traits that capture the main ecological strategies for plants. We used this information to identify the main axes of demographic variation for this forest community and evaluate shifts in community-weighted means for traits from 2000 to 2016. KEY RESULTS The previously identified growth-survival trade-off was not observed. Instead, we identified a fecundity-growth trade-off and an axis representing seedling-to-adult survival. Both axes formed independent dimensions from resprouting ability. Also, changes in tree species composition during the post-hurricane period reflected a directional shift from seedling and tree communities dominated by acquisitive towards conservative leaf economics traits and large seed mass. Wood specific gravity, however, did not show significant directional changes over time. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that tree demographic strategies coping with frequent storms and hurricane disturbances deviate from strategies typically observed in undisturbed forests, yet the shifts in functional composition still conform the expected changes from acquisitive to conservative resource-uptake strategies expected over succession. In the face of increased rates of natural and anthropogenic disturbance in tropical regions, our results anticipate shifts in species demographic trade-offs and different functional dimensions.
Enteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants (2022): A Position Paper From the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition and Invited Experts

Objectives: To review the current literature and develop consensus conclusions and recommendations on nutrient intakes and nutritional practice in preterm infants with birthweight <1800 g. Methods: The European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee of Nutrition (CoN) led a process that included CoN members and invited experts. Invited experts with specific expertise were chosen to represent as broad a geographical spread as possible. A list of topics was developed, and individual leads were assigned to topics along with other members, who reviewed the current literature. A single face-to-face meeting was held in February 2020. Provisional conclusions and recommendations were developed between 2020 and 2021, and these were voted on electronically by all members of the working group between 2021 and 2022. Where >90% consensus was not achieved, online discussion meetings were held, along with further voting until agreement was reached. Results: In general, there is a lack of strong evidence for most nutrients and topics. The summary paper is supported by additional supplementary digital content that provide a fuller explanation of the literature and relevant physiology: introduction and overview; human milk reference data; intakes of water, protein, energy, lipid, carbohydrate, electrolytes, minerals, trace elements, water soluble vitamins, and fat soluble vitamins; feeding mode including mineral enteral feeding, feed advancement, management of gastric residuals, gastric tube placement and bolus or continuous feeding; growth; breastmilk buccal colostrum, donor human milk, and risks of cytomegalovirus infection; hydrolyzed protein and osmolality; supplemental bionutrients; and use of breastmilk fortifier. Conclusions: We provide updated ESPGHAN CoN consensus-based conclusions and recommendations on nutrient intakes and nutritional management for preterm infants
Comparisons of linear and nonlinear pyramid schemes for signal and image processing

Linear filters banks are being used extensively in image and video applications. New research results in wavelet applications for compression and de-noising are constantly appearing in the technical literature. On the other hand, non-linear filter banks are also being used regularly in image pyramid algorithms. There are some inherent advantages in using non-linear filters instead of linear filters when non-Gaussian processes are present in images. However, a consistent way of comparing performance criteria between these two schemes has not been fully developed yet. In this paper a recently discovered tool, sample selection probabilities, is used to compare the behavior of linear and non-linear filters. In the conversion from weights of order statistics (OS) filters to coefficients of the impulse response is obtained through these probabilities. However, the reverse problem: the conversion from coefficients of the impulse response to the weights of OS filters is not yet fully understood. One of the reasons for this difficulty is the highly non-linear nature of the partitions and generating function used. In the present paper the problem is posed as an optimization of integer linear programming subject to constraints directly obtained from the coefficients of the impulse response. Although the technique to be presented in not completely refined, it certainly appears to be promising. Some results will be shown.
Chip-to-chip SnO2 nanowire network sensors for room temperature H2 detection

The employment of nanowires is a very powerful strategy to improve gas sensor performance. We demonstrate a gas sensor device, which is based on silicon chip-to-chip synthesis of ultralong tin oxide (SnO2) nanowires. The sensor device employs an interconnected SnO2 nanowire network configuration, which exhibits a huge surface-to-volume ratio and provides full access of the target gas to the nanowires. The chip-to-chip SnO2 nanowire device is able to detect a H2 concentration of only 20 ppm in synthetic air with ~ 60% relative humidity at room temperature. At an operating temperature of 300°C a concentration of 50 ppm H2 results in a sensitivity of 5%. At this elevated temperature the sensor shows a linear response in a concentration range between 10 ppm and 100 ppm H2. The SnO2-nanowire fabrication procedure based on spray pyrolysis and subsequent annealing is performed at atmospheric pressure, requires no vacuum and allows upscale of the substrate to a wafer size. 3D-integration with CMOS chips is proposed as viable way for practical realization of smart nanowire based gas sensor devices for the consumer market.
Investigation of IRAS galaxies from a new sample

Abstract A new sample of 1178 faint IRAS galaxies (BIG) has been constructed by means of optical identification of IRAS point sources from PSC in the region +61° < δ < +90° at high galactic latitudes over an area of some 1500 deg2. Compact galaxies, interacting pairs and groups, ‘mergers', radio and X-ray sources are among the identified objects. Spectral observations have revealed new AGNs and luminous infrared galaxies. Study of the sample gives better understanding of star-formation, nuclear activity, interactions and connections between these phenomena.
HSV-2 infection and HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions in a cohort of HPV-vaccinated women living with HIV

Background Several co-factors for HPV oncogenesis have been proposed, including co-infection with HSV-2. We assessed the relationship between HSV-2 infection and HPV-related outcomes in quadrivalent HPV-vaccinated (qHPV) women living with HIV (WLWH). Methods In this multi-site study of immunogenicity and efficacy of the qHPV vaccine in WLWH, visits took place at months −3, 0, 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, and annually thereafter. Participants provided clinical data and cervico-vaginal swabs for HPV DNA detection; baseline serum was tested for HSV-2 type-specific antibodies. We used non-parametric statistics to compare HPV-related outcomes by HSV-2 serostatus and use of anti-HSV medication. Results 151 baseline serum samples underwent HSV-2 testing. At baseline, median age was 39 years, median CD4 count was 500 cells/mm3, and 70% had an HIV viral load of <50 copies/mL. Baseline HSV-2 seroprevalence was 76.2%. HSV-2 seropositivity was associated with increased age (p = 0.006). Controlling for age and median CD4 count, HSV-2 seropositivity was not associated with HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions. The use of anti-HSV medications was associated with higher odds of HSIL cytology (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.03,11.26) and a greater number of HPV types detected (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00,1.39). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses using an index value of 3.5. The presence of HSV lesions during the study was not associated with HPV outcomes. Conclusions HSV-2 seropositivity was common in this cohort of WLWH in Canada but was not associated with multiple measures of HPV incidence, persistence, and precancerous lesions. However, the use of anti-HSV medications was associated with HSIL cytology and number of HPV types detected.