MSDeveloper: A Variability-Guided Methodology for Microservice-Based Development

This article presents a microservice-based development approach, MSDeveloper (Microservices Developer), employing variability management for product configuration through a low-code development environment. The purpose of this approach is to offer a general-purpose environment for the easier development of families of products for different domains: a domain-oriented development environment is suggested, where domain developers and product developers can utilize the environment as a software ecosystem. Thus, genericity is offered through supporting different domains. A domain is populated with feature and process models and microservices in a layered architecture. Feature models drive the product configuration, which affects the process model and the microservice layer. An experimental study was conducted to validate the applicability of the approach and the usability of the development environment. Students from different courses were assigned system modeling projects where they utilized helper tools supporting the provided methodology. Furthermore, professional software developers were consulted about this recommended domain-oriented development environment. Feedback from student projects and professionals’ remarks are analyzed and discussed

Analysis of Vector-Network-Analyzer-Based Power Sensor Calibration Method Application

Radio Frequency (RF) power sensor calibration is one of the essential measurements in RF and microwave metrology. For a reliable and accurate power sensor calibration, there are various methods, such as the substitution method, the direct comparison transfer method (DCTM), and the vector network analyzer (VNA)-based calibration method (VBCM). The VBCM is a method that is derived from the DCTM. It is a preferred method since the VNA has a better measurement capability and has fewer connection requirements for measurement devices. In this study, the milestones and potential application errors of the VBCM are given by considering the connection mistakes, measurement faults, calculation errors, and control software coding problems. At the end of the power sensor calibration measurements with the VBCM, the model function components and the uncertainty calculation examples according to the GUM Bayesian method are also presented in this study. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the VBCM compared to the former methods are discussed in this study

Radiological and Functional Comparison of Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Transtibial Versus Anteromedial Technique

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare radiological and functional outcomes of patients who had single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autologous hamstring tendon grafts using transtibial (TT) versus anteromedial (AM) femoral tunnel drilling techniques. Materials and methods: Sixty patients who had been operated on between 2010 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. Tunnel positions and widenings in the femur and tibia were evaluated with radiographs, arthrometric measurements with a Rolimeter arthrometer (Aircast, Summit, NJ, USA), stability assessment with Lachman and reverse pivot shift tests, and functional assessment with the International Knee Documentation Committee and Tegner and Lysholm scoring systems. Results: Tunnel enlargement in the sagittal and coronal planes of the femur was higher with the TT technique (P < 0.0001) and that of the coronal planes of the tibia was also higher with the TT technique (P = 0.01). During the assessment with the Rolimeter, the difference between sides was significant with the TT technique (P = 0.013). Positive results of the Lachman and reverse pivot shift tests were more frequent with the TT technique (P < 0.05), and the Lysholm scores were higher with the AM technique (P = 0.001). Conclusion: ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts by either TT or AM technique demonstrated similar and excellent results in terms of functional outcomes at the end of the first postoperative year. The TT group had increased tunnel enlargement, which may have uncertain long-term outcomes, compared with the AM group.WoSScopu

Chromosomal, Gestational, and Neonatal Outcomes of Embryos Classified as Mosaic by Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

To understand the clinical risks associated with the transfer of embryos classified as mosaic by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Analysis of multi-center data collected between 2017 and 2023. Patients of infertility treatment. Comparison of pregnancies resulting from embryos classified as euploid or mosaic using the 20-80% interval in chromosomal intermediate copy numbers to define a mosaic result. Rates of spontaneous abortion, birth weight, length of gestation, incidence of birth defects, and chromosomal status during gestation. Implanted euploid embryos had significantly lower risk of spontaneous abortion compared to mosaic embryos (8.9% [n=8672; CI95 8.3,9.5] vs. 22.2% [n=914; CI95 19.6,25.0]). Embryos with mosaicism affecting whole chromosomes (not segmental) had the highest risk of spontaneous abortion (27.6% [n=395; CI95 23.2,32.3]). Babies born from euploid, mosaic, and whole chromosome mosaic embryos had average birth weights and lengths of gestation that were not statistically different (3118g and 267 days [n=488; CI95 3067,3169 and 266,268], 3052g and 265 days [n=488; CI95 2993,3112 and 264,267], 3159g and 268 days [n=194; CI95 3070,3249 and 266,270], respectively). Out of 488 babies from mosaic embryo transfers, one had overt gross abnormalities as defined by the Centers of Disease Controls and Prevention. Most prenatal tests performed on pregnancies from mosaic embryo transfers had normal results, and only three pregnancies produced prenatal test results reflecting the mosaicism detected at the embryonic stage (3 out of 250, 1.2%; CI95 0.25,3.5). While embryos classified as mosaic experience higher rates of miscarriage than euploid embryos (with a particularly high frequency shortly after implantation), babies born of mosaic embryo transfers are similar to babies of euploid embryo transfers. Prenatal testing indicates that mosaicism resolves during most pregnancies, although this process is not perfectly efficient. In a small percentage of cases, the mosaicism persists through gestation. These findings can serve in risk-benefit considerations of mosaic embryo transfers in the fertility clinic

Borderline ovarian tumors: clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes - a multicenter study

Background: The optimal surgical management and staging of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are controversial. Institutions have different surgical approaches for the treatment of BOTs. Here, we performed a retrospective review of clinical characteristics, surgical management and surgical outcomes, and sought to identify variables affecting disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with BOTs

The Growth Characteristics of Patients with Noonan Syndrome: Results of Three Years of Growth Hormone Treatment: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Objective: Noonan syndrome (NS) is a multisystem disorder, and short stature is its most striking manifestation. Optimal growth hormone (GH) treatment for NS is still controversial. In this study, using a nationwide registration system, we aimed to evaluate the growth characteristics and the clinical features of NS patients in Turkey and their growth response to GH treatment

Microbial electrochemical technologies with the perspective of harnessing bioenergy: Maneuvering towards upscaling

Microbial electrochemical technologies have gained much attention in the recent years during which basic research has been carried out to provide proof of concept by utilizing microorganisms for generating bioenergy in an electro redox active environment. However, these bio-electrocatalyzed systems pose significant challenges towards up-scaling and practical applications. Various parameters viz., electrodes, materials, configuration, biocatalyst, reaction kinetics, fabrication and operational costs, resistance for electron transfer etc. will critically govern the performance of microbial catalyzed electrochemical systems. Majorly, the surface area of electrode materials, biofilm coverage on the electrode surface, enrichment of electrochemically active electrode respiring bacteria and reduction reactions at cathode will aid in increasing the reaction kinetics towards the upscaling of microbial electrochemical technologies. Enrichment of electroactive microbial community on anode electrode can be promoted with electrode pretreatment, controlled anode potential or electrical current, external resistance, optimal operation temperature, chemical additions and bioaugmentation . Inhibition of the growth of methanogens also increases the columbic efficiency, an essential parameter that determines the efficacy of bioelectricity generation. Considering the practical implementation of these microbial electrochemical technologies, the current review addresses the challenges and strategies to improve the performance of bio-electrocatalyzed systems with respect to the operational, physico-chemical and biological factors towards scale up. Besides, the feasibility for long term operation, the scope for future research along with the operational and maintenance costs are discussed to provide a broad spectrum on the role of the system components for the implementation of these bio-electrochemical technologies for practical utility

Time-dependent analysis of extra length of stay and mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive-care units of ten limited-resources countries: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

Ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAPs) are a worldwide problem that significantly increases patient morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (LoS), and their effects should be estimated to account for the timing of infection. The purpose of the study was to estimate extra LoS and mortality in an intensive-care unit (ICU) due to a VAP in a cohort of 69 248 admissions followed for 283 069 days in ICUs from 10 countries. Data were arranged according to the multi-state format. Extra LoS and increased risk of death were estimated independently in each country, and their results were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis. VAP prolonged LoS by an average of 2.03 days (95% CI 1.52-2.54 days), and increased the risk of death by 14% (95% CI 2-27). The increased risk of death due to VAP was explained by confounding with patient morbidity