Objectives: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard technique for assessing aortic stenosis (AS), with effective orifice area (EOA) recommended for grading severity. EOA is operator-dependent, influenced by a number of pitfalls and requires multiple measurements introducing independent and random sources of error. We tested the diagnostic accuracy and precision of aliased orifice area

In this paper, we derive the exact input/output transfer functions of the optimal a-posteriori probability channel detector for a general ISI channel with erasures. Considering three channel impulse responses of different memory as an example, we compute the BP and MAP thresholds for regular spatially coupled LDPC codes with joint iterative detection and decoding. When we compare the results with

Cloud computing has become a prominent technology for the computing paradigm in various industrial sectors nowadays. For most industrial applications to perform in real-time, the support of periodic computing is required. However, it remains a challenge when the computing is executed in a cloud, since both the network connection and the cloud environment are uncertain. In this paper, we propose a

The inquiry into topicality calls for a deeper understanding of explicit "topic markers" such as apropos and concerning, which are found in many if not all the languages of Europe. From a syntactic perspective, phrases introduced by such expressions are not identifiable with any of the construction types that alter the information structure of the clause involving the left periphery. Thus, apropos

This volume contains innovative papers that target the linguistic status of topic at the interface between grammar and discourse. The purpose of the volume is to discuss the universal properties of topics and, at the same time, to document the range of discourse-semantic and grammatical variation within this phenomenon in European languages. The volume is structured accordingly: (i) theoretical fo

This paper presents a novel analysis of the discourse properties of the phenomenon called "Stylistic Fronting" (SF). The widely held view according to which Stylistic Fronting has no discourse-semantic effects in Icelandic, but is related to topic or focus interpretation in Romance, is challenged. It is argued that SF is not simply triggered by formal features but has relevance for information str

Honeybees are one of our most important insects, not only for their pollination services but also for their production of honey. Honey is the main food for honeybees, produced from collected nectars and transported to the hive. Humans have consumed this mysterious food and applied it since ancient times in traditional medicine around the world. In 2005 we discovered an unknown key to honeybees’ he

This paper discusses early medieval stone towers on Gotland. It summarizes the scholarly interpretations of their functions and dating,and analysis the towers in different spatial settings; towers at farmsteads, at churches and at harbours. Generally, we should see the towers on Gotland as concrete symbols of the presences of different types of elite. The towers at churches and farms reflects the

In the first part of this chapter we illustrate how a big data project can be set up and optimized. We explain the general value of big data analytics for the enterprise and how value can be derived by analyzing big data. We go on to introduce the characteristics of big data projects and how such projects can be set up, optimized and managed. Two exemplary real word use cases of big data projects

Exercise during cancer treatment improves cancer-related fatigue (CRF), but the importance of exercise intensity for CRF is unclear. We compared the effects of high- vs low-to-moderate-intensity exercise with or without additional behavior change support (BCS) on CRF in patients undergoing (neo-)adjuvant cancer treatment. This was a multicenter, 2x2 factorial design randomized controlled trial (Cl

Urban agglomeration is an important strategy used to promote economic development and urbanization in China. Understanding the structure of urban agglomeration is therefore essential for policy-makers and planners. In this study, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration (BTHUG) is explored through a proposed spatial network analytical framework and a large mobile phone data set (over 20 milli

Background and Purpose: The evolution of total brain volume early after stroke is not well understood. We investigated the associations between age and imaging features and brain volume change in the first month after stroke. Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in the AXIS-2 trial. Total brain volume change from hyperacute MRI data to the first month af

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have limited effect from T-cell-based therapies, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade. However, recent data indicate that AML patients with TP53 mutation have higher immune infiltration and other immunomodulatory therapies could thus potentially be effective. Here, we performed the transcriptional analysis of distinct T-cell subpopulations from TP53-mu

Background: Physical activity (PA) may improve work ability and health in individuals with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). The use of wearable activity trackers (WATs) has been shown to increase PA and improve other health outcomes but little is known concerning their effect on work ability. The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of self-monitoring PA with a WAT on work abili

OBJECTIVE: To explore how persons who have returned to work perceive their work situation and work ability one year after stroke. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. SUBJECTS: A total of 88 persons of working age (mean age 52 (standard deviation; SD 8) years, 36% women), with mild to moderate disabilities following stroke, who had returned to work within one year after stroke participated in the study

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Neutrophils are themost abundant innate immune cells of the body and play a key role in septic pathogenesis. During sepsis activatedneutrophils release web-like traps decorated with various cellular proteins known as neutrophil extracellular traps(NET). The primary task of NET and NET-associated

Introduction There is controversy regarding the importance of air-transmitted infections for surgical site infections (SSIs) after orthopaedic surgery. Research has been hindered by both the inability in blinding the exposure, and by the need for recruiting large enough cohorts. The aim of this study is to investigate whether using a new form of air purifier using plasma air purification (PAP) in

Background: The response to neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy (NAC) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is impaired in up to 50% of patients due to chemoresistance, with no predictive biomarkers in clinical use. The proto-oncogene RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) has emerged as a putative modulator of chemotherapy response in several solid tumours but has a hitherto unrecognized role