Exercise-induced mitral regurgitation and right ventricle to pulmonary circulation uncoupling across the heart failure phenotypes

Exercise-induced mitral regurgitation (Ex-MR) is one of the mechanisms that contribute to reduced functional capacity in heart failure (HF). Its prevalence is not well defined across different HF subtypes. The aim of the present study was to describe functional phenotypes and cardiac response to exercise in HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF, according to Ex-MR prevalence. A total of 218 patients with HF [146 men, 68 (59–78) yr], 137 HFrEF, 41 HFmrEF, 40 HFpEF, and 23 controls were tested with cardiopulmonary exercise test combined with exercise echocardiography. Ex-MR was defined as development of at least moderate (≥2+/4+) regurgitation during exercise. Ex-MR was highly prevalent in the overall population (52%) although differed in the subgroups as follows: 82/137 (60%) in HFrEF, 17/41 (41%) in HFmrEF, and 14/40 (35%) in HFpEF (P < 0.05). Ex-MR was associated with a high rate of ventilation (VE) to carbon dioxide production (VCO2) in all HF subtypes [31.2 (26.6–35.6) vs. 33.4 (29.6–40.5), P = 0.004; 28.1 (24.5–31.9) vs. 34.4 (28.2–36.7), P = 0.01; 28.8 (26.6–32.4) vs. 32.2 (29.2–36.7), P = 0.01] and with lower peak VO2 in HFrEF and HFmrEF. Exercise right ventricle to pulmonary circulation (RV-PC) uncoupling was observed in HFrEF and HFpEF patients with Ex-MR [peak TAPSE/SPAP: HFrEF 0.40 (0.30–0.57) vs. 0.29 (0.23–0.39), P = 0.006; HFpEF 0.44 (0.28–0.62) vs. 0.31 (0.27–0.33), P = 0.05]. HFpEF with Ex-MR showed a distinct phenotype characterized by better chronotropic reserve and peripheral O2 extraction

AusTraits – a curated plant trait database for the Australian flora

We introduce the AusTraits database - a compilation of values of plant traits for taxa in the Australian flora (hereafter AusTraits). AusTraits synthesises data on 448 traits across 28,640 taxa from field campaigns, published literature, taxonomic monographs, and individual taxon descriptions. Traits vary in scope from physiological measures of performance (e.g. photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency) to morphological attributes (e.g. leaf area, seed mass, plant height) which link to aspects of ecological variation. AusTraits contains curated and harmonised individual- and species-level measurements coupled to, where available, contextual information on site properties and experimental conditions. This article provides information on version 3.0.2 of AusTraits which contains data for 997,808 trait-by-taxon combinations. We envision AusTraits as an ongoing collaborative initiative for easily archiving and sharing trait data, which also provides a template for other national or regional initiatives globally to fill persistent gaps in trait knowledge.Daniel Falster ... Raymond J. Carpenter ... Matthew D. Denton ... Gregory R. Guerin ... Juergen Kellermann ... Samantha E. Munroe ... Benjamin D. Sparrow ... et al

AusTraits, a curated plant trait database for the Australian flora

We introduce the AusTraits database - a compilation of values of plant traits for taxa in the Australian flora (hereafter AusTraits). AusTraits synthesises data on 448 traits across 28,640 taxa from field campaigns, published literature, taxonomic monographs, and individual taxon descriptions. Traits vary in scope from physiological measures of performance (e.g. photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency) to morphological attributes (e.g. leaf area, seed mass, plant height) which link to aspects of ecological variation. AusTraits contains curated and harmonised individual- and species-level measurements coupled to, where available, contextual information on site properties and experimental conditions. This article provides information on version 3.0.2 of AusTraits which contains data for 997,808 trait-by-taxon combinations. We envision AusTraits as an ongoing collaborative initiative for easily archiving and sharing trait data, which also provides a template for other national or regional initiatives globally to fill persistent gaps in trait knowledge

Computing capacitances of vias in multilayered boards

The capacitances of multilayered board vias are calculated by means of two methods: the Schwarz-Christoffel conformal mapping-finite difference procedure and the hybrid FEM/DBCI method. Different structures can be analyzed containing single or multiple ground planes, with finite or infinite thickness, with or without pads. Comparisons are made with other methods, showing that a greater accuracy is obtained by means of the two methods proposed

Coaxial conductor line open-end capacitances

Open-end capacitances for various coaxial lines are computed by means of a conformal mapping-finite difference procedure and by a refined finite element method. The results are compared with previous ones, and the accuracy of the computation methods is discussed

I cantieri dell'italianistica. Ricerca, didattica e organizzazione agli inizi del XXI secolo. Atti del XVII congresso dell'ADI - Associazione degli Italianisti

Gli atti raccolgono le relazioni plenarie e i contributi delle sessioni parallele del congresso Adi (Roma Sapienza 18-21 settembre 201