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Background: There is limited available data regarding the impact of cycle length (CL) prolongation when converting atrial fibrillation (AF) to organized atrial tachycardia (AT) and its effect on clinical outcomes. Methods and Method: We retrospectively screened and included a cohort of 132 patients with persistent or long‐standing persistent AF who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) and left atrial substrate modification (LASM) between January 2015 and October 2019. In all 132 consecutive patients, persistent AF was successfully converted into organized AT. For cases with recurrence after a 3‐month blanking period, a repeat procedure was conducted. Results: We observed a notable prolongation in CL after ablation (average increase of 56.6 ± 30 ms). Following a median follow‐up duration of 9.5 ± 5.1 months, 27 patients experienced recurrence. Through receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis, a prolonged CL cut‐off of 42.5 ms was identified, with a specificity of 71% and a sensitivity of 59.4%. Patients were categorized into two groups: those with CL less than 42.5 ms (group A, n = 48) and those with CL more than 42.5 ms (group B, n = 84). The Kaplan–Meier survival curves demonstrated a significantly higher recurrence‐free rate after catheter ablation in group B compared to group A (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Upon termination of persistent AF into AT during ablation, it was found that CL prolongation beyond 42.5 ms was associated with improved freedom from arrhythmia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the estrous cycle length of the Algerian Arbia goat in Northern Algeria. For this, eighteen (18) Arbia goats, aged between 2 and 6 years, were used in our work that took place in the experimental farm of the Saad Dahlab University (Blida, Algeria). Blood samples were taken from each goat twice a week (at a 2 or 3-day interval) for 3 months. The serum progesterone concentration was determined by Radio-Immuno-Assay. Smears of the vaginal mucosa were taken at the same time as the blood samples. The predominance of superficial cells on the smear of the vaginal mucosa as well as a serum progesterone level less than 1 ng/mL expressed the return to estrous which was considered the beginning of a new cycle. A negative correlation was observed between the percentage of superficial cells (SC) and serum progesterone (P4) levels in all goats. Our results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) between the means of different cycle lengths obtained among the females. In addition, normal cycles had an average of 20.11±1.85 days (17-25 days) representing 59.6% of cycles. Besides, a large number of short cycles (<17 days) with an average of 14.41±1.51 days were found representing 25.5% of recorded cycles. The number of long cycles (>25 days; with an average of 32.14±5.58 days), represented 14.9% of recorded cycles. Following these results, it can be concluded that the local goat in Northern Algeria had different types of cycles (normal, short, and long) with a large percentage of normal cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the estrous cycle length of the Algerian Arbia goat in Northern Algeria. For this, eighteen (18) Arbia goats, aged between 2 and 6 years, were used in our work that took place in the experimental farm of the Saad Dahlab University (Blida, Algeria). Blood samples were taken from each goat twice a week (at a 2 or 3-day interval) for 3 months. The serum progesterone concentration was determined by Radio-Immuno-Assay. Smears of the vaginal mucosa were taken at the same time as the blood samples. The predominance of superficial cells on the smear of the vaginal mucosa as well as a serum progesterone level less than 1 ng/mL expressed the return to estrous which was considered the beginning of a new cycle. A negative correlation was observed between the percentage of superficial cells (SC) and serum progesterone (P4) levels in all goats. Our results showed a significant difference (P25 days; with an average of 32.14±5.58 days), represented 14.9% of recorded cycles. Following these results, it can be concluded that the local goat in Northern Algeria had different types of cycles (normal, short, and long) with a large percentage of normal cycles.

Background: Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the estrous cycle in animal studies. However, epidemiological research investigating their associations with menstrual cycle characteristics is limited. Objective: To explore the relationships between phthalate exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics among women seeking fertility assistance. Methods: We determined the levels of eight phthalate metabolites in both follicular fluid (FF) and urine specimens collected from 441 women in the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) cohort, using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Information about menstrual cycle parameters was obtained through a questionnaire. The impacts of individual and joint exposure to phthalates on menstrual cycle characteristics were assessed using multivariable linear regression, Poisson regression, and quantile g-computation approaches. Results: After adjusting for relevant covariates, we found that per log10-unit increase in mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) level in urine specimens was associated with a decrease of 0.20 days (95 % CI: −0.37, −0.03) in bleeding duration. We also observed that mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (∑DEHP) concentrations in FF samples were inversely related to cycle length [β = −1.92 (95 % CI: −3.10, −0.75) and −1.87 (95 % CI: −3.56, −0.19), respectively]. However, we generally observed null associations between phthalate metabolites and irregular cycle, dysmenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, or cycle length variation. Furthermore, we also found that phthalate metabolite mixtures in FF and urine were generally unrelated to menstrual cycle characteristics. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that some DEHP metabolites in FF and urine are inversely associated with menstrual cycle length and menstrual bleeding duration in women attending a fertility center.

Aims Although the mechanism of an atrial tachycardia (AT) can usually be elucidated using modern high-resolution mapping systems, it would be helpful if the AT mechanism and circuit could be predicted before initiating mapping. Objective We examined if the information gathered from the cycle length (CL) of the tachycardia can help predict the AT-mechanism and its localization. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight activation maps of ATs including eight focal-ATs, 94 macroreentrant-ATs, and 36 localized-ATs in 95 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Maximal CL (MCL) and minimal CL (mCL) over a minute period were measured via a decapolar catheter in the coronary sinus. CL-variation and beat-by-beat CL-alternation were examined. Additionally, the CL-respiration correlation was analysed by the RhythmiaTM system. : Both MCL and mCL were significantly shorter in macroreentrant-ATs [MCL = 288 (253–348) ms, P = 0.0001; mCL = 283 (243–341) ms, P = 0.0012], and also shorter in localized-ATs [MCL = 314 (261–349) ms, P = 0.0016; mCL = 295 (248–340) ms, P = 0.0047] compared to focal-ATs [MCL = 506 (421–555) ms, mCL = 427 (347–508) ms]. An absolute CL-variation (MCL-mCL) < 24 ms significantly differentiated re-entrant ATs from focal-ATs with a sensitivity = 96.9%, specificity = 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) = 66.7%. The beat-by-beat CL-alternation was observed in 10/138 (7.2%), all of which showed the re-entrant mechanism, meaning that beat-by-beat CL-alternation was the strong sign of re-entrant mechanism (PPV = 100%). Although the CL-respiration correlation was observed in 28/138 (20.3%) of ATs, this was predominantly in right-atrium (RA)-ATs (24/41, 85.7%), rather than left atrium (LA)-ATs (4/97, 4.1%). A positive CL-respiration correlation highly predicted RA-ATs (PPV = 85.7%), and negative CL-respiration correlation probably suggested LA-ATs (NPV = 84.5%). Conclusion Detailed analysis of the tachycardia CL helps predict the AT-mechanism and the active AT chamber before an initial mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work presents a depleted demand inventory model with constant deterioration. The rate of change of demand is assumed to be a time-dependent function. Initial non-zero demand occurs due to advertisements. Advertisement cost is assumed to be constant. Two types of models are considered for two replenishment strategies viz., without shortages and with shortages. This study aims to obtain a suitable policy for replenishment for minimizing the total inventory cost. Four examples about the alterations made in the optimal solutions due to different values of independent parameters used in the models are considered and discussed. Sensitivity analysis is done and numerical illustrations are provided for validating the approach presented.

Abstract Background Metformin is the gold standard insulin sensitizer, which is widely used to treat insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, metformin may induce gastrointestinal side effects. Objective Inositols have long been debated as a potential alternative for metformin in treating PCOS. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inositols in treating PCOS. Methods The present systematic search was performed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase from the inception until October 20th, 2021. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included women diagnosed with PCOS and compared any inositols with metformin or placebo. Our primary outcome was cycle normalization, whereas secondary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), parameters of carbohydrate metabolism and clinical and laboratory hyperandrogenism. Results are reported as risk ratios or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Twenty-six RCTs were identified, including data of 1691 patients (806 inositol, 311 with placebo, and 509 metformin groups). In patients treated with inositols, the risk (CI: 1.13; 2.85) of having a regular menstrual cycle was found by 1.79 higher than in the case of placebo. Moreover, the inositols showed non-inferiority compared to metformin in this outcome. In the case of BMI (MD = -0.45; CI: -0.89; -0.02), free testosterone (MD = -0,41, CI: -0.69; -0.13), total testosterone (MD = -20.39, CI: -40.12; -0.66), androstenedione (MD = -0.69, CI: -1,16; -0.22), glucose (MD = -3.14; CI: -5.75; -0.54) levels and AUC insulin (MD = -2081.05, CI: -2745.32; -1416.78) inositol treatment induced greater decrease compared to placebo. Inositol increased sex-hormone-binding globulin significantly compared to placebo (MD = 32.06, CI:1.27; 62.85). Conclusion Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in PCOS. Moreover, inositols showed non-inferiority in most outcomes compared to the gold standard treatment; metformin. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021283275.

The discrete logarithm problem (DLP) in semigroups has attracted some interests and serves as the foundation of many cryptographic schemes. In this work, we study algorithms and lower bounds for DLP in semigroups. First, we propose a variant of the deterministic algorithm for solving the cycle length of torsion elements and show the lower bound of computing the DLP in a semigroup. Then, we propose an algorithm for solving the multiple discrete logarithm (MDL) problem in the semigroup and give the lower bound for solving the MDL problem by considering the MDL problem in the generic semigroup model. Besides, we solve the multidimensional DLP and product DLP in the semigroup.

The high capture cross-section (σc) of Gadolinium (Gd-155 and Gd-157) causes reactivity penalty and swing at the initial stage of fuel burnup in Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). The present study is concerned with the feasibility of the combination of mixed burnable poison with both low and high σc as an approach to minimize these effects. Two considered reference designs are fuel assemblies with 24 IBA rods of Gd2O3 and Er2O3 respectively. Models comprise nuclear fuel with a homogeneous mixture of Er2O3, AmO2, SmO2, and HfO2 with Gd2O3 as well as the coating of PaO2 and ZrB2 on the Gd2O3 pellet's outer surface. The infinite multiplication factor was determined and reactivity was calculated considering 3% neutron leakage rate. All models except Er2O3 and SmO2 showed expected results namely higher values of these parameters than the reference design of Gd2O3 at the early burnup period. The highest value was found for the model of PaO2 and Gd2O3 followed by ZrB2 and HfO2. The cycle burnup, discharge burnup, and cycle length for three batch refueling were calculated using Linear Reactivity Model (LRM). The pin power distribution, energy-dependent neutron flux and Fuel Temperature Coefficient (FTC) were also studied. An optimization of model 1 was carried out to investigate effects of different isotopic compositions of Gd2O3 and absorber coating thickness.

Simple Summary: The mechanism which ensures a mare recognises the presence of a pregnancy and receives an embryonic signal to prevent her returning to oestrus is known as maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) and occurs approximately 12 days after ovulation. We do not fully understand the MRP signal in the mare or the mechanisms involved in how it prevents lysis of the corpus luteum, the progesterone secreting structure on the maternal ovaries. This experiment aimed to determine if the timing of the MRP signal was specific to individual mares by examining when luteostasis (maintenance) of the corpus luteum reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5–29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10–14 of pregnancy. Individual mares showed a significant variation in when they consistently entered a period of luteostasis following embryo reduction (272–344 h post-ovulation). The presence of twins, the size of the embryonic vesicle, the interovulatory period and mare age did not factor into the timing of MRP in the individuals. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study. The present experiment aimed at determining whether the timing of the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) was specific to individual mares by determining when luteostasis, a failure to return to oestrus, reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5–29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10 (n = 20), 11 (n = 65), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 12) or 14 (n = 15) of pregnancy. Prior to embryo reduction, the vesicle diameter was measured in 71% (106/150) of the singleton pregnancies. The interovulatory interval (IOI) was recorded on 78 occasions in seven of the mares in either non-pregnant cycles (n = 37) or those in which luteolysis followed embryo reduction (n = 41). The earliest time post-ovulation at which the embryo reduction resulted in luteostasis in an individual was 252 h (mid-Day 10). Consistency in luteostasis following embryo reduction showed individual variation between mares (272–344 h). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an individual mare effect (p < 0.001) and an effect of the interval post-ovulation at which embryo reduction was undertaken (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect of vesicle diameter at the time of embryo reduction (p = 0.099), nor a singleton or twin pregnancy (p = 0.993), on the dependent of luteolysis or luteostasis. The median IOI between individual mares varied significantly (p < 0.05) but was not correlated to the timing of MRP. The timing of MRP varied between the mares but was repeatable in each individual. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metformin is the gold standard insulin sensitizer, which is widely used to treat insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, metformin may induce gastrointestinal side effects. Objective: Inositols have long been debated as a potential alternative for metformin in treating PCOS. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of inositols in treating PCOS. Methods: The present systematic search was performed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase from the inception until October 20th, 2021. Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included women diagnosed with PCOS and compared any inositols with metformin or placebo. Our primary outcome was cycle normalization, whereas secondary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), parameters of carbohydrate metabolism and clinical and laboratory hyperandrogenism. Results are reported as risk ratios or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Twenty-six RCTs were identified, including data of 1691 patients (806 inositol, 311 with placebo, and 509 metformin groups). In patients treated with inositols, the risk (CI: 1.13; 2.85) of having a regular menstrual cycle was found by 1.79 higher than in the case of placebo. Moreover, the inositols showed non-inferiority compared to metformin in this outcome. In the case of BMI (MD = -0.45; CI: -0.89; -0.02), free testosterone (MD = -0,41, CI: -0.69; -0.13), total testosterone (MD = -20.39, CI: -40.12; -0.66), androstenedione (MD = -0.69, CI: -1,16; -0.22), glucose (MD = -3.14; CI: -5.75; -0.54) levels and AUC insulin (MD = -2081.05, CI: -2745.32; -1416.78) inositol treatment induced greater decrease compared to placebo. Inositol increased sex-hormone-binding globulin significantly compared to placebo (MD = 32.06, CI:1.27; 62.85). Conclusion: Inositol is an effective and safe treatment in PCOS. Moreover, inositols showed non-inferiority in most outcomes compared to the gold standard treatment; metformin. Trial registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021283275. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance. Few randomized controlled trials (RCT) compared myoinositol (MI) with metformin (MET) regarding insulin resistance in PCOS. This was an open-label six-month RCT in women with PCOS (n = 45) with interventions MI 4 g/day or MET 2 g/day. Primary outcome was the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, weight, cycle length, lipids, testosterone, adverse effects, quality of life, and depression scores. Median age was 26 years. Body mass was index was 34.4 kg/m2. HOMA-IR was unchanged during MI (p = 0.31) and MET (p = 0.11) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.09). Median fasting glucose changed +0.2 mmol/L during MI (p < 0.001) and −0.1 mmol/L during MET (p = 0.04) (MI vs. MET p < 0.001). Median weight changed −2.3 kg during MI (p = 0.98) and −6.1 kg during MET (p < 0.001) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.02). Median cycle length decreased nine days during MI (p = 0.03) and 13 days during MET (p = 0.03) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.93). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) changed +0.1 mmol/L during MET (p = 0.04) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.07). All other blood parameters and scores of quality of life and depression remained unchanged during MI and MET (all p > 0.06) (MI vs. MET, all p > 0.27). Adverse effects appeared in four women during MI and 16 women during MET (MI vs. MET, p = 0.001). In conclusion, there was no effect on the metabolic outcomes during MI, but positive effects on fasting blood glucose, weight, and HDL during MET. The effect on cycle length was comparable during MI and MET. Adverse effects were less frequent during MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road transportation is the main factor affecting high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and poor air quality in the atmosphere. One cause is traffic congestion on urban streets due to plenty of travel demand over road network capacity and inefficient traffic management at signalized intersections. Moreover, typical vehicles consume much fuel affecting the problems mentioned above, and there is still little use of environmentally friendly vehicles, such as the hybrid car (HV). This research investigated how efficient traffic signal management could reduce vehicle fuel consumption approaching a signalized intersection in traffic congestion. In addition, the fuel consumption of HV was compared with that of conventional gasoline cars regarding how it could reduce fuel consumption in a condition of the adjustment of traffic signal management. Then, estimating fuel consumption at the intersection was assembled by traffic simulation to identify driving patterns/modes of each vehicle. The results indicated that an adjustment of traffic signal management at the intersection by optimizing cycle length calculation based on Webster’s method could reduce vehicle fuel consumption by decreasing vehicle delay and stop time. If HVs replaced conventional gasoline cars by at least 5%, fuel consumption would be significantly reduced when HVs stop and run at a fluctuated speed between 1-20 km/hr (crawling) near the intersection. Therefore, this research could well detect a reduction in fuel consumption of environmentally friendly vehicles, even for vehicles traveling at a crawl.

Atrial cycle length (CL) is an important feature for the analysis of electrogram (EGM) characteristics acquired during catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF), the commonest cardiac arrhythmia. Nevertheless, a robust ACL estimator requires the precise detection of local activation waves (LAWs), which still remains a challenge. This work aims to compare the performance in (CL) estimation, especially under fractionated EGMs, of three different LAW detection methods relying on different operation strategies. The methods are based on the hyperbolic tangent (HT) function, an adaptive amplitude threshold (AAT) and a (CL) iteration (ACLI), respectively. For each method, LAW detection has been assessed with respect to manual annotations made by two experts and performance has been estimated by confusion matrix and mean and individual (CL) error calculation by EGM types of fractionation. The influence of EGM length on the individual (CL) error has been additionally considered. For the HT method, accuracy, sensitivity and precision were 92.77–100%, while for the AAT and ACLI methods they were 78.89–99.91% for all EGM types. The CL error on the HT method was lower than AAT and ACLI methods (up to 12 ms versus up to 20 ms), with the difference being more prominent in complex EGMs. The HT method also showed the lowest dependency on EGM length, presenting the lowest and least variable error values. Therefore, the HT method achieves higher performance in (CL) estimation in comparison with previous LAW detection techniques. The high robustness and precision demonstrated by this method suggest its implementation on CA mapping devices for a more successful location of ablation targets and improved results during CA procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Several studies have emphasised the significance of high dominant frequency (HDF) and rotors in the perpetuation of AF. However, the colocalisation relationship between both attributes is not completely understood yet. In this study, we aim to evaluate the spatial distributions of HDF regions and rotor sites within the left atrium (LA) pre and post HDF-guided ablation in PersAF. Methods: This study involved 10 PersAF patients undergoing catheter ablation targeting HDF regions in the LA. 2048-channels of atrial electrograms (AEG) were collected pre-and post-ablation using a non-contact array (EnSite, Abbott). The dominant frequency (DF, 4-10 Hz) areas with DF within 0.25 Hz of the maximum out of the 2048 points were defined as "high" DF (HDF). Rotors were defined as PSs that last more than 100 ms and at a similar location through subsequent phase frames over time. Results: The results indicated an extremely poor spatial correlation between the HDF regions and sites of the rotors in pre-versus post-ablation cases for the non-terminated (pre: CORR; 0.05 ± 0.17. vs. post: CORR; -0.030 ± 0.19, and with terminated patients (pre: CORR; -0.016 ± 0.03. post: CORR; -0.022 ± 0.04). Rotors associated with AF terminations had a long-lasting life-span postablation (non-terminated vs. terminated 120.7 ± 6.5 ms vs. 139.9 ± 39.8 ms), high core velocity (1.35 ± 1.3 mm/ms vs. 1.32 ± 0.9 mm/ms), and were less meandering (3.4 ± 3.04mmvs. 1.5 ± 1.2 mm). Although the results suggest a poor spatial overlapping between rotors' sites and sites of AFCL changes in terminated and non-terminated patients, a higher correlation was determined in terminated patients (spatial overlapping percentage pre: 25 ± 4.2% vs. 17 ± 3.8% vs. post: 8 ± 4.2% vs. 3.7 ± 1.7% p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Using non-contact AEG, it was noted that the correlation is poor between the spatial distribution of HDF regions and sites of rotors. Rotors were longer-lasting, faster and more stationary in patients with AF termination postablation. Rotors sites demonstrated poor spatial overlapping with sites of AFCL changes that lead to AF termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Several studies have emphasised the significance of high dominant frequency (HDF) and rotors in the perpetuation of AF. However, the co-localisation relationship between both attributes is not completely understood yet. In this study, we aim to evaluate the spatial distributions of HDF regions and rotor sites within the left atrium (LA) pre and post HDF-guided ablation in PersAF.Methods: This study involved 10 PersAF patients undergoing catheter ablation targeting HDF regions in the LA. 2048-channels of atrial electrograms (AEG) were collected pre- and post-ablation using a non-contact array (EnSite, Abbott). The dominant frequency (DF, 4–10 Hz) areas with DF within 0.25 Hz of the maximum out of the 2048 points were defined as “high” DF (HDF). Rotors were defined as PSs that last more than 100 ms and at a similar location through subsequent phase frames over time.Results: The results indicated an extremely poor spatial correlation between the HDF regions and sites of the rotors in pre-versus post-ablation cases for the non-terminated (pre: CORR; 0.05 ± 0.17. vs. post: CORR; −0.030 ± 0.19, and with terminated patients (pre: CORR; −0.016 ± 0.03. post: CORR; −0.022 ± 0.04). Rotors associated with AF terminations had a long-lasting life-span post-ablation (non-terminated vs. terminated 120.7 ± 6.5 ms vs. 139.9 ± 39.8 ms), high core velocity (1.35 ± 1.3 mm/ms vs. 1.32 ± 0.9 mm/ms), and were less meandering (3.4 ± 3.04 mm vs. 1.5 ± 1.2 mm). Although the results suggest a poor spatial overlapping between rotors’ sites and sites of AFCL changes in terminated and non-terminated patients, a higher correlation was determined in terminated patients (spatial overlapping percentage pre: 25 ± 4.2% vs. 17 ± 3.8% vs. post: 8 ± 4.2% vs. 3.7 ± 1.7% p < 0.05, respectively).Conclusion: Using non-contact AEG, it was noted that the correlation is poor between the spatial distribution of HDF regions and sites of rotors. Rotors were longer-lasting, faster and more stationary in patients with AF termination post-ablation. Rotors sites demonstrated poor spatial overlapping with sites of AFCL changes that lead to AF termination.

The present experiment aimed at determining whether the timing of the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) was specific to individual mares by determining when luteostasis, a failure to return to oestrus, reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5–29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10 (n = 20), 11 (n = 65), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 12) or 14 (n = 15) of pregnancy. Prior to embryo reduction, the vesicle diameter was measured in 71% (106/150) of the singleton pregnancies. The interovulatory interval (IOI) was recorded on 78 occasions in seven of the mares in either non-pregnant cycles (n = 37) or those in which luteolysis followed embryo reduction (n = 41). The earliest time post-ovulation at which the embryo reduction resulted in luteostasis in an individual was 252 h (mid-Day 10). Consistency in luteostasis following embryo reduction showed individual variation between mares (272–344 h). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an individual mare effect (p < 0.001) and an effect of the interval post-ovulation at which embryo reduction was undertaken (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect of vesicle diameter at the time of embryo reduction (p = 0.099), nor a singleton or twin pregnancy (p = 0.993), on the dependent of luteolysis or luteostasis. The median IOI between individual mares varied significantly (p < 0.05) but was not correlated to the timing of MRP. The timing of MRP varied between the mares but was repeatable in each individual. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study.

Study Question: Are menstrual cycle characteristics throughout the reproductive lifespan associated with cancer risk?Summary Answer: Irregular and long menstrual cycles throughout the reproductive lifespan were associated with increased risk of total invasive cancer, especially obesity-related cancers.What Is Known Already: Long and irregular menstrual cycles have been associated with lower risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer and higher risk of endometrial cancer, but associations with other malignancies are less clear.Study Design, Size, Duration: Prospective cohort study. Prospective follow-up of 78 943 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study II between 1989 and 2015.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: We followed 78 943 pre-menopausal women without cancer history who reported the usual length and regularity of their menstrual cycles at different ages (14-17, 18-22 and 29-46 years). Cancer diagnosis was confirmed through medical record review and classified as obesity-related (colorectal, gallbladder, kidney, multiple myeloma, thyroid, pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, liver, endometrial, ovarian and post-menopausal breast) or non-obesity-related. We fitted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and cancer incidence.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: We documented 5794 incident cancer cases during 1 646 789 person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for BMI and other potential confounders, women reporting irregular cycles at age 29-46 years had an 11% (95% CI: 2-21%) higher risk of total invasive cancer than women reporting very regular cycles at the same age. This association was limited to obesity-related cancers, with a 23% (95% CI: 9-39%) higher risk and was strongest for endometrial cancer (HR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.09-1.77). Findings were comparable for cycle characteristics earlier in life and for menstrual cycle length. Very irregular cycles at age 14-17 years were associated with significant increase in risk of colorectal cancer (HR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.81).Limitations, Reasons For Caution: Our study might be subject to recall bias for findings pertaining to cycle characteristics in adolescence and early adulthood, as these were retrospectively reported. Generalizability to non-White women may be limited, as 96% of participants were White.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Women with irregular or long menstrual cycles in mid-adulthood had a statistically significantly higher risk of developing cancer, especially obesity-related cancers. This association was not limited to gynecological cancers. Obesity-related cancers may need to be added to the spectrum of long-term health consequences of long or irregular cycles, possibly warranting targeted screening among women who experience long or irregular cycles in mid-adulthood.Study Funding/competing Interest: This work was supported by grants U01 CA176726, U01 HL145386 and R01 HD096033 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier analysis can provide policymakers useful information for analysing the pandemic behaviours. This paper proposes a Fourier analysis approach for examining the cycle length and the power spectrum of the pandemic by converting the number of deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 in the US to the frequency domain. Policymakers can control the pandemic by using observed cycle length whether they should strengthen their policy or not. The proposed Fourier method is useful for analysing waves in other medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance. Few randomized controlled trials (RCT) compared myoinositol (MI) with metformin (MET) regarding insulin resistance in PCOS. This was an open-label six-month RCT in women with PCOS (n = 45) with interventions MI 4 g/day or MET 2 g/day. Primary outcome was the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes were fasting glucose, weight, cycle length, lipids, testosterone, adverse effects, quality of life, and depression scores. Median age was 26 years. Body mass was index was 34.4 kg/m2. HOMA-IR was unchanged during MI (p = 0.31) and MET (p = 0.11) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.09). Median fasting glucose changed +0.2 mmol/L during MI (p < 0.001) and −0.1 mmol/L during MET (p = 0.04) (MI vs. MET p < 0.001). Median weight changed −2.3 kg during MI (p = 0.98) and −6.1 kg during MET (p < 0.001) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.02). Median cycle length decreased nine days during MI (p = 0.03) and 13 days during MET (p = 0.03) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.93). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) changed +0.1 mmol/L during MET (p = 0.04) (MI vs. MET, p = 0.07). All other blood parameters and scores of quality of life and depression remained unchanged during MI and MET (all p > 0.06) (MI vs. MET, all p > 0.27). Adverse effects appeared in four women during MI and 16 women during MET (MI vs. MET, p = 0.001). In conclusion, there was no effect on the metabolic outcomes during MI, but positive effects on fasting blood glucose, weight, and HDL during MET. The effect on cycle length was comparable during MI and MET. Adverse effects were less frequent during MI.

It is known that the installation of edge rate lines can help reduce driving speed. Theoretically, higher edge rate density leads to higher perception speed, so as the effect of speed reduction. However, there has not been a successful evaluation of appropriate design cycle length requirements. A series of experiments were taken on the straight sections on Hangrui highway in China. The cycle length was separately set in different values of 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1 m. The results showed that cycle length had significantly influence on the speed reduction effect. When the length of spatial edge rate line in each cycle λ equalled to the value of 16, 8, 4, 2 m, the effect of speed reduction was significantly enhanced as λ decreased. Percent of average speed reduction was 0.8, 3.0, 5.8 and 7.4%, respectively. However, when λ = 1 m, speed reduction effect was weaker than λ = 2 m, reduction percent of average speed was 5.2%. Then, relations between acceleration and average edge rate was analysed. When temporal frequency of edge rate lines fell in (10 Hz, 19 Hz], the braking deceleration of drivers increased as the temporal frequency increased, which conformed to the relation between temporal frequency and perception speed; when temporal frequency was lower than 10 Hz, some drivers will speed up. It may be related to the threshold of perception speed difference; when temporal frequency was higher than 19 Hz, some drivers will speed up. It may be related to flicker fusion phenomenon. According to the experiments results, edge rate lines cycle length for future implementations should be determined by the speed distribution of the target road. First published online 19 August 2020

Facial blood flow, which typically exhibits distinctive oscillation at a frequency of around 0.1 Hz, has been extensively studied. Although this oscillation may include important information about blood flow regulation, its origin remains unknown. The spatial phase distribution of the oscillation is thus desirable. Therefore, we visualized facial blood volume oscillation at a frequency of around 0.1 Hz using a digital camera imaging method with an improved approximation equation, which enabled precise analysis over a large area. We observed a slow spatial movement of the 0.1-Hz oscillation. The oscillation phase was not synchronized, but instead moved slowly. The phase velocity varies with person, measurement location, and time. An average phase velocity of 3.8 mm/s was obtained for several subjects. The results are consistent with previous studies; however, the conventional explanation that the blood flow at a certain point oscillates independently of adjacent areas should be corrected. If the primary origin of the movement is myogenic activity, the movement may ascend along a blood vessel toward the upstream. Otherwise, the oscillation and its propagation can be considered to be related to Mayer waves. By determining the mechanism, some questions regarding Mayer waves can be answered. The direction of the wave (upstream or downstream) provides important information.

Facial blood flow, which typically exhibits distinctive oscillation at a frequency of around 0.1 Hz, has been extensively studied. Although this oscillation may include important information about blood flow regulation, its origin remains unknown. The spatial phase distribution of the oscillation is thus desirable. Therefore, we visualized facial blood volume oscillation at a frequency of around 0.1 Hz using a digital camera imaging method with an improved approximation equation, which enabled precise analysis over a large area. We observed a slow spatial movement of the 0.1-Hz oscillation. The oscillation phase was not synchronized, but instead moved slowly. The phase velocity varies with person, measurement location, and time. An average phase velocity of 3.8 mm/s was obtained for several subjects. The results are consistent with previous studies; however, the conventional explanation that the blood flow at a certain point oscillates independently of adjacent areas should be corrected. If the primary origin of the movement is myogenic activity, the movement may ascend along a blood vessel toward the upstream. Otherwise, the oscillation and its propagation can be considered to be related to Mayer waves. By determining the mechanism, some questions regarding Mayer waves can be answered. The direction of the wave (upstream or downstream) provides important information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fast ventricular tachycardias (VTs) have historically been attributed to shorter path lengths with smaller reentrant circuit dimensions in animal models. The relationship between the dimensions of the reentrant VT circuit and tachycardia cycle length (TCL) has not been examined in humans. This study aimed to analyze the determinants of the rate of human VT with comparison of circuit dimensions and conduction velocity (CV) across a wide range of both stable and unstable VTs delineated by high-resolution mapping.Methods: Fifty-four VTs with complete circuit delineation (>90% TCL) by high-resolution multielectrode mapping were analyzed in 49 patients (men, 88%; age, 65 years [58-71 years]; nonischemic, 47%). Fast VT was defined as TCL <333 milliseconds (rate >180 bpm). Unstable VT was defined by hemodynamic deterioration with an intrinsic mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg during a sustained episode.Results: The median TCL of VT was 365 milliseconds (306-443 milliseconds), and 24 fast VTs were characterized. A wide range of CVs was observed within the entrance (0.03-0.55 m/s), common pathway (0.03-0.77 m/s), exit (0.03-0.53 m/s), and outer loop (0.17-1.13 m/s). There were no significant differences in the median dimensions of the isthmus and path length between fast and slow VTs and between unstable and stable VTs. The outer loop CV was the only circuit component that correlated with TCL in both ischemic cardiomyopathy (r=-0.5, P=0.006) and nonischemic cardiomyopathy (r=-0.45, P=0.028). The duration of the longest diastolic electrogram was inversely correlated with the dimensions of common pathway (length: r=-0.46, P=0.001, width: r=-0.3, P=0.047) and predictive of rapid VT termination by a single radiofrequency application (r=-0.41, P=0.023).Conclusions: Because of a wide spectrum of CV observed within the reentrant path during human VT, the dimensions of the circuit were not predictive of VT cycle length. For the first time, we demonstrate that the CV of the outer loop, rather than isthmus, is the principal determinant of the rate of VT. The size of the circuit was similar between fast and slow VTs and between unstable and stable VTs. Long, continuous electrograms were indicative of spatially confined isthmus dimensions, confirmed by rapid termination of VT during radiofrequency delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To establish a simple criterion for determining a failed His-bundle pacing (HBP). This criterion states that if stimulus to QRS end interval is longer than His-bundle potential to QRS end interval ('S-QRSend > H-QRSend') then a failed HBP can be determined.Methods and Results: We performed retrospective analysis on 737 pacing tests around His-bundle in 241 patients and prospective analysis on 400 tests in 123 patients. A successful HBP is defined as that whole His-bundle is captured with or without capture of adjacent ventricular myocardium, otherwise, a failed HBP was considered. The output criteria and effective refractory period criteria were used as the gold standards for determining a successful HBP. The gold standards are that if decreasing the pacing output or pacing cycle length to a certain level results in duration or morphology changes of QRS, then a successful HBP is ascertained. In retrospective analysis of patients with normal His-Purkinje conduction, a failed HBP was determined in 31% (154/492) of pacing tests according to 'S-QRSend > H-QRSend'; all of them were validated by the gold standards (specificity = 100%). In prospective study, a failed HBP was confirmed according to the simple criterion with 100% accuracy in 33% (79/241) pacing tests. This simple criterion was also suitable for patients with His-Purkinje conduction disease although cases with 'S-QRSend > H-QRSend' rarely occurred.Conclusion: A failed HBP can be easily and reliably determined solely by 'S-QRSend > H-QRSend' in more than 30% pacing tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the development of performance, physiological and technical capacities as well as the effect of sport background among runners, kayakers and rowers when transferred to cross-country (XC) skiing over a 6-month training period.Methods: Twenty-four endurance athletes (15 runners and 9 rowers/kayakers; 15 men and 9 women) were tested for performance, physiological and technical capacities during treadmill running and roller-ski skating, double-poling ergometry, as well as upper-body, one-repetition maximum-strength (1 RM) at baseline (pre) after three (mid) and 6-months (post) of XC ski-specific training.Results: Peak treadmill speed when roller-ski skating improved significantly (13%, P < 0.01) from pre-post, with a larger improvement in runners than in kayakers/rowers (16 vs. 9%, P < 0.05), whereas peak speed in running was unchanged. Average power output during 5-min and 30-s ergometer double-poling tests improved by 8% and 5% (both P < 0.01), with improvement found only in runners on the 30-s test (8 vs. −2% in kayakers/rowers, P < 0.01). Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in running and double-poling ergometry did not improve, whereas VO2peak in roller-ski skating improved by 5% in runners (P < 0.05). Submaximal gross efficiency increased by 0.6%-point and cycle length by 13%, whereas 1 RM in seated pull-down and triceps press increased by 12 and 11%, respectively (all P < 0.05).Conclusion: Six-months of XC ski-specific training induced large improvements in sport-specific performance which were associated with better skiing efficiency, longer cycle length, and greater 1RM upper-body strength in a group of endurance athletes transferring to XC skiing. Furthermore, larger sport-specific development was found in runners compared to kayakers/rowers.

Start-up lost time is the time lost in the starting of the green time interval when a traffic signal phase changes from red to green and previously stopped vehicles in the curb line queue need time to accelerate to the desired speed. Actual traffic data analytics from newly installed loop coil detectors at all approaching upstream road segments of major intersections on Sathorn Road in Bangkok, Thailand, are used to confirm that the vehicle flow is obstructed considerably by the large start-up lost time. In this paper, the effect of a large start-up lost time is evaluated in terms of the travel time of passenger cars in a calibrated microscopic traffic simulation. The evaluation is based on the simulation of the urban mobility platform, while the traffic signal lights at major intersections are based on the standard Synchro optimization software. By the simulation, the average travel time per vehicle increases from 4% to 37% when the start-up lost time is varied from a baseline value of 1 s to the maximum value of 15 s, which potentially occurred in the actual traffic data collection in this paper. In addition, the optimal traffic signal green phase lengths increase from 2% to 42%, depending on the volume-to-capacity ratio. The similar increasing trend of optimal green time and average travel time per vehicle is observed using theoretical analysis based on M/M/1 and D/D/1 queues to support the results from Synchro. Findings of this paper are beneficial for understanding the impact of start-up lost time at signalized intersections.

Twenty years ago Bondy and Vince conjectured that for any nonnegative integer k , except finitely many counterexamples, every graph with k vertices of degree less than three contains two cycles whose lengths differ by one or two. The case k ≤ 2 was proved by Bondy and Vince, which resolved an earlier conjecture of Erdős et al. In this paper we confirm this conjecture for all k. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • This study included 441 women from the TREE cohort. • Urinary MEHP was inversely associated with bleeding duration. • MECPP and ∑DEHP in follicular fluid were inversely associated with cycle length. • Phthalate metabolite mixture was unrelated to menstrual cycle characteristics. Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the estrous cycle in animal studies. However, epidemiological research investigating their associations with menstrual cycle characteristics is limited. To explore the relationships between phthalate exposure and menstrual cycle characteristics among women seeking fertility assistance. We determined the levels of eight phthalate metabolites in both follicular fluid (FF) and urine specimens collected from 441 women in the Tongji Reproductive and Environmental (TREE) cohort, using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Information about menstrual cycle parameters was obtained through a questionnaire. The impacts of individual and joint exposure to phthalates on menstrual cycle characteristics were assessed using multivariable linear regression, Poisson regression, and quantile g-computation approaches. After adjusting for relevant covariates, we found that per log 10 -unit increase in mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) level in urine specimens was associated with a decrease of 0.20 days (95 % CI: −0.37, −0.03) in bleeding duration. We also observed that mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and the sum of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (∑DEHP) concentrations in FF samples were inversely related to cycle length [β = −1.92 (95 % CI: −3.10, −0.75) and −1.87 (95 % CI: −3.56, −0.19), respectively]. However, we generally observed null associations between phthalate metabolites and irregular cycle, dysmenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, or cycle length variation. Furthermore, we also found that phthalate metabolite mixtures in FF and urine were generally unrelated to menstrual cycle characteristics. Our findings suggest that some DEHP metabolites in FF and urine are inversely associated with menstrual cycle length and menstrual bleeding duration in women attending a fertility center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study, was to separate isthmus-dependent atrial flutter (IDAFL) from non-isthmus-dependent atrial flutter (NIDAFL) from the electrocardiogram (ECG) based on functional differences. BACKGROUND The ECG analyses of F-wave shape suboptimally separate NIDAFL from IDAFL. The authors hypothesized that anatomic and functional differences may result in greater wavefront variability in NIDAFL than IDAFL, allowing their separation. The authors tested this hypothesis in patients undergoing ablation for atrial flutter using a novel ECG algorithm to detect subtle F-wave variability, validated by intracardiac measurements. METHODS In 62 patients (23 NIDAFL, 39 IDAFL) ECG atrial wavefronts were represented as correlations of an F-wave template to the ECG over time. Correlations in orthogonal ECG lead-pairs were plotted at each time point to yield loops reflecting temporal and spatial regularity in each plane. The ECG analyses were compared with intracardiac standard deviations of: 1) atrial electrograms (temporal variability), and 2) bi-atrial activation time differences (spatial variability). RESULTS Atrial ECG temporospatial loops were reproducible in IDAFL, but varied in NIDAFL (p < 0.01) suggesting greater variability that correctly classified IDAFL (39 of 39 cases) from NIDAFL (22 of 23 cases; p < 0.001). Intra-atrial mapping confirmed greater temporal variability for NIDAFL versus IDAFL, in lateral (p < 0.01) and septal (p = 0.03) right atrium, and proximal (p = 0.02) and distal (p < 0.01) coronary sinus. Spatial variability was greater in NIDAFL than IDAFL (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Greater cycle-to-cycle atrial wavefront variability separates NIDAFL, from IDAFL and is detectable from the ECG using temporospatial analyses. These results have implications for guiding ablation and support the concept that IDAFL and NIDAFL lie along a spectrum of intracardiac organization.

We compare the macro-kinematics of six elite female cross-country skiers competing in 1.1-km Sprint and 10.5-km Distance classical technique events on consecutive days under similar weather and track conditions. The relative use of double pole (DP), kick-double pole (KDP), diagonal stride (DS), tucking (Tuck) and turning (Turn) sub-techniques, plus each technique’s respective velocities, cycle lengths and cycle rates were monitored using a single micro-sensor unit worn by each skier during the Sprint qualification, semi-final and finals, and multiple laps of the Distance race. Over a 1.0-km section of track common to both Sprint and Distance events, the mean race velocity, cyclical sub-technique velocities, and cycle rates were higher during the Sprint race, while Tuck and Turn velocities were similar. Velocities with KDP and DS on the common terrain were higher in the Sprint (KDP +12%, DS +23%) due to faster cycle rates (KDP +8%, DS +11%) and longer cycle lengths (KDP +5%, DS +10%), while the DP velocity was higher (+8%) with faster cycle rate (+16%) despite a shorter cycle length (-9%). During the Sprint the percentage of total distance covered using DP was greater (+15%), with less use of Tuck (-19%). Across all events and rounds, DP was the most used sub-technique in terms of distance, followed by Tuck, DS, Turn and KDP. KDP was employed relatively little, and during the Sprint by only half the participants. Tuck was the fastest sub-technique followed by Turn, DP, KDP, and DS. These findings reveal differences in the macro-kinematic characteristics and strategies utilized during Sprint and Distance events, confirm the use of higher cycle rates in the Sprint, and increase our understanding of the performance demands of cross-country skiing competition.

Genetic diversity of durum wheat landraces is a powerful tool for the introgression of new alleles of commercial interest in breeding programs. In a previous study, our team structured a collection of 172 durum wheat landraces from 21 Mediterranean countries in four genetic populations related to their geographical origin: east Mediterranean (17), east Balkan and Turkey (23), west Balkan and Egypt (25), and West Mediterranean (73), leaving 34 genotypes as admixed, and association mapping was carried out for important agronomic traits. Using a subset of this collection, the current study identified 23 marker alleles with a differential frequency in landraces from east and west regions of the Mediterranean Basin, which affected important agronomic traits. Eastern landraces had higher frequencies than the western ones of alleles increasing the number of spikes (wPt-5385 on chromosome 1B), grains per m2 (wPt-0841 on chromosome 7B), and grain filling duration (7 significant marker trait associations). Eastern landraces had higher frequencies of marker alleles located on chromosomes 4A, 5B, and 6B associated with reduced cycle length, and lighter grains than the western ones. Also for lower kernel weight, four marker alleles were located on chromosome 1A. Breeders may use the molecular markers identified in the current study for improving yield under specific Mediterranean environments.

Jitter and shimmer appear as symptoms of disordered voices and they are defined as the cycle-to-cycle variation of the cycle length and cycle amplitude, respectively. The frequency modulation of the phonatory excitation, i.e. vocal jitter, causes amplitude modulation (shimmer) of the speech signal due to the action of the vocal tract transfer function. In this Letter, the authors investigate the extent to which the vocal tract filtering affects the accuracy of measurement of vocal cycle perturbations of the phonatory excitation. To achieve this goal, the direct digital synthesiser is used to generate a series of glottal excitation cycles with the desired amount of vocal perturbations that crosses the vocal tract model to produce a set of 231 stimuli of sustained vowels [a]. Praat is used to measure the amount of perturbations. Results show that the values of the input shimmer inserted in the glottal excitation are smaller than the values measured by Praat. An undesired amount of shimmer is generated in the speech signal when the glottal excitation signal perturbed with jitter crosses through the vocal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapies have been associated with increased mortality and should be minimized when safe to do so. We hypothesized that machine learning-derived ventricular tachycardia (VT) cycle length (CL) variability metrics could be used to discriminate between sustained and spontaneously terminating VT., Methods and Results: In this single-centre retrospective study, we analysed data from 69 VT episodes stored on ICDs from 27 patients (36 spontaneously terminating VT, 33 sustained VT). Several VT CL parameters including heart rate variability metrics were calculated. Additionally, a first order auto-regression model was fitted using the first 10 CLs. Using features derived from the first 10 CLs, a random forest classifier was used to predict VT termination. Sustained VT episodes had more stable CLs. Using data from the first 10 CLs only, there was greater CL variability in the spontaneously terminating episodes (mean of standard deviation of first 10 CLs: 20.1 ± 8.9 vs. 11.5 ± 7.8 ms, P < 0.0001). The auto-regression coefficient was significantly greater in spontaneously terminating episodes (mean auto-regression coefficient 0.39 ± 0.32 vs. 0.14 ± 0.39, P < 0.005). A random forest classifier with six features yielded an accuracy of 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.67 to 0.87) for prediction of VT termination., Conclusion: Ventricular tachycardia CL variability and instability are associated with spontaneously terminating VT and can be used to predict spontaneous VT termination. Given the harmful effects of unnecessary ICD shocks, this machine learning model could be incorporated into ICD algorithms to defer therapies for episodes of VT that are likely to self-terminate., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: A.S., A.A., I.W., and F.S.N. are inventors on a patent application on implantable stimulation devices. D.K. reports Medtronic advisor and speaker honoraria, Z.W. reports Medtronic advisor and speaker honoraria, Abbott steering committee, and Boston Scientific speaker honoraria,, (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Introduction Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are fluorinated organic compounds that have been used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications. Menstruation is implicated as a possible route of elimination for PFASs in women. The overall purpose of this study was to examine menstrual cycle characteristics as determinants of plasma PFAS concentrations in women. Methods Our study sample consisted of 1977 pregnant women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (MoBa) study. The women were asked about menstrual cycle regularity in the year before the pregnancy and typical menstrual cycle length as well as other demographic and reproductive characteristics in a questionnaire completed during the pregnancy. Blood samples were collected around 17–18 weeks gestation and PFAS concentrations were measured in plasma. We examined the association between menstrual cycle characteristics and seven PFASs (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)) using multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking, education, income, parity, oral contraceptive use, inter-pregnancy interval, and breastfeeding duration. Results Irregular cycles were not associated with PFAS concentrations. Overall, we found no evidence of associations between menstrual cycle length and PFAS concentrations. In subgroup analyses we found some evidence, among parous women, of decreased PFHpS and PFOS with short menstrual cycles; we also found, among recent OC users (in the 12 months before the questionnaire) increased PFNA and PFUnDA with long cycle length. Limitations of our study include misclassification of menstrual cycle characteristics, small sample sizes in the sub-group analyses, and a lack of information on duration and volume of menses. Conclusions In the entire study sample, we found little evidence of menstrual cycle characteristics as determinants of PFAS concentrations. However, we observed some associations between cycle length and PFAS concentrations with some select PFAS compounds in subgroup analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling of inventory problems provides a good insight to retailers and distributors to maintain stock of different items such as seasonal products, perishable goods and daily useable goods etc. The deterioration of all these items exists to a certain extent due to several reasons like mishandling, evaporation, decay, environmental conditions, transportation etc. It is found from the literature that previously many of the researchers have developed inventory model ignoring deterioration and drawn conclusion. In the absence of deterioration parameter, an inventory model cannot be completely realistic. In this paper, we have made an attempt to extend an inventory model with ramp-type demand and price discount on back order where deterioration was not taken into account. In our study, deterioration and constant holding cost are taken into consideration keeping all other parameters same. As a result, the inventory cost function is newly constructed in the presence of deterioration. The objective of this investigation is to obtain optimal cycle length, time of occurrence of shortages and corresponding inventory cost. This extended model is solved for minimum value of average inventory cost analytically. A theorem is framed to characterize the optimal solution. To validate the proposed model, a numerical example is taken and convexity of the cost function is verified. In order to study the effect of changes of different parameters of the inventory system on optimal cycle length, time of occurrence of shortages and average inventory cost, sensitivity analyses have been performed. Also, the numerical result and sensitivity analyses are graphically presented in the respective section of this paper to demonstrate the model. This study reveals that a better solution can be obtained in the presence of our newly introduced assumptions in the existing model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compare the macro-kinematics of six elite female cross-country skiers competing in 1.1-m Sprint and 10.5-km Distance classical technique events on consecutive days under similar weather and track conditions. The relative use of double pole (DP), kick-double pole (KDP), diagonal stride (DS), tucking (Tuck) and turning (Turn) sub-techniques, plus each technique's respective velocities, cycle lengths and cycle rates were monitored using a single micro-sensor unit worn by each skier during the Sprint qualification, semi-final and finals, and multiple laps of the Distance race. Over a 1.0-km section of track common to both Sprint and Distance events, the mean race velocity, cyclical sub-technique velocities, and cycle rates were higher during the Sprint race, while Tuck and Turn velocities were similar. Velocities with KDP and DS on the common terrain were higher in the Sprint (KDP +12%, DS +23%) due to faster cycle rates (KDP +8%, DS +11%) and longer cycle lengths (KDP +5%, DS +10%), while the DP velocity was higher (+8%) with faster cycle rate (+16%) despite a shorter cycle length (-9%). During the Sprint the percentage of total distance covered using DP was greater (+15%), with less use of Tuck (-19%). Across all events and rounds, DP was the most used sub-technique in terms of distance, followed by Tuck, DS, Turn and KDP. KDP was employed relatively little, and during the Sprint by only half the participants. Tuck was the fastest sub-technique followed by Turn, DP, KDP, and DS. These findings reveal differences in the macro-kinematic characteristics and strategies utilized during Sprint and Distance events, confirm the use of higher cycle rates in the Sprint, and increase our understanding of the performance demands of cross-country skiing competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity of durum wheat landraces is a powerful tool for the introgression of new alleles of commercial interest in breeding programs. In a previous study, our team structured a collection of 172 durum wheat landraces from 21 Mediterranean countries in four genetic populations related to their geographical origin: east Mediterranean (17), east Balkan and Turkey (23), west Balkan and Egypt (25), and West Mediterranean (73), leaving 34 genotypes as admixed, and association mapping was carried out for important agronomic traits. Using a subset of this collection, the current study identified 23 marker alleles with a differential frequency in landraces from east and west regions of the Mediterranean Basin, which affected important agronomic traits. Eastern landraces had higher frequencies than the western ones of alleles increasing the number of spikes (wPt-5385 on chromosome 1B), grains per m² (wPt-0841 on chromosome 7B), and grain filling duration (7 significant marker trait associations). Eastern landraces had higher frequencies of marker alleles located on chromosomes 4A, 5B, and 6B associated with reduced cycle length, and lighter grains than the western ones. Also for lower kernel weight, four marker alleles were located on chromosome 1A. Breeders may use the molecular markers identified in the current study for improving yield under specific Mediterranean environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]