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This article discusses the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) software in automatically detecting standard planes in fetal ultrasound exams. The study collected 692 fetal ultrasound exams from various centers in North America and Europe. The AI software demonstrated high performance in identifying standard planes, which could support practitioners in their clinical practice by evaluating exam completeness in real-time. The sensitivity of the AI software for labeling standard planes ranged from 0.914 to 0.937. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Two RCTs found no survival benefit for completion lymphadenectomy after positive sentinel lymph node biopsy compared with observation with ultrasound in patients with melanoma. Recurrence patterns and regional control are not well described for patients undergoing observation alone. Methods: All patients with a positive sentinel node biopsy who did not have immediate completion lymphadenectomy were identified from a single‐institution database (1995–2018). First recurrences were classified as node only, local and in‐transit (LCIT) only, LCIT and nodal, or systemic. Regional control and factors associated with recurrence survival were analysed. Results: Median follow‐up was 33 months. Of 370 patients, 158 (42·7 per cent) had a recurrence. The sites of first recurrence were node only (13·2 per cent), LCIT only (11·9 per cent), LCIT and nodal (3·5 per cent), and systemic (13·8 per cent). The 3‐year postrecurrence melanoma‐specific survival rate was 73 (95 per cent c.i. 54 to 86) per cent for patients with node‐only first recurrence, and 51 (31 to 68) per cent for those with initial systemic recurrence. In multivariable analysis, ulceration in the primary lesion (hazard ratio (HR) 2·53, 95 per cent c.i. 1·27 to 5·04), disease‐free interval 12 months or less (HR 2·38, 1·28 to 4·35), and systemic (HR 2·57, 1·16 to 5·65) or LCIT and nodal (HR 2·94, 1·11 to 7·79) first recurrence were associated significantly with decreased postrecurrence survival. Maintenance of regional control required therapeutic lymphadenectomy in 13·0 per cent of patients during follow‐up. Conclusion: Observation after a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with good regional control, permits assessment of the time to and pattern of recurrence, and spares lymphadenectomy‐related morbidity in patients with melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (II) complexes of Schiff bases; 2-acetylthiophene 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone (AT-PTSC) and 2-furylmethylketone-4-phenylthiosemi-carbazone (AF-PTSC) derived from condensation of 2-acetylthiophene and 2-furylmethylketone (2-acetylfuran) each with 4-phenylthiosemicarbazide in (1:1 molar ratio) ethanol, have been synthesized. The Schiff bases and the Mn(II) complexes were characterized on the basis of melting point/decomposition temperature, solubility, magnetic susceptibility, infrared spectra, molar conductance measurements, elemental and gravimetric analyses. The Mn(II) complexes show moderate values of decomposition temperatures. The Schiff bases and the complexes were soluble in some common organic solvents. Infrared spectral data of the Schiff bases and their complexes, indicate coordination of the Schiff bases to the metal(II) ion via azomethine nitrogen. The effective magnetic moment of the Mn(II) complexes suggested an octahedral geometry. The molar conductance values of the complexes show that the complexes are electrolytes. The results of the elemental analysis of the ligands and their complexes are in good agreement with the calculated values, suggesting a 1:2 (metal-ligand) ratio. Antimicrobial screenings of the ligands and their complexes were conducted against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus,) and two gram-negative (Salmonella typhii, and Escherichia coli) bacteria specie. Also three fungi mainly (Candida albicans, Mucus indicus and Aspergillus flavus) were tested. The results showed that both the ligands and the complexes are active against the bacteria and the fungi specie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Physical environment is being disturbed by numerous problems, including those caused by the constructions activities, such problems impacts on the environment right from the initial stage, operational and to the end of the life span of the built structure. The aim of the study was to suggest the main environmental impacts of construction in Kano state. About twenty six construction impacts were reveals from the past researches. However, all the impact was classified into nine main classes. Data for the study were collected from questionnaires and interviews survey administered to stakeholders of construction industry in Kano State. Data collected were analyzed and ranked using Relative Importance Index (RII), suggesting that they significantly impact on the environment thereby causing environmental degradation. Based on the results resource consumption was ranked highest among the major environmental impacts of constructing in Kano. The highest class, consist raw materials, water, fuel and electricity consumption. The paper concludes with recommendation which includes enforcement of extant rules, regulation and ethical code by government legislative on construction stakeholders, government should formulate and ensuring adequate use of construction design that will suite the environment in Kano. Also, all forms of construction practices should be subjected to an environmental impact assessment to determine the potential impacts and also formulate the ways to overcome it before execution. The study suggest also that, the chair personnel in construction companies should formulate some rules, code of conducts that will ensure good and fair sustainable construction practices in Kano. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The baridinos have gained importance in agriculture; however, many of them are yet to be described, as is the case for those affecting orchids. It is for this reason that the aim of this research was to identify the insect causing the wilting of petals on orchids belonging to the Catasetum integerrimum species at a site at La Estanzuela, municipality of Emilian Zapata, and El Espinal, municipality of Naolinco, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Orchids of the species C. integerrimum in specimens with flowers affected were monitored, as insects cause damage to these at the time of flowering. Thus, according to the morphological characteristics of larvae and adults and of the male and female genitals observed in vegetative material, as well as larvae and adults present on the flowers, it was confirmed that the species of curculionid that attacks the orchid is Stethobaroides nudiventris Champion, 1907. This is the first report of this curculionid as the agent causing wilting on C. integerrimum petals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of validity and reliability of the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) in Ecuadorian university students, since a cultural validation of the instrument has not been found in Ecuador. The study population consisted of a non-probabilistic sample of 600 participants (59.6% women and 40.4% men, M = 21 years, SD = 2.82). The factorial structure was examined with the method of extraction by Parallel Analysis of unweighted least squares (ULS) and of prominent rotation. In both, internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients and composite reliability. Like the original version, both subscales have a factorial structure of one dimension and are considered good in terms of reliability, which concludes that the scale meets the criteria of validity and reliability in Ecuador.

This paper presents a methodology to design reconfigurable switched-capacitor delta-sigma modulators (ΔΣMs) capable of keeping their corresponding power efficiency figures constant and optimal for a set of resolutions and signal bandwidths. This method is especially suitable for low-bandwidth, medium-to-high-resolution specifications, which are common in biomedical application range. The presented methodology is based on an analytic model of all different contributions to the power dissipation of the ΔΣM. In particular, a novel way to predict the static power dissipated by integrators based on class A and class AB operational transconductance amplifier is presented. The power-optimal solution is found in terms of filter order, quantizer resolution, oversampling ratio, and capacitor dimensions for a targeted resolution and bandwidth. As the size of the sampling capacitors is crucial to determine power consumption, three approaches to achieve reconfigurability are compared: sizing the sampling capacitors to achieve the highest resolution and keep them constant, change only the first sampling capacitor according to the targeted resolution, or program all sampling capacitors to the required resolution. The second approach results in the best trade-off between power efficiency and simplicity. A reconfigurable ΔΣM for biomedical applications is designed at transistor level in a 0.18-µm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process following the methodology discussed. A comparison between the power estimated by the proposed analytic model and the transistor implementation shows a maximum difference of 17%, validating thus the proposed approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tested the impact of moxidectin at peripartum on nematode fecal egg count (FEC) and clinical parameters on ewes in the high altitude tropical Andes of Colombia. FEC and clinical evaluations were performed on 9 occasions in 43 naturally infected ewes before and during gestation and after lambing. Moxidectin (Mox, 200 µg kg−1) was applied at late pregnancy (T1, n=15) or 48 hours after parturition (T2, n=14). 14 untreated ewes served as controls (C). Suckling lambs (n=58) remained untreated and underwent four clinical and parasitological evaluations until 8 weeks after birth. Mox efficacy equaled 99.3% (T1) and 96.9% (T2). Highest mean FEC value reflecting periparturient nematode egg rise (PPER) was recorded in C ewes at 4–6 weeks after lambing. Significant FEC reductions were found in T1 (94.8%) and T2 (96.7%) ewes (p<0.05). All lambs showed a significant and ewes-group independent increase in FEC before weaning (p<0.05). Clinical parameters (anemia and diarrhea) showed time- and treatment-related differences (p<0.05). Monitoring of FEC and clinical parameters linked to gastrointestinal parasite infections allowed demonstrating that postpartum or preweaning are two critical periods to nematode infection for sheep raised under tropical Andes high altitude conditions. Use of Mox as anthelmintic treatment prevented PPER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of African Medicine is the property of Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To identify permanent sequelae after sports injuries in children and adolescents.Methods: In 1985, a prospective register was drawn up of all sports related injuries reported that year by the residents of Trieste, Italy aged 6-15 years. Moderate to severe injuries (scoring >/= 2 on the abbreviated injury scale (AIS)) were the object of a longitudinal clinical study. In 1988, 30.9% of the 220 subjects enrolled had sequelae. A further follow up was undertaken in 1997.Results: The follow up in 1997 involved 54 subjects (26 girls; average age 24.5 years). Subjective and objective sequelae, by now considered to be permanent, were found in 61.1%, corresponding to 15% of the AIS >/= 2 injuries recorded in 1985. The prevalence of sequelae was similar in the two sexes, in relation to the child's age at time of injury, and in the different sports practised. It was higher in relation to the severity of the lesion (89% of AIS 3 injuries examined, 56% of AIS 2 injuries) and to the type of lesion and its location. With regard to AIS >/= 2 injuries, permanent sequelae were found in 50% of ankle fractures, 43% of elbow fractures, 33% of leg/foot fractures, 25% of knee sprains, and 23% of ankle sprains.Conclusions: The frequency of sequelae in sports injuries in children and adolescents is high. The risk appears to be connected to certain anatomical and functional age characteristics. Prevention strategies should include specific assessment of physical fitness and adequate follow up after the accident, particularly rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture and leadership research in the last decade witnessed a general upsurge. Empirical studies that determined the scores of the subgroup cultures and examined leadership styles and preferences in Nigeria, have not been exhaustively carried out. This study therefore examined subgroup cultures and leadership styles in Nigerian organizations. Due to the structure of most Nigerian public organizations which are characterized by multi-ethnic groups with heterogeneous cultural beliefs, this study examined the differences in the Hofstede’s culture dimensions’ scores, leadership styles and preferences among Yoruba subgroup in Nigeria with focus on Power Distance and Individualism/Collectivism. Survey research design was adopted, making use of questionnaire for data collection. The study made use of 345 members of staff purposively selected from among the Yoruba subgroups in the Central Bank of Nigeria Headquarters in Abuja. The data generated from the structured questionnaire were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for descriptive statistics. Hofstede’s culture dimensions of power distance and individualism/collectivism were computed using the Value Survey Module (VSM) developed by Hofstede. This study found that there is a high power distance among the Yoruba subgroup, and the leadership style preferred by the Yoruba’s is the democratic style of leadership and that the Yoruba subgroup is a collectivistic society.