Short Intervals Research Articles

Noise annoyance and application of the Harmonica index at short time intervals

The Harmonica index (HRM) is aimed to quantify the perceived noisiness of environmental sounds on an hourly basis by a score on a linear scale from quiet to very noisy. The index is computed as the sum of the background noise (BGN) and the sound events (EVT) emerging from BGN and has been developed to facilitate communication with the public and to help local authorities in the decision-making process. In this paper, the HRM index has been applied to short time intervals, providing an increase in the time resolution of sound level acquisition from 1 s to 0.1 s. Six sound recordings were considered, taken in different urban contexts (i.e., parks, road traffic noise, construction sites), each lasting two minutes and divided into four sequential soundtracks of 30 s each. The tracks were played back randomly in laboratory listening tests to collect ratings of perceived annoyance given by participants after each soundtrack and, at the end of the four soundtrack sequences, the annoyance rating of the whole sound. The results show that the short-time application of the index is sensitive to the qualitative characteristics of the background and events, and needs improving before being used.

Estimating rate of lung function change using clinical spirometry data

RationaleIn chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), accurately estimating lung function from electronic health record (EHR) data would be beneficial but requires addressing complexities in clinically obtained testing. This study compared...

Clinical factors and predictors for spontaneous separation of epiretinal membranes.

To investigate the clinical characteristics, imaging features, and predictive factors for spontaneous separation in patients with idiopathic or secondary ERM. The overall cohort was divided into two subgroups: idiopathic ERM (28 eyes, 56%) and secondary ERM (22 eyes, 44%). Electronic records and multimodal imaging were reviewed. Among the 50 eyes included in this study, the self-separation of ERM occurred over a mean duration of 28.1 ± 25.3months (median: 25.4months). Compared with the secondary ERM group, the idiopathic group had a shorter interval to separation (idiopathic vs. secondary, 23.4 vs. 34.1months, respectively; P = .01) and better vision at diagnosis (logMAR 0.094 vs. 0.224; P = .009) and after separation (logMAR 0.097 vs. 0.188; P = .01). Overall, in both subgroups, spontaneous ERM separation appeared to have been induced by posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the self-separation interval (odds ratio [OR] 0.936) and IRF (OR 0.049) were significantly associated with complete ERM separation (all P < .05). Additionally, secondary ERM (OR 15.224) and lower initial best-corrected visual acuity (OR 267.589) were significantly associated with improvements in vision after self-separation (all P < .05). The self-separation of ERM appears to be induced by PVD development in most eyes. Owing to the possibility of complete spontaneous separation, surgical membrane peeling may be delayed by up to 28months in eyes without PVD, regardless of whether the cause is idiopathic or secondary. Patients with secondary ERM may experience favorable visual improvement after self-separation despite having poor vision at diagnosis and IRF on OCT. What is known • An epiretinal membrane (ERM), the most prevalent retinal disease in adults, is less understood regarding clinical factors and the accurate mechanism of spontaneous separation. What is new • The separation of ERM appears to be induced by PVD development in most eyes. • Favorable vision outcomes were associated with secondary ERMs and lower initial visual acuity. • Complete ERM separation was associated with a shorter self-resolution interval and the absence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) in OCT imaging.

A-194 Point of Care Glucose Test Time Interval Data Used as a Proxy Indicator for Glucose Meter Cleaning and Disinfection Adequacy Between Patient Testing Episodes

Abstract Background At a community hospital within our health system (269 inpatient beds and 46 glucose meters), a condition level finding was cited for blood found on one meter during a routine regulatory survey. Point of Care (POC) test instrument portability is often an essential characteristic in choosing to perform a POC test at the bedside. Glucose meters are in close proximity to patients who are providing fingerstick blood samples for immediate testing. The process of obtaining the blood sample and applying it to the test strip may result in blood inadvertently getting on a caregiver’s gloves and the glucose meter itself. Per the testing protocol, when testing different patients consecutively, the caregiver safely discards the used test strip, changes gloves, and performs the cleaning and disinfecting (C&amp;D) of the glucose meter to ensure the next patient is not exposed to blood from the previous test. The C&amp;D procedure requires a minimum two minutes of drying time. We estimate that consecutive POC glucose tests should have about a three minute gap when the meter gets proper C&amp;D between patients. We sought to determine whether the time interval between tests could be used an indicator of improved C&amp;D compliance during a process improvement project. Methods As a patient safety concern, improved compliance with C&amp;D steps was needed. Various stakeholder groups conducted a three month long campaign of education, training, and surveillance to improve C&amp;D compliance. As a proxy for monitoring the C&amp;D, data on test times from individual glucose meters was downloaded from the POC middleware system. Sample information, patient identifiers, and test results were not obtained. Time intervals between tests were calculated and the number of tests that occurred on the same instrument with short intervals (&amp;lt; 3minutes) were counted. Results Data from the POC middleware system was downloaded from the month prior to and immediately following the project (July and November). In July, there were 733 instances of glucose tests being carried out within three minutes of a previous test on the same instrument, from a total of 6622 tests (11.1%). In November, there were 565 occurrences (out of 6445 tests, or 8.8%), a decrease of 23% from the beginning count, and a drop of 2.3% among all tests. A follow up survey found no instances of blood on meters. Conclusions Using the time between tests interval as a proxy for monitoring glucose meter C&amp;D is straightforward when the data is readily available. In our application of this process, an improvement in the number of short intervals was found, but the number of short intervals was not completely eliminated. This is likely due to occurrences when a test was repeated on the same patient or when training or competency was taking place, circumstances in which C&amp;D not required. To observe patient privacy, our data collection approach could not eliminate these potential confounders of our data.

Musical Expertise Influences the Processing of Short and Long Auditory Time Intervals: An Electroencephalography Study.

Musical expertise has been proven to be beneficial for time perception abilities, with musicians outperforming nonmusicians in several explicit timing tasks. However, it is unclear how musical expertise impacts implicit time perception. Twenty nonmusicians and 15 expert musicians participated in an EEG recording during a passive auditory oddball paradigm with 0.8- and 1.6-sec standard time intervals and deviant intervals that were either played earlier or delayed relative to the standard interval. We first confirmed that, as was the case for nonmusicians, musicians use different neurofunctional processes to support the perception of short (below 1.2 sec) and long (above 1.2 sec) time intervals: Whereas deviance detection for long intervals elicited a N1 component, P2 was associated with deviance detection for short time intervals. Interestingly, musicians did not elicit a contingent negative variation (CNV) for longer intervals but show additional components of deviance detection such as (i) an attention-related N1 component, even for deviants occurring during short intervals; (ii) a N2 component for above and below 1.2-sec deviance detection, and (iii) a P2 component for above 1.2-sec deviance detection. We propose that the N2 component is a marker of explicit deviance detection and acts as an inhibitory/conflict monitoring of the deviance. This hypothesis was supported by a positive correlation between CNV and N2 amplitudes: The CNV reflects the temporal accumulator and can predict explicit detection of the deviance. In expert musicians, a N2 component is observable without CNV, suggesting that deviance detection is optimized and does not require the temporal accumulator. Overall, this study suggests that musical expertise is associated with optimized implicit time perception.

Prevalence and factors associated with short birth interval in the semi-rural community of Kaya, Burkina Faso: results of a community-based survey

BackgroundA short birth interval adversely affects the health of mothers and children. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of short birth intervals and identify their associated factors in a semi-urban setting in Burkina Faso.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in which data were collected in households between May and October 2022. The dependent variable was the short birth interval (SBI), defined by the World Health Organization as the time between two live births. We performed a multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression with robust variance to determine the factors associated with the SBI by reporting adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 5544 birth intervals were recorded from 4067 women. A short birth interval was found in 1503 cases out of 5544, i.e., a frequency of 27.1%. The prevalence of short birth interval (time between two live births less than 33 months) was higher in never users of modern contraceptive users (aPR = 1.24; 95% CI [1.14–1.34] vs. previous users), in younger ages with aPR of 4.21 (95% CI [3.30–5.37]), 2.47 (95% CI [1.96–3.11]), and 1.45 (95% CI [1.16–1.81]), respectively for under 18, 18–24 years old, and 25–34 years old, compared to 35 and over. Childbirths occurring before the implementation of the maternal and infant free health care policy (aPR = 2.13; 95% CI [1.98–2.30]) and also before the free family planning policy (aPR = 1.53; 95% CI [1.28–1.81]) were more likely to have SBI. Women with low socio-economic positions were also more likely to have SBI.ConclusionThis study found a high SBI in Burkina Faso (more than one woman out of four). Our results have programmatic implications, as some factors, such as contraceptive practice and socioeconomic status, are modifiable. These factors need particular attention to lengthen birth intervals and, in turn, improve mother–child couple health by reducing short birth interval consequences.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-chitosan nanogels for nanotechnological and catalytic applications

Polymer nanogels consisting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and chitosan [P(NC)] were synthesized using a free radical precipitation polymerization technique in an aqueous environment. This process involved the polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) with chitosan (CS) and a cross-linker. These P(NC) nanogels were utilized as nano-reactors for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which were formed within the polymeric network through an in-situ reduction process using chloroauric acid [H(AuCl4)] as precursor salt and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reductant. Various analytical methods, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were employed to confirm the formation of P(NC) nanogels and the incorporation and durability of AuNPs within the P(NC) nanogels. The AuNPs loaded P(NC) nanogels were utilized as catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NiP) into 4-aminophenol (4-AmP) in the presence of NaBH4. This system was also used to degrade a number of dyes including methylene blue (MB), methylene orange (MO), Rhodamine B (RhB), brilliant blue (BB) and eosin Y ((EY) by using NaBH4 as reducing agent. The Au-P(NC) catalyst exhibited remarkable efficiency, facilitating the fast reduction of 4-NiP and degradation of dyes within a very short interval of time. This system stands out for its economic usage, as even a small quantity of it can efficiently reduce toxic pollutants like 4-NiP and dyes. The results of the reactions highlighted exceptional yield, emphasizing the effectiveness and recyclability of the Au-P(NC) hybrid nanogels as highly capable catalysts.

Heat transfer analysis of Walter’s-B flow over a vertical plate by using fractional operator

The present study deals with the unsteady Walter’s-B fluid with hybrid fractional derivative namely constant proportional Caputo type with singular kernel. In this paper, we find new analytical solutions of a well-known problem of the fluid dynamics known as Stokes’ first problem. Using dimensional variables governing equations convert into dimensionless form. To solve the model analytically, one uses the Laplace transform approach. Analytical and numerical evaluations of the inverse Laplace transform have been conducted. The influence of several embedded flow properties, including the magnetic parameter, Grashof number, dimensionless time, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, and fractional parameter is analyzed graphically. More specifically, compared to the classical model, the fractional model provides a wider range of integral curves and better represents the flow behavior. The temperature and velocity of the fluid decrease with increasing fractional parameters during short intervals of time, but exhibit the reverse pattern over longer durations. Skin friction, the Sherwood number, and the Nusselt number are numerical quantities linked to engineering that are statistically computed and provided in tabular form.

Physiological and Performance Adaptations to Varying Rest Distributions During Short Sprint Interval Training Trials in Female Volleyball Players: A Comparative Analysis of Interindividual Variability.

This study aimed to examine the impact of different rest periods between short sprint interval training (SSIT) trials on the physiological and performance adaptations of female volleyball players. Twenty-four trained collegeathletes volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to 3 SSIT groups with different work-to-rest ratios (1:2 [5-s run:10-s rest], 1:4 [5-s run:20-s rest], and 1:6 [5-s work:30-s rest]). Before and after 6-week training, physiological parameters (maximum oxygen uptake, first and second ventilatory thresholds, and peak and mean power output) and physical performance measures (ie,countermovement vertical jump, 10-m sprint, and T-test change-of-direction speed) were evaluated. After the training period, all groups improved (P = .001) their sport-related performance and physiological parameters, ranging from moderate to very large effect sizes. Comparative analysis of the magnitude of training effects indicated thatthe 1:6 SSIT group had in a significantly greater change in countermovement vertical jump (P = .007), 10-m sprint (P = .014), peak power output (P = .019), and mean power output (P = .05) compared with 1:2 SSIT group. By contrast, the 1:2 SSIT group demonstrated significantly (P = .022) greater changes in maximum oxygen uptake than the 1:6 SSIT group. However, the change-of-direction speed and changes infirst and second ventilatory thresholds were the same among the groups (P > .05). When performing SSIT, longer rest intervals are suitable for physical and anaerobic performance, and shorter rest periods are appropriate for enhancing the cardiorespiratory fitness of female volleyball players' performance.

Radiation recall reaction induced by gemcitabine/docetaxel in children: A retrospective study on risk factors and outcomes.

Radiation recall reaction (RRR) is a rare inflammatory reaction developing in a previously irradiated field after a triggering agent. In pediatric patients, it is poorly understood and deficiently studied. Gemcitabine-docetaxel (G/D) in childhood cancer is mainly used as a salvage regimen for sarcomas. We aim to describe RRR triggered by G/D in children. Retrospective review of 21 patients receiving G/D along with radiotherapy at two hospitals from 2010 until 2022. RRR was considered as any toxicity occurring after G/D administration in a previously irradiated field. RRR features were described. Fisher's and Mann-Whitney tests were utilized to analyze the risk factors involved. Sixteen episodes of RRR developed in 16 (76.2%) patients. RRR mainly involved deep layers of the skin (58%) and occurred predominantly after two G/D cycles. The mean time between radiotherapy and chemotherapy was 28.5days (0-1359days), and the mean radiation volume 391mL (157-1810mL) for RRR. RRR treatment was mainly systemic steroids, with partial responses in six of 11 (58%) patients. Re-exposure to G/D was associated with a high rate of recurrence in nine of 15 (56.2%), prompting drug discontinuation. The major risk factors for RRR after G/D include, without statistical significance, a larger volume of the irradiated field and a shorter interval between chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The incidence of RRR after G/D in the pediatric population is higher than previously reported. Drug re-exposure is usually followed by recurrence. Higher irradiated volumes and a shorter time to the start of chemotherapy could be related with an increased risk of RRR.

Early Tracheostomy in Patients Requiring Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

BackgroundEarly tracheostomy (ET) can decrease length of stay and mortality. The benefits of ET in patients requiring venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain contentious. We assessed the influence of ET on outcomes in patients requiring VV ECMO. MethodsWe queried a multiinstitutional ECMO registry to evaluate patients requiring VV ECMO for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and compared outcomes between ET and late tracheostomy (LT) groups. Outcomes of interest included time to decannulation, extubation, discharge, survival, hospital, and intensive care unit length of stay (LOS). Univariate analyses of continuous and categorical variables were performed using t tests and χ2 tests where appropriate. Multistate Cox proportional hazards models and generalized linear models were used for multivariable analysis. ResultsOur sample comprised 133 patients, 88 who underwent ET and 45 who underwent LT. Patients who underwent ET were younger (P = .046), had a higher body mass index (P = .046), and had higher respiratory ECMO survival prediction (RESP) scores (P < .001). The number of days from ECMO to tracheostomy was 1.65 ± 1.26 days in the ET group and 13.6 ± 10 days in the LT group. There were no statistically significant differences in time to decannulation between the 2 groups. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients with ET had a shorter interval and higher survival to extubation. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients with ET had a shorter duration to extubation (P = .03), time to discharge (P = .013), intensive care unit LOS (P = .012), and hospital LOS (P = .044). There was no significant difference in survival (P = .83) or time to decannulation (P = .12) between the 2 cohorts. ConclusionsExtracorporeal support involves high-intensity resource use. ET in patients requiring VV ECMO may improve outcomes and decrease resource consumption.

Metastatic Malignant Pseudomyogenic Hemangioendothelioma: An Exceedingly Rare Entity That Challenges Conventional Paradigms.

Pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (PMHE), a rare soft tissue tumor predominantly affecting young adults, often presents as multiple nodules in various tissue planes of a limb. Malignant transformation and metastatic disease are unusual and pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A 17-year-old patient from Western India, with a history of recurrent excisions for a toe swelling presented to our center for evaluation and management. A below-knee amputation was performed, and histopathology revealed PMHE. Adjuvant therapy was deemed unnecessary given the borderline nature of the tumor. Shortly thereafter, he developed features of local recurrence and underwent above-knee amputation. An expert histopathological review confirmed the diagnosis and noted features of malignant transformation-progression to a higher grade with greater cytological atypia, confluent growth, and increased mitotic activity over time. Upon further distant progression in the lung, he was started on a palliative regimen of weekly paclitaxel, vinblastine, and propranolol but eventually succumbed to his illness. In contrast to conventional descriptions of low mitotic activity, minimal nuclear atypia, and absence of necrosis, our patient exhibited increased mitotic rates, nuclear atypia, and evolving necrosis in serial histopathological evaluations. The fulminant clinical progression within a short interval was also atypical. Our patient's clinical course underscores the need for meticulous histopathological and molecular characterization and vigilant clinical surveillance after resection in patients with PMHE. Providing the standard of care for malignant disease in the adjuvant setting is challenging owing to the rarity and the lack of treatment guidelines.

Feasibility and safety assessment of RF double applications in very high power and short duration ablation

BackgroundThe QDOT-MICRO catheter enables very high power and short duration (vHPSD) ablation. However, low first-pass isolation rates have been reported, possibly because of shallow lesion formation, necessitating deeper lesions to improve treatment outcomes. ObjectiveThis study aimed to confirm the safety and efficacy of double radiofrequency applications of vHPSD ablation in an in vivo beating swine heart model. MethodsEighteen swine were anesthetized and underwent vHPSD ablation using the QDOT-MICRO catheter at 90 W for 4 seconds, targeting a contact force of 10 g. Radiofrequency applications were performed as single application (SA) and double applications (DAs) with 4- to 8-second rest intervals. Lesion surface area and volume were measured postablation. ResultsA total of 337 atrial lesions and 74 ventricular lesions were created. Both 4- to 6-second DA and 7- to 8-second DA produced significantly larger and deeper lesions than did SA, with atrial surface lengths averaging 9.0 mm for 4- to 6-second DA, 9.2 mm for 7- to 8-second DA, and 8.0 mm for SA. Transmurality was observed at 100% for 4- to 6-second and 7- to 8-second DAs, while it was 94% for SA (P = .002). Ventricular lesion metrics followed similar trends. Except for 1 event of tiny char formation during 4-second DA in the ventricle, neither steam pops nor char formation was observed in either the atrium or the ventricle. ConclusionIn an in vivo swine heart model, DA with 4- to 6-second and 7- to 8-second intervals create deeper and wider lesions than does SA, suggesting its potential for clinical application in areas with thicker myocardial walls. However, DA with very short intervals may still pose a risk of excessive tissue heating.

Immunotherapy at the end of life.

188 Background: It is well established in the literature that cancer treatment administered at the end of life (EOL) does not improve either quality of life or survival rates. Patients undergoing systemic cancer treatments at near the EOL often have reduced access to hospice services and an increased likelihood of acute medical interventions, including emergency department visits, intensive care unit admissions, and in-hospital deaths. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer care over the past decade, demonstrating the ability to extend progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with various cancers. Furthermore, ICIs may represent a promising therapeutic option for adults with impaired performance status (PS) due to their relatively favorable side-effect profile when compared to conventional chemotherapy. While numerous studies have examined chemotherapy at the end of life, research specifically focusing on the administration of immunotherapy during this period is scarce. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review using the electronic medical record database at Scripps clinic focusing on cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy who passed away between June 1, 2017, and August 30, 2023, comprising a cohort of 641 individuals. Our investigation was designed to provide a retrospective overview of patient characteristics and outcomes, with a specific emphasis on factors at EOL. Results: The most prevalent tumor types were lung (34%), GI (21%), skin (13%), GU (12.6%) and others (19.4%). On average, no patients received immunotherapy in the last 30 days of their lives. Among the different cancer types, breast cancer patients had the longest interval between last treatment and death, averaging 259 days. This was followed by patients with head and neck cancer (207 days), skin cancer (199 days), genitourinary (GU) cancers (177 days), lung cancer (140 days), gynecological (GYN) cancers (135 days), and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers (134 days). 19 patients died from immune-related adverse events (IrAEs). These patients had the shortest interval between their last treatment and death, with a mean of 34 days. This was followed by those who died due to cancer progression, with an average interval of 148 days. Conclusions: The decision to administer anticancer therapies near the EOL is increasingly complex. Oncologists must carefully discuss immunotherapy with patients, monitor for IrAEs, and consider discontinuing treatment if there is disease progression, worsening PS or after two years of treatment.

Memory compromise at extended delays in people with new-onset epilepsy.

Memory is one of the most sensitive markers of cognitive compromise in people with new-onset epilepsy. Nonetheless, around half of these cases score within the normal range on standard memory testing. Here we explore whether memory retention at a 1-week delay reveals otherwise undetected memory compromise in such individuals, and how it relates to subjective memory complaints and mood. Using a prospective design, 38 adults with new-onset epilepsy underwent baseline memory screening via telephone using an abbreviated Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Psychological screening occurred via online questionnaires. One week later, without forewarning, participants completed three follow-up memory tasks. Of particular focus, we explored longer-term memory performances and forgetting trajectories in those individuals (n = 23) who demonstrated normal memory performances (scores >10th percentile) at baseline (30-min delay). Outcomes were compared to 32 healthy controls, matched for age, sex, and education. As a group, people with epilepsy performed worse than controls on all memory measures, with 44 percent impaired at baseline testing. Of those unimpaired at baseline, the rate and volume of information loss over 1 week was significantly greater than for controls. Contextual memory performance at 1 week was also significantly poorer for people with epilepsy. At the individual level, the prevalence of impaired forgetting was not significantly different between patients and controls. Subjective memory complaints were not related to any objective tests but were strongly related to self-reported mood and anxiety symptoms. People with new-onset epilepsy show reduced memory at short and extended intervals. For those showing normal memory at baseline, information does appear to be forgotten more quickly than in healthy controls, though the effect is not large. The findings indicate that while extended delay memory testing is not essential in all new epilepsy cases, it could provide useful information for particular individuals. Memory problems are common in people with epilepsy shortly after seizure onset, however, many individuals still show normal memory performances on standard neuropsychological testing. Through testing memory at an extended timepoint (1 week), our study found that on average, these individuals showed a slightly quicker rate of forgetting over a 1-week period than people without a brain condition. Self-reported memory complaints in people with new epilepsy were unrelated to their actual memory skills on testing at short and long timepoints but were rather linked to lower mood and quality of life.

Short interbirth interval and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a Bayesian network approach

BackgroundInterbirth interval (IBI), the time between consecutive births, has been tied to perinatal outcomes. ObjectiveTo analyze adverse perinatal events following short IBI in a large South American sample. Study designObservational, retrospective, hospital-based study including malformed and nonmalformed live- and stillbirths. Outcomes were preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and specific birth defects. Logistic regressions were used to evaluate the risk of selected variables for short IBI and for adverse outcomes after short IBI, adjusting by confounders. Bayesian networks exhibited relationships among short IBI, outcomes, and variables. ResultsShort IBI rate was 2%–3%. Maternal age and a previous abortion were the main confounders. A significant high risk for short IBI was found in mothers ≤19 years while mothers ≥30 were at low risk, mediated by a previous abortion. The risk of short IBI, adjusted by confounders, was significant for LBW but not for PTB. An unadjusted risk of short IBI was observed for gastroschisis, which disappeared after adjusting for confounders. Maternal age ≤19 and previous abortion were directly related with gastroschisis; the relationship between gastroschisis and short IBI occurred through any of these two variables. A direct relationship between gastroschisis and maternal age ≥30 was observed. ConclusionsOnly young mothers were directly related with short IBI. In older mothers, a short IBI mainly occurred after a previous abortion. Short IBI was a risk factor only for LBW. The PTB and gastroschisis relationship with short IBI was indirect, mediated by young maternal age and/or a previous abortion.

Origin of ventricular fibrillation triggers in a model of localized repolarization heterogeneity

BackgroundHeterogeneities in ventricular repolarization contribute significantly to the genesis of ventricular fibrillation (VF). Although clinical arrhythmias are spontaneously triggered by premature ventricular complexes, these triggers are difficult to document and little is known about their site of origin. ObjectiveTo characterize spontaneous VF initiation in an experimental model of repolarization heterogeneity and to identify the origin of triggers in relation to the spatial dispersion of repolarization. MethodsSpatially limited repolarization heterogeneity was created in isolated perfused porcine right ventricles (N =16) by local administration of pinacidil (20 μM) into a terminal branch of the right coronary artery. High-resolution optical mapping and pseudo-ECG were performed in control conditions and after pinacidil perfusion. ResultsNo arrhythmia occurred at baseline, but 74 VF episodes were observed in 13 hearts (82%) after pinacidil perfusion and were most often initiated by a ventricular trigger with short coupling interval (297±66ms). Sixteen VF initiations were optically mapped in four hearts. Mapping showed triggers originating in all cases from the border zone between altered and normal repolarization areas where local action potential duration and repolarization time gradients were steep (15.9 and 15.8 ms/mm versus 1.5 and 3.0 ms/mm in non-trigger sites). Optical action potential traces were compatible with a phase-two reexcitation mechanism. The subsequent VF cycles were driven by activities located in the same region. ConclusionsThis model of localized repolarization heterogeneity is able to produce spontaneous VF initiation. Our study demonstrates that VF triggers originate consistently from the border zone of repolarization dispersion.

Deep Learning Detection of Hand Motion During Microvascular Anastomosis Simulations Performed by Expert Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeons

Deep learning enables precise hand tracking without the need for physical sensors, allowing for unsupervised quantitative evaluation of surgical motion and tasks. We quantitatively assessed the hand motions of experienced cerebrovascular neurosurgeons during simulated microvascular anastomosis using deep learning. We explored the extent to which surgical motion data differed among experts. A deep learning detection system tracked 21 landmarks corresponding to digit joints and the wrist on each hand of 5 expert cerebrovascular neurosurgeons. Tracking data for each surgeon were analyzed over long and short time intervals to examine gross movements and micromovements, respectively. Quantitative algorithms assessed the economy and flow of motion by calculating mean movement distances from the baseline median landmark coordinates and median times between sutures, respectively. Tracking data correlated with specific surgical actions observed in microanastomosis video analysis. Economy of motion during suturing was calculated as 19, 26, 29, 27, and 28 pixels for surgeons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Flow of motion during microanastomosis was 31.96, 29.40, 28.90, 7.37, and 47.21seconds for surgeons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Hand tracking data showed similarities among experts, with low movements from baseline, minimal excess motion, and rhythmic suturing patterns. The data revealed unique patterns related to each expert's habits and techniques. The results showed that surgical motion can be correlated with hand motion and assessed using mathematical algorithms. We also demonstrated the feasibility and potential of deep learning-based motion detection to enhance surgical training.

Petrology of Granitoids of the Mayorka Massif (Gorny Altay): Contribution to the Problem of High-Silica Magma Formation

Abstract —The paper presents data from a comprehensive study of granitoids identified in the Mayorka intrusion that is located in the western part of the Altai Mountains. It is shown that the massif is composed of rocks of four intrusive phases, the age of these rocks ranges from 391 to 372 Ma, and the intrusion of the main volume of granitoids dates back to a relatively short interval of 386–384 Ma. The massif contains rocks of two geochemical types. The first type is differentiated calc-alkaline granite-leucogranites with near-clark contents of high-field-strength elements and rare earth elements: ɛNd(T) = + 4.3…+ 4.5 and σ18O V-SMOW = +10.7…+11.2 ‰. The second is alkaline and moderately alkaline A-type alaskites, strongly enriched in high-field-strength elements and rare earth elements, having ɛNd(T) + 5.3 and σ18O V-SMOW = +11.6 ‰. Granitoids of the first group are of crustal source, while the rocks of the second group contain a significant portion of mantle material. The near-simultaneous introduction of these melts to the level of formation of the intrusion caused their interaction and the formation of hybrid magmas. Low crystallization temperatures of granitoids (&amp;lt;700 °C) and the presence of syngenetic melt and fluid inclusions in most rock varieties indicate a high fluid saturation of the melts. The abundance of leucogranites, whose geochemical characteristics cannot be explained from the standpoint of shallow differentiation of primary magmas, indicates the leading role of fluid-magmatic interaction processes in the formation of high-silica magmas.

LunaIcy: Exploring Europa’s Icy Surface Microstructure through Multiphysics Simulations

Abstract A multiphysics simulation model incorporating a sintering model coupled with the MultIHeaTS thermal solver was developed to study the evolution of icy moons’ microstructure. The sintering process is highly dependent on temperature, and this study represents the first attempt in planetary science to examine the coupled interaction between heat transfer and sintering. Our approach to ice sintering is based upon the literature while offering a refined description of the matter exchange between grains, bonds, and the pore space. By running the numerical framework, we simulate the evolution of ice microstructure on Galilean satellites, specifically tracking the changes in the ice grain and bond radii over time. LunaIcy, our multiphysics model, was applied to study the evolution of Europa’s ice microstructure over 1 million yr along its orbit, with a parameter exploration to investigate the diverse configurations of the icy surface. Our results indicate that effective sintering can take place in regions where daily temperatures briefly surpass 115 K, even during short intervals of the day. Such sintering could not have been detected without the diurnal thermal coupling of LunaIcy due to the cold daily mean temperature. In these regions, sintering occurs within timescales shorter than Europa’s ice crust age, suggesting that, in present times, their surface is made of an interconnected ice structure.