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Purpose: This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between children with bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) and lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) alone and healthy controls based on self-report forms and parent-proxy report forms. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, clinical records were reviewed. Children with LUTD, with or without bowel dysfunction, and healthy children were included in this study. The dysfunctional voiding scoring system and Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria were used to assess lower urinary tract symptoms. The Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria was also used to evaluate bowel symptoms. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) questionnaire was administered to investigate pediatric HRQoL. Results: Of the total 252 children (mean age, 7.3±2.1 years) who participated in this study, 78 were classified into the BBD group and 174 into the LUTD group. Compared with the control group, the BBD group had significantly lower total PedsQL scores (p

Abstract An altimeter is a critical instrument in planetary missions, for both safe operations and science activities. We present required specifications and link budget calculations for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) onboard the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft. During the mission phase, this LIDAR will continuously measure the distance between the spacecraft and its target. The time-series distance provides important diagnostic information for safe spacecraft operations and important information for geomorphological studies. Because MMX is a sample return mission, its LIDAR must accommodate physical disturbances on the Martian satellite surface. This resulted in changes to the optical system design. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) based on pre- and post-treatment self-reports and parent proxy-reports. Methods The study population comprised 117 children with at least one episode of DUI per week and their caregivers as well as 999 healthy children (control group). The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) questionnaire was administered to assess the HRQOL of children. To assess the degree of improvement in HRQOL, we categorized children into two groups: group A achieved complete response (CR) to treatment within 12 months and group B did not achieve CR within 12 months. CR was defined as the complete resolution of symptoms or alleviation of symptoms to

Congenital dermal sinus is associated with meningitis caused by atypical pathogens. Although nosocomial infections with Enterobacter aerogenes in limited settings have been reported, community-acquired infections associated with congenital dermal sinus are rarely observed. We present the first non-neonatal case of a 3-month-old boy with meningitis due to Enterobacter aerogenes associated with congenital dermal sinus. The patient visited our hospital with fever and a skin dimple with lumbosacral hemangioma. He was diagnosed with meningitis based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, which showed a cell count of 5717/µL. Subsequently, antimicrobial therapy with meropenem, cefotaxime (CTX), and vancomycin was initiated. His fever subsided, and the number of CSF cells decreased. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed for the dimple of the lumbosacral region, revealing the congenital dermal sinus. Enterobacter aerogenes was isolated from CSF and stool cultures, and treatment was adjusted to CTX alone based on susceptibility testing. However, the CSF culture remained positive. Although CTX was effective, the response to treatment was partial, and a switch to meropenem was required to achieve negative CSF cultures. In conclusion, Enterobacter aerogenes, although atypical, can cause community-acquired meningitis associated with congenital dermal sinus. Consistent with previous reports, in this case, a hemangioma on the back led to the diagnosis of congenital dermal sinus. Hence, systemic examination, including the back, is important. In addition, use of a third-generation cephalosporin (e.g., CTX) may not negate the CSF culture, even if it is effective. Thus, a switch to another drug (e.g., carbapenem) may be required.

A table-based method for the estimation of heavy-ion-induced Digital Single Event Transient (DSET) voltage pulse-width in a single logic cell has been developed. The estimation method is based on the actual heavy-ion-induced transient current data in a single metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) used in the logic cell. The DSET pulse waveform in an inverter is obtained from which the pulse-width was estimated to be 420 ps. This DSET pulse-width value (420 ps) falls within the reasonable range of the DSET pulse-width distribution measured by the self-triggering flip-flop latch chain under heavy-ion irradiation test conditions.

Background: In monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) treatment, enuretic alarm devices are the first recommended treatment option. This study aimed to compare retrospectively the effectiveness of wearable wireless and wired alarm devices for MNE treatment in children aged 6–14 years. Methods: All children aged 6–16 with MNE who underwent alarm therapy as outpatients were included. A wired alarm device was used from 2012 to 2015, and a wireless alarm device was used from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcomes were the dropout rates during therapy and at last follow up. The full response(14 consecutive dry nights) and the partial response rate during therapy were also assessed. Results: Of the 173 patients enrolled, 75 and 98 used a wired and a wireless alarm device, respectively. The dropout rate at the last visit was significantly lower in the wireless alarm group than that in the wired alarm group (6.1% vs. 20.0%; P = 0.006). The full response(FR) rate was significantly higher in the wireless alarm group than these in the wired alarm group at 4, 12, 24 weeks (4 weeks: 11.2% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.011; 12 weeks: 31.9% vs. 13.5%, P = 0.005; 24 weeks: 72.9% vs. 39.7%, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Wireless alarm therapy for MNE had lower attrition rates and a higher rate of FR than wired alarm therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash LiDAR is a relative navigation sensor that irradiates a target with pulsed laser light and then detects the reflected light to measure intensity, direction, and distance as a time of flight. We are developing “Flash LiDAR” for a space rendezvous. It employs a 3D image sensor that has a multi-pixel photon counter with photon-counting sensitivity and a readout IC with sub-nanosecond time of flight resolution. We conducted a feasibility study with a breadboard model to confirm it could satisfy functional and performance requirements of the HTV-X berthing mission, under limited configurations entailing a short range, a narrow field of view, and no relative position/attitude rate. We then obtained excellent performance results that satisfy the requirements of the HTV-X berthing mission. In this paper, we describe an overview and the features of our Flash LiDAR, the results of preliminary design and breadboard model tests, and the applicability to future space exploration missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) image sensors have many applications, including enabling autonomous vehicles to avoid obstacles and providing guidance, navigation, and control for spacecraft immediately before landing on a celestial body. Flash LIDAR is a system that can acquire a 3D image by emitting a diffuse pulsed laser beam, and hence is suitable for both obstacle detection and terrain measurement. In the 3D image sensors used for Flash LIDAR, a photosensor array and time measurement integrated circuit are vertically bonded. Here, we report the results of a detailed evaluation of the principles, functions, sensitivity, and time measurement accuracy of a prototype 1-k pixel (32 x 32 pixels) 3D image sensor based on a multi-pixel photon counting avalanche photodiode. By counting photons, a 3D image sensor is realized that has both high sensitivity and the ability to measure light intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an analog front-end application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with a fully depleted (FD) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology for readout of X-ray CCDs. The ASIC contains seven readout channels, each of which is equipped with the correlated double sampling circuit followed by an amplitude-to-pulse width conversion circuit. We combined the ASIC with an X-ray CCD for performance evaluation tests. We succeeded in processing analog signals from the CCD and confirmed an X-ray imaging and photon-counting capabilities by irradiating a radioisotope 55Fe. The energy resolution is 305 eV at 5.9 keV (full-width at half maximum) and the readout noise is 53.7µV for power consumption of 33 mW per chip. The ASIC proves that the FD-SOI process can be a practically usable option for front-end applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]