An integrated quadruple voltage mixed quenching, and active resetting circuit (Q2RC) in a 150 nm CMOS process is presented in this paper. The Q2RC features an excess-bias voltage of 7.2 V, which is four times the 1.8 V supply voltage. The dead time can be adjusted from 7 ns to 29 ns, which corresponds to the count rate range from 34 Mcps to 142 Mcps. Post-layout simulation results for an external SPAD with an equivalent parasitic capacitance of 4 pF are reported. The achieved quenching time of the Q2RC is 1.75 ns, which results in 4.05 GV/s quenching slew rate, while the delay time is 1.1 ns, and the resetting time is 2.55 ns.

Tactile internet" refers to a network that can support real-time interactions between human operators and remote cyber-physical systems as if they were near to each other. For this, the network should support ultra-low latency communication, often referred to as the 1ms challenge. However, we observe that network requirements, such as latency and bandwidth, of tactile internet based cyber-physical systems or Tactile Cyber-Physical Systems (TCPS) are not static: they severely fluctuate over time. Therefore, for TCPS, static provisioning of network resources is sub-optimal. For optimal utilization of network resources, we propose a mechanism to, per TCPS flow, dynamically create, destroy and switch network slices, based on the network resources needed at that time. Our solution consists of two main components. First, we develop a clustering algorithm to determine the slices and their specifications required to support a TCPS flow. Second, we leverage Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and P4-programmable switches to enable on- the-fly provisioning and switching of these slices.

BACKGROUND Prefabricated myofunctional appliances (PMAs) are widely advocated for correcting Class II division I malocclusion. However, their effectiveness is associated with a high amount of uncertainty within contemporary literature. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to systematically examine the available literature regarding the effectiveness of PMAs in treating Class II division 1 malocclusion in children and adolescents. SEARCH METHODS Comprehensive unrestricted electronic searches in multiple databases as well as manual searches were conducted up to August 2018. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) matching the eligibility criteria. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two independent review authors were directly involved in study selection, data extraction, and bias assessment. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and the ROBINS-I tool were used for assessing the risk of bias. Quantitative pooling of the data was undertaken with a random-effects model with its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS Three RCTs comparing PMAs to activators and three NRS comparing PMAs to untreated controls met the inclusion criteria. On a short-term basis, exploratory quantitative synthesis indicated that the activators were more effective than the PMAs in correcting overjet with a mean difference of (1.1 mm; 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.77). On a long-term basis, there were no significant differences between the two appliances. Qualitative synthesis indicated less favorable soft tissue changes as well as patient experiences and compliance with the PMAs when compared to the activators. However, PMAs were associated with reduced costs compared to customized activators and modest changes when compared to untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS On a short-term basis, low quality of evidence suggests that PMAs were generally less effective than the activators in treating Class II division 1 malocclusion. The main advantage of PMAs seems to be their reduced costs. These results should be viewed with caution, as a definitive need for high-quality long-term research into this area is required. REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42018108564).

The computer network industry is preparing for the revolution caused by the virtualization of the network infrastructure. The virtualization of network functions, together with the network programmability, is a fundamental skill-set required in both electrical engineers and computer scientists, which will become even more significant in the upcoming years. Therefore, in this article, we present an educational framework for Service Function Chaining (SFC) practical teaching to undergraduate students aiming to prepare them for future Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and communication networks market that will demand skillful professionals in the domain. The educational framework was designed for the Network Management course at the University of Antwerp. To structure the content of the framework’s sessions, we explain the fundamental concepts behind the SFC. Moreover, we detail the framework objectives, sessions, and how we plan to evaluate it. We also present facts and works that endorse the hands-on teaching preparing students for the research and development in the new generation communication networks arena. After, we discuss the methodology of the educational framework alignment with joint ACM/IEEE Computer Engineering Curricula for Network Management courses. Next, we present possible outcomes during the course evaluation using the survey. We conclude which this educational framework achieves the necessary core learning outcomes to empower students concerning the practical steps when deploying and managing communication networks and the virtualization techniques which nowadays are being applied.

Given the growing number of older people, society as a whole should ideally provide a higher quality of life (QoL) for its ageing citizens through the concept of personalised ageing. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are subject to constant and rapid development, and can contribute to the goal of an improved QoL for older adults. In order to utilise future ICT solutions as a part of an age-friendly smart environment that helps achieve personalised ageing with an increased QoL, one must first determine whether the existing ICT solutions are satisfying the needs of older people. In order to accomplish that, this study contributes in three ways. First, it proposes a framework for the QoL of older adults, in order to provide a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and patents in this field. The second contribution is the finding that selected ICT solutions covered by articles and patents are intended for older adults and are validated by them. The third contribution of the study are the six recommendations that are derived from the review of the literature and the patents which would help move the agenda concerning the QoL of older people and personalised ageing with the use of ICT solutions forward.

Abstract Background The ventricular stroke work (SW) refers to the work done by the left ventricle to eject the volume of blood during one cardiac cycle. The cath-lab relationship between SW and end-diastolic volume (EDV) is the preload-recruitable SW (PRSW). Recently a non-invasive single-beat PRSW (SBPRSW) has been proposed. However, the single beat formula needs mathematical skillness, and extra software. Aim of this study was to compare the non-invasive SBPRSW with the simpler non-invasive SW/EDVratio in the stress-echo lab. Methods We studied 692 patients, age 62 ± 12 years, ejection fraction 50 ± 17%, with negative stress echo (SE)(exercise, n = 130, dobutamine, n = 124, dipyridamole, n = 438) and follow-up data. The PRSW was estimated at rest and at peak stress by the SBPRSW technique and compared with the SW/EDV. All patients were followed-up. Event rates were estimated with Kaplan–Meier curves. Results SBPRSW and SW/EDV were linearly correlated at rest (r = 0.842, p < .001) and at peak stress (r = 0.860, p < .001). During a median follow-up of 20 months (first quartile 8, third quartile 40 months), 132 major events were registered: at receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis rest SBPRSW vs. SW/EDV (AUC 0.691 vs. 0.722) and peak stress (AUC 0.744 vs. 0.800) demonstrated both a significant prognostic power (all p < .001) with non-inferior survival prediction of the simpler SW/EDV ratio at Kaplan–Meier curves (Chi-square rest = 38, peak = 56) vs. SBPRSW (Chi-square rest = 14, peak = 42). Conclusions The data obtained with the non-invasive SBPRSW and by the simpler SW/EDV are highly comparable. PRSW with either SB or SW/EDV approach is effective in predicting follow-up events.

Introduction: Emergency cerclage in the second trimester is aestablished treatment for a dilated cervix. Aim: To report a case of a successful cerclage performed in a 33-year old woman in her secondpregnancy, after 5 years of non-successfulpregnancy outcomes. Case report: In her fourth month of pregnancy, the patient was hospitalized because of suprapubic pressure. After complete laboratory results, ultrasound and vaginal examination the patient was diagnosed with cervical shortening, cervical canal was opened 3cm, with prolapse and bulging of the fetal membranes in vagina. An amount of 120 ml of clear amniotic fluid was removed transabdominally under ultrasound guidance, and sent to the microbiological and genetical analysis. McDonald emergency cerclage of the cervical canal was performed. Patient was monitored few days on department and released home with advice of strict reduction of activity to minimum, and prescribed therapy due to that: antithrombotic, progesterone and antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Amnioreduction at the time of emergency cerclage placement is associated with a lower rate of extreme prematurity and related neonatal morbidity. Successful outcome is not impossible, along with adequate antibiotic regimen, bed rest and regular obstetrical control/checkup.

Introduction: The association of acute intermitetn porphyria (AIP) with pregnancy and as a cause of spontaneous abortion is rare. Aim: To show a case of AIP known before pregnancy in a patient who had a spontaneous abortion. Case report: A gynecologist examined 26-year-old patient in the 8th week of gestation, due to initial spontaneous abortion, abdominal pain, constipation, muscle weakness, vomiting and dark colour of urine. Her therapy was dydrogesterone. In consultation with an anesthesiologist, a short intravenous anesthesia, vacuum aspiration, and curettage were performed.During hospitalization, the patient ceased to take harmful drugs and she was given haemarginate, glucose and symptomatic drugs, and she recovered completely. Conclusion: Treatment of threatened spontaneous abortion in AIP remains the subject of dilemma and controversy, and future research is needed.

Introduction: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is usually effectively treated with transurethral resection (TUR), most often followed by intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or intravesical chemotherapy. Although the precise mechanism of BCG immunotherapy is still unclear, a local immune response is presumed. However, a number of severe side effects and complications are related to intravesical immunotherapy. AIM: Aim of this report is to present rare case of the renal granulomatous disease in a patient previously treated with intravesical instillation of BCG immunotherapy, following TURBT. In addition, we performed review of previously reported cases of renal granulomas following intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Case report: A 79-year-old man was presented to Urology Clinic due to clinically verified tumor of the urinary bladder. After transurethral resection of bladder tumor, histopathological analysis revealed the diagnosis of papillary urothelial high-grade pT1 carcinoma. Intravesical BCG immunotherapy was initiated, according to protocol currently used in our institution. Upon completion of therapy with BCG, we re-examined the patient and, using ultrasound, found a change in the right kidney, resembling moth bites not seen on CT scan before TURBT. Additionally, CT-guided core-needle biopsy of the affected kidney was performed, and the specimen was sent for histopathological analysis, which revealed chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Antituberculotic therapy was initiated for 6 months. Upon completion of antituberculotic therapy, control CT-scan was performed at follow-up, indicating regression of changes on the right kidney. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the importance of consistent implementation of follow-up protocol and the identification of lesions during the asymptomatic period and enables the proper treatment of the disease. To reduce the incidence of adverse effects of BCG treatment for bladder tumors, an individualized approach is needed.

The development of science is essential when it comes to the development of society, while the mathematics necessary for the development of science. The fact that the children are all clearer, more capable and versatile, and their mathematical knowledge smaller and worse, motivated me to this research.How would our society be better you need to choose talented and creative young people who will represent the same company. One way of selecting children, and choosing the best are just competitions. In this work, attention will be focused on additional classes and competitions of teaching mathematics, as well as their importance in the education and development of children in schools.When it comes to gifted students, one of the main events where they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills are the competition.The overall objective of this research is to determine the extent to which the additional classes represented in schools and how many students go to additional classes and competitions in mathematics.The study included 103 primary school students in the municipality of Ilijaš. The results obtained in this study mostly on the representation of additional teaching of mathematics in schools or with, a small number of students. Because the necessary mathematical talent, the will and desire to learn mathematics. Viewed from the perspective that the disciples mathematics not so favorite subject, these are the expected results.

Many traditional remedies represent potential candidates for integration with modern medical practice, but credible data on their activities are often scarce. For the first time, the anti-virulence potential and the safety for human use of the ethanol extracts of two medicinal plants, Persicaria maculosa (PEM) and Bistorta officinalis (BIO), have been addressed. Ethanol extracts of both plants exhibited anti-virulence activity against the medically important opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At the subinhibitory concentration of 50 µg/mL, the extracts demonstrated a maximal inhibitory effect (approx. 50%) against biofilm formation, the highest reduction of pyocyanin production (47% for PEM and 59% for BIO) and completely halted the swarming motility of P. aeruginosa. Both extracts demonstrated better anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities, and a better ability to interfere with LasR receptor, than the tested dominant extracts’ constituents. The bioactive concentrations of the extracts were not toxic in the zebrafish model system. This study represents an initial step towards the integration of P. maculosa and B. officinalis for use in the treatment of Pseudomonas infections.

Simple summary Halophytic plants are a promising animal feed source. However, the extreme NaCl2 salt content constraints their use. Excess diet salt adversely affects growth performance and animal’s reproduction worldwide. This review focuses on the impact of high salt intake on growth performance and reproduction ability in animals. Abstract Salinity is a reliable issue of crop productivity loss in the world and in certain tropical and subtropical zones. However, tremendous progress in the genetic improvement of plants for salinity tolerance has been made over several decades. In light of this, halophytic plants can be used as animal feeds and have promising features because they are a good feed resource. However, the main constraint of saline pasture systems is the extreme concentration of NaCl salt in drinking water and forage plants for grazing animals. Ecological reports revealed that excess diet salt causes mortality and morbidity worldwide. Animal fed halophytic forages may have adverse effects on growth performance and reproductive function in males and females due to inducing reductions in hormone regulation, such as testosterone, FSH, LH, and leptin. It was indicated that high salt intake promotes circulating inflammatory factors in the placenta and is associated with adversative effects on pregnancy. This review focuses on the scientific evidence related to the effect of high salt intake on growth performance, spermatogenesis, sperm function, and testicular morphology changes in male animals. In addition, the review will also focus on its effect on some female reproductive features (e.g., ovarian follicle developments, placental indices, and granulosa cell function).

Cardiopulmonary exercise monitoring is a valuable method not only for the evaluation of medical health, but also for the assessment of patients with cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction. Spiroergometry provides additional criteria for the assessment of cardiopulmonary efficiency compared to simple ergometry. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is the most critical variable during spiroergometry. Most submaximal exercise measures provide the heart rate (HR) response to predetermined workloads in equations or nomograms used to predict VO2max. According to previous studies, the heart rate is divided into five fields. In this paper, we are doing a new redistribution of heart rates-to-workloads into seven fields, corresponding to the ergo bar. In other words, an answer is given based on the initial anthropological values of the subjects, when and in which field there will be a mismatch between the lung capacity of the subjects and the power required for that field.

The aim of the research was to determine the effects of specially programmed physical and health education with the application of content from sports games (basketball, volleyball, and handball) in the duration of one semester to qualitative changes in situational motor skills in students in the fifth grade of elementary school. The study included 106 pupils of the V class, aged 10 to 11 years, clinically and mentally healthy, and with no pronounced morphological and locomotor impairments. The sample of respondents was divided into two subgroups, an experimental group (53 pupils), who carried out physical education classes according to the modified plan and program of sports games (basketball, volleyball, and handball) for a semester and a control group (53 pupils) who attended regular classes from physical education according to the current curriculum. In order to determine qualitative changes in situational motor abilities, descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis were used. The results of the factor analysis show that there were statistically significant qualitative changes, and based on the results of t-tests it can be concluded that they are statistically significant at levels less than 1% for the SMKVLS variable, and at levels less than 5% for the variables SMRBLZ and SMRVLS. In the final measurement, there was a change in value and thus a difference in the variables of the SMKBLK after the program of work.