Demonstrating Agreement between Radio and Fluorescence Measurements of the Depth of Maximum of Extensive Air Showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory.

We show, for the first time, radio measurements of the depth of shower maximum (X_{max}) of air showers induced by cosmic rays that are compared to measurements of the established fluorescence method at the same location. Using measurements at the Pierre Auger Observatory we show full compatibility between our radio and the previously published fluorescence dataset, and between a subset of air showers observed simultaneously with both radio and fluorescence techniques, a measurement setup unique to the Pierre Auger Observatory. Furthermore, we show radio X_{max} resolution as a function of energy and demonstrate the ability to make competitive high-resolution X_{max} measurements with even a sparse radio array.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the reimplantation (David) technique: a systematic review and meta-analysis on survival and clinical outcome.

Background: Current guidelines recommend valve-sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR) procedures over valve replacement for the treatment of root aneurysm. The reimplantation technique seems to be the most widely used valve-sparing technique, with excellent outcomes in mostly single-center studies. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to present a comprehensive overview of clinical outcomes after VSRR with the reimplantation technique, and potential differences for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) phenotype.

Limits to Gauge Coupling in the Dark Sector Set by the Nonobservation of Instanton-Induced Decay of Super-Heavy Dark Matter in the Pierre Auger Observatory Data.

Instantons, which are nonperturbative solutions to Yang-Mills equations, provide a signal for the occurrence of quantum tunneling between distinct classes of vacua. They can give rise to decays of particles otherwise forbidden. Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory, we search for signatures of such instanton-induced processes that would be suggestive of super-heavy particles decaying in the Galactic halo.

Long-term Outcomes of the Ross Procedure for Young Patients with Aortic Valve Disease.

To define current role of the Ross operation in young patients, the outcome in those followed longer than 20 years were assessed. Between 1994 and 2020, 81 consecutive patients, 70 of 11 male and/or female, mean age 27 years underwent Ross procedure, accruing 20 years of follow-up or longer. Sixty-four had bicuspid valve (79%) and 54 (67%) aortic insufficiency, while 15 (19%) had undergone prior operations.

Postoperative Outcomes Analysis After Pancreatic Duct Occlusion: A Safe Option to Treat the Pancreatic Stump After Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Low-Volume Centers.

Surgical resection is the only possible choice of treatment in several pancreatic disorders that included periampullar neoplasms. The development of a postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the main complication. Despite three different surgical strategies that have been proposed-pancreatojejunostomy (PJ), pancreatogastrostomy (PG), and pancreatic duct occlusion (DO)-none of them has been clearly validated to be superior.

Preliminary Results of Cryoablation for Surgical Treatment of Arrhythmias in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Arrhythmias in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are responsible for the majority of hospital admissions and 20-25% of late deaths. Since need for further cardiac operations is frequent in ACHD, concomitant arrhythmia surgery represents a strategic treatment modality. A two-center retrospective study was undertaken on cryoablation of supraventricular arrhythmias in 25 conescutive ACHD patients (16/9, M/F, median age 38.

Cor Triatriatum and Intracardiac Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: An Inborn Atrial Flow Inversion.

A neonate with a diagnosis of nonobstructive intracardiac type total anomalous pulmonary venous connection presented with profound cyanosis in the first days of life. The preoperative specialist echocardiographic examination also identified the presence of partial cor triatriatum dexter. The anatomic pattern of this exceedingly rare disease's association, its peculiar clinical presentation, and surgical management are discussed.

Scalloped Freehand Pulmonary Homograft for Prosthetic Tricuspid Valve Replacement.

Tricuspid valve replacement is commonly performed using biologic or mechanical prostheses. Partial or complete valve replacement using mitral homograft tissue has also been described. Anecdotal reports exist of valve replacement using a pulmonary homograft within a cylinder.

Use of PRECISE-DAPT Score and Admission Platelet Count to Predict Mortality Risk in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The PREdicting bleeding Complications In patients undergoing Stent implantation and subsEquent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (PRECISE-DAPT) score has been validated to predict bleeding complications in patients undergoing stent implantation and dual antiplatelet therapy. This score does not include the platelet count (PC), which has been shown to be an independent marker of mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We assessed the role of the PRECISE-DAPT score calculated on admission for mortality risk prediction and evaluated whether the predictive accuracy of this score improved by adding the PC.

A Multiparametric Approach Based on NT-proBNP, ST2, and Galectin3 for Stratifying One Year Prognosis of Chronic Heart Failure Outpatients.

Galectin-3 and ST2 are emerging biomarkers involved in myocardial fibrosis. We evaluate the relevance of a multiparametric biomarker approach based on increased serum levels of NT-proBNP, galectin-3, and ST2 in stratifying the prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF) outpatients. In 315 CHF outpatients in stable clinical condition clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed.

Testing Hadronic Interactions at Ultrahigh Energies with Air Showers Measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory.

Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray air showers probe particle physics at energies beyond the reach of accelerators. Here we introduce a new method to test hadronic interaction models without relying on the absolute energy calibration, and apply it to events with primary energy 6-16 EeV (E_{CM}=110-170  TeV), whose longitudinal development and lateral distribution were simultaneously measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory. The average hadronic shower is 1.

Measurement of the Radiation Energy in the Radio Signal of Extensive Air Showers as a Universal Estimator of Cosmic-Ray Energy.

We measure the energy emitted by extensive air showers in the form of radio emission in the frequency range from 30 to 80 MHz. Exploiting the accurate energy scale of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we obtain a radiation energy of 15.8±0.

Double-Orifice Mitral Valve in an Eight-Year-Old Boy.

The case is described of an eight-year-old boy who required an operation for moderate mitral regurgitation due to a double-orifice mitral valve (DOMV). The DOMV, which was clearly demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography, had a central fibrous bridge. Mitral valve repair using a 5/0 Prolene suture placed at the level of the superior commissure of each hole to stabilize the valve, and ring annuloplasty with Edwards Physio ring, was successfully performed.

Surgical Management of Intramyocardial Left Anterior Descending Artery.

An intramyocardial left anterior descending artery can be found in up to 30% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft procedures. We review the various techniques available to identify an intramyocardial left anterior descending artery.

Coronary artery aneurysms: case report and treatment overview.

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are localized dilatations exceeding the diameter of adjacent normal coronary segments. These conditions, even rare, still represent an important risk factor for the patient life.

Search for patterns by combining cosmic-ray energy and arrival directions at the Pierre Auger Observatory.

Energy-dependent patterns in the arrival directions of cosmic rays are searched for using data of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We investigate local regions around the highest-energy cosmic rays with [Formula: see text] eV by analyzing cosmic rays with energies above [Formula: see text] eV arriving within an angular separation of approximately 15[Formula: see text]. We characterize the energy distributions inside these regions by two independent methods, one searching for angular dependence of energy-energy correlations and one searching for collimation of energy along the local system of principal axes of the energy distribution.

Role of xenotransplantation in cardiac transplantation.

This review will discuss the history and development of the field of genetic modification, up to the most recent scientific discoveries, and will also consider the current uses of genetic therapy.

Biomarkers for the diagnosis of aortic dissection.

This review discusses the role of biomarkers for both diagnoses and disease monitoring before, during, and after treatment of aortic dissection.

Measurement of the proton-air cross section at √s=57 TeV with the Pierre Auger Observatory.

We report a measurement of the proton-air cross section for particle production at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon of 57 TeV. This is derived from the distribution of the depths of shower maxima observed with the Pierre Auger Observatory: systematic uncertainties are studied in detail. Analyzing the tail of the distribution of the shower maxima, a proton-air cross section of [505±22(stat)(-36)(+28)(syst)] mb is found.

Measurement of the depth of maximum of extensive air showers above 10{18} eV.

We describe the measurement of the depth of maximum, X{max}, of the longitudinal development of air showers induced by cosmic rays. Almost 4000 events above 10;{18} eV observed by the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory in coincidence with at least one surface detector station are selected for the analysis. The average shower maximum was found to evolve with energy at a rate of (106{-21}{+35}) g/cm{2}/decade below 10{18.

Observation of the suppression of the flux of cosmic rays above 4 x 10 (19) eV.

The energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 2.5 x 10;{18} eV, derived from 20,000 events recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory, is described. The spectral index gamma of the particle flux, J proportional, variantE;{-gamma}, at energies between 4 x 10;{18} eV and 4 x 10;{19} eV is 2.

Upper limit on the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy tau neutrinos from the Pierre Auger Observatory.

The surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory is sensitive to Earth-skimming tau neutrinos that interact in Earth's crust. Tau leptons from nu(tau) charged-current interactions can emerge and decay in the atmosphere to produce a nearly horizontal shower with a significant electromagnetic component. The data collected between 1 January 2004 and 31 August 2007 are used to place an upper limit on the diffuse flux of nu(tau) at EeV energies.

Correlation of the highest-energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic objects.

Using data collected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during the past 3.7 years, we demonstrated a correlation between the arrival directions of cosmic rays with energy above 6 x 10(19) electron volts and the positions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) lying within approximately 75 megaparsecs. We rejected the hypothesis of an isotropic distribution of these cosmic rays with at least a 99% confidence level from a prescribed a priori test.