Crustal structure in the southern part of Central Java based on analysis of tele-seismic receiver function using a neighbourhood algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariyanto, P.; Syuhada; Rosid, S.; Anggono, T.; Januarti, Y.

2018-03-01

In this study, we applied receiver functions analysis to determine the crustal thickness, the ratio of Vp/Vs and the S wave velocity in the southern part of the Central Java. We selected tele-seismic data with magnitude more than 6 (M>6) and epicenter distance 30°-90° recorded from 3 broadband stations: UGM, YOGI, and WOJI station, as part of Indonesia-Geophone Network (IA-GE). Inversions were performed using nonlinear Neighborhood Algorithm (NA). We observed Ps phase conversion on the receiver functions corresponding to Moho depth at around 36-39 km. We also observed strong negative phase arrivals at around 10-12 s which might be associated with Indo-Australian subducting slab underneath the stations. The inversion results show the presence of low velocity zone with high Vp/Vs ratio (>1.78) in the middle crust around the study area which could be related to the Merapi-Lawu Anomaly (MLA).

The Crustal Structure of the Central Anatolia (Turkey) Using Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yelkenci, S.; Benoit, M.; Kuleli, H.; Gurbuz, C.

2005-12-01

Central Anatolia lies in a transitional region between the extensional tectonics of western Anatolia and the complex transpressional tectonics of Eastern Anatolia, and has a complicated thermal and structural history. Few studies of the crustal structure of Anatolia have been performed, however, studies of the crustal structure of Eastern Anatolia showed that crustal thicknesses were thinner than previously thought. To further investigate the crustal structure in Central Anatolia, we present results from receiver function analysis using new data from broad-band instruments. The stations were equipped with 7 broadband three-component STS-2 and 13 short period three-component S-13 sensors. These stations operated for period of one and half months between the October and November, 2002, and yielded data for ~ 40 high quality receiver functions. Additionally, receiver functions were also computed using data from permanent stations MALT, ISP, and ANTO. We applied the hk-stacking technique of Zhu and Kanamori (2000) to receiver functions to obtain the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratios. Furthermore, we applied a waveform modeling technique to investigate mid-crustal discontinuties previously imaged in the region. Our results compare well with refraction-based crustal thicknesses in overlapped areas.

Moho map of South America from receiver functions and surface waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, Simon; van der Lee, Suzan; FrançA, George Sand; AssumpçãO, Marcelo; Feng, Mei

2010-11-01

We estimate crustal structure and thickness of South America north of roughly 40°S. To this end, we analyzed receiver functions from 20 relatively new temporary broadband seismic stations deployed across eastern Brazil. In the analysis we include teleseismic and some regional events, particularly for stations that recorded few suitable earthquakes. We first estimate crustal thickness and average Poisson's ratio using two different stacking methods. We then combine the new crustal constraints with results from previous receiver function studies. To interpolate the crustal thickness between the station locations, we jointly invert these Moho point constraints, Rayleigh wave group velocities, and regional S and Rayleigh waveforms for a continuous map of Moho depth. The new tomographic Moho map suggests that Moho depth and Moho relief vary slightly with age within the Precambrian crust. Whether or not a positive correlation between crustal thickness and geologic age is derived from the pre-interpolation point constraints depends strongly on the selected subset of receiver functions. This implies that using only pre-interpolation point constraints (receiver functions) inadequately samples the spatial variation in geologic age. The new Moho map also reveals an anomalously deep Moho beneath the oldest core of the Amazonian Craton.

Improved H-κ Method by Harmonic Analysis on Ps and Crustal Multiples in Receiver Functions with respect to Dipping Moho and Crustal Anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, J.; Song, X.; Wang, P.; Zhu, L.

2017-12-01

The H-κ method (Zhu and Kanamori, 2000) has been widely used to estimate the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio with receiver functions. However, in regions where the crustal structure is complicated, the method may produce uncertain or even unrealistic results, arising particularly from dipping Moho and/or crustal anisotropy. Here, we propose an improved H-κ method, which corrects for these effects first before stacking. The effect of dipping Moho and crustal anisotropy on Ps receiver function has been well studied, but not as much on crustal multiples (PpPs and PpSs+PsPs). Synthetic tests show that the effect of crustal anisotropy on the multiples are similar to Ps, while the effect of dipping Moho on the multiples is 5 times that on Ps (same cosine trend but 5 times in time shift). A Harmonic Analysis (HA) method for dipping/anisotropy was developed by Wang et al. (2017) for crustal Ps receiver functions to extract parameters of dipping Moho and crustal azimuthal anisotropy. In real data, the crustal multiples are much more complicated than the Ps. Therefore, we use the HA method (Wang et al., 2017), but apply separately to Ps and the multiples. It shows that although complicated, the trend of multiples can still be reasonably well represented by the HA. We then perform separate azimuthal corrections for Ps and the multiples and stack to obtain a combined receiver function. Lastly, the traditional H-κ procedure is applied to the stacked receiver function. We apply the improved H-κ method on 40 CNDSN (Chinese National Digital Seismic Network) stations distributed in a variety of geological setting across the Chinese continent. The results show apparent improvement compared to the traditional H-κ method, with clearer traces of multiples and stronger stacking energy in the grid search, as well as more reliable H-κ values.

Baseline albumin is associated with worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure receiving continuous infusion loop diuretics.

PubMed

Clarke, Megan M; Dorsch, Michael P; Kim, Susie; Aaronson, Keith D; Koelling, Todd M; Bleske, Barry E

2013-06-01

To identify baseline predictors of worsening renal function (WRF) in an acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patient population receiving continuous infusion loop diuretics. Retrospective observational analysis. Academic tertiary medical center. A total of 177 patients with ADHF receiving continuous infusion loop diuretics from January 2006 through June 2009. The mean patient age was 61 years, 63% were male, ~45% were classified as New York Heart Association functional class III, and the median length of loop diuretic infusion was 4 days. Forty-eight patients (27%) developed WRF, and 34 patients (19%) died during hospitalization. Cox regression time-to-event analysis was used to determine the time to WRF based on different demographic and clinical variables. Baseline serum albumin 3 g/dl or less was the only significant predictor of WRF (hazard ratio [HR] 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60-5.16, p=0.0004), which remained significant despite adjustments for other covariates. Serum albumin 3 g/dl or less is a practical baseline characteristic associated with the development of WRF in patients with ADHF receiving continuous infusion loop diuretics. © 2013 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.

Signal-processing analysis of the MC2823 radar fuze: an addendum concerning clutter effects

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jelinek, D.A.

1978-07-01

A detailed analysis of the signal processing of the MC2823 radar fuze was published by Thompson in 1976 which enabled the computation of dud probability versus signal-to-noise ratio where the noise was receiver noise. An addendum to Thompson's work was published by Williams in 1978 that modified the weighting function used by Thompson. The analysis presented herein extends the work of Thompson to include the effects of clutter (the non-signal portion of the echo from a terrain) using the new weighting function. This extension enables computation of dud probability versus signal-to-total-noise ratio where total noise is the sum of themore » receiver-noise power and the clutter power.« less

Cognitive and physical functions related to the level of supervision and dependence in the toileting of stroke patients.

PubMed

Sato, Atsushi; Okuda, Yutaka; Fujita, Takaaki; Kimura, Norihiko; Hoshina, Noriyuki; Kato, Sayaka; Tanaka, Shigenari

2016-01-01

This study aimed to clarify which cognitive and physical factors are associated with the need for toileting assistance in stroke patients and to calculate cut-off values for discriminating between independent supervision and dependent toileting ability. This cross-sectional study included 163 first-stroke patients in nine convalescent rehabilitation wards. Based on their FIM Ⓡ instrument score for toileting, the patients were divided into an independent-supervision group and a dependent group. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to identify factors related to toileting performance. The Minimental State Examination (MMSE); the Stroke Impairment Assessment Set (SIAS) score for the affected lower limb, speech, and visuospatial functions; and the Functional Assessment for Control of Trunk (FACT) were analyzed as independent variables. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the FIM Ⓡ instrument score for toileting was associated with the SIAS score for the affected lower limb function, MMSE, and FACT. On receiver operating characteristic analysis, the SIAS score for the affected lower limb function cut-off value was 8/7 points, the MMSE cut-off value was 25/24 points, and the FACT cut-off value was 14/13 points. Affected lower limb function, cognitive function, and trunk function were related with the need for toileting assistance. These cut-off values may be useful for judging whether toileting assistance is needed in stroke patients.

On algorithmic optimization of histogramming functions for GEM systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krawczyk, Rafał D.; Czarski, Tomasz; Kolasinski, Piotr; Poźniak, Krzysztof T.; Linczuk, Maciej; Byszuk, Adrian; Chernyshova, Maryna; Juszczyk, Bartlomiej; Kasprowicz, Grzegorz; Wojenski, Andrzej; Zabolotny, Wojciech

2015-09-01

This article concerns optimization methods for data analysis for the X-ray GEM detector system. The offline analysis of collected samples was optimized for MATLAB computations. Compiled functions in C language were used with MEX library. Significant speedup was received for both ordering-preprocessing and for histogramming of samples. Utilized techniques with obtained results are presented.

Empirical Study of Horizontal and Vertical Resolution of Teleseismic Receiver Function Data for Shallow Crustal Imagery.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subasic, S.; Piana Agostinetti, N.; Bean, C. J.

2017-12-01

Passive seismic methods as a tool in exploration geophysics are relatively cheap, and offer the prospect of 3D imagery at a fraction of the cost of an active survey. Outputs from passive seismic surveys can also be used as a test and guide for subsequent targeted higher resolution studies, and they offer a strategic alternative in areas where an active survey would be a difficult or impossible task. In order to test the horizontal and vertical resolution of teleseismic receiver functions, we perform a complete receiver function analysis and inversion of the teleseismic data from the La Barge array. The La Barge Passive Seismic Experiment is composed of 55 instruments deployed in western Wyoming, recording continuously between November 2008 and June 2009. The close interstation distance used during the deployment (250m, up to two orders of magnitude smaller than in typical receiver function studies) makes this open-access data set a perfect test-case for the aim of this study. Receiver functions (RF) are calculated for earthquakes with Mw ≥ 5.5, at epicentral distances ranging from 30° to 100°. We use the frequency domain deconvolution method proposed by Di Bona (1998). This method includes estimations of variances for individual receiver functions, and considers both the pre-signal noise, as well as the noise involved in the deconvolution itself. We perform harmonic decomposition of the receiver function dataset. The zero-order harmonic, representing the bulk isotropic variation of seismic velocities with depth, is used in the inversion. The RF inversion scheme follows a reversible jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm, developed by Piana Agostinetti and Malinverno (2010). The results can be compared with the measurements from nearby wells.

Racial Differences in Patterns of Use of Rehabilitation Services for Adults Aged 65 and Older.

PubMed

Keeney, Tamra; Jette, Alan M; Freedman, Vicki A; Cabral, Howard

2017-12-01

To examine racial differences in the use of rehabilitation services and functional improvement during receipt of services. Secondary analysis of the 2016 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Standardized in-person home interviews. Community-dwelling Medicare enrollees (N = 6,309), 1,276 of whom reported receiving rehabilitation services in the previous 12 months. Self-reported use of rehabilitation services, setting (inpatient, outpatient, home based), reason for use, and perceptions of change in functioning after receiving services. Controlling for sex, dual eligibility for Medicaid, age, number of chronic conditions, functional mobility at the prior round, income, and geographic region, the odds of receiving rehabilitation services in any setting was 1.38 times as great in whites as in blacks (95% confidence interval = 1.09-1.75). Of those receiving therapy, whites were more likely to receive home-based and inpatient rehabilitation services, but there were no racial differences in improvement in function. Strategies are needed to identify possible barriers to use of rehabilitation services for vulnerable groups of aging individuals who need rehabilitation services, particularly older blacks. © 2017, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2017, The American Geriatrics Society.

Different mechanisms of risperidone result in improved interpersonal trust, social engagement and cooperative behavior in patients with schizophrenia compared to trifluoperazine.

PubMed

Tse, Wai Shing; Wong, Ann Siu Wah; Chan, Fu; Pang, Alfred Hin Tat; Bond, Alyson Jane; Chan, Chau Kiu Raymond

2016-05-01

Atypical antipsychotic treatment (e.g. risperidone) has been found to improve social functioning more than standard antipsychotic treatment. However, it is unclear which specific social behaviors are implicated in this improvement. The current study employed an interactive puzzle game to examine how social behaviors contribute to the improvement of social functioning by comparing patients receiving risperidone with those receiving trifluoperazine. Scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, executive functioning, and social functioning were obtained from 24 patients with schizophrenia receiving either risperidone (n = 12) or trifluoperazine (n = 12), before their social behavior was measured in the interactive Tangrams Game. Immediately after the Tangrams Game, participants filled in two questionnaires measuring their interpersonal trust and rejection toward their game partner. Patients receiving risperidone showed more social engagement, cooperative behavior and interpersonal trust toward their game partners than those receiving trifluoperazine. Additional multivariate analysis of variance revealed that lower affiliative behavior was a function of positive symptoms; interpersonal trust had an impact on social engagement but executive functioning did not explain lower interpersonal trust or social disengagement. Improvement of social competence by risperidone might be related to the enhancement of both social behaviors and interpersonal trust as well as better symptom resolution. © 2016 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2016 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

High resolution mapping of seismic properties across upper mantle discontinuities in the stagnant slab region beneath Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Y.; Shen, X.; Song, T. R. A.; Lim, H.

2016-12-01

Plate tectonic processes operating over much of the Earth's history induce long-term mantle mixing of chemical heterogeneities, recycling of volatiles into the mantle and regulate basalt geochemistry. Fundamental questions relevant to the mantle transition zone concern the nature of phase transition, the distribution of chemical heterogeneities (e.g., harzburgite, basalt), the temperature gradient, as well as the degree and extent of hydration and melting. One particularly important question is how the slab stagnation may be influenced by hydration or/and basalt enrichment in the mantle transition zone. To help answer these questions, we aim to detail upper mantle seismic discontinuity properties, including the shear velocity contrast, the density contrast, the transition sharpness and the gradient using high quality receiver functions using broadband data in South Korea, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the imaged stagnant slab near northeast China. Our approach involves broadband observation and amplitude analysis of direct converted waves (Pds) and multiples (PpPds) from the 410 and 660 seismic discontinuities, following our previous effort in a similar analysis in China. We processed waveforms from 52 broadband seismic stations of the Korea seismic array using an automatic scheme to remove noisy waveforms and retained close to 12,000 high quality receiver functions. After gathering receiver functions as a function of epicentral distance, we perform slowness stacking of direct converted waves and the multiples, respectively, at several discrete frequency bands between 1 sec and 15 sec. To avoid interferences from other mantle waves (PP, PPP, PcP, PP410s, PP660s), we stack receive functions across epicentral distances of 74-90 (62-76) degrees for the 410 (660) seismic discontinuity and obtain amplitude estimates and uncertainties through the bootstrap method. To properly calibrate the amplitudes of receiver functions, we take into account the effect of incoherent stacking due to discontinuity topography and frequency-dependent attenuation. Preliminary result will be presented and contrasted against our previous work in east China.

Examining the Function of Problem Behavior in Fragile X Syndrome: Preliminary Experimental Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Langthorne, Paul; McGill, Peter; O'Reilly, Mark F.; Lang, Russell; Machalicek, Wendy; Chan, Jeffrey Michael; Rispoli, Mandy

2011-01-01

Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual and developmental disability. The influence of environmental variables on behaviors associated with the syndrome has received only scant attention. The current study explored the function served by problem behavior in fragile X syndrome by using experimental functional analysis…

A Qualitative Analysis of the Effects of Depression and Antidepressants on Physical and Work Functioning among ART Clients in Uganda

PubMed Central

Ngo, Victoria K.; Wagner, Glenn J.; Huynh, Alexis; Ryan, Gery; Musisi, Seggane

2013-01-01

Depression is common among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, little is known about how depression influences physical health and socioeconomic well-being in the context of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Semi-structured interviews with 40 adult HIV clients receiving ART in Uganda were conducted to assess experiences prior to and after HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART. Content analysis revealed themes that were suggestive of the following patterns: 1) functioning decreased after patients were diagnosed with HIV, but improved following ART, 2) depression is associated with lower physical health functioning and work status levels after both HIV diagnosis and ART, and 3) antidepressant medication is associated with better functioning compared to depressed patients not receiving depression treatment. These findings suggest that depression plays a role in the deleterious effects of HIV on functioning, and that antidepressant treatment provided alongside ART may serve to help individuals regain functioning, particularly employment. These findings highlight the potential value of integrating depression treatment into HIV care. PMID:23442495

Treatment effects between monotherapy of donepezil versus combination with memantine for Alzheimer disease: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Ruey; Chan, Pi-Tuan; Chu, Hsin; Lin, Yu-Cih; Chang, Pi-Chen; Chen, Chien-Yu; Chou, Kuei-Ru

2017-01-01

This is the first meta-analysis to compare the treatment effects and safety of administering donepezil alone versus a combination of memantine and donepezil to treat patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer Disease, particularly regarding cognitive functions, behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD), and global functions. PubMed, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases were used to search for English and non-English articles for inclusion in the meta-analysis to evaluate the effect size and incidence of adverse drug reactions of different treatments. Compared with patients who received donepezil alone, those who received donepezil in combination with memantine exhibited limited improvements in cognitive functions (g = 0.378, p < .001), BPSD (g = -0.878, p < .001) and global functions (g = -0.585, p = .004). Gradual titration of memantine plus a fixed dose and gradual titration of donepezil as well as a fixed dose and gradual titration of memantine resulted in limited improvements in cognitive functions(g = 0.371, p = .005), BPSD(g = -0.913, p = .001), and global functions(g = -0.371, p = .001). Both in the 24th week and at the final evaluation point, the combination of donepezil and memantine led to greater improvement in cognitive functions, BPSD, and global functions than did donepezil alone in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer Disease.

Valuation of Residential Premises for the Purposes of Securing the Receivables of the Creditor in Poland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hełdak, Maria; Stacherzak, Agnieszka

2017-10-01

The study presents an analysis of the theoretical and practical issues connected with securing the receivables of creditors, in particular the principles connected with the appraisal of real property value used for the purposes of granting loans in Poland. The scope of research included the basic elements of the functioning and organisation of the Polish banking system, legal forms of securing debt receivables and the principles of real property valuation for universal and mortgage banks. Additionally, the authors have conducted an analysis of the number and amount of loans granted in Poland in the years 2009 - 2016

Long-term effects of routine morphine infusion in mechanically ventilated neonates on children's functioning: five-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

de Graaf, Joke; van Lingen, Richard A; Simons, Sinno H P; Anand, Kanwaljeet J S; Duivenvoorden, Hugo J; Weisglas-Kuperus, Nynke; Roofthooft, Daniella W E; Groot Jebbink, Liesbeth J M; Veenstra, Ravian R; Tibboel, Dick; van Dijk, Monique

2011-06-01

Newborns on ventilatory support often receive morphine to induce analgesia. Animal experiments suggest that this may impair subsequent cognitive and behavioral development. There are sparse human data on long-term effects of neonatal morphine. We aimed to investigate the effects of continuous morphine administered in the neonatal period on the child's functioning. We conducted a follow-up study among 5-year-olds who, as mechanically ventilated neonates, had participated in a placebo-controlled trial on effects of morphine administration on pain and neurologic outcome. They were now tested on intelligence, visual motor integration, behavior, chronic pain, and health-related quality of life. Univariate analyses showed significantly lower overall intelligence quotient (IQ) scores for children who earlier had received morphine, that is, mean 94 (SD 14.5) versus 100 (SD 12.9) for those who received placebo (P = 0.049). Other between-group differences in outcomes were not found. The statistical difference disappeared after correction for treatment condition, open-label morphine consumption over the first 28 days, and a propensity score for clinically relevant co-variables in multiple regression analyses. However, scores on one IQ subtest, "visual analysis," were significantly negatively related to having received morphine and to open-label morphine consumption the first 28 days. The finding of a significant effect of morphine on the "visual analysis" IQ subtest calls for follow-up at a later age focusing on the higher-order neurocognitive functions. Morphine received in the neonatal period has negative effects on the child's cognitive functioning at the age of 5 years which warrants follow-up at a later age. Copyright © 2011 International Association for the Study of Pain. All rights reserved.

Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure Beneath the Canary Islands From Teleseismic Receiver Functions.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lodge, A.; Nippress, S. E.; Rietbrock, A.

2007-12-01

The Canary Islands are situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, <200km west of Morocco, Africa. The islands are volcanic ocean islands, associated with the classic hot spot characteristic combination of bathymetric, gravity and geoid anomalies. However, unlike the classic hot spot location of Hawaii, the archipelago is located on a slow moving plate, showing more similarities to the Cape Verde Islands, but unlike both Hawaii and Cape Verde, the Canary Islands are close to the continental shelf. The aims of this work are to provide seismic constraints on the structure beneath the Canary Islands to determine whether this structure indicates a clear age progression across the archipelago as observed at Cape Verde and to determine whether deeper structure may illuminate the source of the hot spot features. To take a transect through the Canary Islands using receiver function analysis, we re-analysed broadband data from the MIDSEA project station (available through IRIS), CDLV on Lanzarote (1999-2001), but apply the multiple- taper spectral correlation estimate for receiver function calculation. We also analysed broadband data from the IRIS Network station of TBT from La Palma (1993-1996). Additionally we also use data from a short period seismic network consisting of 150 short period stations installed for 2 weeks as part of the TOM-TEIDEVS project on the island of Tenerife. Only 1 teleseismic event suitable for receiver function analysis was recorded during this period. Initially an average of all events was to be used for modelling, but significant differences in receiver function shape between different areas of the island, suggested separate stacks for different regions was more appropriate. Initial forward modelling for the average azimuthal stack for CDLV, supports earlier receiver function work that indicates a crust thickened up to ~20km depth, but no evidence of a continental like structure. The average azimuthal stack for TBT shows few details, but when events are grouped by back azimuth and stacked, significant differences in shape are observed. Comparison of the tangential components for different back azimuths, suggests the existence of dipping and/or anisotropic layers. Forward modelling for a stack of data from the caldera in Tenerife, indicates no crustal thickening. This suggests a relationship between crustal thickening and age across the archipelago. Further analysis and application of grid search methods will reveal the structure beneath each of the islands in more detail and indicate whether a thermal or a compositional origin is more appropriate for the islands.

Imipramine for Treatment of Esophageal Hypersensitivity and Functional Heartburn: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Limsrivilai, Julajak; Charatcharoenwitthaya, Phunchai; Pausawasdi, Nonthalee; Leelakusolvong, Somchai

2016-02-01

Tricyclic antidepressants could be effective in the treatment of symptoms related to hypersensitive esophagus through their pain-modulating effect. We therefore assessed the benefit of imipramine in patients with esophageal hypersensitivity and functional heartburn. Patients with normal endoscopy findings and typical reflux symptoms despite standard-dose proton-pump inhibitor therapy underwent 24-h pH-impedance monitoring. Patients with established esophageal hypersensitivity or functional heartburn were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of either once-daily imipramine 25 mg (n=43) or placebo (n=40). The primary end point was satisfactory relief of reflux symptoms, defined as a >50% reduction in the gastroesophageal reflux disease score. The secondary end point was improvement in quality-of-life (QoL) as assessed by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score. Patients receiving imipramine did not achieve a higher rate of satisfactory relief of reflux symptoms than did patients receiving placebo (intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis: 37.2 vs. 37.5%, respectively; odds ratio (OR), 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-2.41; per-protocol (PP) analysis: 45.5 vs. 41.2%, respectively; OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.45-3.13). Subgroup analysis to assess the efficacy of imipramine for either esophageal hypersensitivity or functional heartburn yielded similar results. Treatment with imipramine provided significant improvement of QoL by PP analysis (72±17 and 61±19, respectively; P=0.048), but ITT analysis did not reveal any differences between imipramine and placebo (68±19 and 61±19, respectively; P=0.26). Adverse events were similar in both groups; however, constipation was more common with imipramine than placebo (51.2 vs. 22.5%, respectively; P=0.01). Although low-dose imipramine shows potential QoL benefits, it does not relieve symptoms more effectively than does placebo in patients with either esophageal hypersensitivity or functional heartburn.

Development and Analysis of Models for Handling the Refrigerated Containerized Cargoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nyrkov, A.; Pavlova, L.; Nikiforov, V.; Sokolov, S.; Budnik, V.

2017-07-01

This paper considers the open multi-channel queuing system, which receives irregular homogeneous or heterogeneous applications with an unlimited flow of standby time. The system is regarded as an example of a container terminal, having conditionally functional sections with a certain duty cycle, which receives an irregular, non-uniform flow of vessels with the resultant intensity.

Setting Standards for Medically-Based Running Analysis

PubMed Central

Vincent, Heather K.; Herman, Daniel C.; Lear-Barnes, Leslie; Barnes, Robert; Chen, Cong; Greenberg, Scott; Vincent, Kevin R.

2015-01-01

Setting standards for medically based running analyses is necessary to ensure that runners receive a high-quality service from practitioners. Medical and training history, physical and functional tests, and motion analysis of running at self-selected and faster speeds are key features of a comprehensive analysis. Self-reported history and movement symmetry are critical factors that require follow-up therapy or long-term management. Pain or injury is typically the result of a functional deficit above or below the site along the kinematic chain. PMID:25014394

A 3-D crustal and uppermost mantle model of the western US from receiver functions and surface wave dispersion derived from ambient noise and teleseismic earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, W.; Schulte-Pelkum, V.; Ritzwoller, M. H.

2011-12-01

The joint inversion of surface wave dispersion and receiver functions was proven feasible on a station by station basis more than a decade ago. Joint application to a large number of stations across a broad region such as western US is more challenging, however, because of the different resolutions of the two methods. Improvements in resolution in surface wave studies derived from ambient noise and array-based methods applied to earthquake data now allow surface wave dispersion and receiver functions to be inverted simultaneously across much of the Earthscope/USArray Transportable Array (TA), and we have developed a Monte-Carlo procedure for this purpose. As a proof of concept we applied this procedure to a region containing 186 TA stations in the intermountain west, including a variety of tectonic settings such as the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Range, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Plains. This work has now been expanded to encompass all TA stations in the western US. Our approach includes three main components. (1) We enlarge the Earthscope Automated Receiver Survey (EARS) receiver function database by adding more events within a quality control procedure. A back-azimuth-independent receiver function and its associated uncertainties are constructed using a harmonic stripping algorithm. (2) Rayleigh wave dispersion curves are generated from the eikonal tomography applied to ambient noise cross-correlation data and Helmoholtz tomography applied to teleseismic surface wave data to yield dispersion maps from 8 sec to 80 sec period. (3) We apply a Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm to invert for the average velocity structure beneath each station. Simple kriging is applied to interpolate to the discrete results into a continuous 3-D model. This method has now been applied to over 1,000 TA stations in the western US. We show that the receiver functions and surface wave dispersion data can be reconciled beneath more than 80% of the stations using a smooth parameterization of both crustal and uppermost mantle structure. After the inversion, a 3-D model for the crust and uppermost mantle to a depth of 150 km is constructed for this region. Compared with using surface wave data alone, uncertainty in crustal thickness is much lower and as a result, the lower crustal velocity is better constrained given a smaller depth-velocity trade-off. The new 3-D model including Moho depth with attendant uncertainties provides the basis for further analysis on radial anisotropy and geodynamics in the western US, and also forms a starting point for other seismological studies such as body wave tomography and receiver function CCP analysis.

Relocating San Miguel Volcanic Seismic Events for Receiver Functions and Tomographic Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patlan, E.; Velasco, A. A.; Konter, J.

2009-12-01

The San Miguel volcano lies near the city of San Miguel, El Salvador (13.43N and -88.26W). San Miguel volcano, an active stratovolcano, presents a significant natural hazard for the city of San Miguel. Furthermore, the internal state and activity of volcanoes remains an important component to understanding volcanic hazard. The main technology for addressing volcanic hazards and processes is through the analysis of data collected from the deployment of seismic sensors that record ground motion. Six UTEP seismic stations were deployed around San Miguel volcano from 2007-2008 to define the magma chamber and assess the seismic and volcanic hazard. We utilize these data to develop images of the earth structure beneath the volcano, studying the volcanic processes by identifying different sources, and investigating the role of earthquakes and faults in controlling the volcanic processes. We will calculate receiver functions to determine the thickness of San Miguel volcano internal structure, within the Caribbean plate. Crustal thicknesses will be modeled using calculated receiver functions from both theoretical and hand-picked P-wave arrivals. We will use this information derived from receiver functions, along with P-wave delay times, to map the location of the magma chamber.

The effectiveness of orthoses in the conservative management of thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis: An analysis of functional pinch strength.

PubMed

Grenier, Marie-Lyne; Mendonca, Rochelle; Dalley, Peter

2016-01-01

The study was a retrospective cohort analysis for a 19-month period from May 2013 to December 2014. Although the use of orthoses has long been a staple of conservative treatment measures for individuals with osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, there remains little evidence exploring its effectiveness in improving functional outcomes for this client population. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of 3 frequently used orthoses in improving the functional pinch strength of adults with a diagnosis of thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted to determine whether pinch strength improved after orthotic fabrication, and fitting in patients referred to a hand therapy clinic. Patients who received a Colditz design orthosis had a mean increase of 2.64 lb with regard to functional pinch strength after orthotic fabrication and fitting. Patients who received a Comfort Cool orthosis (North Coast Medical, Morgan Hill, CA) had a mean increase of 2.47 lb, whereas patients who received a Thumb Spica orthosis had a mean increase of 3.25 lb. There was no evidence of any statistically significant difference in the average improvements in pinch strength between the Colditz design orthosis and the Comfort Cool orthosis. Results from this study demonstrate that orthosis wear consistently increases the functional pinch strength of individuals with thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis. Large-scale multisite research studies comparing various orthotic designs are necessary to help therapists determine best practice interventions for the conservative management of thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis. 2(c). Copyright © 2016 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Formal integration of controlled-source and passive seismic data: Utilization of the CD-ROM experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rumpfhuber, E.; Keller, G. R.; Velasco, A. A.

2005-12-01

Many large-scale experiments conduct both controlled-source and passive deployments to investigate the lithospheric structure of a targeted region. Many of these studies utilize each data set independently, resulting in different images of the Earth depending on the data set investigated. In general, formal integration of these data sets, such as joint inversions, with other data has not been performed. The CD-ROM experiment, which included both 2-D controlled-source and passive recording along a profile extending from southern Wyoming to northern New Mexico serves as an excellent data set to develop a formal integration strategy between both controlled source and passive experiments. These data are ideal to develop this strategy because: 1) the analysis of refraction/wide-angle reflection data yields Vp structure, and sometimes Vs structure, of the crust and uppermost mantle; 2) analysis of the PmP phase (Moho reflection) yields estimates of the average Vp of the crust for the crust; and 3) receiver functions contain full-crustal reverberations and yield the Vp/Vs ratio, but do not constrain the absolute P and S velocity. Thus, a simple form of integration involves using the Vp/Vs ratio from receiver functions and the average Vp from refraction measurements, to solve for the average Vs of the crust. When refraction/ wide-angle reflection data and several receiver functions nearby are available, an integrated 2-D model can be derived. In receiver functions, the PS conversion gives the S-wave travel-time (ts) through the crust along the raypath traveled from the Moho to the surface. Since the receiver function crustal reverberation gives the Vp/Vs ratio, it is also possible to use the arrival time of the converted phase, PS, to solve for the travel time of the direct teleseismic P-wave through the crust along the ray path. Raytracing can yield the point where the teleseismic wave intersects the Moho. In this approach, the conversion point is essentially a pseudo-shotpoint, thus the converted arrival at the surface can be jointly modeled with refraction data using a 3-D inversion code. Employing the combined CD-ROM data sets, we will be investigating the joint inversion results of controlled source data and receiver functions.

Receiver function structure beneath a broad-band seismic station in south Sumatra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacPherson, K. A.; Hidayat, D.; Goh, S.

2010-12-01

We estimated the one-dimensional velocity structure beneath a broad-band station in south Sumatra by the forward modeling and inversion of receiver functions. Station PMBI belongs to the GEOFON seismic network maintained by GFZ-Potsdam, and at a longitude of 104.77° and latitude of -2.93°, sits atop the south Sumatran basin. This station is of interest to researchers at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, as data from it and other stations in Sumatra and Singapore will be incorporated into a regional velocity model for use in seismic hazard analyses. Three-component records from 193 events at teleseismic distances and Mw ≥ 5.0 were examined for this study and 67 records were deemed to have sufficient signal to noise characteristics to be retained for analysis. Observations are primarily from source zones in the Bougainville trench with back-azimuths to the east-south-east, the Japan and Kurile trenches with back-azimuths to the northeast, and a scattering of observations from other azimuths. Due to the level of noise present in even the higher-quality records, the usual frequency-domain deconvolution method of computing receiver functions was ineffective, and a time-domain iterative deconvolution was employed to obtain usable wave forms. Receiver functions with similar back-azimuths were stacked in order to improve their signal to noise ratios. The resulting wave forms are relatively complex, with significant energy being present in the tangential components, indicating heterogeneity in the underlying structure. A dip analysis was undertaken but no clear pattern was observed. However, it is apparent that polarities of the tangential components were generally reversed for records that sample the Sunda trench. Forward modeling of the receiver functions indicates the presence of a near-surface low-velocity layer (Vp≈1.9 km/s) and a Moho depth of ~31 km. Details of the crustal structure were investigated by employing time-domain inversions of the receiver functions. General features of those velocity models providing a good fit to the waveform include an approximately one kilometer thick near-surface low-velocity zone, a high-velocity layer over a velocity inversion at mid-crustal depths, and a crust-mantle transition at depths between 30 km and 34 km.

Data Transmission Signal Design and Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, J. D.

1972-01-01

The error performances of several digital signaling methods are determined as a function of a specified signal-to-noise ratio. Results are obtained for Gaussian noise and impulse noise. Performance of a receiver for differentially encoded biphase signaling is obtained by extending the results of differential phase shift keying. The analysis presented obtains a closed-form answer through the use of some simplifying assumptions. The results give an insight into the analysis problem, however, the actual error performance may show a degradation because of the assumptions made in the analysis. Bipolar signaling decision-threshold selection is investigated. The optimum threshold depends on the signal-to-noise ratio and requires the use of an adaptive receiver.

The patient-centered medical home, practice patterns, and functional outcomes for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Toomey, Sara L; Chan, Eugenia; Ratner, Jessica A; Schuster, Mark A

2011-01-01

To determine whether children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) receive care in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) and how that relates to their ADHD treatment and functional outcomes. Cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 National Survey for Children's Health, a nationally representative survey of 91,642 parents. This analysis covers 5169 children with parent-reported ADHD ages 6-17. The independent variable is receiving care in a PCMH. Main outcome measures are receiving ADHD medication, mental health specialist involvement, and functional outcomes (difficulties with participation in activities, attending school, making friends; having problem behaviors; missed school days; and number of times parents contacted by school). Only 44% of children with ADHD received care in a PCMH. Children with ADHD receiving care in a PCMH compared with those who did not were more likely to receive medication for ADHD (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.9); less likely to have mental health specialist involvement (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7); less likely to have difficulties participating in activities (OR, 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.8), making friends (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9), and attending school (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.3-06); less likely to have problem behaviors (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.5-0.9); had fewer missed school days (β = -1.5, 95% CI -2.4 to -0.5); and parents were contacted by school less frequently (β = -0.2, 95% CI -0.3 to -0.1). For children with ADHD, receiving care in a PCMH is associated with practice pattern change and better outcomes. The PCMH may represent a promising opportunity to improve quality of care and outcomes for children with ADHD. Copyright © 2011 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the performance of a wireless optical multi-input to multi-output communication system.

PubMed

Bushuev, Denis; Arnon, Shlomi

2006-07-01

We investigate robust optical wireless communication in a highly scattering propagation medium using multielement optical detector arrays. The communication setup consists of synchronized multiple transmitters that send information to a receiver array and an atmospheric propagation channel. The mathematical model that best describes this scenario is multi-input to multi-output communication through stochastic slow changing channels. In this model, signals from m transmitters are received by n receiver-detectors. The channel transfer function matrix is G, and its size is n x m. G(i,j) is the transfer function from transmitter i to detector j, and m > or = n. We adopt a quasi-stationary approach in which the channel time variation has a negligible effect on communication performance over a burst. The G matrix is calculated on the basis of the optical transfer function of the atmospheric channel (composed of aerosol and turbulence elements) and the receiver's optics. In this work we derive a performance model using environmental data, such as documented turbulence and aerosol models and noise statistics. We also present the results of simulations conducted for the proposed detection algorithm.

Relationship between Grooming Performance and Motor and Cognitive Functions in Stroke Patients with Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis.

PubMed

Fujita, Takaaki; Sato, Atsushi; Tsuchiya, Kenji; Ohashi, Takuro; Yamane, Kazuhiro; Yamamoto, Yuichi; Iokawa, Kazuaki; Ohira, Yoko; Otsuki, Koji; Tozato, Fusae

2017-12-01

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between grooming performance of stroke patients and various motor and cognitive functions and to examine the cognitive and physical functional standards required for grooming independence. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 96 hospitalized patients with first stroke in a rehabilitation hospital ward. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to investigate the related cognitive and motor functions with grooming performance and to calculate the cutoff values for independence and supervision levels in grooming. For analysis between the independent and supervision-dependent groups, the only item with an area under the curve (AUC) of .9 or higher was the Berg Balance Scale, and the calculated cutoff value was 41/40 (sensitivity, 83.6%; specificity, 87.8%). For analysis between the independent-supervision and dependent groups, the items with an AUC of .9 or higher were the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) on the nonaffected side, Vitality Index (VI), and FIM ® cognition. The cutoff values were 68/67 for the STEF (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 72.2%), 9/8 points for the VI (sensitivity, 92.3%; specificity, 88.9%), and 23/22 points for FIM ® cognition (sensitivity, 91.0%; specificity, 88.9%). Our results suggest that upper-extremity functions on the nonaffected side, motivation, and cognitive functions are particularly important to achieve the supervision level and that balance is important to reach the independence level. The effective improvement of grooming performance is possible by performing therapeutic or compensatory intervention on functions that have not achieved these cutoff values. Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reorganization of brain function after a short-term behavioral intervention for stuttering.

PubMed

Lu, Chunming; Zheng, Lifen; Long, Yuhang; Yan, Qian; Ding, Guosheng; Liu, Li; Peng, Danling; Howell, Peter

2017-05-01

This study investigated changes in brain function that occurred over a 7-day behavioral intervention for adults who stutter (AWS). Thirteen AWS received the intervention (AWS+), and 13 AWS did not receive the intervention (AWS-). There were 13 fluent controls (FC-). All participants were scanned before and after the intervention. Whole-brain analysis pre-intervention showed significant differences in task-related brain activation between AWS and FC- in the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and left middle temporal cortex, but there were no differences between the two AWS groups. Across the 7-day period of the intervention, AWS+ alone showed a significant increase of brain activation in the left ventral IFC/insula. There were no changes in brain function for the other two groups. Further analysis revealed that the change did not correlate with resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) that AWS showed in the cerebellum (Lu et al., 2012). However, both changes in task-related brain function and RSFC correlated with changes in speech fluency level. Together, these findings suggest that functional reorganization in a brain region close to the left IFC that shows anomalous function in AWS, occurs after a short-term behavioral intervention for stuttering. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Monte Carlo Analysis of Molecule Absorption Probabilities in Diffusion-Based Nanoscale Communication Systems with Multiple Receivers.

PubMed

Arifler, Dogu; Arifler, Dizem

2017-04-01

For biomedical applications of nanonetworks, employing molecular communication for information transport is advantageous over nano-electromagnetic communication: molecular communication is potentially biocompatible and inherently energy-efficient. Recently, several studies have modeled receivers in diffusion-based molecular communication systems as "perfectly monitoring" or "perfectly absorbing" spheres based on idealized descriptions of chemoreception. In this paper, we focus on perfectly absorbing receivers and present methods to improve the accuracy of simulation procedures that are used to analyze these receivers. We employ schemes available from the chemical physics and biophysics literature and outline a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm that accounts for the possibility of molecule absorption during discrete time steps, leading to a more accurate analysis of absorption probabilities. Unlike most existing studies that consider a single receiver, this paper analyzes absorption probabilities for multiple receivers deterministically or randomly deployed in a region. For random deployments, the ultimate absorption probabilities as a function of transmitter-receiver distance are shown to fit well to power laws; the exponents derived become more negative as the number of receivers increases up to a limit beyond which no additional receivers can be "packed" in the deployment region. This paper is expected to impact the design of molecular nanonetworks with multiple absorbing receivers.

Determination of acoustical transfer functions using an impulse method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacPherson, J.

1985-02-01

The Transfer Function of a system may be defined as the relationship of the output response to the input of a system. Whilst recent advances in digital processing systems have enabled Impulse Transfer Functions to be determined by computation of the Fast Fourier Transform, there has been little work done in applying these techniques to room acoustics. Acoustical Transfer Functions have been determined for auditoria, using an impulse method. The technique is based on the computation of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of a non-ideal impulsive source, both at the source and at the receiver point. The Impulse Transfer Function (ITF) is obtained by dividing the FFT at the receiver position by the FFT of the source. This quantity is presented both as linear frequency scale plots and also as synthesized one-third octave band data. The technique enables a considerable quantity of data to be obtained from a small number of impulsive signals recorded in the field, thereby minimizing the time and effort required on site. As the characteristics of the source are taken into account in the calculation, the choice of impulsive source is non-critical. The digital analysis equipment required for the analysis is readily available commercially.

The Moho discontinuity beneath Taiwan orogenic zone inferred from receiver function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, H.; Chen, C.; Liang, W.

2013-12-01

We determine the depth variations of the Moho discontinuity beneath Taiwan from receiver function analysis. Taiwan is a young (~6.5 Ma) orogenic zone as a consequence of oblique collision between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. In northeastern Taiwan, the Philippine Sea Plate subducts northwestward under the Eurasian Plate along the Ryukyu Trench; in southern Taiwan, the Eurasian Plate subducts eastward beneath the Philippine Sea Plate along the Manila Trench. Recent tomographic models of Taiwan reveal P-wave velocity variations of the lithospheric structure that provide important constraints on the orogenic processes in this region. However, the depth variations of the Moho discontinuity, a key observation for better understanding crustal deformation, remain elusive. In this study, we aim to delineate the Moho depth variations by analyzing seismic converted phases indicative of the presence of discontinuity structure. We analyze waveform data from teleseismic events recorded at the Broadband Array in Taiwan for Seismology (BATS). Preliminary results of receiver functions beneath BATS stations in eastern Taiwan show that more than one converted phase (P-to-S) are likely present in crustal depths, suggesting possible multiple crustal layering, which may complicate the detection of the Moho. We further carry out synthetic experiments to explore possible crustal structures that reconcile our observations.

Imaging the deep structures of the convergent plates along the Ecuadorian subduction zone through receiver function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galve, A.; Charvis, P.; Regnier, M. M.; Font, Y.; Nocquet, J. M.; Segovia, M.

2017-12-01

The Ecuadorian subduction zone was affected by several large M>7.5 earthquakes. While we have low resolution on the 1942, 1958 earthquakes rupture zones extension, the 2016 Pedernales earthquake, that occurs at the same location than the 1942 earthquake, give strong constraints on the deep limit of the seismogenic zone. This downdip limit is caused by the onset of plasticity at a critical temperature (> 350-450 °C for crustal materials, or serpentinized mantle wedge, and eventually > 700 °C for dry mantle). However we still don't know exactly where is the upper plate Moho and therefore what controls the downdip limit of Ecuadorian large earthquakes seismogenic zone. For several years Géoazur and IG-EPN have maintained permanent and temporary networks (ADN and JUAN projects) along the margin to register the subduction zone seismological activity. Although Ecuador is not a good place to perform receiver function due to its position with respect to the worldwide teleseismic sources, the very long time deployment compensate this issue. We performed a frequency dependent receiver function analysis to derive (1) the thickness of the downgoing plate, (2) the interplate depth and (3) the upper plate Moho. These constraints give the frame to interpretation on the seismogenic zone of the 2016 Pedernales earthquake.

Techno-economic assessment of a hybrid solar receiver and combustor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Jin Han; Nathan, Graham; Dally, Bassam; Chinnici, Alfonso

2016-05-01

A techno-economic analysis is performed to compare two different configurations of hybrid solar thermal systems with fossil fuel backup to provide continuous electricity output. The assessment compares a Hybrid Solar Receiver Combustor (HSRC), in which the functions of a solar cavity receiver and a combustor are integrated into a single device with a reference conventional solar thermal system using a regular solar cavity receiver with a backup boiler, termed the Solar Gas Hybrid (SGH). The benefits of the integration is assessed by varying the size of the storage capacity and heliostat field while maintaining the same overall thermal input to the power block.

Evidence of Dynamic Crustal Deformation in Tohoku, Japan, From Time-Varying Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Porritt, R. W.; Yoshioka, S.

2017-10-01

Temporal variation of crustal structure is key to our understanding of Earth processes on human timescales. Often, we expect that the most significant structural variations are caused by strong ground shaking associated with large earthquakes, and recent studies seem to confirm this. Here we test the possibility of using P receiver functions (PRF) to isolate structural variations over time. Synthetic receiver function tests indicate that structural variation could produce PRF changes on the same order of magnitude as random noise or contamination by local earthquakes. Nonetheless, we find significant variability in observed receiver functions over time at several stations located in northeastern Honshu. Immediately following the Tohoku-oki earthquake, we observe high PRF variation clustering spatially, especially in two regions near the beginning and end of the rupture plane. Due to the depth sensitivity of PRF and the timescales over which this variability is observed, we infer this effect is primarily due to fluid migration in volcanic regions and shear stress/strength reorganization. While the noise levels in PRF are high for this type of analysis, by sampling small data sets, the computational cost is lower than other methods, such as ambient noise, thereby making PRF a useful tool for estimating temporal variations in crustal structure.

Polarimetric receiver in the forty gigahertz band: new instrument for the Q-U-I joint Tenerife experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villa, Enrique; Cano, Juan L.; Aja, Beatriz; Terán, J. Vicente; de la Fuente, Luisa; Mediavilla, Ángel; Artal, Eduardo

2018-03-01

This paper describes the analysis, design and characterization of a polarimetric receiver developed for covering the 35 to 47 GHz frequency band in the new instrument aimed at completing the ground-based Q-U-I Joint Tenerife Experiment. This experiment is designed to measure polarization in the Cosmic Microwave Background. The described high frequency instrument is a HEMT-based array composed of 29 pixels. A thorough analysis of the behaviour of the proposed receiver, based on electronic phase switching, is presented for a noise-like linearly polarized input signal, obtaining simultaneously I, Q and U Stokes parameters of the input signal. Wideband subsystems are designed, assembled and characterized for the polarimeter. Their performances are described showing appropriate results within the 35-to-47 GHz frequency band. Functionality tests are performed at room and cryogenic temperatures with adequate results for both temperature conditions, which validate the receiver concept and performance.

Crustal Properties Across the Mid-Continent Rift via Transfer Function Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frederiksen, A. W.; Tyomkin, Y.; Campbell, R.; van der Lee, S.; Zhang, H.

2015-12-01

The Mid-Continent Rift (MCR), a failed Proterozoic rift structure in central North America, is a dominant feature of North American gravity maps. The rift underwent a combination of extension, magmatism, and later compression, and it is difficult to predict how these events affected the overall crustal thickness and bulk composition in the vicinity of the rift axis, though the associated gravity high indicates that large-volume mafic magmatism took place. The Superior Province Rifting Earthscope Experiment (SPREE) project instrumented the MCR with Flexible Array broadband seismographs from 2011 through 2013 in Minnesota and Wisconsin, along two lines crossing the rift axis as well as a line following the axis. We examine teleseismic P-coda data from SPREE and nearby Transportable Array instruments using a new technique: transfer-function analysis. In this approach, possible models of crustal structure are used to generate a predicted transfer function relating the radial and vertical components of the P coda at a particular site. The transfer function then allows generation of a misfit (between the true radial component and a synthetic radial component predicted from the vertical trace) without the need to perform receiver-function deconvolution, thus avoiding the deconvolution problems encountered with receiver functions in sedimentary basins. We use the transfer-function approach to perform a grid search over three crustal properties: crustal thickness, crustal P/S velocity ratio, and the thickness of an overlying sedimentary basin. Results for our SPREE/TA data set indicate that the crust is significantly thickened along the rift axis, with maximum thicknesses approaching 50 km; the crust is thinner (ca. 40 km) outside of the rift zone. The crustal thickness structure is particularly complex beneath southeastern Minnesota, where very strong Moho topography is present, as well as up to 2 km of sediment; further north, the Moho is smoother and the basin is not present. P/S ratio varies along the rift axis, suggesting a higher mafic component (higher ratio) in southern Minnesota. The complexity we see along the MCR is consistent with the results obtained by Zhang et al. (this conference) using receiver function analysis.

Single-Case Analysis to Determine Reasons for Failure of Behavioral Treatment via Telehealth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schieltz, Kelly M.; Romani, Patrick W.; Wacker, David P.; Suess, Alyssa N.; Huang, Pei; Berg, Wendy K.; Lindgren, Scott D.; Kopelman, Todd G.

2018-01-01

Functional communication training (FCT) is a widely used and effective function-based treatment for problem behavior. The purpose of this article is to present two cases in which FCT was unsuccessful in reducing the occurrence of problem behavior displayed by two young children with an autism spectrum disorder. Both children received the same…

Core Self-Evaluations as a Mediator between Functional Disability and Life Satisfaction in College Students with Disabilities Majoring in Science and Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smedema, Susan Miller; Pfaller, Joseph S.; Yaghmaian, Rana A.; Weaver, Hayley; da Silva Cardoso, Elizabeth; Chan, Fong

2015-01-01

Purpose: To examine the mediational effect of core self-evaluations (CSE) on the relationship between functional disability and life satisfaction. Methods: A quantitative descriptive design using multiple regression analysis. The participants were 97 college students with disabilities receiving services through Hunter College's Minority-Disability…

Implementation of an experimental program to investigate the performance characteristics of OMEGA navigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baxa, E. G., Jr.

1974-01-01

A theoretical formulation of differential and composite OMEGA error is presented to establish hypotheses about the functional relationships between various parameters and OMEGA navigational errors. Computer software developed to provide for extensive statistical analysis of the phase data is described. Results from the regression analysis used to conduct parameter sensitivity studies on differential OMEGA error tend to validate the theoretically based hypothesis concerning the relationship between uncorrected differential OMEGA error and receiver separation range and azimuth. Limited results of measurement of receiver repeatability error and line of position measurement error are also presented.

PREDICTS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, Hanying

2007-01-01

PREDICTS is a computer program that predicts the frequencies, as functions of time, of signals to be received by a radio science receiver in this case, a special-purpose digital receiver dedicated to analysis of signals received by an antenna in NASA s Deep Space Network (DSN). Unlike other software used in the DSN, PREDICTS does not use interpolation early in the calculations; as a consequence, PREDICTS is more precise and more stable. The precision afforded by the other DSN software is sufficient for telemetry; the greater precision afforded by PREDICTS is needed for radio-science experiments. In addition to frequencies as a function of time, PREDICTS yields the rates of change and interpolation coefficients for the frequencies and the beginning and ending times of reception, transmission, and occultation. PREDICTS is applicable to S-, X-, and Ka-band signals and can accommodate the following link configurations: (1) one-way (spacecraft to ground), (2) two-way (from a ground station to a spacecraft to the same ground station), and (3) three-way (from a ground transmitting station to a spacecraft to a different ground receiving station).

A placebo-controlled trial of itopride in functional dyspepsia.

PubMed

Holtmann, Gerald; Talley, Nicholas J; Liebregts, Tobias; Adam, Birgit; Parow, Christopher

2006-02-23

The treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia remains unsatisfactory. We assessed the efficacy of itopride, a dopamine D2 antagonist with anti-acetylcholinesterase [corrected] effects, in patients with functional dyspepsia. Patients with functional dyspepsia were randomly assigned to receive either itopride (50, 100, or 200 mg three times daily) or placebo. After eight weeks of treatment, three primary efficacy end points were analyzed: the change from baseline in the severity of symptoms of functional dyspepsia (as assessed by the Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire), patients' global assessment of efficacy (the proportion of patients without symptoms or with marked improvement), and the severity of pain or fullness as rated on a five-grade scale. We randomly assigned 554 patients; 523 had outcome data and could be included in the analyses. After eight weeks, 41 percent of the patients receiving placebo were symptom-free or had marked improvement, as compared with 57 percent, 59 percent, and 64 percent receiving itopride at a dose of 50, 100, or 200 mg three times daily, respectively (P<0.05 for all comparisons between placebo and itopride). Although the symptom score improved significantly in all four groups, an overall analysis revealed that itopride was significantly superior to placebo, with the greatest symptom-score improvement in the 100- and 200-mg groups (-6.24 and -6.27, vs. -4.50 in the placebo group; P=0.05). Analysis of the combined end point of pain and fullness showed that itopride yielded a greater rate of response than placebo (73 percent vs. 63 percent, P=0.04). Itopride significantly improves symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00272103.). Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society.

Tadalafil once daily and extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the management of patients with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction: results from a prospective randomized trial.

PubMed

Palmieri, A; Imbimbo, C; Creta, M; Verze, P; Fusco, F; Mirone, V

2012-04-01

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves erectile function in patients with Peyronie's disease. However, erectile dysfunction still persists in many cases. We aimed to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy plus tadalafil 5 mg once daily in the management of patients with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction not previously treated. One hundred patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either extracorporeal shock wave therapy alone for 4 weeks (n = 50) or extracorporeal shock wave therapy plus tadalafil 5 mg once daily for 4 weeks (n = 50). Main outcome measures were: erectile function (evaluated through the shortened version of the International Index of Erectile Function), pain during erection (evaluated through a Visual Analog Scale), plaque size, penile curvature and quality of life (evaluated through an internal questionnaire). Follow-up evaluations were performed after 12 and 24 weeks. In both groups, at 12 weeks follow-up, mean Visual Analog Scale score, mean International Index of Erectile Function score and mean quality of life score ameliorated significantly while mean plaque size and mean curvature degree were unchanged. Intergroup analysis revealed a significantly higher mean International Index of Erectile Function score and quality of life score in patients receiving the combination. After 24 weeks, intergroup analysis revealed a significantly higher mean International Index of Erectile Function score and mean quality of life score in patients that received extracorporeal shock wave therapy plus tadalafil. In conclusion extracorporeal shock wave therapy plus tadalafil 5 mg once daily may represent a valid conservative strategy for the management of patients with Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Andrology © 2011 European Academy of Andrology.

S-velocity structure in Cimandiri fault zone derived from neighbourhood inversion of teleseismic receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syuhada; Anggono, T.; Febriani, F.; Ramdhan, M.

2018-03-01

The availability information about realistic velocity earth model in the fault zone is crucial in order to quantify seismic hazard analysis, such as ground motion modelling, determination of earthquake locations and focal mechanism. In this report, we use teleseismic receiver function to invert the S-velocity model beneath a seismic station located in the Cimandiri fault zone using neighbourhood algorithm inversion method. The result suggests the crustal thickness beneath the station is about 32-38 km. Furthermore, low velocity layers with high Vp/Vs exists in the lower crust, which may indicate the presence of hot material ascending from the subducted slab.

The effect of mirror therapy integrating functional electrical stimulation on the gait of stroke patients.

PubMed

Ji, Sang-Goo; Cha, Hyun-Gyu; Kim, Myoung-Kwon; Lee, Chang-Ryeol

2014-04-01

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to examine whether mirror therapy in conjunction with FES in stroke patients can improve gait ability. [Subjects] This study was conducted with 30 subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparesis due to stroke. [Methods] Experimental group I contained 10 subjects who received mirror therapy in conjunction with functional electrical stimulation, experimental group II contained 10 subjects who received mirror therapy, and the control group contained 10 subjects who received a sham therapy. A gait analysis was performed using a three-dimensional motion capture system, which was a real-time tracking device that delivers data in an infrared mode via reflective markers using six cameras. [Results] The results showed a significant difference in gait velocity between groups after the experiment, and post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between experimental group I and the control group and between experimental group II and the control group, respectively. There were also significant differences in step length and stride length between the groups after the experiment, and post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between experimental group I and control group. [Conclusion] The present study showed that mirror therapy in conjunction with FES is more effective for improving gait ability than mirror therapy alone.

Effects of Robot-assisted Gait Training Combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation on Recovery of Locomotor Mobility in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Bae, Young-Hyeon; Ko, Young Jun; Chang, Won Hyuk; Lee, Ju Hyeok; Lee, Kyeong Bong; Park, Yoo Jung; Ha, Hyun Geun; Kim, Yun-Hee

2014-12-01

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training combined with functional electrical stimulation on locomotor recovery in patients with chronic stroke. [Subjects] The 20 subjects were randomly assigned into either an experimental group (n = 10) that received a combination of robot-assisted gait training and functional electrical stimulation on the ankle dorsiflexor of the affected side or a control group (n = 10) that received robot-assisted gait training only. [Methods] Both groups received the respective therapies for 30 min/day, 3 days/week for 5 weeks. The outcome was measured using the Modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS), Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and gait parameters through gait analysis (Vicon 370 motion analysis system, Oxford Metrics Ltd., Oxford, UK). All the variables were measured before and after training. [Results] Step length and maximal knee extension were significantly greater than those before training in the experimental group only. Maximal Knee flexion showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups. The MMAS, BBS, and TUG scores improved significantly after training compared with before training in both groups. [Conclusion] We suggest that the combination of robot-assisted gait training and functional electrical stimulation encourages patients to actively participate in training because it facilitates locomotor recovery without the risk of adverse effects.

Analysis of radiometric signal in sedimentating suspension flow in open channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zych, Marcin; Hanus, Robert; Petryka, Leszek; Świsulski, Dariusz; Doktor, Marek; Mastej, Wojciech

2015-05-01

The article discusses issues related to the estimation of the sedimentating solid particles average flow velocity in an open channel using radiometric methods. Due to the composition of the compound, which formed water and diatomite, received data have a very weak signal to noise ratio. In the process analysis the known determining of the solid phase transportation time delay the classical cross-correlation function is the most reliable method. The use of advanced frequency analysis based on mutual spectral density function and wavelet transform of recorded signals allows a reduction of the noise contribution.

Theoretical analysis of the performance of code division multiple access communications over multimode optical fiber channels. Part 1: Transmission and detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Ernest L.

1994-05-01

This paper presents results of a theoretical investigation to evaluate the performance of code division multiple access communications over multimode optical fiber channels in an asynchronous, multiuser communication network environment. The system is evaluated using Gold sequences for spectral spreading of the baseband signal from each user employing direct-sequence biphase shift keying and intensity modulation techniques. The transmission channel model employed is a lossless linear system approximation of the field transfer function for the alpha -profile multimode optical fiber. Due to channel model complexity, a correlation receiver model employing a suboptimal receive filter was used in calculating the peak output signal at the ith receiver. In Part 1, the performance measures for the system, i.e., signal-to-noise ratio and bit error probability for the ith receiver, are derived as functions of channel characteristics, spectral spreading, number of active users, and the bit energy to noise (white) spectral density ratio. In Part 2, the overall system performance is evaluated.

Critical analysis of the literature investigating urogenital function preservation following robotic rectal cancer surgery

PubMed Central

Panteleimonitis, Sofoklis; Ahmed, Jamil; Harper, Mick; Parvaiz, Amjad

2016-01-01

AIM To analyses the current literature regarding the urogenital functional outcomes of patients receiving robotic rectal cancer surgery. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases was performed in October 2015. The following search terms were applied: “rectal cancer” or “colorectal cancer” and robot* or “da Vinci” and sexual or urolog* or urinary or erect* or ejaculat* or impot* or incontinence. All original studies examining the urological and/or sexual outcomes of male and/or female patients receiving robotic rectal cancer surgery were included. Reference lists of all retrieved articles were manually searched for further relevant articles. Abstracts were independently searched by two authors. RESULTS Fifteen original studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 1338 patients were included; 818 received robotic, 498 laparoscopic and 22 open rectal cancer surgery. Only 726 (54%) patients had their urogenital function assessed via means of validated functional questionnaires. From the included studies, three found that robotic rectal cancer surgery leads to quicker recovery of male urological function and five of male sexual function as compared to laparoscopic surgery. It is unclear whether robotic surgery offers favourable urogenital outcomes in the long run for males. In female patients only two studies assessed urological and three sexual function independently to that of males. In these studies there was no difference identified between patients receiving robotic and laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. However, in females the presented evidence was very limited making it impossible to draw any substantial conclusions. CONCLUSION There seems to be a trend towards earlier recovery of male urogenital function following robotic surgery. To evaluate this further, larger well designed studies are required. PMID:27933136

Synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognition, physiological markers, daily function, and quality of life in stroke survivors with cognitive decline: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Yeh, Ting-Ting; Wu, Ching-Yi; Hsieh, Yu-Wei; Chang, Ku-Chou; Lee, Lin-Chien; Hung, Jen-Wen; Lin, Keh-Chung; Teng, Ching-Hung; Liao, Yi-Han

2017-08-31

Aerobic exercise and cognitive training have been effective in improving cognitive functions; however, whether the combination of these two can further enhance cognition and clinical outcomes in stroke survivors with cognitive decline remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the treatment effects of a sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognitive function and clinical outcomes. Stroke survivors (n = 75) with cognitive decline will be recruited and randomly assigned to cognitive training, aerobic exercise, and sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training groups. All participants will receive training for 60 minutes per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. The aerobic exercise group will receive stationary bicycle training, the cognitive training group will receive cognitive-based training, and the sequential group will first receive 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, followed by 30 minutes of cognitive training. The outcome measures involve cognitive functions, physiological biomarkers, daily function and quality of life, physical functions, and social participation. Participants will be assessed before and immediately after the interventions, and 6 months after the interventions. Repeated measures of analysis of variance will be used to evaluate the changes in outcome measures at the three assessments. This trial aims to explore the benefits of innovative intervention approaches to improve the cognitive function, physiological markers, daily function, and quality of life in stroke survivors with cognitive decline. The findings will provide evidence to advance post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02550990 . Registered on 6 September 2015.

Circuit class or seven-day therapy for increasing intensity of rehabilitation after stroke: protocol of the CIRCIT trial.

PubMed

Hillier, Susan; English, Coralie; Crotty, Maria; Segal, Leonie; Bernhardt, Julie; Esterman, Adrian

2011-12-01

There is strong evidence for a dose-response relationship between physical therapy early after stroke and recovery of function. The optimal method of maximizing physical therapy within finite health care resources is unknown. To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of two alternative models of physical therapy service delivery (seven-days per week therapy services or group circuit class therapy over five-days a week) to usual care for people receiving inpatient rehabilitation after stroke. Multicenter, three-armed randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcomes. A total of 282 people admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities after stroke with an admission functional independence measure (FIM) score within the moderate range (total 40-80 points or motor 38-62 points) will be randomized to receive one of three interventions: • usual care therapy over five-days a week • standard care therapy over seven-days a week, or • group circuit class therapy over five-days a week. Participants will receive the allocated intervention for the length of their hospital stay. Analysis will be by intention-to-treat. The primary outcome measure is walking ability (six-minute walk test) at four-week postintervention with three- and six-month follow-up. Economic analysis will include a costing analysis based on length of hospital stay and staffing/resource costs and a cost-utility analysis (incremental quality of life per incremental cost, relative to usual care). Secondary outcomes include walking speed and independence, ability to perform activities of daily living, arm function, quality of life and participant satisfaction. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Stroke © 2011 World Stroke Organization.

UV Lidar Receiver Analysis for Tropospheric Sensing of Ozone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pliutau, Denis; DeYoung, Russell J.

2013-01-01

A simulation of a ground based Ultra-Violet Differential Absorption Lidar (UV-DIAL) receiver system was performed under realistic daytime conditions to understand how range and lidar performance can be improved for a given UV pulse laser energy. Calculations were also performed for an aerosol channel transmitting at 3 W. The lidar receiver simulation studies were optimized for the purpose of tropospheric ozone measurements. The transmitted lidar UV measurements were from 285 to 295 nm and the aerosol channel was 527-nm. The calculations are based on atmospheric transmission given by the HITRAN database and the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological data. The aerosol attenuation is estimated using both the BACKSCAT 4.0 code as well as data collected during the CALIPSO mission. The lidar performance is estimated for both diffuseirradiance free cases corresponding to nighttime operation as well as the daytime diffuse scattered radiation component based on previously reported experimental data. This analysis presets calculations of the UV-DIAL receiver ozone and aerosol measurement range as a function of sky irradiance, filter bandwidth and laser transmitted UV and 527-nm energy

Space Handbook

DTIC Science & Technology

1970-07-01

communications problem is confined to transfer between the vehicle and the surface and to recording the data in a form suitable for processing and analysis at a...information available for later analysis would be of greater significance. Thus, computers used to receive and record data may be used to perform preliminary...basic design of boosters and payloads to the reduction and analysis of the data after mission completion. Computers function to schedule experiments

Predicting Positive Education Outcomes for Emerging Adults in Mental Health Systems of Care.

PubMed

Brennan, Eileen M; Nygren, Peggy; Stephens, Robert L; Croskey, Adrienne

2016-10-01

Emerging adults who receive services based on positive youth development models have shown an ability to shape their own life course to achieve positive goals. This paper reports secondary data analysis from the Longitudinal Child and Family Outcome Study including 248 culturally diverse youth ages 17 through 22 receiving mental health services in systems of care. After 12 months of services, school performance was positively related to youth ratings of school functioning and service participation and satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed ratings of young peoples' perceptions of school functioning, and their experience in services added to the significant prediction of satisfactory school performance, even controlling for sex and attendance. Finally, in addition to expected predictors, participation in planning their own services significantly predicted enrollment in higher education for those who finished high school. Findings suggest that programs and practices based on positive youth development approaches can improve educational outcomes for emerging adults.

Distance Coaching for Pre-Service Teachers: Impacts on Children's Functional Communication in Inclusive Preschool Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storie, Sloan; Coogle, Christan Grygas; Rahn, Naomi; Ottley, Jennifer Riggie

2017-01-01

This article reports the results of a post hoc analysis of child data from a single-case multiple-probe study of pre-service teachers' use of communication strategies before, while, and after receiving distance coaching. Data were analyzed for the number of functional communication utterances used by groups of preschool children with and without…

Crustal structure beneath two seismic stations in the Sunda-Banda arc transition zone derived from receiver function analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Syuhada, E-mail: hadda9@gmail.com; Research Centre for Physics - Indonesian Institute of Sciences; Hananto, Nugroho D.

2015-04-24

We analyzed receiver functions to estimate the crustal thickness and velocity structure beneath two stations of Geofon (GE) network in the Sunda-Banda arc transition zone. The stations are located in two different tectonic regimes: Sumbawa Island (station PLAI) and Timor Island (station SOEI) representing the oceanic and continental characters, respectively. We analyzed teleseismic events of 80 earthquakes to calculate the receiver functions using the time-domain iterative deconvolution technique. We employed 2D grid search (H-κ) algorithm based on the Moho interaction phases to estimate crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio. We also derived the S-wave velocity variation with depth beneath both stationsmore » by inverting the receiver functions. We obtained that beneath station PLAI the crustal thickness is about 27.8 km with Vp/Vs ratio 2.01. As station SOEI is covered by very thick low-velocity sediment causing unstable solution for the inversion, we modified the initial velocity model by adding the sediment thickness estimated using high frequency content of receiver functions in H-κ stacking process. We obtained the crustal thickness is about 37 km with VP/Vs ratio 2.2 beneath station SOEI. We suggest that the high Vp/Vs in station PLAI may indicate the presence of fluid ascending from the subducted plate to the volcanic arc, whereas the high Vp/Vs in station SOEI could be due to the presence of sediment and rich mafic composition in the upper crust and possibly related to the serpentinization process in the lower crust. We also suggest that the difference in velocity models and crustal thicknesses between stations PLAI and SOEI are consistent with their contrasting tectonic environments.« less

Longitudinal alterations in health-related quality of life and its impact on the clinical course of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib treatment.

PubMed

Shomura, Masako; Kagawa, Tatehiro; Okabe, Haruka; Shiraishi, Koichi; Hirose, Shunji; Arase, Yoshitaka; Tsuruya, Kota; Takahira, Sachiko; Mine, Tetsuya

2016-11-11

This study aimed to identify the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains associated with prognosis by assessing longitudinal alterations in HRQOL in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib. We prospectively assessed HRQOL by administering the SF-36 questionnaire 3-monthly to consecutive patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib. We evaluated the impact of HRQOL on their overall survival and duration of treatment with sorafenib using Cox's proportional hazards model. There were 54 participants: 42 (78 %) were male, the median age was 71 years, 24 (44 %) had hepatitis C virus infection, 33 (61 %) had Child-Pugh scores of 5, and 30 (56 %) had TNM stage IV hepatocellular carcinoma. The median overall survival and treatment duration were 9 and 5 months, respectively, and 40 patients (74 %) died. Thirteen patients receiving sorafenib over a 1-year period maintained all domain scores >40, without a significant decline during the treatment period. In contrast, physical functioning, physical role, and vitality scores declined continuously and significantly in the year before death (in the 40 patients who died). Previous curative treatment and physical functioning scores ≥40 at baseline were significantly associated with longer overall survival by multivariate analysis. Social functioning scores ≥40, absence of vascular invasion, and lower DCP value were significant predictors of longer treatment duration. HRQOL was not significantly impaired in those patients who were able to complete a 1-year course of sorafenib treatment. Baseline physical functioning scores ≥40 and social functioning scores ≥40 were significantly associated with longer overall survival and longer treatment duration, respectively. Thus, HRQOL could be a valuable marker to predict the clinical course of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rate according to the Pulmonary Function of Korean Adults Aged 40 Years and Over: Analysis of the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Influenza vaccination is an effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality, particularly for those who have decreased lung functions. This study was to identify the factors that affect vaccination coverage according to the results of pulmonary function tests depending on the age. In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 3,224 adults over the age of 40 who participated in the fifth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and underwent pulmonary function testing in 2012. To identify the factors that affect vaccination rate, logistic regression analysis was conducted after dividing the subjects into two groups based on the age of 65. Influenza vaccination coverage of the entire subjects was 45.2%, and 76.8% for those aged 65 and over. The group with abnormal pulmonary function had a higher vaccination rate than the normal group, but any pulmonary dysfunction or history of COPD did not affect the vaccination coverage in the multivariate analysis. The subjects who were 40-64 years-old had higher vaccination coverage when they were less educated or with restricted activity level, received health screenings, and had chronic diseases. Those aged 65 and over had significantly higher vaccination coverage only when they received regular health screenings. Any pulmonary dysfunction or having COPD showed no significant correlation with the vaccination coverage in the Korean adult population. PMID:27134491

The Lithospheric Structure Beneath Canary Islands from Receiver Function Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez-Arevalo, C.; Mancilla, F.; Helffrich, G. R.; Garcia, A.

2009-12-01

The Canary Archipelago is located a few hundred kilometers off the western Moroccan coast, extending 450 km west-to-east. It is composed of seven main islands. All but one have been active in the last million years. The origin of the Canary Islands is not well established and local and regional geology features cannot be completely explained by the current models. The main aim of this study is to provide new data that help us to understand and constrain the archipelago's origin and tectonic evolution. The crustal structure under each station is obtained applying P-receiver function technique to the teleseismic P arrivals recorded by the broadband seismic network installed at the Canary Island by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) and two temporary stations (MIDSEA and IRIS). We computed receiver functions using the Extended-Time Multitaper Frequency Domain Cross-Correlation Receiver Function (ET-MTRF) method. The results show that the crust is thicker, around 22 km, in the eastern islands (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) than in the western ones (El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife), around 17 km, with the exception of La Gomera island. This island, located in the west, exhibits similar crustal structure to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. A discontinuity at 70-80 km, possibly the LAB (Lithosphere Asthenosphere Boundary) is clearly observed in all the stations. It appears that Moho depths do not track the LAB discontinuity.

Evidence for the contemporary magmatic system beneath Long Valley Caldera from local earthquake tomography and receiver function analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Seccia, D.; Chiarabba, C.; De Gori, P.; Bianchi, I.; Hill, D.P.

2011-01-01

We present a new P wave and S wave velocity model for the upper crust beneath Long Valley Caldera obtained using local earthquake tomography and receiver function analysis. We computed the tomographic model using both a graded inversion scheme and a traditional approach. We complement the tomographic I/P model with a teleseismic receiver function model based on data from broadband seismic stations (MLAC and MKV) located on the SE and SW margins of the resurgent dome inside the caldera. The inversions resolve (1) a shallow, high-velocity P wave anomaly associated with the structural uplift of a resurgent dome; (2) an elongated, WNW striking low-velocity anomaly (8%–10 % reduction in I/P) at a depth of 6 km (4 km below mean sea level) beneath the southern section of the resurgent dome; and (3) a broad, low-velocity volume (–5% reduction in I/P and as much as 40% reduction in I/S) in the depth interval 8–14 km (6–12 km below mean sea level) beneath the central section of the caldera. The two low-velocity volumes partially overlap the geodetically inferred inflation sources that drove uplift of the resurgent dome associated with caldera unrest between 1980 and 2000, and they likely reflect the ascent path for magma or magmatic fluids into the upper crust beneath the caldera.

Association between the location of transposed ovary and ovarian function in patients with uterine cervical cancer treated with (postoperative or primary) pelvic radiotherapy.

PubMed

Hwang, Jong Ha; Yoo, Heon Jong; Park, Sae Hyun; Lim, Myong Cheol; Seo, Sang-Soo; Kang, Sokbom; Kim, Joo-Young; Park, Sang-Yoon

2012-06-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of ovarian transposition procedures in preserving ovarian function in relation to the location of the transposed ovaries in patients who underwent surgery with or without pelvic radiotherapy. Retrospective. Uterine cancer center. A total of 53 patients with cervical cancer who underwent ovarian transposition between November 2002 and November 2010. Ovarian transposition to the paracolic gutters with or without radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection. Preservation of ovarian function, which was assessed by patient's symptoms and serum FSH level. Lateral ovarian transposition was performed in 53 patients. Based on receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimum cutoff value of location more than 1.5 cm above the iliac crest was significantly associated with preservation of ovarian function after treatment (area under receiver operator characteristic curve: 0.757, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.572-0.943). In univariate analysis, higher location of transposed ovary more than 1.5 cm from the iliac crest was the only independent factor for intact ovarian function (odds ratio 9.91, 95% CI: 1.75-56.3). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the location of transposed ovary (odds ratio 11.72, 95% CI 1.64-83.39) was the most important factor for intact ovarian function. Location of transposed ovary higher than 1.5 cm above the iliac crest is recommended to avoid ovarian failure after lateral ovarian transposition after primary or adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy in cervical cancer. Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report: EOS AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 Receiver Assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ma, Y.

1995-01-01

The AMSU-A receiver subsystem comprises two separated receiver assemblies; AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 (P/N 1356441-1). The AMSU-A1 receiver contains 13 channels and the AMSU-A2 receiver 2 channels. The AMSU-A1 receiver assembly is further divided into two parts; AMSU-A1-1 (P/N 1356429-1) and AMSU-A1-2 (P/N 1356409-1), which contain 9 and 4 channels, respectively. The receiver assemblies are highlighted and illustrate the functional block diagrams of the AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 systems. The AMSU-A receiver subsystem stands in between the antenna and signal processing subsystems of the AMSU-A instrument and comprises the RF and IF components from isolators to attenuators. It receives the RF signals from the antenna subsystem, down-converts the RF signals to IF signals, amplifies and defines the IF signals to proper power level and frequency bandwidth as specified for each channel, and inputs the IF signals to the signal processing subsystem. This test report presents the test data of the EOS AMSU-A Flight Model No. 1 (FM-1) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure for the AMSU-A Receiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, the subsystem-level tests are conducted at ambient temperature only.

Interrelationship of oral health status, swallowing function, nutritional status, and cognitive ability with activities of daily living in Japanese elderly people receiving home care services due to physical disabilities.

PubMed

Furuta, Michiko; Komiya-Nonaka, Manae; Akifusa, Sumio; Shimazaki, Yoshihiro; Adachi, Munehisa; Kinoshita, Toshinori; Kikutani, Takeshi; Yamashita, Yoshihisa

2013-04-01

Malnutrition and cognitive impairment lead to declines in activities of daily living (ADL). Nutritional status and cognitive ability have been shown to correlate with oral health status and swallowing function. However, the complex relationship among the factors that affect decline in ADL is not understood. We examined direct and indirect relationships among oral health status, swallowing function, nutritional status, cognitive ability, and ADL in Japanese elderly people living at home and receiving home care services because of physical disabilities. Participants were 286 subjects aged 60 years and older (mean age, 84.5±7.9 years) living at home and receiving home care services. Oral health status (the number of teeth and wearing dentures) was assessed, and swallowing function was examined using cervical auscultation. Additionally, ADL, cognitive ability, and nutritional status were assessed using the Barthel Index, the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, respectively. Path analysis was used to test pathways from these factors to ADL. The mean number of teeth present in the participants was 8.6±9.9 (edentates, 40.6%). Dysphagia, malnutrition, and severe cognitive impairment were found in 31.1%, 14.0%, and 21.3% of the participants, respectively. Path analysis indicated that poor oral health status and cognitive impairment had a direct effect on denture wearing, and the consequent dysphagia, in addition to cognitive impairment, was positively associated with malnutrition. Malnutrition as well as dysphagia and cognitive impairment directly limited ADL. A lower number of teeth are positively related to swallowing dysfunction, whereas denture wearing contributes to recovery of swallowing function. Dysphagia, cognitive impairment, and malnutrition directly and indirectly decreased ADL in elderly people living at home and receiving home nursing care. The findings suggest that preventing tooth loss and encouraging denture wearing when teeth are lost may indirectly contribute to maintaining or improving ADL, mediated by recovery of swallowing function and nutritional status. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Characterization of impulse noise and analysis of its effect upon correlation receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houts, R. C.; Moore, J. D.

1971-01-01

A noise model is formulated to describe the impulse noise in many digital systems. A simplified model, which assumes that each noise burst contains a randomly weighted version of the same basic waveform, is used to derive the performance equations for a correlation receiver. The expected number of bit errors per noise burst is expressed as a function of the average signal energy, signal-set correlation coefficient, bit time, noise-weighting-factor variance and probability density function, and a time range function which depends on the crosscorrelation of the signal-set basis functions and the noise waveform. A procedure is established for extending the results for the simplified noise model to the general model. Unlike the performance results for Gaussian noise, it is shown that for impulse noise the error performance is affected by the choice of signal-set basis functions and that Orthogonal signaling is not equivalent to On-Off signaling with the same average energy.

Transportation Analysis Exploring Alternative Shipping of Marine Expeditionary Brigade Forces to Seabase in Contingency Response Scenarios

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-12-01

sub- functions: 20 • A.1 – Receive Warning Order • A.2 – Determine Available Transportation • A.3 – Allocate Equipment and Personnel Functions A...upon the Warning Order and allocate personnel and equipment to those transportation assets. Figure 6 depicts functional hierarchy of the Planning...determine available shipping and the allocation of equipment (e.g., cargo and vehicle capacities) to the available ships. In support of MEB

Effects of tacrolimus and erythropoietin in experimental spinal cord lesion in rats: functional and histological evaluation

PubMed Central

de Mesquita Coutinho, P R; Cristante, A F; de Barros Filho, T E P; Ferreira, R; dos Santos, G B

2016-01-01

Study design: Experimental study with rats. Objective: To evaluate functional and histological effects of tacrolimus (FK 506) and erythropoietin (EPO) after experimental spinal cord contusion injury (SCI). Setting: Brazil. Methods: Wistar rats (n=60) were submitted to SCI with the NYU Impactor system. The control group received saline; the EPO group received EPO; the group EPO+FK 506 received EPO associated with tacrolimus and the group FK 506 received tacrolimus only. The Sham group underwent SCI, but did not receive any drug. Locomotor function was evaluated after SCI by BBB (Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan) weekly and by the motor-evoked potential test in 42 days. The spinal cord was histologically evaluated. Results: There was a significant difference between treated and the control groups from the seventh day on for BBB scores, with no difference between the groups EPO and EPO+FK 506 by the end of the study. There were significant differences between groups for necrosis and bleeding, but not for hiperemia, degeneration and cellular infiltrate. Axon neuron count was different between all groups (P=0.001), between EPO+FK 506 and FK 506 (P=0.011) and between EPO+FK 506 and Sham (P=0.002). Amplitude was significantly different between all groups except between control and sham. For latency, there was no difference. Conclusions: This study did not reveal significant differences in the recovery of locomotor function, or in the histological and electrophysiological analysis in animals treated with EPO and tacrolimus after thoracic SCI. PMID:26481712

Peritumoral Artery Scoring System: a Novel Scoring System to Predict Renal Function Outcome after Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy.

PubMed

Zhang, Ruiyun; Wu, Guangyu; Huang, Jiwei; Shi, Oumin; Kong, Wen; Chen, Yonghui; Xu, Jianrong; Xue, Wei; Zhang, Jin; Huang, Yiran

2017-06-06

The present study aimed to assess the impact of peritumoral artery characteristics on renal function outcome prediction using a novel Peritumoral Artery Scoring System based on computed tomography arteriography. Peritumoral artery characteristics and renal function were evaluated in 220 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and then validate in 51 patients with split and total glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In particular, peritumoral artery classification and diameter were measured to assign arteries into low, moderate, and high Peritumoral Artery Scoring System risk categories. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were then used to determine risk factors for major renal functional decline. The Peritumoral Artery Scoring System and four other nephrometry systems were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The Peritumoral Artery Scoring System was significantly superior to the other systems for predicting postoperative renal function decline (p < 0.001). In receiver operating characteristic analysis, our category system was a superior independent predictor of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline (area-under-the-curve = 0.865, p < 0.001) and total GFR decline (area-under-the-curve = 0.796, p < 0.001), and split GFR decline (area-under-the-curve = 0.841, p < 0.001). Peritumoral artery characteristics were independent predictors of renal function outcome after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Functional polymorphisms of circadian negative feedback regulation genes are associated with clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving radical resection.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhaohui; Ma, Fei; Zhou, Feng; Chen, Yibing; Wang, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Hongxin; Zhu, Yong; Bi, Jianwei; Zhang, Yiguan

2014-12-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that circadian negative feedback loop genes play an important role in the development and progression of many cancers. However, the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes and the clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection have not been studied so far. Thirteen functional SNPs in circadian genes were genotyped using the Sequenom iPLEX genotyping system in a cohort of 489 Chinese HCC patients who received radical resection. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier curve were used for the prognosis analysis. Cumulative effect analysis and survival tree analysis were used for the multiple SNPs analysis. Four individual SNPs, including rs3027178 in PER1, rs228669 and rs2640908 in PER3 and rs3809236 in CRY1, were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) of HCC patients, and three SNPs, including rs3027178 in PER1, rs228729 in PER3 and rs3809236 in CRY1, were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). Moreover, we observed a cumulative effect of significant SNPs on OS and RFS (P for trend < 0.001 for both). Survival tree analysis indicated that wild genotype of rs228729 in PER3 was the primary risk factor contributing to HCC patients' RFS. Our study suggests that the polymorphisms in circadian negative feedback loop genes may serve as independent prognostic biomarkers in predicting clinical outcomes for HCC patients who received radical resection. Further studies with different ethnicities are needed to validate our findings and generalize its clinical utility.

The relationship between ovarian function and ovarian limited dose in radiotherapy postoperation of ovarian transposition in young patients with cervical cancer.

PubMed

Du, Zhenhua; Qu, Hui

2017-03-01

In this study, the relationship between ovarian function and ovarian limited dose in radiotherapy was evaluated in young patients with cervical cancer who underwent ovarian transposition (Fig1B). Moreover, the novel ovarian dose limit for a better preservation of ovarian function in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was determined. We retrospectively analyzed data from 86 patients with cervical cancer who received radical hysterectomy and ovarian transposition from January 2013 to June 2015. In agreement with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines (NCCN) for Cervical Cancer Version 2.2015, 65 patients with pathological high-risk factors were administered adjuvant radiotherapy-20 of them received three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (Observation Group A), 24 patients received IMRT with no limitation on radiation dose to ovaries (Observation Group B), and 21 patients underwent IMRT with limited radiation dose(V 10 <20%) to ovaries (Observation Group C). Twenty-one patients without any predetermined high-risk factors did not received radiation therapy (Control Group D). Patients from all four groups were followed up, and sex hormone levels (E 2 , P, follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], LH) before radiation, postradiation, 3 month, and 6 month after the radiation therapy were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Subsequently, changes in sex hormone levels in all four groups of patients at various time points were analyzed. The levels of sexual hormones (E 2 , P, FSH, LH) before radiation, postradiation, 3 month, and 6 month after the radiation therapy in patients from all three observation groups were significantly lower than those in patients of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of sex hormones in patients of the control group at different time points (P > 0.05). Within each observation group, there was a statistically significant difference in the sex hormone levels in patients before the radiation and after the radiation (P < 0.05); however, when data from all three observation groups were compared, only the difference in the levels of FSH and LH between the patients from Group A and Group C was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that limiting ovarian radiation dose to V 7.5  < 26% in IMRT prevents the disruption of ovarian function (area under ROC curve was 0.740, confidence interval [CI] = 0.606-0.874). In young patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy and ovarian transposition without receiving adjuvant radiotherapy, ovarian endocrine function was well preserved. In patients who received any type of postoperative radiotherapy, ovarian function was affected, suggesting that the standard ovarian limited dose used in IMRT disrupted ovarian function. The results of the ROC curve analysis suggested that the new optimal dose limit of V 7.5  < 26% should be used in IMRT to preserve ovarian function (P = 0.003). © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Influence of Diffused Solar Radiation on the Solar Concentrating System of a Plant Shoot Configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obara, Shin'ya

Investigation of a plant shoot configuration is used to obtain valuable information concerning the received light system. Additionally, analysis results concerning a plant shoot configuration interaction with direct solar radiation were taken from a past study. However, in order to consider a plant shoot as a received sunlight system, it is necessary to understand the received light characteristics of both direct solar radiation and diffused solar radiation. Under a clear sky, the ratio of direct solar radiation to diffused solar radiation is large. However, under a clouded sky, the amount of diffused solar radiation becomes larger. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the received light characteristics of a plant shoot configuration under the influence of diffused solar radiation. As a result, we clarify the relationship between the amount of diffused solar radiation and the amount of received light as a function of the characteristics of the plant shoot configuration. In order to obtain diffused solar radiation, it is necessary to correspond to the radiation of the multi-directions. In the analysis, the characteristic of the difference in arrangement of the top leaf and the other leaf was obtained. Therefore, in analysis, leaves other than the top were distributed in the wide range.

An Improved Time-Frequency Analysis Method in Interference Detection for GNSS Receivers

PubMed Central

Sun, Kewen; Jin, Tian; Yang, Dongkai

2015-01-01

In this paper, an improved joint time-frequency (TF) analysis method based on a reassigned smoothed pseudo Wigner–Ville distribution (RSPWVD) has been proposed in interference detection for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. In the RSPWVD, the two-dimensional low-pass filtering smoothing function is introduced to eliminate the cross-terms present in the quadratic TF distribution, and at the same time, the reassignment method is adopted to improve the TF concentration properties of the auto-terms of the signal components. This proposed interference detection method is evaluated by experiments on GPS L1 signals in the disturbing scenarios compared to the state-of-the-art interference detection approaches. The analysis results show that the proposed interference detection technique effectively overcomes the cross-terms problem and also preserves good TF localization properties, which has been proven to be effective and valid to enhance the interference detection performance of the GNSS receivers, particularly in the jamming environments. PMID:25905704

Crustal and uppermost mantle structures of the South China from joint analysis of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave dispersions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhi; Gao, Xing; Li, Tong; Wang, Wei

2018-05-01

We use P-wave receiver function H-k stacking and joint inversion of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave dispersions to investigate crustal and uppermost mantle structure beneath the South China. The obtained results reveal prominent crustal structure variations in the study area, Moho depth increases from ∼30 km in the Cathaysia Block to more than ∼60 km in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. A Moho undulation and Vp/Vs ratio variations can be observed from the Cathaysia Block to Yangtze Craton. These observations consistent with the crustal structures predict by the flat slab subduction model. We interpret these lateral crustal structure variations reflect the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Craton and Cathaysia Block prior the Mesozoic and the post-orogenic magmatism due to the breaking up of the subducted flat slab and subsequent slab rollback in the South China. The observed variations of the crustal structures not only reveal the lateral crustal inhomogeneity, but also provide constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the South China.

The Automated System of the Rhythm Analysis of the Educational Process in a Higher Educational Institution on the Basis of Aprioristic Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pelin, Nicolae; Mironov, Vladimir

2008-01-01

In this article the problems of functioning algorithms development for system of the automated analysis of educational process rhythm in a higher educational institution are considered. Using the device of experiment planning for conducting the scientific researches, adapted methodologies, received by authors in the dissertational works at the…

Effect of heme oxygenase-1 on the protection of ischemia reperfusion injury of bile duct in rats after liver transplantation.

PubMed

Zhan, Xi; Zhang, Zhiqing; Huang, Hanfei; Zhang, Yujun; Zeng, Zhong

2018-06-01

To investigate the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on the ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) of bile duct in rat models after liver transplantation. 320 SD rats were equally and randomly divided into 5 groups, which were group A receiving injection of 3×10 8 /pfu/ml adenovirus (adv), group B with donor receiving Adv-HO-1 and recipient receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA, group C with donor and recipient both receiving Adv-HO-1, group D with donor receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA and recipient receiving Adv-HO-1, and group E with donor and recipient both receiving Adv-HO-1-siRNA at 24h before liver transplantation. Donor liver was stored in UW liquid at 4°C followed by measuring HO-1 level by western blot before transplantation. On d1, d3, d7 and d14, serum and liver was isolated for analysis of liver function, inflammatory cell infiltration by H&E staining, ultrastructure of liver by transmission electron microscopy as well as the expression of HO-1, Bsep, Mrp2 and Ntcp by western blot. Compared with group D and E, group B and C displayed improved liver function as demonstrated by lower level of ALT, AST, LDH, TBIL, ALP and GGT, increased secretion of TBA and PL as well as expression of transporter proteins (Bsep, Mrp2 and Ntcp), reduced inflammatory cells infiltration and liver injury. Our study demonstrated that overexpression of HO-1 in donor liver can ameliorate the damage to bile duct and liver, and improved liver function, suggesting HO-1 might be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of IRI after liver transplantation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Tracing Geophysical Indicators of Fluid-Induced Serpentinization in the Pampean Flat Slab Subduction Region of Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourke, J. R.; Nikulin, A.; Park, J. J.

2016-12-01

An activity gap in the Andean volcanic arc in the Pampean section of the subduction zone in Chile ( 28°-33°S) marks a section of flat-slab subduction. Past studies connected this change in geometry to the collision and subduction of the Juan Fernandez Ridge and the resulting migration of both the thrust front and magmatism eastward to the Sierras Pampeanas. The fate of fluids released from the subducting Nazca slab remains uncertain and the degree of their interaction with the basal layer of the continental lithosphere is poorly understood. We present initial results of a receiver-function investigation and forward-modeling effort at station GO03 operated by the Chilean National Seismic Network. Receiver function analysis of 75 well-recorded teleseismic earthquake events recorded at GO03 allow us to constrain the position of the subducting Nazca slab and to address the physical properties of the interplate contact zone. Critically, our analysis indicates presence of a highly-anisotropic zone of low velocities directly above the subucting Nazca slab. We point out a remarkable similarity in geophysical characteristics between the observed seismic anomaly at GO03 and a volume of proposed serpentinization in an area of sub-horizontal subduction above the Juan de Fuca slab in Cascadia. This interpretation is further supported by forward-modeling receiver functions at GO03 relying on a velocity model that incorporates a serpentinized interplate region. The newly-identified low-velocity highly-anisotropic layer may extend beyond the GO03 area and act as a mineral reservoir that captures and, possibly, transports fluids derived from the dehydrating Nazca Plate as it subducts below South America. It is likely that there is a relationship between this feature and the lack of volcanic activity in the Pampean flat slab region. Figure Caption: A) Backazimuth sweep of receiver functions recorded at station GO03 with predicted phase arrivals plotted for 55 km, 65 km, 75 km and 85 km. B) Depth-migrated receiver functions for station GO03 relying on AK-135 velocity model and local seismicity (Mw>4.5) plotted within 15km of a 100km profile centered on GO03 along the dominant direction of subduction (74°).

Family functioning, health and social support assessed by aged home care clients and their family members.

PubMed

Hautsalo, Katja; Rantanen, Anja; Astedt-Kurki, Päivi

2013-10-01

The aim of this study was to describe aged home care clients' and their family members' experiences of their family functioning, family health and social support received. An additional purpose was to determine which factors are connected with social support. Increasing life expectancy and ageing of the population require consideration of the adequacy of home care services and the role of family members as care providers. The older population is a very heterogeneous group because of their variable needs and several disabilities. To ensure the quality of home care, experimental information is needed from clients and their family members. A survey design with convenience sampling. The home care client and a family member of his/her answered a questionnaire together, including background questions, the Family Functioning, Health and Social Support instrument and an open question about support received from home care. Statistical methods were used to describe quantitative data, and content analysis was used in analysing the replies to the open question. Family health was noted as good, and family functioning and overall social support fairly good. An older person's higher basic education, higher age of the family member, better family health and male gender were connected with better social support received. The relationship of the older person and the family member as well as the duration of home care service use had an effect on social support received. The content analysis raised expectations related to time, planning of service, organisational factors and caring practise. Home care clients' and families' needs for support vary, and therefore, the assessment of needs, care planning and updating are important. The variable support needs of older people and their family members require flexible and adaptable home services. Cooperation between all participants involved in care would promote the well-being of the older person and the entire family. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Clustering P-Wave Receiver Functions To Constrain Subsurface Seismic Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chai, C.; Larmat, C. S.; Maceira, M.; Ammon, C. J.; He, R.; Zhang, H.

2017-12-01

The acquisition of high-quality data from permanent and temporary dense seismic networks provides the opportunity to apply statistical and machine learning techniques to a broad range of geophysical observations. Lekic and Romanowicz (2011) used clustering analysis on tomographic velocity models of the western United States to perform tectonic regionalization and the velocity-profile clusters agree well with known geomorphic provinces. A complementary and somewhat less restrictive approach is to apply cluster analysis directly to geophysical observations. In this presentation, we apply clustering analysis to teleseismic P-wave receiver functions (RFs) continuing efforts of Larmat et al. (2015) and Maceira et al. (2015). These earlier studies validated the approach with surface waves and stacked EARS RFs from the USArray stations. In this study, we experiment with both the K-means and hierarchical clustering algorithms. We also test different distance metrics defined in the vector space of RFs following Lekic and Romanowicz (2011). We cluster data from two distinct data sets. The first, corresponding to the western US, was by smoothing/interpolation of receiver-function wavefield (Chai et al. 2015). Spatial coherence and agreement with geologic region increase with this simpler, spatially smoothed set of observations. The second data set is composed of RFs for more than 800 stations of the China Digital Seismic Network (CSN). Preliminary results show a first order agreement between clusters and tectonic region and each region cluster includes a distinct Ps arrival, which probably reflects differences in crustal thickness. Regionalization remains an important step to characterize a model prior to application of full waveform and/or stochastic imaging techniques because of the computational expense of these types of studies. Machine learning techniques can provide valuable information that can be used to design and characterize formal geophysical inversion, providing information on spatial variability in the subsurface geology.

Future remnant liver function as predictive factor for the hypertrophy response after portal vein embolization.

PubMed

Cieslak, Kasia P; Huisman, Floor; Bais, Thomas; Bennink, Roelof J; van Lienden, Krijn P; Verheij, Joanne; Besselink, Marc G; Busch, Olivier R C; van Gulik, Thomas M

2017-07-01

Preoperative portal vein embolization is widely used to increase the future remnant liver. Identification of nonresponders to portal vein embolization is essential because these patients may benefit from associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), which induces a more powerful hypertrophy response. 99m Tc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a quantitative method for assessment of future remnant liver function with a calculated cutoff value for the prediction of postoperative liver failure. The aim of this study was to analyze future remnant liver function before portal vein embolization to predict sufficient functional hypertrophy response after portal vein embolization. Sixty-three patients who underwent preoperative portal vein embolization and computed tomography imaging were included. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed to determine pre-portal vein embolization and post-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function. Receiver operator characteristic analysis of pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function was performed to identify patients who would meet the post-portal vein embolization cutoff value for sufficient function (ie, 2.7%/min/m 2 ). Mean pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function was 1.80% ± 0.45%/min/m 2 and increased to 2.89% ± 0.97%/min/m 2 post-portal vein embolization. Receiver operator characteristic analysis in 33 patients who did not receive chemotherapy revealed that a pre-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function of ≥1.72%/min/m 2 was able to identify patients who would meet the safe future remnant liver function cutoff value 3 weeks after portal vein embolization (area under the curve = 0.820). The predictive value was less pronounced in 30 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (area under the curve = 0.618). A total of 45 of 63 patients underwent liver resection, of whom 5 of 45 developed postoperative liver failure; 4 of 5 patients had a post-portal vein embolization future remnant liver function below the cutoff value for safe resection. When selecting patients for portal vein embolization, future remnant liver function assessed with hepatobiliary scintigraphy can be used as a predictor of insufficient functional hypertrophy after portal vein embolization, especially in nonchemotherapy patients. These patients are potential candidates for ALPPS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Receiver function stacks: initial steps for seismic imaging of Cotopaxi volcano, Ecuador

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bishop, J. W.; Lees, J. M.; Ruiz, M. C.

2017-12-01

Cotopaxi volcano is a large, andesitic stratovolcano located within 50 km of the the Ecuadorean capital of Quito. Cotopaxi most recently erupted for the first time in 73 years during August 2015. This eruptive cycle (VEI = 1) featured phreatic explosions and ejection of an ash column 9 km above the volcano edifice. Following this event, ash covered approximately 500 km2 of the surrounding area. Analysis of Multi-GAS data suggests that this eruption was fed from a shallow source. However, stratigraphic evidence surveying the last 800 years of Cotopaxi's activity suggests that there may be a deep magmatic source. To establish a geophysical framework for Cotopaxi's activity, receiver functions were calculated from well recorded earthquakes detected from April 2015 to December 2015 at 9 permanent broadband seismic stations around the volcano. These events were located, and phase arrivals were manually picked. Radial teleseismic receiver functions were then calculated using an iterative deconvolution technique with a Gaussian width of 2.5. A maximum of 200 iterations was allowed in each deconvolution. Iterations were stopped when either the maximum iteration number was reached or the percent change fell beneath a pre-determined tolerance. Receiver functions were then visually inspected for anomalous pulses before the initial P arrival or later peaks larger than the initial P-wave correlated pulse, which were also discarded. Using this data, initial crustal thickness and slab depth estimates beneath the volcano were obtained. Estimates of crustal Vp/Vs ratio for the region were also calculated.

SER Analysis of MPPM-Coded MIMO-FSO System over Uncorrelated and Correlated Gamma-Gamma Atmospheric Turbulence Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khallaf, Haitham S.; Garrido-Balsells, José M.; Shalaby, Hossam M. H.; Sampei, Seiichi

2015-12-01

The performance of multiple-input multiple-output free space optical (MIMO-FSO) communication systems, that adopt multipulse pulse position modulation (MPPM) techniques, is analyzed. Both exact and approximate symbol-error rates (SERs) are derived for both cases of uncorrelated and correlated channels. The effects of background noise, receiver shot-noise, and atmospheric turbulence are taken into consideration in our analysis. The random fluctuations of the received optical irradiance, produced by the atmospheric turbulence, is modeled by the widely used gamma-gamma statistical distribution. Uncorrelated MIMO channels are modeled by the α-μ distribution. A closed-form expression for the probability density function of the optical received irradiance is derived for the case of correlated MIMO channels. Using our analytical expressions, the degradation of the system performance with the increment of the correlation coefficients between MIMO channels is corroborated.

Direct bit detection receiver noise performance analysis for 32-PSK and 64-PSK modulated signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Iftikhar

1987-12-01

Simple two channel receivers for 32-PSK and 64-PSK modulated signals have been proposed which allow digital data (namely bits), to be recovered directly instead of the traditional approach of symbol detection followed by symbol to bit mappings. This allows for binary rather than M-ary receiver decisions, reduces the amount of signal processing operations and permits parallel recovery of the bits. The noise performance of these receivers quantified by the Bit Error Rate (BER) assuming an Additive White Gaussian Noise interference model is evaluated as a function of Eb/No, the signal to noise ratio, and transmitted phase angles of the signals. The performance results of the direct bit detection receivers (DBDR) when compared to that of convectional phase measurement receivers demonstrate that DBDR's are optimum in BER sense. The simplicity of the receiver implementations and the BER of the delivered data make DBDR's attractive for high speed, spectrally efficient digital communication systems.

Skill components of task analysis

PubMed Central

Rogers, Wendy A.; Fisk, Arthur D.

2017-01-01

Some task analysis methods break down a task into a hierarchy of subgoals. Although an important tool of many fields of study, learning to create such a hierarchy (redescription) is not trivial. To further the understanding of what makes task analysis a skill, the present research examined novices’ problems with learning Hierarchical Task Analysis and captured practitioners’ performance. All participants received a task description and analyzed three cooking and three communication tasks by drawing on their knowledge of those tasks. Thirty six younger adults (18–28 years) in Study 1 analyzed one task before training and five afterwards. Training consisted of a general handout that all participants received and an additional handout that differed between three conditions: a list of steps, a flow-diagram, and concept map. In Study 2, eight experienced task analysts received the same task descriptions as in Study 1 and demonstrated their understanding of task analysis while thinking aloud. Novices’ initial task analysis scored low on all coding criteria. Performance improved on some criteria but was well below 100 % on others. Practitioners’ task analyses were 2–3 levels deep but also scored low on some criteria. A task analyst’s purpose of analysis may be the reason for higher specificity of analysis. This research furthers the understanding of Hierarchical Task Analysis and provides insights into the varying nature of task analyses as a function of experience. The derived skill components can inform training objectives. PMID:29075044

A novel thyroid function index associated with opposite therapeutic outcomes in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving chemotherapy or sorafenib.

PubMed

Chu, Yu-De; Lin, Kwang-Huei; Huang, Ya-Hui; Lin, Chen-Chun; Hung, Chien-Fu; Yeh, Ta-Sen; Lee, Wei-Chen; Yeh, Chau-Ting

2018-05-21

A sustained proportion of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients worldwide received either chemotherapy or sorafenib. However, to date, effective and convenient biomarkers to predict their therapeutic outcomes remained elusive. Hypothyroidism was associated with favorable anticancer treatment outcomes in several advanced cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential of using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 (FT4) levels as biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes in HCC patients receiving chemotherapy or sorafenib. Total 123 advanced HCC patients at Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer Stage C were included. They were separated into two cohorts, one treated by sorafenib (n = 62) and the other by chemotherapy (n = 61). Clinical data including TSH and FT4 were retrieved and correlated with treatment outcomes. Because of restriction in local insurance policy, the baseline liver function reserve was better in patients receiving sorafenib. Therefore, the two cohorts were analyzed separately. The results showed that a higher (> median) TSH × FT4 value was independently associated with favorable time-to-tumor progression (P = 0.006) and overall survival (P = 0.002) if chemotherapy was provided; whereas it was associated with unfavorable time-to-tumor progression (P = 0.017) and overall survival (P = 0.001) if sorafenib was administrated. These opposite associations remained valid when patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function from either cohort were included for analysis. A novel thyroid function index, TSH × FT4, significantly predicted opposite clinical outcomes in advanced HCC patients receiving sorafenib or chemotherapy treatment. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

N08C9 (Alliance): A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Sulfasalazine Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Acute Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Pelvic Radiation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miller, Robert C., E-mail: miller.robert@mayo.edu; Petereit, Daniel G.; Sloan, Jeff A.

Purpose: To provide confirmatory evidence on the use of sulfasalazine to reduce enteritis during pelvic radiation therapy (RT), following 2 prior single-institution trials suggestive that benefit existed. Methods and Materials: A multi-institution, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial was designed to assess the efficacy of sulfasalazine versus placebo in the treatment of RT-related enteritis during RT including the posterior pelvis (45.0-53.5 Gy) and conducted through a multicenter national cooperative research alliance. Patients received 1000 mg of sulfasalazine or placebo orally twice daily during and for 4 weeks after RT. The primary endpoint was maximum severity of diarrhea (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events versionmore » 4.0). Toxicity and bowel function were assessed by providers through a self-administered bowel function questionnaire taken weekly during RT and for 6 weeks afterward. Results: Eighty-seven patients were enrolled in the trial between April 29, 2011, and May 13, 2013, with evenly distributed baseline factors. At the time of a planned interim toxicity analysis, more patients with grade ≥3 diarrhea received sulfasalazine than received placebo (29% vs 11%, P=.04). A futility analysis showed that trial continuation would be unlikely to yield a positive result, and a research board recommended halting study treatment. Final analysis of the primary endpoint showed no significant difference in maximum diarrhea severity between the sulfasalazine and placebo arms (P=.41). Conclusions: Sulfasalazine does not reduce enteritis during pelvic RT and may be associated with a higher risk of adverse events than placebo. This trial illustrates the importance of confirmatory phase 3 trials in the evaluation of symptom-control agents.« less

Treatments to Prevent Bone Loss in Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Altayar, Osama; Al Nofal, Alaa; Carranza Leon, B Gisella; Prokop, Larry J; Wang, Zhen; Murad, M Hassan

2017-05-01

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the effect of hormonal therapy [estrogen therapy including oral contraceptive pills (OCP)] and bisphosphonates in preventing bone loss in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). We searched several electronic databases for controlled and noncontrolled studies that enrolled females of any age presenting with FHA (including athletic, weight loss, and stress-associated amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) through 9 January 2017. The outcomes of interest were fractures and bone mineral density (BMD). Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool outcomes across studies expressed as weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). Nine studies reporting on 280 patients that received different hormonal therapies were included. We did not identify studies that evaluated bisphosphonates. Meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in BMD of the lumbar spine in patients receiving hormonal therapy after a median follow-up of 12 months (weighted mean difference, 0.032 g/cm 2 ; 95% CI, 0.017 to 0.047; percentage change in BMD, 3.30%; 95% CI, 1.74 to 4.86). There was no substantial effect of receiving hormonal therapy on BMD of the femoral neck, trochanteric region, Ward triangle, or total body BMD. The quality of evidence was low because of the high risk of bias, imprecision (small sample size), and indirectness (as BMD is a surrogate outcome). None of the studies reported the incidence of fractures. The current evidence does not support using hormonal therapy for the sole purpose of improving bone health in patients with FHA. There are no data about bisphosphonates in this population.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease.

PubMed

Bermejo, Sheila; García, Carles Oriol; Rodríguez, Eva; Barrios, Clara; Otero, Sol; Mojal, Sergi; Pascual, Julio; Soler, María José

Diabetic kidney disease is the leading cause of end-stage chronic kidney disease. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade has been shown to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Our objectives were: to study the percentage of patients with diabetic kidney disease treated with RAAS blockade, to determine its renal function, safety profile and assess whether its administration is associated with increased progression of CKD after 3 years of follow-up. Retrospective study. 197 diabetic kidney disease patients were included and divided into three groups according to the treatment: patients who had never received RAAS blockade (non-RAAS blockade), patients who at some point had received RAAS blockade (inconstant-RAAS blockade) and patients who received RAAS blockade (constant-RAAS blockade). Clinical characteristics and analytical variables such as renal function, electrolytes, glycosylated haemoglobin and glomerular filtration rate according to chronic kidney disease -EPI and MDRD formulas were assessed. We also studied their clinical course (baseline, 1 and 3 years follow-up) in terms of treatment group, survival, risk factors and renal prognosis. Non-RAAS blockade patients had worse renal function and older age (p<0.05) at baseline compared to RAAS blockade patients. Patients who received RAAS blockade were not found to have greater toxicity or chronic kidney disease progression and no differences in renal prognosis were identified. Mortality was higher in non-RAAS blockade patients, older patients and patients with worse renal function (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, older age and worse renal function were risk factors for mortality. Treatment with RAAS blockade is more common in diabetic kidney disease patients with eGFR≥30ml/min/1.73m 2 . In our study, there were no differences in the evolution of renal function between the three groups. Older age and worse renal function were associated with higher mortality in patients who did not receive RAAS blockade. Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Nefrología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

On Fast Post-Processing of Global Positioning System Simulator Truth Data and Receiver Measurements and Solutions Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kizhner, Semion; Day, John H. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Post-processing of data, related to a GPS receiver test in a GPS simulator and test facility, is an important step towards qualifying a receiver for space flight. Although the GPS simulator provides all the parameters needed to analyze a simulation, as well as excellent analysis tools on the simulator workstation, post-processing is not a GPS simulator or receiver function alone, and it must be planned as a separate pre-flight test program requirement. A GPS simulator is a critical resource, and it is desirable to move off the pertinent test data from the simulator as soon as a test is completed. The receiver and simulator databases are used to extract the test data files for postprocessing. These files are then usually moved from the simulator and receiver systems to a personal computer (PC) platform, where post-processing is done typically using PC-based commercial software languages and tools. Because of commercial software systems generality their functions are notoriously slow and more than often are the bottleneck even for short duration simulator-based tests. There is a need to do post-processing faster and within an hour after test completion, including all required operations on the simulator and receiver to prepare and move off the post-processing files. This is especially significant in order to use the previous test feedback for the next simulation setup or to run near back-to-back simulation scenarios. Solving the post-processing timing problem is critical for a pre-flight test program success. Towards this goal an approach was developed that allows to speed-up post-processing by an order of a magnitude. It is based on improving the post-processing bottleneck function algorithm using a priory information that is specific to a GPS simulation application and using only the necessary volume of truth data. The presented postprocessing scheme was used in support of a few successful space flight missions carrying GPS receivers.

Effect of Sexual Education on Sexual Function of Iranian Couples During Pregnancy: A Quasi Experimental Study.

PubMed

Heidari, Masumeh; Aminshokravi, Farkhondeh; Zayeri, Farid; Azin, Seyed Ali

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of husbands' participation in sexual education on sexual function during pregnancy. This quasi experimental study was conducted on 123 couples who were divided in two intervention (A: couples, B: pregnant women) and one control (C) groups. Group A couples received sex education, Group B women received sex education without their spouses, and Group C women received routine prenatal care without sex education. Sexual functions of couples were assessed by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and International Index Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires, before sex education, four weeks after the intervention, at the end of the second trimester and at the end of the third trimester. Mean total scores of FSFI and IIEF were not different at baseline in three groups. Repeated measure analysis showed significant differences between groups (A and B with C) in the mean total scores of FSFI and IIEF during the third trimester. The mean total scores of the two intervention groups of A and B were not significant. According to the results of the present study, promoting the sexual function of pregnant women needs to include the sex education on prenatal care. Whereas spouses' participation was suggested to have a great role in the effectiveness and strengthening of the education in various studies, this study showed that the lack of spouses' participation for whatever reasons may lead to the same results of previous studies which emphasized the necessity of spouses' participation.

The impact of changes in LVEF and renal function on the prognosis of ICD patients after elective device replacement.

PubMed

Vandenberk, Bert; Robyns, Tomas; Garweg, Christophe; Floré, Vincent; Foulon, Stefaan; Voros, Gabor; Ector, Joris; Willems, Rik

2017-10-01

A proportion of patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in prevention of sudden cardiac death will only receive their first appropriate ICD therapy (AT) after device replacement. Clinical reassessment at the time of replacement could be helpful to guide the decision to replace or not in the future. All patients with an ICD for primary or secondary prevention in ischemic (ICM) or nonischemic cardiomyopathy were included in a single-center retrospective registry. The association of changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; cut-off at 35%), worsening renal function (decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate > 15 mL/min), and worsening New York Heart Association class at elective device replacement with mortality and AT was analyzed using adjusted Cox regression analysis. A total of 238 (33%) out of 727 patients received elective device replacement (86.1% male, 74.4% ICM, 42.9% primary prevention). During this replacement 20.2% received a device upgrade. The mean time to replacement was 6.4 ± 2.0 years and mean follow-up after replacement was 3.4 ± 3.0 years. Of patients who did not receive AT before replacement 23.1% received their first AT after replacement. Worsening renal function (hazard ratio [HR] 2.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-5.18) and a consistently LVEF ≤35% compared to a consistently LVEF >35% (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.10-4.19) at the time of replacement were independent predictors of mortality. Independent predictors of first AT after replacement could not be identified. Although reassessment of LVEF and renal function at replacement can be helpful in predicting total mortality, the clinical utility to guide reimplantation seemed limited. Our experience indicates that approximately 25% of patients received their first AT only after replacement. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Performance Analysis for Joint Target Parameter Estimation in UMTS-Based Passive Multistatic Radar with Antenna Arrays Using Modified Cramér-Rao Lower Bounds.

PubMed

Shi, Chenguang; Wang, Fei; Salous, Sana; Zhou, Jianjiang

2017-10-18

In this study, the modified Cramér-Rao lower bounds (MCRLBs) on the joint estimation of target position and velocity is investigated for a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS)-based passive multistatic radar system with antenna arrays. First, we analyze the log-likelihood redfunction of the received signal for a complex Gaussian extended target. Then, due to the non-deterministic transmitted data symbols, the analytically closed-form expressions of the MCRLBs on the Cartesian coordinates of target position and velocity are derived for a multistatic radar system with N t UMTS-based transmit station of L t antenna elements and N r receive stations of L r antenna elements. With the aid of numerical simulations, it is shown that increasing the number of receiving elements in each receive station can reduce the estimation errors. In addition, it is demonstrated that the MCRLB is not only a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the number of receiving antenna elements and the properties of the transmitted UMTS signals, but also a function of the relative geometric configuration between the target and the multistatic radar system.The analytical expressions for MCRLB will open up a new dimension for passive multistatic radar system by aiding the optimal placement of receive stations to improve the target parameter estimation performance.

Performance Analysis for Joint Target Parameter Estimation in UMTS-Based Passive Multistatic Radar with Antenna Arrays Using Modified Cramér-Rao Lower Bounds

PubMed Central

Wang, Fei; Salous, Sana; Zhou, Jianjiang

2017-01-01

In this study, the modified Cramér-Rao lower bounds (MCRLBs) on the joint estimation of target position and velocity is investigated for a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS)-based passive multistatic radar system with antenna arrays. First, we analyze the log-likelihood redfunction of the received signal for a complex Gaussian extended target. Then, due to the non-deterministic transmitted data symbols, the analytically closed-form expressions of the MCRLBs on the Cartesian coordinates of target position and velocity are derived for a multistatic radar system with Nt UMTS-based transmit station of Lt antenna elements and Nr receive stations of Lr antenna elements. With the aid of numerical simulations, it is shown that increasing the number of receiving elements in each receive station can reduce the estimation errors. In addition, it is demonstrated that the MCRLB is not only a function of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the number of receiving antenna elements and the properties of the transmitted UMTS signals, but also a function of the relative geometric configuration between the target and the multistatic radar system.The analytical expressions for MCRLB will open up a new dimension for passive multistatic radar system by aiding the optimal placement of receive stations to improve the target parameter estimation performance. PMID:29057805

High lateral resolution exploration using surface waves from noise records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chávez-García, Francisco José Yokoi, Toshiaki

2016-04-01

Determination of the shear-wave velocity structure at shallow depths is a constant necessity in engineering or environmental projects. Given the sensitivity of Rayleigh waves to shear-wave velocity, subsoil structure exploration using surface waves is frequently used. Methods such as the spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) or multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) determine phase velocity dispersion from surface waves generated by an active source recorded on a line of geophones. Using MASW, it is important that the receiver array be as long as possible to increase the precision at low frequencies. However, this implies that possible lateral variations are discarded. Hayashi and Suzuki (2004) proposed a different way of stacking shot gathers to increase lateral resolution. They combined strategies used in MASW with the common mid-point (CMP) summation currently used in reflection seismology. In their common mid-point with cross-correlation method (CMPCC), they cross-correlate traces sharing CMP locations before determining phase velocity dispersion. Another recent approach to subsoil structure exploration is based on seismic interferometry. It has been shown that cross-correlation of a diffuse field, such as seismic noise, allows the estimation of the Green's Function between two receivers. Thus, a virtual-source seismic section may be constructed from the cross-correlation of seismic noise records obtained in a line of receivers. In this paper, we use the seismic interferometry method to process seismic noise records obtained in seismic refraction lines of 24 geophones, and analyse the results using CMPCC to increase the lateral resolution of the results. Cross-correlation of the noise records allows reconstructing seismic sections with virtual sources at each receiver location. The Rayleigh wave component of the Green's Functions is obtained with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Using CMPCC analysis of the virtual-source seismic lines, we are able to identify lateral variations of phase velocity inside the seismic line, and increase the lateral resolution compared with results of conventional analysis.

Early administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) in patients with cardiac arrest with initial shockable rhythm in hospital: propensity score matched analysis

PubMed Central

Andersen, Lars W; Kurth, Tobias; Chase, Maureen; Berg, Katherine M; Cocchi, Michael N; Callaway, Clifton

2016-01-01

Objectives To evaluate whether patients who experience cardiac arrest in hospital receive epinephrine (adrenaline) within the two minutes after the first defibrillation (contrary to American Heart Association guidelines) and to evaluate the association between early administration of epinephrine and outcomes in this population. Design Prospective observational cohort study. Setting Analysis of data from the Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation registry, which includes data from more than 300 hospitals in the United States. Participants Adults in hospital who experienced cardiac arrest with an initial shockable rhythm, including patients who had a first defibrillation within two minutes of the cardiac arrest and who remained in a shockable rhythm after defibrillation. Intervention Epinephrine given within two minutes after the first defibrillation. Main outcome measures Survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge with a good functional outcome. A propensity score was calculated for the receipt of epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, based on multiple characteristics of patients, events, and hospitals. Patients who received epinephrine at either zero, one, or two minutes after the first defibrillation were then matched on the propensity score with patients who were “at risk” of receiving epinephrine within the same minute but who did not receive it. Results 2978patients were matched on the propensity score, and the groups were well balanced. 1510 (51%) patients received epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, which is contrary to current American Heart Association guidelines. Epinephrine given within the first two minutes after the first defibrillation was associated with decreased odds of survival in the propensity score matched analysis (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 0.82; P<0.001). Early epinephrine administration was also associated with a decreased odds of return of spontaneous circulation (0.71, 0.60 to 0.83; P<0.001) and good functional outcome (0.69, 0.58 to 0.83; P<0.001). Conclusion Half of patients with a persistent shockable rhythm received epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, contrary to current American Heart Association guidelines. The receipt of epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation was associated with decreased odds of survival to hospital discharge as well as decreased odds of return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge with a good functional outcome. PMID:27053638

Early administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) in patients with cardiac arrest with initial shockable rhythm in hospital: propensity score matched analysis.

PubMed

Andersen, Lars W; Kurth, Tobias; Chase, Maureen; Berg, Katherine M; Cocchi, Michael N; Callaway, Clifton; Donnino, Michael W

2016-04-06

To evaluate whether patients who experience cardiac arrest in hospital receive epinephrine (adrenaline) within the two minutes after the first defibrillation (contrary to American Heart Association guidelines) and to evaluate the association between early administration of epinephrine and outcomes in this population. Prospective observational cohort study. Analysis of data from the Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation registry, which includes data from more than 300 hospitals in the United States. Adults in hospital who experienced cardiac arrest with an initial shockable rhythm, including patients who had a first defibrillation within two minutes of the cardiac arrest and who remained in a shockable rhythm after defibrillation. Epinephrine given within two minutes after the first defibrillation. Survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge with a good functional outcome. A propensity score was calculated for the receipt of epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, based on multiple characteristics of patients, events, and hospitals. Patients who received epinephrine at either zero, one, or two minutes after the first defibrillation were then matched on the propensity score with patients who were "at risk" of receiving epinephrine within the same minute but who did not receive it. 2978 patients were matched on the propensity score, and the groups were well balanced. 1510 (51%) patients received epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, which is contrary to current American Heart Association guidelines. Epinephrine given within the first two minutes after the first defibrillation was associated with decreased odds of survival in the propensity score matched analysis (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 0.82; P<0.001). Early epinephrine administration was also associated with a decreased odds of return of spontaneous circulation (0.71, 0.60 to 0.83; P<0.001) and good functional outcome (0.69, 0.58 to 0.83; P<0.001). Half of patients with a persistent shockable rhythm received epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation, contrary to current American Heart Association guidelines. The receipt of epinephrine within two minutes after the first defibrillation was associated with decreased odds of survival to hospital discharge as well as decreased odds of return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge with a good functional outcome. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Functional analysis and intervention for perseverative verbal behaviour of an older adult with traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Quearry, Amy Garcia; Lundervold, Duane A

2016-01-01

A functional analysis of behaviour was conducted to determine the controlling variables related to the perseverative verbal behaviour (PBV) of a 60-year-old female with a long-standing traumatic brain injury receiving educational assistance. Functional analyses (FA) of antecedent and consequent conditions related to PCB were conducted to determine controlling influence of: (a) content of verbal interaction and, (b) social reinforcement. After isolating the controlling variables, the functioned-based intervention was implemented in 60 minute tutoring sessions. A reversal condition was used to demonstrate experimental control of the behavior during tutoring sessions. PVB which occurred in the context of tutoring for an undergraduate course significantly interfered with the delivery of instruction. Multiple replications of the functional relation between social reinforcement and PVB duration was demonstrated using an A-B-A-B reversal design during functional analysis and tutoring conditions. PVB markedly declined, but did not extinguish over the course of weekly tutoring (extinction) sessions, most likely due to 'bootleg reinforcement' occurring in other situations. Results indicate that perseverative verbal behaviour following closed head injury may be strongly influenced by the social contingencies operating in various contexts and is amenable to applied behaviour analysis interventions.

The Dolinar Receiver in an Information Theoretic Framework

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Erkmen, Baris I.; Birnbaum, Kevin M.; Moision, Bruce E.; Dolinar, Samuel J.

2011-01-01

Optical communication at the quantum limit requires that measurements on the optical field be maximally informative, but devising physical measurements that accomplish this objective has proven challenging. The Dolinar receiver exemplifies a rare instance of success in distinguishing between two coherent states: an adaptive local oscillator is mixed with the signal prior to photodetection, which yields an error probability that meets the Helstrom lower bound with equality. Here we apply the same local-oscillator-based architecture with aninformation-theoretic optimization criterion. We begin with analysis of this receiver in a general framework for an arbitrary coherent-state modulation alphabet, and then we concentrate on two relevant examples. First, we study a binary antipodal alphabet and show that the Dolinar receiver's feedback function not only minimizes the probability of error, but also maximizes the mutual information. Next, we study ternary modulation consistingof antipodal coherent states and the vacuum state. We derive an analytic expression for a near-optimal local oscillator feedback function, and, via simulation, we determine its photon information efficiency (PIE). We provide the PIE versus dimensional information efficiency (DIE) trade-off curve and show that this modulation and the our receiver combination performs universally better than (generalized) on-off keying plus photoncounting, although, the advantage asymptotically vanishes as the bits-per-photon diverges towards infinity.

Effects of Adjuvant Mental Practice on Affected Upper Limb Function Following a Stroke: Results of Three-Dimensional Motion Analysis, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity and Motor Activity Logs.

PubMed

Oh, Hyun Seung; Kim, Eun Joo; Kim, Doo Young; Kim, Soo Jeong

2016-06-01

To investigate the effects of adjuvant mental practice (MP) on affected upper limb function following a stroke using three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis. In this AB/BA crossover study, we studied 10 hemiplegic patients who had a stroke within the past 6 months. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: one group received MP combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy for the first 3 weeks followed by conventional rehabilitation therapy alone for the final 3 weeks; the other group received the same therapy but in reverse order. The MP tasks included drinking from a cup and opening a door. MP was individually administered for 20 minutes, 3 days a week for 3 weeks. To assess the tasks, we used 3D motion analysis and three additional tests: the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE) and the motor activity logs for amount of use (MAL-AOU) and quality of movement (MAL-QOM). Assessments were performed immediately before treatment (T0), 3 weeks into treatment (T1), and 6 weeks into treatment (T2). Based on the results of the 3D motion analysis and the FMA-UE index (p=0.106), the MAL-AOU scale (p=0.092), and MAL-QOM scale (p=0.273), adjuvant MP did not result in significant improvements. Adjuvant MP had no significant effect on upper limb function following a stroke, according to 3D motion analysis and three clinical assessment tools (the FMA-UE index and the two MAL scales). The importance of this study is its use of objective 3D motion analysis to evaluate the effects of MP. Further studies will be needed to validate these findings.

Seismic structure beneath Mt Vesuvius from receiver function analysis and local earthquakes tomography: evidences for location and geometry of the magma chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agostinetti, N. Piana; Chiarabba, C.

2008-12-01

The recognition and localization of magmatic fluids are pre-requisites for evaluating the volcano hazard of the highly urbanized area of Mt Vesuvius. Here we show evidence and constraints for the volumetric estimation of magmatic fluids underneath this sleeping volcano. We use Receiver Functions for teleseismic data recorded at a temporary broad-band station installed on the volcano to constrain the S-wave velocity structure in the crust. Receiver Functions are analysed and inverted using the Neighbourhood Algorithm approach. The 1-D S-velocity profile is jointly interpreted and discussed with a new Vp and Vp/Vs image obtained by applying double difference tomographic techniques to local earthquakes. Seismologic data define the geometry of an axial, cylindrical high Vp, high Vs body consisting of a shallow solidified materials, probably the remnants of the caldera, and ultramafic rocks paving the crustal magma chamber. Between these two anomalies, we find a small region where the shear wave velocity drops, revealing the presence of magma at relatively shallow depths. The volume of fluids (30 km3) is sufficient to contribute future explosive eruptions.

Impact of whole-body rehabilitation in patients receiving chronic mechanical ventilation.

PubMed

Martin, Ubaldo J; Hincapie, Luis; Nimchuk, Mark; Gaughan, John; Criner, Gerard J

2005-10-01

To evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of weakness in patients receiving chronic mechanical ventilation and the impact of providing aggressive whole-body rehabilitation on conventional weaning variables, muscle strength, and overall functional status. Retrospective analysis of 49 consecutive patients. Multidisciplinary ventilatory rehabilitation unit in an academic medical center. Forty-nine consecutive chronic ventilator-dependent patients referred to a tertiary care hospital ventilator rehabilitation unit. None. Patients were 58 +/- 7 yrs old with multiple etiologies for respiratory failure. On admission, all patients were bedridden and had severe weakness of upper and lower extremities measured by a 5-point muscle strength score and a 7-point Functional Independence Measurement. Postrehabilitation, patients had increases in upper and lower extremity strength (p < .05) and were able to stand and ambulate. All weaned from mechanical ventilation, but three required subsequent intermittent support. Six patients died before hospital discharge. Upper extremity strength on admission inversely correlated with time to wean from mechanical ventilation (R = .72, p < .001). : Patients receiving chronic ventilation are weak and deconditioned but respond to aggressive whole-body and respiratory muscle training with an improvement in strength, weaning outcome, and functional status. Whole-body rehabilitation should be considered a significant component of their therapy.

Determination of Shear Wave Velocity Structure in the Rio Grande Rift Through Receiver Function and Surface Wave Analysis. Appendix B

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-08-01

source and receiver responses for constant ray parameter, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 67, 1029-1050, 1977. Langston, C. A., Structure under Mount Rainier ...the 106 petrologic processes taking place within the rift. APPENDIX LIST OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS USED IN THESIS. 107 I 108 PROGRAM: RAY3D AUTHOR: Dr. T.J...Lab. Rep., LA-8676-T, 218 pp., 1981. Baldridge, W. S., Petrology an,3 petrogenesis of Plio- Pleistocene basaltic rocks from the central Rio Grand

Integrated Advance Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report: EOS AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 Receivers Assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This test report presents the test data of the EOS AMSU-A Flight Model No.1 (FM-1) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure for the AMSU-A Reseiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, the subsystem-level test are conducted at ambient temperature only.

Social Support, a Mediator in Collaborative Depression Care for Cancer Patients

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oh, Hyunsung; Ell, Kathleen

2015-01-01

Objective: This study assessed whether perceived social support (PSS) is a factor in improving physical and functional well-being observed among cancer patients receiving collaborative depression care. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of data collected in a randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of collaborative depression…

Dynamic Functional Connectivity States Between the Dorsal and Ventral Sensorimotor Networks Revealed by Dynamic Conditional Correlation Analysis of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PubMed

Syed, Maleeha F; Lindquist, Martin A; Pillai, Jay J; Agarwal, Shruti; Gujar, Sachin K; Choe, Ann S; Caffo, Brian; Sair, Haris I

2017-12-01

Functional connectivity in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has received substantial attention since the initial findings of Biswal et al. Traditional network correlation metrics assume that the functional connectivity in the brain remains stationary over time. However, recent studies have shown that robust temporal fluctuations of functional connectivity among as well as within functional networks exist, challenging this assumption. In this study, these dynamic correlation differences were investigated between the dorsal and ventral sensorimotor networks by applying the dynamic conditional correlation model to rs-fMRI data of 20 healthy subjects. k-Means clustering was used to determine an optimal number of discrete connectivity states (k = 10) of the sensorimotor system across all subjects. Our analysis confirms the existence of differences in dynamic correlation between the dorsal and ventral networks, with highest connectivity found within the ventral motor network.

DRAGON score predicts functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving both intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and endovascular therapy.

PubMed

Wang, Arthur; Pednekar, Noorie; Lehrer, Rachel; Todo, Akira; Sahni, Ramandeep; Marks, Stephen; Stiefel, Michael F

2017-01-01

The DRAGON score, which includes clinical and computed tomographic (CT) scan parameters, predicts functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA). We assessed the utility of the DRAGON score in predicting functional outcome in stroke patients receiving both IV tPA and endovascular therapy. A retrospective chart review of patients treated at our institution from February 2009 to October 2015 was conducted. All patients with computed tomography angiography (CTA) proven large vessel occlusions (LVO) who underwent intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy were included. Baseline DRAGON scores and modified Rankin Score (mRS) at the time of hospital discharge was calculated. Good outcome was defined as mRS ≤3. Fifty-eight patients with LVO of the anterior circulation were studied. The mean DRAGON score of patients on admission was 5.3 (range, 3-8). All patients received IV tPA and endovascular therapy. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that DRAGON scores ≥7 was associated with higher mRS ( P < 0.006) and higher mortality ( P < 0.0001) compared with DRAGON scores ≤6. Patients with DRAGON scores of 7 and 8 on admission had a mortality rate of 3.8% and 40%, respectively. The DRAGON score can help predict better functional outcomes in ischemic stroke patients receiving both IV tPA and endovascular therapy. This data supports the use of the DRAGON score in selecting patients who could potentially benefit from more invasive therapies such as endovascular treatment. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further validate these results.

Average symbol error rate for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation in generalized atmospheric turbulence and misalignment errors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Prabhat Kumar

2016-11-01

A framework is presented for the analysis of average symbol error rate (SER) for M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation in a free-space optical communication system. The standard probability density function (PDF)-based approach is extended to evaluate the average SER by representing the Q-function through its Meijer's G-function equivalent. Specifically, a converging power series expression for the average SER is derived considering the zero-boresight misalignment errors in the receiver side. The analysis presented here assumes a unified expression for the PDF of channel coefficient which incorporates the M-distributed atmospheric turbulence and Rayleigh-distributed radial displacement for the misalignment errors. The analytical results are compared with the results obtained using Q-function approximation. Further, the presented results are supported by the Monte Carlo simulations.

Additional weekend therapy may reduce length of rehabilitation stay after stroke: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.

PubMed

English, Coralie; Shields, Nora; Brusco, Natasha K; Taylor, Nicholas F; Watts, Jennifer J; Peiris, Casey; Bernhardt, Julie; Crotty, Maria; Esterman, Adrian; Segal, Leonie; Hillier, Susan

2016-07-01

Among people receiving inpatient rehabilitation after stroke, does additional weekend physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy reduce the length of rehabilitation hospital stay compared to those who receive a weekday-only service, and does this change after controlling for individual factors? Does additional weekend therapy improve the ability to walk and perform activities of daily living, measured at discharge? Does additional weekend therapy improve health-related quality of life, measured 6 months after discharge from rehabilitation? Which individual, clinical and hospital characteristics are associated with shorter length of rehabilitation hospital stay? This study pooled individual data from two randomised, controlled trials (n=350) using an individual patient data meta-analysis and multivariate regression. People with stroke admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Additional weekend therapy (physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy) compared to usual care (5 days/week therapy). Length of rehabilitation hospital stay, independence in activities of daily living measured with the Functional Independence Measure, walking speed and health-related quality of life. Participants who received weekend therapy had a shorter length of rehabilitation hospital stay. In the un-adjusted analysis, this was not statistically significant (MD -5.7 days, 95% CI -13.0 to 1.5). Controlling for hospital site, age, walking speed and Functional Independence Measure score on admission, receiving weekend therapy was significantly associated with a shorter length of rehabilitation hospital stay (β=7.5, 95% CI 1.7 to 13.4, p=0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in Functional Independence Measure scores (MD 1.9 points, 95% CI -2.8 to 6.6), walking speed (MD 0.06 m/second, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.04) or health-related quality of life (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.19) at discharge. Modest evidence indicates that additional weekend therapy might reduce rehabilitation hospital length of stay. ACTRN12610000096055, ACTRN12609000973213. [English C, Shields N, Brusco NK, Taylor NF, Watts JJ, Peiris C, et al. (2016) Additional weekend therapy may reduce length of rehabilitation stay after stroke: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.Journal of Physiotherapy62: 124-129]. Copyright © 2016 Australian Physiotherapy Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Passive seismic experiment and receiver functions analysis to determine crustal structure at the contact of the northern Dinarides and southwestern Pannonian Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šumanovac, Franjo; Hegedűs, Endre; Orešković, Jasna; Kolar, Saša; Kovács, Attila C.; Dudjak, Darko; Kovács, István J.

2016-06-01

Passive seismic experiment was carried out at the SW contact of the Dinarides and Pannonian basin to determine the crustal structure and velocity discontinuities. The aim of the experiment was to define the relationship between the Adriatic microplate and the Pannonian segment as a part of the European plate. Most of the temporary seismic stations were deployed in Croatia along the Alp07 profile-a part of the active-source ALP 2002 project. About 300-km-long profile stretches from Istra peninsula to the Drava river, in a WSW-ESE direction. Teleseismic events recorded on 13 temporary seismic stations along the profile were analysed by P-receiver function method. Two types of characteristic receiver functions (RF) have been identified, belonging to Dinaridic and Pannonian crusts as defined on the Alp07 profile, while in transitional zone there are both types. Three major crustal discontinuities can be identified for the Dinaridic type: sedimentary basement, intracrustal discontinuity and Mohorovičić discontinuity, whereas the Pannonian type revealed only two discontinuities. The intracrustal discontinuity was not observed in the Pannonian type, thus pointing to a single-layered crust in the Pannonian basin. Two interpretation methods were applied: forward modelling of the receiver functions and H-κ stacking method, and the results were compared with the active-source seismic data at deep refraction profile Alp07. The receiver function modelling has given reliable results of the Moho depths that are in accordance with the seismic refraction results at the end of the Alp07 profile, that is in the area of Pannonian crust characterized by simple crustal structure and low seismic velocities (Vp between 5.9 and 6.2 km s-1). In the Dinarides and its peripheral parts, receiver function modelling regularly gives greater Moho depths, up to +15 per cent, due to more complex crustal structure. The depths of the Moho calculated by the H-κ stacking method vary within wide limits (±13 km), due to band limited data of short-period stations. The results at five stations have to be rejected because of huge deviations in comparison with all previous results, while at the other seven stations the Moho depths vary within ±15 per cent around the Moho discontinuity of the Alp07 profile.

Screening for elevated levels of fear-avoidance beliefs regarding work or physical activities in people receiving outpatient therapy.

PubMed

Hart, Dennis L; Werneke, Mark W; George, Steven Z; Matheson, James W; Wang, Ying-Chih; Cook, Karon F; Mioduski, Jerome E; Choi, Seung W

2009-08-01

Screening people for elevated levels of fear-avoidance beliefs is uncommon, but elevated levels of fear could worsen outcomes. Developing short screening tools might reduce the data collection burden and facilitate screening, which could prompt further testing or management strategy modifications to improve outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop efficient yet accurate screening methods for identifying elevated levels of fear-avoidance beliefs regarding work or physical activities in people receiving outpatient rehabilitation. A secondary analysis of data collected prospectively from people with a variety of common neuromusculoskeletal diagnoses was conducted. Intake Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) data were collected from 17,804 people who had common neuromusculoskeletal conditions and were receiving outpatient rehabilitation in 121 clinics in 26 states (in the United States). Item response theory (IRT) methods were used to analyze the FABQ data, with particular emphasis on differential item functioning among clinically logical groups of subjects, and to identify screening items. The accuracy of screening items for identifying subjects with elevated levels of fear was assessed with receiver operating characteristic analyses. Three items for fear of physical activities and 10 items for fear of work activities represented unidimensional scales with adequate IRT model fit. Differential item functioning was negligible for variables known to affect functional status outcomes: sex, age, symptom acuity, surgical history, pain intensity, condition severity, and impairment. Items that provided maximum information at the median for the FABQ scales were selected as screening items to dichotomize subjects by high versus low levels of fear. The accuracy of the screening items was supported for both scales. This study represents a retrospective analysis, which should be replicated using prospective designs. Future prospective studies should assess the reliability and validity of using one FABQ item to screen people for high levels of fear-avoidance beliefs. The lack of differential item functioning in the FABQ scales in the sample tested in this study suggested that FABQ screening could be useful in routine clinical practice and allowed the development of single-item screening for fear-avoidance beliefs that accurately identified subjects with elevated levels of fear. Because screening was accurate and efficient, single IRT-based FABQ screening items are recommended to facilitate improved evaluation and care of heterogeneous populations of people receiving outpatient rehabilitation.

Calibrated Noise Measurements with Induced Receiver Gain Fluctuations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Racette, Paul; Walker, David; Gu, Dazhen; Rajola, Marco; Spevacek, Ashly

2011-01-01

The lack of well-developed techniques for modeling changing statistical moments in our observations has stymied the application of stochastic process theory in science and engineering. These limitations were encountered when modeling the performance of radiometer calibration architectures and algorithms in the presence of non stationary receiver fluctuations. Analyses of measured signals have traditionally been limited to a single measurement series. Whereas in a radiometer that samples a set of noise references, the data collection can be treated as an ensemble set of measurements of the receiver state. Noise Assisted Data Analysis is a growing field of study with significant potential for aiding the understanding and modeling of non stationary processes. Typically, NADA entails adding noise to a signal to produce an ensemble set on which statistical analysis is performed. Alternatively as in radiometric measurements, mixing a signal with calibrated noise provides, through the calibration process, the means to detect deviations from the stationary assumption and thereby a measurement tool to characterize the signal's non stationary properties. Data sets comprised of calibrated noise measurements have been limited to those collected with naturally occurring fluctuations in the radiometer receiver. To examine the application of NADA using calibrated noise, a Receiver Gain Modulation Circuit (RGMC) was designed and built to modulate the gain of a radiometer receiver using an external signal. In 2010, an RGMC was installed and operated at the National Institute of Standards and Techniques (NIST) using their Noise Figure Radiometer (NFRad) and national standard noise references. The data collected is the first known set of calibrated noise measurements from a receiver with an externally modulated gain. As an initial step, sinusoidal and step-function signals were used to modulate the receiver gain, to evaluate the circuit characteristics and to study the performance of a variety of calibration algorithms. The receiver noise temperature and time-bandwidth product of the NFRad are calculated from the data. Statistical analysis using temporal-dependent calibration algorithms reveals that the natural occurring fluctuations in the receiver are stationary over long intervals (100s of seconds); however the receiver exhibits local non stationarity over the interval over which one set of reference measurements are collected. A variety of calibration algorithms have been applied to the data to assess algorithms' performance with the gain fluctuation signals. This presentation will describe the RGMC, experiment design and a comparative analysis of calibration algorithms.

Neural Network Classification of Receiver Functions as a Step Towards Automatic Crustal Parameter Determination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jemberie, A.; Dugda, M. T.; Reusch, D.; Nyblade, A.

2006-12-01

Neural networks are decision making mathematical/engineering tools, which if trained properly, can do jobs automatically (and objectively) that normally require particular expertise and/or tedious repetition. Here we explore two techniques from the field of artificial neural networks (ANNs) that seek to reduce the time requirements and increase the objectivity of quality control (QC) and Event Identification (EI) on seismic datasets. We explore to apply the multiplayer Feed Forward (FF) Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Self- Organizing Maps (SOM) in combination with Hk stacking of receiver functions in an attempt to test the extent of the usefulness of automatic classification of receiver functions for crustal parameter determination. Feed- forward ANNs (FFNNs) are a supervised classification tool while self-organizing maps (SOMs) are able to provide unsupervised classification of large, complex geophysical data sets into a fixed number of distinct generalized patterns or modes. Hk stacking is a methodology that is used to stack receiver functions based on the relative arrival times of P-to-S converted phase and next two reverberations to determine crustal thickness H and Vp-to-Vs ratio (k). We use receiver functions from teleseismic events recorded by the 2000- 2002 Ethiopia Broadband Seismic Experiment. Preliminary results of applying FFNN neural network and Hk stacking of receiver functions for automatic receiver functions classification as a step towards an effort of automatic crustal parameter determination look encouraging. After training a FFNN neural network, the network could classify the best receiver functions from bad ones with a success rate of about 75 to 95%. Applying H? stacking on the receiver functions classified by this FFNN as the best receiver functions, we could obtain crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio of 31±4 km and 1.75±0.05, respectively, for the crust beneath station ARBA in the Main Ethiopian Rift. To make comparison, we applied Hk stacking on the receiver functions which we ourselves classified as the best set and found that the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio are 31±2 km and 1.75±0.02, respectively.

Treatments to Prevent Bone Loss in Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Altayar, Osama; Al Nofal, Alaa; Carranza Leon, B. Gisella; Prokop, Larry J.; Wang, Zhen

2017-01-01

Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the effect of hormonal therapy [estrogen therapy including oral contraceptive pills (OCP)] and bisphosphonates in preventing bone loss in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Methods: We searched several electronic databases for controlled and noncontrolled studies that enrolled females of any age presenting with FHA (including athletic, weight loss, and stress-associated amenorrhea/oligomenorrhea) through 9 January 2017. The outcomes of interest were fractures and bone mineral density (BMD). Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool outcomes across studies expressed as weighted mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Nine studies reporting on 280 patients that received different hormonal therapies were included. We did not identify studies that evaluated bisphosphonates. Meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in BMD of the lumbar spine in patients receiving hormonal therapy after a median follow-up of 12 months (weighted mean difference, 0.032 g/cm2; 95% CI, 0.017 to 0.047; percentage change in BMD, 3.30%; 95% CI, 1.74 to 4.86). There was no substantial effect of receiving hormonal therapy on BMD of the femoral neck, trochanteric region, Ward triangle, or total body BMD. The quality of evidence was low because of the high risk of bias, imprecision (small sample size), and indirectness (as BMD is a surrogate outcome). None of the studies reported the incidence of fractures. Conclusion: The current evidence does not support using hormonal therapy for the sole purpose of improving bone health in patients with FHA. There are no data about bisphosphonates in this population. PMID:29264505

Changes in the Functional Potential of the Gut Microbiome Following Probiotic Supplementation during Helicobacter Pylori Treatment.

PubMed

Oh, Bumjo; Kim, Ji Won; Kim, Bong-Soo

2016-12-01

Probiotic supplementation is utilized to alleviate the side effects associated with antibiotic therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. Several studies have described the effects of administration of probiotics on the gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy. However, most of these studies have focused on specific bacteria, thereby providing limited information on the functional roles of the altered microbiota. Therefore, we examined the impact of probiotic supplementation on the structure and functional dynamics of the gut microbiota during H. pylori eradication, using whole-metagenomic sequence analysis. Subjects were divided into two groups: the antibiotics group, which received only antibiotics, and the probiotics group, which received antibiotics with probiotic supplementation. The structural and functional profiles of gut microbiota was analyzed using metagenomic DNA extracted from the feces during treatment by Illumina MiSeq system. The overall alterations in microbiota, as revealed by whole metagenome sequencing, were similar with results from our previous 16S rRNA gene-based analysis. The proportional shift in functional gene families was greater in the antibiotics group than in the probiotics group. In particular, the proportion of genes related to selenocompound metabolism was reduced in the probiotics group, whereas genes associated with the metabolism of nucleotide sugars were increased. The functional alterations of gut microbiota may link to the reduction in intestinal irritation and maintenance of bacterial diversity observed following probiotic supplementation with antibiotic therapy. The potential beneficial roles of altered gut microbiota following probiotic supplementation are expected a reduction in side effects such as intestinal irritation and antibiotics resistance. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Detection of buried targets using a new enhanced very early time electromagnetic (VETEM) prototype system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cui, T.J.; Chew, W.C.; Aydiner, A.A.; Wright, D.L.; Smith, D.V.

2001-01-01

In this paper, numerical simulations of a new enhanced very early time electromagnetic (VETEM) prototype system are presented, where a horizontal transmitting loop and two horizontal receiving loops are used to detect buried targets, in which three loops share the same axis and the transmitter is located at the center of receivers. In the new VETEM system, the difference of signals from two receivers is taken to eliminate strong direct-signals from the transmitter and background clutter and furthermore to obtain a better SNR for buried targets. Because strong coupling exists between the transmitter and receivers, accurate analysis of the three-loop antenna system is required, for which a loop-tree basis function method has been utilized to overcome the low-frequency breakdown problem. In the analysis of scattering problem from buried targets, a conjugate gradient (CG) method with fast Fourier transform (FFT) is applied to solve the electric field integral equation. However, the convergence of such CG-FFT algorithm is extremely slow at very low frequencies. In order to increase the convergence rate, a frequency-hopping approach has been used. Finally, the primary, coupling, reflected, and scattered magnetic fields are evaluated at receiving loops to calculate the output electric current. Numerous simulation results are given to interpret the new VETEM system. Comparing with other single-transmitter-receiver systems, the new VETEM has better SNR and ability to reduce the clutter.

Receive Mode Analysis and Design of Microstrip Reflectarrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rengarajan, Sembiam

2011-01-01

Traditionally microstrip or printed reflectarrays are designed using the transmit mode technique. In this method, the size of each printed element is chosen so as to provide the required value of the reflection phase such that a collimated beam results along a given direction. The reflection phase of each printed element is approximated using an infinite array model. The infinite array model is an excellent engineering approximation for a large microstrip array since the size or orientation of elements exhibits a slow spatial variation. In this model, the reflection phase from a given printed element is approximated by that of an infinite array of elements of the same size and orientation when illuminated by a local plane wave. Thus the reflection phase is a function of the size (or orientation) of the element, the elevation and azimuth angles of incidence of a local plane wave, and polarization. Typically, one computes the reflection phase of the infinite array as a function of several parameters such as size/orientation, elevation and azimuth angles of incidence, and in some cases for vertical and horizontal polarization. The design requires the selection of the size/orientation of the printed element to realize the required phase by interpolating or curve fitting all the computed data. This is a substantially complicated problem, especially in applications requiring a computationally intensive commercial code to determine the reflection phase. In dual polarization applications requiring rectangular patches, one needs to determine the reflection phase as a function of five parameters (dimensions of the rectangular patch, elevation and azimuth angles of incidence, and polarization). This is an extremely complex problem. The new method employs the reciprocity principle and reaction concept, two well-known concepts in electromagnetics to derive the receive mode analysis and design techniques. In the "receive mode design" technique, the reflection phase is computed for a plane wave incident on the reflectarray from the direction of the beam peak. In antenna applications with a single collimated beam, this method is extremely simple since all printed elements see the same angles of incidence. Thus the number of parameters is reduced by two when compared to the transmit mode design. The reflection phase computation as a function of five parameters in the rectangular patch array discussed previously is reduced to a computational problem with three parameters in the receive mode. Furthermore, if the beam peak is in the broadside direction, the receive mode design is polarization independent and the reflection phase computation is a function of two parameters only. For a square patch array, it is a function of the size, one parameter only, thus making it extremely simple.

Seismic velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Texas-Gulf of Mexico margin from joint inversion of Ps and Sp receiver functions and surface wave dispersion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, M.; Pulliam, J.; Sen, M. K.

2013-12-01

The seismic structure beneath Texas Gulf Coast Plain (GCP) is determined via velocity analysis of stacked common conversion point (CCP) Ps and Sp receiver functions and surface wave dispersion. The GCP is a portion of a ocean-continental transition zone, or 'passive margin', where seismic imaging of lithospheric Earth structure via passive seismic techniques has been rare. Seismic data from a temporary array of 22 broadband stations, spaced 16-20 km apart, on a ~380-km-long profile from Matagorda Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, to Johnson City, Texas were employed to construct a coherent image of the crust and uppermost mantle. CCP stacking was applied to data from teleseismic earthquakes to enhance the signal-to-noise ratios of converted phases, such as Ps phases. An inaccurate velocity model, used for time-to-depth conversion in CCP stacking, may produce higher errors, especially in a region of substantial lateral velocity variations. An accurate velocity model is therefore essential to constructing high quality depth-domain images. To find accurate velocity P- and S-wave models, we applied a joint modeling approach that searches for best-fitting models via simulated annealing. This joint inversion approach, which we call 'multi objective optimization in seismology' (MOOS), simultaneously models Ps receiver functions, Sp receiver functions and group velocity surface wave dispersion curves after assigning relative weights for each objective function. Weights are computed from the standard deviations of the data. Statistical tools such as the posterior parameter correlation matrix and posterior probability density (PPD) function are used to evaluate the constraints that each data type places on model parameters. They allow us to identify portions of the model that are well or poorly constrained.

Peripheral Venous Access Ports: Outcomes Analysis in 109 Patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bodner, Leonard J.; Nosher, John L.; Patel, Kaushik M.

Purpose: To perform a retrospective outcomes analysis of central venous catheters with peripheral venous access ports, with comparison to published data.Methods: One hundred and twelve central venous catheters with peripherally placed access ports were placed under sonographic guidance in 109 patients over a 4-year period. Ports were placed for the administration of chemotherapy, hyperalimentation, long-term antibiotic therapy, gamma-globulin therapy, and frequent blood sampling. A vein in the upper arm was accessed in each case and the catheter was passed to the superior vena cava or right atrium. Povidone iodine skin preparation was used in the first 65 port insertions. Amore » combination of Iodophor solution and povidone iodine solution was used in the last 47 port insertions. Forty patients received low-dose (1 mg) warfarin sodium beginning the day after port insertion. Three patients received higher doses of warfarin sodium for preexistent venous thrombosis. Catheter performance and complications were assessed and compared with published data.Results: Access into the basilic or brachial veins was obtained in all cases. Ports remained functional for a total of 28,936 patient days. The port functioned in 50% of patients until completion of therapy, or the patient's expiration. Ports were removed prior to completion of therapy in 18% of patients. Eleven patients (9.9% of ports placed) suffered an infectious complication (0.38 per thousand catheter-days)-in nine, at the port implantation site, in two along the catheter. In all 11 instances the port was removed. Port pocket infection in the early postoperative period occurred in three patients (4.7%) receiving a Betadine prep vs two patients (4.2%) receiving a standard O.R. prep. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.9). Venous thrombosis occurred in three patients (6.8%) receiving warfarin sodium and in two patients (3%) not receiving warfarin sodium. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.6). Aspiration occlusion occurred in 13 patients (11.7%). Intracatheter urokinase was infused in eight of these patients and successfully restored catheter function in all but two instances. These complication rates are comparable to or better than those reported with chest ports.Conclusion: Peripheral ports for long-term central venous access placed by interventional radiologists in the interventional radiology suite are as safe and as effective as chest ports.« less

Detection of ionospheric scintillation effects using LMD-DFA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tadivaka, Raghavendra Vishnu; Paruchuri, Bhanu Priyanka; Miriyala, Sridhar; Koppireddi, Padma Raju; Devanaboyina, Venkata Ratnam

2017-08-01

The performance and measurement accuracy of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers is greatly affected by ionospheric scintillations. Rapid amplitude and phase variations in the received GPS signal, known as ionospheric scintillation, affects the tracking of signals by GNSS receivers. Hence, there is a need to investigate the monitoring of various activities of the ionosphere and to develop a novel approach for mitigation of ionospheric scintillation effects. A method based on Local Mean Decomposition (LMD)-Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) has been proposed. The GNSS data recorded at Koneru Lakshmaiah (K L) University, Guntur, India were considered for analysis. The carrier to noise ratio (C/N0) of GNSS satellite vehicles were decomposed into several product functions (PF) using LMD to extract the intrinsic features in the signal. Scintillation noise was removed by the DFA algorithm by selecting a suitable threshold. It was observed that the performance of the proposed LMD-DFA was better than that of empirical mode decomposition (EMD)-DFA.

Combining classifiers using their receiver operating characteristics and maximum likelihood estimation.

PubMed

Haker, Steven; Wells, William M; Warfield, Simon K; Talos, Ion-Florin; Bhagwat, Jui G; Goldberg-Zimring, Daniel; Mian, Asim; Ohno-Machado, Lucila; Zou, Kelly H

2005-01-01

In any medical domain, it is common to have more than one test (classifier) to diagnose a disease. In image analysis, for example, there is often more than one reader or more than one algorithm applied to a certain data set. Combining of classifiers is often helpful, but determining the way in which classifiers should be combined is not trivial. Standard strategies are based on learning classifier combination functions from data. We describe a simple strategy to combine results from classifiers that have not been applied to a common data set, and therefore can not undergo this type of joint training. The strategy, which assumes conditional independence of classifiers, is based on the calculation of a combined Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, using maximum likelihood analysis to determine a combination rule for each ROC operating point. We offer some insights into the use of ROC analysis in the field of medical imaging.

Combining Classifiers Using Their Receiver Operating Characteristics and Maximum Likelihood Estimation*

PubMed Central

Haker, Steven; Wells, William M.; Warfield, Simon K.; Talos, Ion-Florin; Bhagwat, Jui G.; Goldberg-Zimring, Daniel; Mian, Asim; Ohno-Machado, Lucila; Zou, Kelly H.

2010-01-01

In any medical domain, it is common to have more than one test (classifier) to diagnose a disease. In image analysis, for example, there is often more than one reader or more than one algorithm applied to a certain data set. Combining of classifiers is often helpful, but determining the way in which classifiers should be combined is not trivial. Standard strategies are based on learning classifier combination functions from data. We describe a simple strategy to combine results from classifiers that have not been applied to a common data set, and therefore can not undergo this type of joint training. The strategy, which assumes conditional independence of classifiers, is based on the calculation of a combined Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, using maximum likelihood analysis to determine a combination rule for each ROC operating point. We offer some insights into the use of ROC analysis in the field of medical imaging. PMID:16685884

Assessment of family functioning in Caucasian and Hispanic Americans: reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Family Assessment Device.

PubMed

Aarons, Gregory A; McDonald, Elizabeth J; Connelly, Cynthia D; Newton, Rae R

2007-12-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Family Assessment Device (FAD) among a national sample of Caucasian and Hispanic American families receiving public sector mental health services. A confirmatory factor analysis conducted to test model fit yielded equivocal findings. With few exceptions, indices of model fit, reliability, and validity were poorer for Hispanic Americans compared with Caucasian Americans. Contrary to our expectation, an exploratory factor analysis did not result in a better fitting model of family functioning. Without stronger evidence supporting a reformulation of the FAD, we recommend against such a course of action. Findings highlight the need for additional research on the role of culture in measurement of family functioning.

Improvements in bimanual hand function after baby-CIMT in two-year old children with unilateral cerebral palsy: A retrospective study.

PubMed

Nordstrand, Linda; Holmefur, Marie; Kits, Annika; Eliasson, Ann-Christin

2015-01-01

The common assumption that early-onset intensive intervention positively affects motor development has rarely been investigated for hand function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). This retrospective study explored the possible impact of baby constraint-induced movement therapy (baby-CIMT) on hand function at two years of age. We hypothesized that baby-CIMT in the first year of life would lead to better bimanual hand use at two years of age than would not receiving baby-CIMT. The Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) was administered at age 21 months (SD 2.4 months) in 72 children with unilateral CP, 31 of who received baby-CIMT. When dividing the children into four functional levels based on AHA, the proportional distribution differed between the groups in favour of baby-CIMT. Logistic regression analysis indicated that children in the baby-CIMT group were more likely than were children in the no baby-CIMT group to have a high functional level, even when controlling for the effect of brain lesion type (OR 5.83, 95% CI 1.44-23.56, p = 0.001). However, no difference was found between groups in the odds of having a very low functional level (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.08-1.17, p = 0.084). The result shows that baby-CIMT at early age can have a positive effect. Children who received baby-CIMT were six times more likely to have a high functional level at two years of age than were children in the no baby-CIMT group. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study Design and Analysis Plan. Improving the Consumer Protection Function in Postsecondary Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jung, Steven M.; And Others

Postsecondary student aid programs administered by the United States Office of Education (USOE) have helped many thousands of students to obtain an education they may not otherwise have received; however, some schools have engaged in questionable or abusive practices that have frustrated student attainment of the desirable educational goals…

Use of Hypertext for the Development of an Office Reference System on Economic Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

that were provided to assist the beginning user received mixed reviews. The table of contents function was the most popular control icon (85 percent...quizzing yourself with flashcards and having someone quiz you with flashcards . A variant on this application (can] be constructed that displayed several

Media Analysis as Critical Reflexology in Exploring Adult Learning Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hutchins, Holly M.; Bierema, Laura

2013-01-01

Examining media artifacts as a learning method has received little attention in human resource development (HRD) despite it being a predominate form of information and influence in popular culture. As Giroux (2002) opines, media functions as a form of public pedagogy by offering situations and contexts through which viewers can vicariously…

Electronically Recorded Music as a Communication Medium: A Structural Analysis with Selected Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jorgensen, Earl; Mabry, Edward A.

During the past decade, the influence of electronically recorded music and the message it transmits have caused media scholars to reexamine and modify the theories upon which the basic process of communication is dependent. While the five primary functions (source, transmitter, channel, receiver, and destination) remain unchanged, an additional…

Cross-Species Conservation of Endocrine Pathways: A Critical Analysis of Tier 1 Fish and Rat Screening Assays with 12 Model Chemicals

EPA Science Inventory

Many structural and functional aspects of the vertebrate hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis are known to be highly conserved, but the full significance of this from a toxicological perspective has received comparatively little attention. High-quality data generated throug...

Effect of citronellol and the Chinese medical herb complex on cellular immunity of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy/radiotherapy.

PubMed

Zhuang, Shu-Ru; Chen, Su-Lin; Tsai, Jih-Hsin; Huang, Chi-Chou; Wu, Tzu-Chin; Liu, Wen-Shan; Tseng, Hsien-Chun; Lee, Hong-Sen; Huang, Min-Chang; Shane, Guang-Tzuu; Yang, Cheng-Hua; Shen, You-Cheng; Yan, Yeong-Yu; Wang, Chin-Kun

2009-06-01

Leukopenia and immunity impairment usually occur during cancer therapy. Citronellol, an oil soluble compound derived from the geranium, has anticancer and antiinflammatory properties, as well as promoting wound healing. Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula and Angelicae sinensis are traditional Chinese herbs, all of which have proven immunomodulatory functions in laboratory-based research. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined whether the Chinese medicinal herb complex (CCMH; a mixture of citronellol and extracts of G. lucidum, C. pilosula and A. sinensis) improves the immune cell counts of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. A total of 105 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. The quantities of immune cells in the blood of the subjects were determined before and after 6 weeks of cancer treatment, with either CCMH or a placebo. CCMH significantly reduced the depletion of leukocytes (14.2% compared with 28.2%) and neutrophils (11.0% compared with 29.1%). Analysis of the lymphocyte phenotype revealed that the patients receiving the placebo had reduced CD4 lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells than the CCMH-treated patients. Treatment with CCMH for patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may improve their immune function, improving their ability to fight off the cancer, as well as any secondary infections that could compromise their treatment and their health. (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Drosophila glypican Dally-like acts in FGF-receiving cells to modulate FGF signaling during tracheal morphogenesis

PubMed Central

Yan, Dong; Lin, Xinhua

2007-01-01

Summary Previous studies in Drosophila have shown that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are involved in both breathless (btl)- and heartless (htl)-mediated FGF signaling during embryogenesis. However, the mechanism(s) by which HSPGs control Btl and Htl signaling is unknown. Here we show that dally-like (dlp, a Drosophila glypican) mutant embryos exhibit severe defects in tracheal morphogenesis and show a reduction in btl-mediated FGF signaling activity. However, htl-dependent mesodermal cell migration is not affected in dlp mutant embryos. Furthermore, expression of Dlp, but not other Drosophila HSPGs, can restore effectively the tracheal morphogenesis in dlp embryos. Rescue experiments in dlp embryos demonstrate that Dlp functions only in Bnl/FGF receiving cells in a cell-autonomous manner, but is not essential for Bnl/FGF expression cells. To further dissect the mechanism(s) of Dlp in Btl signaling, we analyzed the role of Dlp in Btl-mediated air sac tracheoblast formation in wing discs. Mosaic analysis experiments show that removal of HSPG activity in FGF-producing or other surrounding cells does not affect tracheoblasts migration, while HSPG mutant tracheoblast cells fail to receive FGF signaling. Together, our results argue strongly that HSPGs regulate Btl signaling exclusively in FGF-receiving cells as co-receptors, but are not essential for the secretion and distribution of the FGF ligand. This mechanism is distinct from HSPG functions in morphogen distribution, and is likely a general paradigm for HSPG functions in FGF signaling in Drosophila. PMID:17959166

The Effect of Group Therapy With Transactional Analysis Approach on Emotional Intelligence, Executive Functions and Drug Dependency.

PubMed

Forghani, Masoomeh; Ghanbari Hashem Abadi, Bahram Ali

2016-06-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of group psychotherapy with transactional analysis (TA) approach on emotional intelligence (EI), executive functions and substance dependency among drug-addicts at rehabilitation centers in Mashhad city, Iran, in 2013. In this quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest, case- control stages, 30 patients were selected from a rehabilitation center and randomly divided into two groups. The case group received 12 sessions of group psychotherapy with transactional analysis approach. Then the effects of independent variable (group psychotherapy with TA approach) on EI, executive function and drug dependency were assessed. The Bar-on test was used for EI, Stroop test for measuring executive function and morphine test, meth-amphetamines and B2 test for evaluating drug dependency. Data were analyzed using multifactorial covariance analysis, Levenes' analysis, MANCOVA, t-student and Pearson correlation coefficient tests t with SPSS software. Our results showed that group psychotherapy with the TA approach was effective in improving EI, executive functions and decreasing drug dependency (P < 0.05). The result of this study showed that group psychotherapy with TA approach has significant effects on addicts and prevents addiction recurrence by improving the coping capabilities and some mental functions of the subjects. However, there are some limitations regarding this study including follow-up duration and sample size.

[Kidney allotransplantation from the AB0-incompatible donors].

PubMed

Goriaĭnov, V A; Kaabak, M M; Babenko, N N; Shishlo, L A; Morozova, M M; Ragimov, A A; Dazhkova, N G; Salimov, E L

2013-01-01

The experience of 28 kidney allotransplantations from the AB0-incompatible donors was analyzed. The comparative group consisted of 38 patients, who received the AB0-compatible organ. The results were assessed using the following parameters: renal function, morphology of the biopsy samples of the transplanted kidney and actuary survival of the recipients with functioning transplants in both groups. The comparative analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups, giving the right to consider the kidney allotransplantation from the AB0-incompatible donors safe and effective.

Parotid Gland Sparing With Helical Tomotherapy in Head-and-Neck Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voordeckers, Mia, E-mail: mia.voordeckers@uzbrussel.be; Farrag, Ashraf; Assiut University

Purpose: This study evaluated the ability of helical tomotherapy to spare the function of the parotid glands in patients with head-and-neck cancer by analyzing dose-volume histograms, salivary gland scintigraphy, and quality of life assessment. Methods and Materials: Data from 76 consecutive patients treated with helical tomotherapy (Hi-Art Tomotherapy) at University Hospital Brussel were analyzed. During planning, priority was given to planning target volume (PTV) coverage: {>=}95% of the dose must be delivered to {>=}95% of the PTV. Elective nodal regions received 54 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction). A dose of 70.5 Gy (2.35 Gy/fraction) was prescribed to the primary tumor and pathologicmore » lymph nodes (simultaneous integrated boost scheme). Objective scoring of salivary excretion was performed by salivary gland scintigraphy. Subjective scoring of salivary gland function was evaluated by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaires Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck 35 (H and N35). Results: Analysis of dose-volume histograms (DVHs) showed excellent coverage of the PTV. The volume of PTV receiving 95% of the prescribed dose (V95%) was 99.4 (range, 96.3-99.9). DVH analysis of parotid gland showed a median value of the mean parotid dose of 32.1 Gy (range, 17.5-70.3 Gy). The median parotid volume receiving a dose <26 Gy was 51.2%. Quality of life evaluation demonstrated an initial deterioration of almost all scales and items in QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H and N35. Most items improved in time, and some reached baseline values 18 months after treatment. Conclusion: DVH analysis, scintigraphic evaluation of parotid function, and quality of life assessment of our patient group showed that helical tomotherapy makes it possible to preserve parotid gland function without compromising disease control. We recommend mean parotid doses of <34 Gy and doses <26 Gy to a maximum 47% of the parotid volume as planning goals. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy should be considered as standard treatment in patients with head-and-neck cancer.« less

Do Knee Bracing and Delayed Weight Bearing Affect Mid-Term Functional Outcome after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

PubMed

Di Miceli, Riccardo; Marambio, Carlotta Bustos; Zati, Alessandro; Monesi, Roberta; Benedetti, Maria Grazia

2017-12-01

Purpose  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of knee bracing and timing of full weight bearing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) on functional outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Methods  We performed a retrospective study on 41 patients with ACLR. Patients were divided in two groups: ACLR group, who received isolated ACL reconstruction and ACLR-OI group who received ACL reconstruction and adjunctive surgery. Information about age at surgery, bracing, full or progressive weight bearing permission after surgery were collected for the two groups. Subjective IKDC score was obtained at follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the two groups for IKDC score. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess the effect of postoperative regimen (knee bracing and weight bearing) on functional outcomes. Results  The mean age of patients was 30.8 ± 10.6 years. Mean IKDC score was 87.4 ± 13.9. The mean follow-up was 3.5 ± 1.8 years. Twenty-two (53.7%) patients underwent ACLR only, while 19 (46.3%) also received other interventions, such as meniscal repair and/or collateral ligament suture. Analysis of overall data showed no differences between the groups for IKDC score. Patients in the ACLR group exhibited a significantly better IKDC score when no brace and full weight bearing after 4 weeks from surgery was prescribed in comparison with patients who worn a brace and had delayed full weight bearing. No differences were found with respect to the use of brace and postoperative weight bearing regimen in the ACLR-OI group. Conclusion  Brace and delayed weight bearing after ACLR have a negative influence on long-term functional outcomes. Further research is required to explore possible differences in the patients operated on ACLR and other intervention with respect to the use of a brace and the timing of full weight bearing to identify optimal recovery strategies. Level of Evidence  Level III, retrospective observational study.

Atmosphere Explorer control system software (version 2.0)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mocarsky, W.; Villasenor, A.

1973-01-01

The Atmosphere Explorer Control System (AECS) was developed to provide automatic computer control of the Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft and experiments. The software performs several vital functions, such as issuing commands to the spacecraft and experiments, receiving and processing telemetry data, and allowing for extensive data processing by experiment analysis programs. The AECS was written for a 48K XEROX Data System Sigma 5 computer, and coexists in core with the XDS Real-time Batch Monitor (RBM) executive system. RBM is a flexible operating system designed for a real-time foreground/background environment, and hence is ideally suited for this application. Existing capabilities of RBM have been used as much as possible by AECS to minimize programming redundancy. The most important functions of the AECS are to send commands to the spacecraft and experiments, and to receive, process, and display telemetry data.

Presynaptic Partners of Dorsal Raphe Serotonergic and GABAergic Neurons

PubMed Central

Weissbourd, Brandon; Ren, Jing; DeLoach, Katherine E.; Guenthner, Casey J.; Miyamichi, Kazunari; Luo, Liqun

2016-01-01

SUMMARY The serotonin system powerfully modulates physiology and behavior in health and disease, yet the circuit mechanisms underlying serotonin neuron activity are poorly understood. The major source of forebrain serotonergic innervation is from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), which contains both serotonin and GABA neurons. Using viral tracing combined with electrophysiology, we found that GABA and serotonin neurons in the DR receive excitatory, inhibitory, and peptidergic inputs from the same specific brain regions. Embedded in this overall similarity are important differences. Serotonin neurons are more likely to receive synaptic inputs from anterior neocortex while GABA neurons receive disproportionally higher input from the central amygdala. Local input mapping revealed extensive serotonin-serotonin as well as GABA-serotonin connectivity with a distinct spatial organization. Covariance analysis suggests heterogeneity of both serotonin and GABA neurons with respect to the inputs they receive. These analyses provide a foundation for further functional dissection of the serotonin system. PMID:25102560

Receiver functions from west Antarctica; crust and mantle properties from POLENET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aster, R. C.; Chaput, J. A.; Hansen, S. E.; Nyblade, A.; Wiens, D. A.; Huerta, A. D.; Wilson, T. J.; Anandakrishnan, S.

2011-12-01

We use receiver functions to extract crustal thickness and mantle transition zone depths across a wide extent of West Antarctica and the Transantarctic mountains using POLENET data, including recently recovered data from a 14-station West Antarctic Rift Zone transect. An adaptive approach for generating and analyzing P-receiver functions over ice sheets and sedimentary basins (similar to Winberry and Anandakrishnan, 2004) is applied using an extended time multitaper deconvolution algorithm and forward modeling synthetic seismogram fitting. We model P-S receiver functions via a layer stripping methodology (beginning with the ice sheet, if present), and fit increasingly longer sections of synthetic receiver functions to model the multiples observed in the data derived receiver functions. We additionally calculate S-P receiver functions, which provide complementary structural constraints, to generate consistent common conversion point stacks to image crustal and upper mantle discontinuities under West Antarctica. Crust throughout West Antarctica is generally thin (23-29 km; comparable to the U.S. Basin and Range) with relative thickening under the Marie Byrd Land volcanic province (to 32 km) and the Transantarctic Mountains. All constrained west Antarctic crust is substantially thicker than that in the vicinity of Ross Island, where crust as thin as 17 km is inferred in the Terror Rift region.

A quality function deployment framework for the service quality of health information websites.

PubMed

Chang, Hyejung; Kim, Dohoon

2010-03-01

This research was conducted to identify both the users' service requirements on health information websites (HIWs) and the key functional elements for running HIWs. With the quality function deployment framework, the derived service attributes (SAs) are mapped into the suppliers' functional characteristics (FCs) to derive the most critical FCs for the users' satisfaction. Using the survey data from 228 respondents, the SAs, FCs and their relationships were analyzed using various multivariate statistical methods such as principal component factor analysis, discriminant analysis, correlation analysis, etc. Simple and compound FC priorities were derived by matrix calculation. Nine factors of SAs and five key features of FCs were identified, and these served as the basis for the house of quality model. Based on the compound FC priorities, the functional elements pertaining to security and privacy, and usage support should receive top priority in the course of enhancing HIWs. The quality function deployment framework can improve the FCs of the HIWs in an effective, structured manner, and it can also be utilized for critical success factors together with their strategic implications for enhancing the service quality of HIWs. Therefore, website managers could efficiently improve website operations by considering this study's results.

Complex Modeling of the Seismic Structure of the Trans-European Suture Zone's Margin from Receiver Function Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilde-Piorko, M.; Chrapkiewicz, K.; Lepore, S.; Polkowski, M.; Grad, M.

2016-12-01

The Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) is one of the most prominent suture zones in Europe separating the young Paleozoic Platform from the much older Precambrian East European Craton. The data recorded by "13 BB Star" broadband seismic stations (Grad et al., 2015) are analyzed to investigate the crustal and upper mantle structure of the margin of the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) in northern Poland. Receiver function (RF) locally provides the signature of sharp seismic discontinuities and information about the shear wave (S-wave) velocity distribution beneath the seismic station. Recorded seismograms are rotated from ZNE to LQT system with method using the properties of RF (Wilde-Piórko, 2015). Different techniques of receiver function interpretation are applied, including 1-D inversion of RF, 1-D forward modeling of RF, 2.5D forward modeling of RF, 1-D join inversion of RF and dispersion curves of surface wave, to find the best S-wave velocity model of the TESZ margin. A high-resolution 3D P-wave velocity model in the area of Poland (Grad et al. 2016) are used as a starting model. National Science Centre Poland provided financial support for this work by NCN grant DEC-2011/02/A/ST10/00284.

Effect of using fluoxetine at different time windows on neurological functional prognosis after ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Guo, Yi; He, Yitao; Tang, Bingshan; Ma, Kefu; Cai, Zhili; Zeng, Siling; Zhang, Ying; Jiang, Xin

2016-01-01

To evaluate the effect of using fluoxetine at different time intervals after ischemic stroke on neurological functional prognosis in China. The patients enrolled were randomly allocated to three groups. Group A received fluoxetine 20 mg/day immediately; group B received fluoxetine 20 mg/day 7 days after enrollment; and group C did not receive fluoxetine. The therapeutic duration of fluoxetine was 90 days and the follow-up period was 180 days. The mean NIHSS score at day 90 was significantly lower in group A than group C (P = 0.005), while at day 180, the mean score in group A was significantly lower than groups B and C (P = 0.035, P = 0.000), respectively. The mean BI score at day 90 was significantly higher in group A than group C (P = 0.001), while at day 180, the mean score in group A was significantly higher than groups B and C (P = 0.036, P = 0.000), respectively. Regression analysis indicated that lower NIHSS score and higher BI score at day 180 were attributed to the early administration of fluoxetine. In patients with ischemic stroke, early administration of fluoxetine may improve the neurological functional prognosis.

Modeling and Circumventing the Effect of Sediments and Water Column on Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Audet, P.

2017-12-01

Teleseismic P-wave receiver functions are routinely used to resolve crust and mantle structure in various geologic settings. Receiver functions are approximations to the Earth's Green's functions and are composed of various scattered phase arrivals, depending on the complexity of the underlying Earth structure. For simple structure, the dominant arrivals (converted and back-scattered P-to-S phases) are well separated in time and can be reliably used in estimating crustal velocity structure. In the presence of sedimentary layers, strong reverberations typically produce high-amplitude oscillations that contaminate the early part of the wave train and receiver functions can be difficult to interpret in terms of underlying structure. The effect of a water column also limits the interpretability of under-water receiver functions due to the additional acoustic wave propagating within the water column that can contaminate structural arrivals. We perform numerical modeling of teleseismic Green's functions and receiver functions using a reflectivity technique for a range of Earth models that include thin sedimentary layers and overlying water column. These modeling results indicate that, as expected, receiver functions are difficult to interpret in the presence of sediments, but the contaminating effect of the water column is dependent on the thickness of the water layer. To circumvent these effects and recover source-side structure, we propose using an approach based on transfer function modeling that bypasses receiver functions altogether and estimates crustal properties directly from the waveforms (Frederiksen and Delayney, 2015). Using this approach, reasonable assumptions about the properties of the sedimentary layer can be included in forward calculations of the Green's functions that are convolved with radial waveforms to predict vertical waveforms. Exploration of model space using Monte Carlo-style search and least-square waveform misfits can be performed to estimate any model parameter of interest, including those of the sedimentary or water layer. We show how this method can be applied to OBS data using broadband stations from the Cascadia Initiative to recover oceanic plate structure.

High Frequency Resolution TOA Analysis for ELF/VLFWave Generation Experiments at HAARP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruddle, J. D.; Moore, R. C.

2014-12-01

Modulated HF heating of the ionosphere in the presence of natural ionospheric current sources has been used as a method to generate electromagnetic ELF/VLF waves since the 1970's. In the ~1-5 kHz band, the amplitude and phase of the received ELF/VLF signal depends on the amplitude and phase of the conductivity modulation generated throughout the HF-heated ionospheric body, as well as on the signal propagation parameters (i.e., the attenuation and phase constants) between each of the current sources and the receiver. Recent signal processing advances have produced an accurate ELF/VLF time-of-arrival (TOA) analysis technique that differentiates line-of-sight and ionospherically-reflected signal components, determining the amplitude and phase of each component observed at the receiver. This TOA method requires a wide bandwidth (> 2.5 kHz) and therefore is relatively insensitive to the frequency-dependent nature of ELF/VLF wave propagation. In this paper, we present an improved ELF/VLF TOA method that is capable of providing high frequency resolution. The new analysis technique is applied to experimental observations of ELF/VLF signals generated by modulated heating at HAARP. We present measurements of the amplitude and phase of the received ELF/VLF signal as a function of frequency and compare the results with the predictions of an HF heating model.

Exome sequencing links corticospinal motor neuron disease to common neurodegenerative disorders.

PubMed

Novarino, Gaia; Fenstermaker, Ali G; Zaki, Maha S; Hofree, Matan; Silhavy, Jennifer L; Heiberg, Andrew D; Abdellateef, Mostafa; Rosti, Basak; Scott, Eric; Mansour, Lobna; Masri, Amira; Kayserili, Hulya; Al-Aama, Jumana Y; Abdel-Salam, Ghada M H; Karminejad, Ariana; Kara, Majdi; Kara, Bulent; Bozorgmehri, Bita; Ben-Omran, Tawfeg; Mojahedi, Faezeh; El Din Mahmoud, Iman Gamal; Bouslam, Naima; Bouhouche, Ahmed; Benomar, Ali; Hanein, Sylvain; Raymond, Laure; Forlani, Sylvie; Mascaro, Massimo; Selim, Laila; Shehata, Nabil; Al-Allawi, Nasir; Bindu, P S; Azam, Matloob; Gunel, Murat; Caglayan, Ahmet; Bilguvar, Kaya; Tolun, Aslihan; Issa, Mahmoud Y; Schroth, Jana; Spencer, Emily G; Rosti, Rasim O; Akizu, Naiara; Vaux, Keith K; Johansen, Anide; Koh, Alice A; Megahed, Hisham; Durr, Alexandra; Brice, Alexis; Stevanin, Giovanni; Gabriel, Stacy B; Ideker, Trey; Gleeson, Joseph G

2014-01-31

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are neurodegenerative motor neuron diseases characterized by progressive age-dependent loss of corticospinal motor tract function. Although the genetic basis is partly understood, only a fraction of cases can receive a genetic diagnosis, and a global view of HSP is lacking. By using whole-exome sequencing in combination with network analysis, we identified 18 previously unknown putative HSP genes and validated nearly all of these genes functionally or genetically. The pathways highlighted by these mutations link HSP to cellular transport, nucleotide metabolism, and synapse and axon development. Network analysis revealed a host of further candidate genes, of which three were mutated in our cohort. Our analysis links HSP to other neurodegenerative disorders and can facilitate gene discovery and mechanistic understanding of disease.

Endovascular thrombectomy with or without systemic thrombolysis?

PubMed

Tsivgoulis, Georgios; Katsanos, Aristeidis H; Mavridis, Dimitris; Alexandrov, Anne W; Magoufis, Georgios; Arthur, Adam; Caso, Valeria; Schellinger, Peter D; Alexandrov, Andrei V

2017-03-01

Current recommendations advocate that pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) should first be offered to all eligible patients with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) before an endovascular thrombectomy (ET) procedure. However, there are observational data that question the safety and efficacy of IVT pretreatment in patients with ELVO. We performed a meta-analysis of the included subgroups from ET randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the comparative efficacy between direct ET without IVT pretreatment and bridging therapy (IVT and ET) in patients with ELVO. We included a total of seven RCTs, including 1764 patients with ELVO (52.8% men). Patients receiving bridging therapy (IVT followed by ET) had lower rates ( p = 0.041) of 90-day death/severe dependency (modified Rankin Scale-score of 5-6; 19.0%, 95% CI: 14.1-25.1%) compared with patients receiving only ET (31.0%, 95% CI: 21.2-42.9%). Moreover, patients receiving IVT and ET had a nonsignificant ( p = 0.389) trend towards higher 90-day functional independence rates (51.4%, 95% CI: 42.5-60.1%) compared with patients undergoing only ET (41.7%, 95% CI: 24.1-61.7%). Finally, shift-analysis uncovered a nonsignificant trend towards functional improvement at 90 days for bridging therapy over ET (cOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.91-1.89; p = 0.155). It should be noted that patients included in the present meta-analysis were not randomized to receive IVT, and thus the two groups (bridging therapy versus ET monotherapy) may differ in terms of baseline characteristics and, in particular, in terms of onset to groin puncture time and thus the risk of confounding bias cannot be ruled out. Despite the limitations and the risk of confounding bias, our findings contradict the recent notion regarding potential equality between ET and bridging therapy in ELVO patients and suggest that IVT and ET are complementary therapies that should be pursued in a parallel and noncompeting fashion.

Effect of aripiprazole 2 to 15 mg/d on health-related quality of life in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in children: a post hoc analysis of two controlled trials.

PubMed

Varni, James W; Handen, Benjamin L; Corey-Lisle, Patricia K; Guo, Zhenchao; Manos, George; Ammerman, Diane K; Marcus, Ronald N; Owen, Randall; McQuade, Robert D; Carson, William H; Mathew, Suja; Mankoski, Raymond

2012-04-01

There are limited published data on the impact of treatment on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with autistic disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aripiprazole on HRQOL in the treatment of irritability in pediatric patients (aged 6-17 years) with autistic disorder. This post hoc analysis assessed data from two 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies that compared the efficacy of aripiprazole (fixed-dose study, 5, 10, and 15 mg/d; flexible-dose study, 2-15 mg/d) with placebo in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder. HRQOL was assessed at baseline and week 8 using 3 Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) scales. Clinically relevant improvement in HRQOL was determined using an accepted distribution-based criterion-1 standard error of measurement. In total, 316 patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with aripiprazole (fixed-dose study, 166; flexible-dose study, 47) or placebo (fixed-dose study, 52; flexible-dose study, 51). Aripiprazole was associated with significantly greater improvement than placebo in PedsQL combined-scales total score (difference, 7.8; 95% CI, 3.8-11.8; P < 0.001) and in 3 PedsQL scale scores (differences [95% CI]: Emotional Functioning, 7.8 [3.4-12.2]; Social Functioning, 6.2 [0.7-11.8]; Cognitive Functioning, 9.3 [3.8-14.9]; all, P < 0.05). Patients who received aripiprazole were significantly more likely than those who received placebo to have a clinically meaningful improvement on the combined-scales total score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.3; P < 0.05), Emotional Functioning scale (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.0; P < 0.05) and Social Functioning scale (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.1; P < 0.05), and were significantly less likely to experience deterioration (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1-0.8; P < 0.05) when "Stable" was used as the reference group. The findings from the present post hoc analysis suggest that aripiprazole was associated with improved HRQOL, as assessed using 3 PedsQL scales, in pediatric patients with irritability associated with autistic disorder. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

Familiar Phases: Receiver Function Study of the Lithospheric Structure Across the Eastern Margin of the Superior Craton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, V. L.; Servali, A.; Dunham, B.; Klaser, M.

2015-12-01

A 1200 km long array of seismic observatories from James Bay to the Atlantic coast covers nearly 2 Ga in time, from the Archean Superior Province to the Paleozoic Appalachian Orogen. We use traditional (P-to-SV) receiver function analysis for detailed characterization of the lithospheric mantle along the array, focusing on the 5-15 s delay range where direct conversions from within the lithosphere and crustal multiples are expected.Superior craton sites show exceptionaly clear receiver functions dominated by the first crustal multiple. Also, a negative phase consistent with impedance decrease at the Mid-Lithospheric Discontinuity (~8 s delay) is observed north of 51°N, within the La Grande and Opinaca terranes of the Superior province. In the Opatica terrane further south we see a positive phase at similar delays instead. This implies a downward impedance increase 70-80 km deep within the lithosphere, consistent with the Hales discontinuity. In the Abitibi terrane just north of the Grenville Front we see evidence for two impedance drops in the 60-130 km depth range. Within the Proterozoic Grenvile province receiver functions vary with direction at individual sites, and lack regional consistency. Crustal multiples are noticeably weaker. South of 49°N we once again find negative phases in the 8-10 s delay range. While weak and directionally-dependent in the central Grenville province, these phases are clear near the Appalachian Front (AF), and are followed by positive phases, suggesting thin low-velocity layers in the lower part of the lithosphere. Similarity of receiver function signatures on opposite sides of the AF suggests continuity of the lithosphere beneath it.South of the AF and north of the Norumbega Fault Zone (NFZ) in Maine we find positive phases at ~10 s delays. The implied increase in impedance at ~75 km depth is puzzling. We also find previously-reported weak negative phases in the 6-8 s delay range. South of the NFZ a strong negative phase at ~9 s delay likely marks the bottom of the lithosphere.

Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Suprahyoid Muscles in Brain-Injured Patients with Dysphagia.

PubMed

Beom, Jaewon; Oh, Byung-Mo; Choi, Kyoung Hyo; Kim, Won; Song, Young Jin; You, Dae Sang; Kim, Sang Jun; Han, Tai Ryoon

2015-08-01

The purpose of this study is to determine whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the suprahyoid muscle is effective compared to that of the infrahyoid muscle in brain-injured patients with dysphagia. A total of 132 patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, or brain tumor in 2 university hospitals were allocated to 2 groups: those who received electrical stimulation therapy (EST) on the suprahyoid muscles (SM group, n = 66) and those who received EST with one pair of electrodes on the suprahyoid muscle and the other pair on the infrahyoid muscle (SI group, n = 66). Patients received 11.2 ± 3.4 sessions of electrical stimulation in the SM group and 11.9 ± 3.4 sessions in the SI group. The functional dysphagia scale (FDS), swallow function score (SFS), supraglottic penetration, and subglottic aspiration were measured using videofluoroscopic swallowing study. FDS scores decreased from 42.0 ± 19.1 to 32.3 ± 17.8 in the SM group and from 44.8 ± 17.4 to 32.9 ± 18.8 in the SI group by per-protocol (PP) analysis, and those decreased from 41.2 ± 20.9 to 34.5 ± 20.3 in the SM group and from 44.3 ± 19.1 to 35.7 ± 20.5 in the SI group by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, after electrical stimulation (p < 0.001 for each). SFSs increased from 3.3 ± 1.8 to 4.2 ± 1.6 in the SM group and from 2.8 ± 1.8 to 4.0 ± 1.8 in the SI group by PP analysis, and those increased from 3.3 ± 1.6 to 3.9 ± 1.6 in the SM group and from 2.8 ± 1.9 to 3.6 ± 2.0 in the SI group by ITT analysis, after electrical stimulation (p < 0.001, respectively). However, changes in FDS scores, SFSs, penetration, and aspiration were comparable between the SM and the SI groups. The results suggest that both SM and SI therapies induced similar improvements in swallowing function in brain-injured patients.

Self-regulation of primary motor cortex activity with motor imagery induces functional connectivity modulation: A real-time fMRI neurofeedback study.

PubMed

Makary, Meena M; Seulgi, Eun; Kyungmo Park

2017-07-01

Recent developments in data acquisition of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have led to rapid preprocessing and analysis of brain activity in a quasireal-time basis, what so called real-time fMRI neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NFB). This information is fed back to subjects allowing them to gain a voluntary control over their own region-specific brain activity. Forty-one healthy participants were randomized into an experimental (NFB) group, who received a feedback directly proportional to their brain activity from the primary motor cortex (M1), and a control (CTRL) group who received a sham feedback. The M1 ROI was functionally localized during motor execution and imagery tasks. A resting-state functional run was performed before and after the neurofeedback training to investigate the default mode network (DMN) modulation after training. The NFB group revealed increased DMN functional connectivity after training to the cortical and subcortical sensory/motor areas (M1/S1 and caudate nucleus, respectively), which may be associated with sensorimotor processing of learning in the resting state. These results show that motor imagery training through rtfMRI-NFB could modulate the DMN functional connectivity to motor-related areas, suggesting that this modulation potentially subserved the establishment of motor learning in the NFB group.

Cost-volume-profit analysis and expected benefit of health services: a study of cardiac catheterization services.

PubMed

Younis, Mustafa Z; Jabr, Samer; Smith, Pamela C; Al-Hajeri, Maha; Hartmann, Michael

2011-01-01

Academic research investigating health care costs in the Palestinian region is limited. Therefore, this study examines the costs of the cardiac catheterization unit of one of the largest hospitals in Palestine. We focus on costs of a cardiac catheterization unit and the increasing number of deaths over the past decade in the region due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We employ cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis to determine the unit's break-even point (BEP), and investigate expected benefits (EBs) of Palestinian government subsidies to the unit. Findings indicate variable costs represent 56 percent of the hospital's total costs. Based on the three functions of the cardiac catheterization unit, results also indicate that the number of patients receiving services exceed the break-even point in each function, despite the unit receiving a government subsidy. Our findings, although based on one hospital, will permit hospital management to realize the importance of unit costs in order to make informed financial decisions. The use of break-even analysis will allow area managers to plan minimum production capacity for the organization. The economic benefits for patients and the government from the unit may encourage government officials to focus efforts on increasing future subsidies to the hospital.

A multi-frequency receiver function inversion approach for crustal velocity structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuelei; Li, Zhiwei; Hao, Tianyao; Wang, Sheng; Xing, Jian

2017-05-01

In order to constrain the crustal velocity structures better, we developed a new nonlinear inversion approach based on multi-frequency receiver function waveforms. With the global optimizing algorithm of Differential Evolution (DE), low-frequency receiver function waveforms can primarily constrain large-scale velocity structures, while high-frequency receiver function waveforms show the advantages in recovering small-scale velocity structures. Based on the synthetic tests with multi-frequency receiver function waveforms, the proposed approach can constrain both long- and short-wavelength characteristics of the crustal velocity structures simultaneously. Inversions with real data are also conducted for the seismic stations of KMNB in southeast China and HYB in Indian continent, where crustal structures have been well studied by former researchers. Comparisons of inverted velocity models from previous and our studies suggest good consistency, but better waveform fitness with fewer model parameters are achieved by our proposed approach. Comprehensive tests with synthetic and real data suggest that the proposed inversion approach with multi-frequency receiver function is effective and robust in inverting the crustal velocity structures.

GeoChip-based analysis of microbial functional gene diversity in a landfill leachate-contaminated aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lu, Zhenmei; He, Zhili; Parisi, Victoria A.; Kang, Sanghoon; Deng, Ye; Van Nostrand, Joy D.; Masoner, Jason R.; Cozzarelli, Isabelle M.; Suflita, Joseph M.; Zhou, Jizhong

2012-01-01

The functional gene diversity and structure of microbial communities in a shallow landfill leachate-contaminated aquifer were assessed using a comprehensive functional gene array (GeoChip 3.0). Water samples were obtained from eight wells at the same aquifer depth immediately below a municipal landfill or along the predominant downgradient groundwater flowpath. Functional gene richness and diversity immediately below the landfill and the closest well were considerably lower than those in downgradient wells. Mantel tests and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) suggested that various geochemical parameters had a significant impact on the subsurface microbial community structure. That is, leachate from the unlined landfill impacted the diversity, composition, structure, and functional potential of groundwater microbial communities as a function of groundwater pH, and concentrations of sulfate, ammonia, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Historical geochemical records indicate that all sampled wells chronically received leachate, and the increase in microbial diversity as a function of distance from the landfill is consistent with mitigation of the impact of leachate on the groundwater system by natural attenuation mechanisms.

Moho Depth and Bulk Crustal Properties in Northern Quebec and Labrador

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vervaet, F.; Darbyshire, F. A.

2016-12-01

Northern Quebec and Labrador lie at the heart of the Laurentian landmass and preserve over 3 billion years of continental evolution. In this region the Archean Superior and Nain cratons are surrounded by Paleoproterozoic orogens such as New-Quebec, Trans-Hudson and Torngat, as well as the younger Grenville orogen to the SE. Study of crustal structure in this region provides valuable information on the assembly of the North American continent. We use data from 8 seismic stations installed in summer 2011 as part of the QUiLLE (Quebec-Labrador Lithospheric Experiment) project to investigate crustal structure, using receiver function analysis. The data set covers 5 years (2011-2016) for most of the stations, comprising several hundred events of magnitude ≥5 and epicentral distance 30-90°. After initial data processing and quality control, several tens of events per station were used in an H-κ stacking analysis to estimate Moho depth and bulk crustal properties. Some stations show significant complexity in their receiver functions, leading to inconclusive H-κ results, but the majority show a consistent Moho signal from which crustal parameters are successfully extracted. Crustal thickness varies from 33 to 49 km, with the thickest crust associated with the Trans-Hudson orogen in the Ungava region of northernmost Quebec and the thinnest beneath the central Labrador coast. Vp/Vs ratios (κ) lie in the range 1.71-1.86, with the majority of values consistent with granite-gneiss-tonalite bulk crustal compositions. The receiver functions are combined with surface-wave group velocity data to model the crustal structures in more detail beneath each station, allowing us to investigate crustal layering, Moho complexity and lateral heterogeneity.

Spatial Distribution of Seismic Anisotropy in the Crust in the Northeast Front Zone of Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Y.; Wang, Q.; SHI, Y.

2017-12-01

There are orogenic belts and strong deformation in northeastern zone of Tibetan Plateau. The media in crust and in the upper mantle are seismic anisotropic there. This study uses seismic records by permanent seismic stations and portable seismic arrays, and adopts analysis techniques on body waves to obtain spatial anisotropic distribution in northeastern front zone of Tibetan Plateau. With seismic records of small local earthquakes, we study shear-wave splitting in the upper crust. The polarization of fast shear wave (PFS) can be obtained, and PFS is considered parallel to the strike of the cracks, as well as the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress. However, the result shows the strong influence from tectonics, such as faults. It suggests multiple-influence including stress and fault. Spatial distribution of seismic anisotropy in study zone presents the effect in short range. PFS at the station on the strike-slip fault is quite different to PFS at station just hundreds of meters away from the fault. With seismic records of teleseismic waveforms, we obtained seismic anisotropy in the whole crust by receiver functions. The PFS directions from Pms receiver functions show consistency, generally in WNW. The time-delay of slow S phases is significant. With seismic records of SKS, PKS and SKKS phases, we can detect seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle by splitting analysis. The fast directions of these phases also show consistency, generally in WNW, similar to those of receiver functions, but larger time-delays. It suggests significant seismic anisotropy in the crust and crustal deformation is coherent to that in the upper mantle.Seismic anisotropy in the upper crust, in the whole crust and in the upper mantle are discussed both in difference and tectonic implications [Grateful to the support by NSFC Project 41474032].

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on vascular endothelial function in hypertensive patients after intensive periodontal treatment.

PubMed

Rubio, María C; Lewin, Pablo G; De la Cruz, Griselda; Sarudiansky, Andrea N; Nieto, Mauricio; Costa, Osvaldo R; Nicolosi, Liliana N

2016-04-01

There is a relation between vascular endothelial function, atherosclerotic disease, and inflammation. Deterioration of endothelial function has been observed twenty-four hours after intensive periodontal treatment. This effect may be counteracted by the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, which improve endothelial function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate vascular endothelial function after intensive periodontal treatment, in hypertensive patients treated with angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors. A prospective, longitudinal, comparative study involving repeated measurements was conducted. Fifty-two consecutive patients with severe periodontal disease were divided into two groups, one comprising hypertensive patients treated with converting enzyme inhibitors and the other comprising patients with no clinical signs of pathology and not receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring postischemic dilation of the humeral artery (baseline echocardiography Doppler), and intensive periodontal treatment was performed 24h later. Endothelial function was re-assessed 24h and 15 days after periodontal treatment. Results were analyzed using the SPSS 20 statistical software package. Student's t test and MANOVA were calculated and linear regression analysis with 95% confidence intervals and α<0.05 was performed. Arterial dilation at 24 hours was lower compared to baseline in both groups; values corresponding to the groups receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were 11.89 ± 4.87 vs. 7.30 ± 2.90% (p<0.01) and those corresponding to the group not receiving ACE inhibitors were 12.72 ± 4.62 vs. 3.56 ± 2.39 (p<0.001). The differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). The increase in endothelial dysfunction after intensive periodontal treatment was significantly lower in hypertensive patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Endothelial function improved 15 days after periodontal treatment, reaching baseline values. These results support the protective effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors on the endothelial function after intensive periodontal treatment. Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica.

Effects of Bosutinib Treatment on Renal Function in Patients With Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Leukemias.

PubMed

Cortes, Jorge E; Gambacorti-Passerini, Carlo; Kim, Dong-Wook; Kantarjian, Hagop M; Lipton, Jeff H; Lahoti, Amit; Talpaz, Moshe; Matczak, Ewa; Barry, Elly; Leip, Eric; Brümmendorf, Tim H; Khoury, H Jean

2017-10-01

The purpose of the study was to assess renal function in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias receiving bosutinib or imatinib. Patients received first-line bosutinib (n = 248) or imatinib (n = 251; phase III trial), or second-line or later bosutinib (phase I/II trial; n = 570). Adverse events (AEs) and changes from baseline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum creatinine were assessed. Time from the last patient's first dose to data cutoff was ≥ 48 months. Renal AEs were reported in 73/570 patients (13%) receiving second-line or later bosutinib, and in 22/248 (9%) and 16/251 (6%) receiving first-line bosutinib and imatinib, respectively. eGFR in patients receiving bosutinib declined over time with more patients developing Grade ≥ 3b eGFR (< 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease method) with second-line or later bosutinib (139/570, 24%) compared with first-line bosutinib (26/248, 10%) and imatinib (25/251, 10%); time to Grade ≥ 3b eGFR was shortest with second-line or later bosutinib. Similar proportions of patients receiving second-line or later bosutinib (74/139, 53%), first-line bosutinib (15/26, 58%), and first-line imatinib (15/25, 60%) improved to ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 eGFR as of the last follow-up. In a regression analysis, first-line treatment with bosutinib versus imatinib was not a significant predictor of Grade ≥ 3b eGFR. Long-term bosutinib treatment is associated with an apparently reversible decline in renal function with frequency and characteristics similar to renal decline observed with long-term imatinib treatment. Patients with risk factors for Grade ≥ 3b eGFR should be monitored closely. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of vulnerable older adults' physical function according to the Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system and Fried's criteria for frailty syndrome.

PubMed

Nemoto, Miyuki; Yabushita, Noriko; Kim, Mi-Ji; Matsuo, Tomoaki; Seino, Satoshi; Tanaka, Kiyoji

2012-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the physical frailty status of vulnerable older adults as classified in the Japanese LTCI system and to compare this with Fried's definition. A total of 444 older adults were classified based on the LTCI system as independent, vulnerable, or dependent, and 400 of these participants also fit Fried's criteria for not frail, pre-frail or frail. We evaluated their physical function with a 12 item physical function test. We derived a physical function score (PFS) from these 12 items and a principal component analysis was used to make comparisons. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the sensitivity and specificity of the PFS cut-off points to distinguish the dependent category from the other categories. We found significant differences and a hierarchical order for the PFSs among the three groups of the LTCI system (the independent, 0.41 ± 0.54; the vulnerable, -0.40 ± 0.76; and the dependent, -1.49 ± 0.73) and of Fried's definition (not frail, 0.50 ± 0.51; pre frail, -0.11 ± 0.63; and frail, -1.25 ± 0.98). The optimal cut-off value (OCV) was -0.593. This study showed that the range of physical function of people considered frail category (pre-frail, vulnerable, and frail) is wide and overlapping. That is, the physical function of vulnerable older adults is worse than the pre-frail, but better than the frail. To better recognize older adults in need of greater support, the vulnerable should also receive assessment of their frailty status according to Fried's definition. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Comparative Analysis of Factors Affecting the Career Orientation of Naval Officers and Federal Civilian Engineers

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

withdraw may be looked upon as a process of balancing received or potential rewards with desired expectations." [Ref. 30:p. 170] They proposed that if...Naval Personnel Research and Development Center Technical Report 84-10, The Measurement of Organizational Functioning and Qual’ty of Worklife , by A.J

Logical Functional Analysis in the Assessment and Treatment of Eating Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ghaderi, Ata

2007-01-01

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is now suggested to be the treatment of choice for bulimia nervosa. However, it is also known than no more than approximately 50% of patients recover after receiving CBT. When the first-line manual-based treatment fails, the therapist should use other empirically supported treatments, and if they do not work or…

Effectiveness of Part C Early Intervention Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Services for Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants in Wisconsin, United States

PubMed Central

McManus, Beth M.; Carle, Adam C.; Poehlmann, Julie

2013-01-01

Objective To determine the effectiveness of policy-driven therapy (ie, Part C early intervention [EI]) in the context of varying maternal supports among preterm infants in Wisconsin. Methods A longitudinal study of mother–infant dyads recruited from 3 newborn intensive care units in southeastern Wisconsin. Participation in EI-based therapy was collected at 36 months via parent-report. Cognitive function was measured at 16 months by use of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Mental Developmental Index), 2nd edition and at 24 and 36 months postterm via use of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence scale, 5th edition. Maternal support was measured at 4 months with the Maternal Support Scale. Propensity score matching was used to reduce selection bias. Latent growth models of matched pairs estimated the effect of EI therapy on cognitive function trajectories. Ordinary least squares regression estimated the differential effect of EI therapy on cognitive function at 16, 24, and 36 months postterm for mothers reporting more maternal supports. Results Of the 128 infants, 41 received EI therapy and, of those, 32 (78%) were successfully matched with controls. The results of the matched analysis (n = 64) reveal that 1) receipt of therapy is inversely associated with cognitive function baseline (P = .04) and positively associated with trajectories (P =.03), 2) the number of maternal supports is positively associated with cognitive function for families receiving Part C early intervention, at 16 months (P = .05), 24 months (P <.01), and 36 months (P = .05) postterm. Conclusions Participation in EI therapy may be associated with more optimal cognitive function trajectories. Among preterm children whose mothers have more supports, receiving therapy appears particularly beneficial. PMID:22230187

A wave function for stock market returns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ataullah, Ali; Davidson, Ian; Tippett, Mark

2009-02-01

The instantaneous return on the Financial Times-Stock Exchange (FTSE) All Share Index is viewed as a frictionless particle moving in a one-dimensional square well but where there is a non-trivial probability of the particle tunneling into the well’s retaining walls. Our analysis demonstrates how the complementarity principle from quantum mechanics applies to stock market prices and of how the wave function presented by it leads to a probability density which exhibits strong compatibility with returns earned on the FTSE All Share Index. In particular, our analysis shows that the probability density for stock market returns is highly leptokurtic with slight (though not significant) negative skewness. Moreover, the moments of the probability density determined under the complementarity principle employed here are all convergent - in contrast to many of the probability density functions on which the received theory of finance is based.

Effect of Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

PubMed

Dass, Ashwitha Shruti; Narayana, Sarala; Venkatarathnamma, P N

2018-01-01

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been implicated in hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Antioxidants can improve glycemic control, lipid profile, and cognitive functions. We assessed the effect of Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids (OFA) on the above parameters. One hundred patients with type 2 DM receiving metformin 500 mg and glimepiride 1 mg were randomized to receive add-on therapy of Vitamin E 400 mg or OFA once daily for 12 weeks and the third group served as control. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profile, and mini-mental state examination were done at baseline and 12 weeks. Eighty-seven patients completed the study. A significant reduction in FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c was observed in all the three groups at 12 weeks. There was significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in patients receiving either of the antioxidants and also significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein in patients receiving OFA at 12 weeks compared to baseline. BMI and WHR were significantly increased in control group. Intergroup analysis showed that in patients receiving Vitamin E and OFA, the reduction of FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c were similar. The patients receiving OFA had significant reduction in TG compared to control. There was no significant effect on cognitive function. Vitamin E and OFA had beneficial effects on lipid profile and anthropometric measurements; however, the glycemic control was similar to the patients in control group.

Effect of Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

PubMed Central

Dass, Ashwitha Shruti; Narayana, Sarala; Venkatarathnamma, P. N.

2018-01-01

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been implicated in hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Antioxidants can improve glycemic control, lipid profile, and cognitive functions. We assessed the effect of Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids (OFA) on the above parameters. One hundred patients with type 2 DM receiving metformin 500 mg and glimepiride 1 mg were randomized to receive add-on therapy of Vitamin E 400 mg or OFA once daily for 12 weeks and the third group served as control. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profile, and mini-mental state examination were done at baseline and 12 weeks. Eighty-seven patients completed the study. A significant reduction in FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c was observed in all the three groups at 12 weeks. There was significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in patients receiving either of the antioxidants and also significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein in patients receiving OFA at 12 weeks compared to baseline. BMI and WHR were significantly increased in control group. Intergroup analysis showed that in patients receiving Vitamin E and OFA, the reduction of FBS, PPBS, and HbA1c were similar. The patients receiving OFA had significant reduction in TG compared to control. There was no significant effect on cognitive function. Vitamin E and OFA had beneficial effects on lipid profile and anthropometric measurements; however, the glycemic control was similar to the patients in control group. PMID:29441322

Systematic Differences in Signal Emitting and Receiving Revealed by PageRank Analysis of a Human Protein Interactome

PubMed Central

Li, Xiu-Qing

2012-01-01

Most protein PageRank studies do not use signal flow direction information in protein interactions because this information was not readily available in large protein databases until recently. Therefore, four questions have yet to be answered: A) What is the general difference between signal emitting and receiving in a protein interactome? B) Which proteins are among the top ranked in directional ranking? C) Are high ranked proteins more evolutionarily conserved than low ranked ones? D) Do proteins with similar ranking tend to have similar subcellular locations? In this study, we address these questions using the forward, reverse, and non-directional PageRank approaches to rank an information-directional network of human proteins and study their evolutionary conservation. The forward ranking gives credit to information receivers, reverse ranking to information emitters, and non-directional ranking mainly to the number of interactions. The protein lists generated by the forward and non-directional rankings are highly correlated, but those by the reverse and non-directional rankings are not. The results suggest that the signal emitting/receiving system is characterized by key-emittings and relatively even receivings in the human protein interactome. Signaling pathway proteins are frequent in top ranked ones. Eight proteins are both informational top emitters and top receivers. Top ranked proteins, except a few species-related novel-function ones, are evolutionarily well conserved. Protein-subunit ranking position reflects subunit function. These results demonstrate the usefulness of different PageRank approaches in characterizing protein networks and provide insights to protein interaction in the cell. PMID:23028653

Fetal Cortical Transplants in Adult Rats Subjected to Experimental Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Soares, Holly; McIntosh, Tracy K.

1991-01-01

Fetal cortical tissue was injected into injured adult rat brains following concussive fluid percussion (FP) brain injury. Rats subjected to moderate FP injury received E16 cortex transplant injections into lesioned motor cortex 2 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post injury. Histological assessment of transplant survival and integration was based upon Nissl staining, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunocytochemistry, and staining for acetylcholinesterase. In addition to histological analysis, the ability of the transplants to attenuate neurological motor deficits associated with concussive FP brain injury was also tested. Three subgroups of rats receiving transplant 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post injury Were chosen for evaluation of neurological motor function. Fetal cortical tissue injected into the injury site 4 weeks post injury failed to incorporate with injured host brain, did not affect glial scar formation, and exhibited extensive GFAP immunoreactivity. No improvement in neurological motor function was observed in animals receiving transplants 4 weeks post injury. Conversely, transplants injected 2 days, 1 week, or 2 weeks post injury survived, incorporated with host brain, exhibited little GFAP immunoreactivity, and successfully attenuated glial scarring. However, no significant improvement in motor function was observed at the one week or two week time points. The inability of the transplants to attenuate motor function may indicate inappropriate host/transplant interaction. Our results demonstrate that there exists a temporal window in which fetal cortical transplants can attenuate glial scarring as well as be successfully incorporated into host brains following FP injury. PMID:1782253

Time Series Analysis of the Quasar PKS 1749+096

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, Michael T.; Balonek, T. J.

2011-01-01

Multiple timescales of variability are observed in quasars at a variety of wavelengths, the nature of which is not fully understood. In 2007 and 2008, the quasar 1749+096 underwent two unprecedented optical outbursts, reaching a brightness never before seen in our twenty years of monitoring. Much lower level activity had been seen prior to these two outbursts. We present an analysis of the timescales of variability over the two regimes using a variety of statistical techniques. An IDL software package developed at Colgate University over the summer of 2010, the Quasar User Interface (QUI), provides effective computation of four time series functions for analyzing underlying trends present in generic, discretely sampled data sets. Using the Autocorrelation Function, Structure Function, and Power Spectrum, we are able to quickly identify possible variability timescales. QUI is also capable of computing the Cross-Correlation Function for comparing variability at different wavelengths. We apply these algorithms to 1749+096 and present our analysis of the timescales for this object. Funding for this project was received from Colgate University, the Justus and Jayne Schlichting Student Research Fund, and the NASA / New York Space Grant.

Optimal algorithm for automatic detection of microaneurysms based on receiver operating characteristic curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Lili; Luo, Shuqian

2010-11-01

Microaneurysms (MAs) are the first manifestations of the diabetic retinopathy (DR) as well as an indicator for its progression. Their automatic detection plays a key role for both mass screening and monitoring and is therefore in the core of any system for computer-assisted diagnosis of DR. The algorithm basically comprises the following stages: candidate detection aiming at extracting the patterns possibly corresponding to MAs based on mathematical morphological black top hat, feature extraction to characterize these candidates, and classification based on support vector machine (SVM), to validate MAs. Feature vector and kernel function of SVM selection is very important to the algorithm. We use the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the distinguishing performance of different feature vectors and different kernel functions of SVM. The ROC analysis indicates the quadratic polynomial SVM with a combination of features as the input shows the best discriminating performance.

Optimal algorithm for automatic detection of microaneurysms based on receiver operating characteristic curve.

PubMed

Xu, Lili; Luo, Shuqian

2010-01-01

Microaneurysms (MAs) are the first manifestations of the diabetic retinopathy (DR) as well as an indicator for its progression. Their automatic detection plays a key role for both mass screening and monitoring and is therefore in the core of any system for computer-assisted diagnosis of DR. The algorithm basically comprises the following stages: candidate detection aiming at extracting the patterns possibly corresponding to MAs based on mathematical morphological black top hat, feature extraction to characterize these candidates, and classification based on support vector machine (SVM), to validate MAs. Feature vector and kernel function of SVM selection is very important to the algorithm. We use the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the distinguishing performance of different feature vectors and different kernel functions of SVM. The ROC analysis indicates the quadratic polynomial SVM with a combination of features as the input shows the best discriminating performance.

Specialized Community-Based Care: An Evidence-Based Analysis

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Specialized community-based care (SCBC) refers to services that manage chronic illness through formalized links between primary and specialized care. Objectives The objectives of this evidence-based analysis (EBA) were as follows: to summarize the literature on SCBC, also known as intermediate care to synthesize the evidence from previous Medical Advisory Secretariat (now Health Quality Ontario) EBAs on SCBC for heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic wounds to examine the role of SCBC in family practice Results Part 1: Systematic Review of Intermediate Care Seven systematic reviews on intermediate care since 2008 were identified. The literature base is complex and difficult to define. There is evidence to suggest that intermediate care is effective in improving outcomes; however, the effective interventions are still uncertain. Part 2: Synthesis of Evidence in Intermediate Care Mortality • Heart failure Significant reduction in patients receiving SCBC • COPD Nonsignificant reduction in patients receiving SCBC Hospitalization • Heart failure Nonsignificant reduction in patients receiving SCBC • COPD Significant reduction in patients receiving SCBC Emergency Department Visits • Heart failure Nonsignificant reduction in patients receiving SCBC • COPD Significant reduction in patients receiving SCBC Disease-Specific Patient Outcomes • COPD Nonsignificant improvement in lung function in patients receiving SCBC • Diabetes Significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure in patients receiving SCBC • Chronic wounds Significant increase in the proportion of healed wounds in patients receiving SCBC Quality of Life • Heart failure Trend toward improvement in patients receiving SCBC • COPD Significant improvement in patients receiving SCBC Part 3: Intermediate Care in Family Practice—Evidence-Based Analysis Five randomized controlled trials were identified comparing SCBC to usual care in family practice. Inclusion criteria were 1) the presence of multiple chronic conditions, and 2) interventions that included 2 or more health care professions. The GRADE quality of the evidence was assessed as low for all outcomes due to the inconsistency and indirectness of the results. Limitations This review did not look at disease-specific studies on intermediate care in family practice. Conclusions Specialized community-based care effectively improves outcomes in patients with heart failure, COPD, and diabetes. The effectiveness of SCBC in family practice is unclear. PMID:23226812

Oxidation of coal and coal pyrite mechanisms and influence on surface characteristics. Technical progress report, December 31, 1993

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doyle, F.M.

1993-12-31

The objective of this research is to develop a mechanistic understanding of the oxidation of coal and coal pyrite, and to correlate the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of these minerals, along with changes resulting from oxidation, with those surface properties that influence the behavior in physical cleaning processes. The results will provide fundamental insight into oxidation, in term of the bulk and surface chemistry, the microstructure, and the semiconductor properties of the pyrite. During the thirteenth quarter, wet oxidation tests were done on coal samples from the Pennsylvania State Coal Bank. As-received and oxidized coal samples were studied bymore » Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy to detect functional groups that might be responsible for changing the hydrophobicity of coal samples. Coal samples from the Pennsylvania State Coal Bank were oxidized for 5 hours at room temperature using 10% H{sub 2}O{sub 2} at pH 1.0, 1.0 M HNO{sub 3} or 0.05 M Fe{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} at pH 1.0. Details of the experimental procedure used in the wet oxidation tests were provided in our September 30, 1993 report, along with results of ion-exchange analysis and film flotation tests on as-received and oxidized coal samples. Table II shows the weight percentage of carboxylic and phenolic group oxygen generated by oxidation with different treatments, as determined by ion-exchange. DRIFT spectroscopic analysis was done on as-received and oxidized samples to identify different functionalities directly, to supplement the information on carboxylic and phenolic groups obtained indirectly by ion-exchange methods. The procedure for DRIFT analysis was reported in our June 30, 1993 report.« less

Systematic inference of functional phosphorylation events in yeast metabolism.

PubMed

Chen, Yu; Wang, Yonghong; Nielsen, Jens

2017-07-01

Protein phosphorylation is a post-translational modification that affects proteins by changing their structure and conformation in a rapid and reversible way, and it is an important mechanism for metabolic regulation in cells. Phosphoproteomics enables high-throughput identification of phosphorylation events on metabolic enzymes, but identifying functional phosphorylation events still requires more detailed biochemical characterization. Therefore, development of computational methods for investigating unknown functions of a large number of phosphorylation events identified by phosphoproteomics has received increased attention. We developed a mathematical framework that describes the relationship between phosphorylation level of a metabolic enzyme and the corresponding flux through the enzyme. Using this framework, it is possible to quantitatively estimate contribution of phosphorylation events to flux changes. We showed that phosphorylation regulation analysis, combined with a systematic workflow and correlation analysis, can be used for inference of functional phosphorylation events in steady and dynamic conditions, respectively. Using this analysis, we assigned functionality to phosphorylation events of 17 metabolic enzymes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , among which 10 are novel. Phosphorylation regulation analysis cannot only be extended for inference of other functional post-translational modifications but also be a promising scaffold for multi-omics data integration in systems biology. Matlab codes for flux balance analysis in this study are available in Supplementary material. yhwang@ecust.edu.cn or nielsenj@chalmers.se. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Are we under-utilizing the talents of primary care personnel? A job analytic examination

PubMed Central

Hysong, Sylvia J; Best, Richard G; Moore, Frank I

2007-01-01

Background Primary care staffing decisions are often made unsystematically, potentially leading to increased costs, dissatisfaction, turnover, and reduced quality of care. This article aims to (1) catalogue the domain of primary care tasks, (2) explore the complexity associated with these tasks, and (3) examine how tasks performed by different job titles differ in function and complexity, using Functional Job Analysis to develop a new tool for making evidence-based staffing decisions. Methods Seventy-seven primary care personnel from six US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, representing six job titles, participated in two-day focus groups to generate 243 unique task statements describing the content of VA primary care. Certified job analysts rated tasks on ten dimensions representing task complexity, skills, autonomy, and error consequence. Two hundred and twenty-four primary care personnel from the same clinics then completed a survey indicating whether they performed each task. Tasks were catalogued using an adaptation of an existing classification scheme; complexity differences were tested via analysis of variance. Results Objective one: Task statements were categorized into four functions: service delivery (65%), administrative duties (15%), logistic support (9%), and workforce management (11%). Objective two: Consistent with expectations, 80% of tasks received ratings at or below the mid-scale value on all ten scales. Objective three: Service delivery and workforce management tasks received higher ratings on eight of ten scales (multiple functional complexity dimensions, autonomy, human error consequence) than administrative and logistic support tasks. Similarly, tasks performed by more highly trained job titles received higher ratings on six of ten scales than tasks performed by lower trained job titles. Contrary to expectations, the distribution of tasks across functions did not significantly vary by job title. Conclusion Primary care personnel are not being utilized to the extent of their training; most personnel perform many tasks that could reasonably be performed by personnel with less training. Primary care clinics should use evidence-based information to optimize job-person fit, adjusting clinic staff mix and allocation of work across staff to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. PMID:17397534

The Effect of IV Amino Acid Supplementation on Mortality in ICU Patients May Be Dependent on Kidney Function: Post Hoc Subgroup Analyses of a Multicenter Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Zhu, Ran; Allingstrup, Matilde J; Perner, Anders; Doig, Gordon S

2018-05-15

We investigated whether preexisting kidney function determines if ICU patients may benefit from increased (2.0 g/kg/d) protein intake. Post hoc, hypothesis-generating, subgroup analysis of a multicenter, phase 2, randomized clinical trial. All analyses were conducted by intention to treat and maintained group allocation. Ninety-day mortality was the primary outcome. ICUs of 16 hospitals throughout Australia and New Zealand. Adult critically ill patients expected to remain in the study ICU for longer than 2 days. Random allocation to receive a daily supplement of up to 100 g of IV amino acids to achieve a total protein intake of 2.0 g/kg/d or standard nutrition care. A total of 474 patients were randomized: 235 to standard care and 239 to IV amino acid supplementation. There was a statistically significant interaction between baseline kidney function and supplementation with study amino acids (p value for interaction = 0.026). Within the subgroup of patients with normal kidney function at randomization, patients who were allocated to receive the study amino acid supplement were less likely to die before study day 90 (covariate-adjusted risk difference, -7.9%; 95% CI, -15.1 to -0.7; p = 0.034). Furthermore, amino acid supplementation significantly increased estimated glomerular filtration rate in these patients (repeated-measures treatment × time interaction p = 0.009). Within the subgroup of patients with baseline kidney dysfunction and/or risk of progression of acute kidney injury, a significant effect of the study intervention on mortality was not found (covariate-adjusted risk difference, -0.6%; 95% CI, -16.2 to 15.2; p = 0.95). In this post hoc, hypothesis-generating, subgroup analysis, we observed reduced mortality and improved estimated glomerular filtration rate in ICU patients with normal kidney function who were randomly allocated to receive increased protein intake (up to 2.0 g/kg/d). We strongly recommend confirmation of these results in trials with low risk of bias before this treatment is recommended for routine care.

[Chronic kidney disease in 5 708 people receiving physical examination].

PubMed

Xu, Guo; Chen, Zhiheng; Zhang, Hao; Gong, Ni; Wang, Yan

2014-04-01

To investigate chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors in people receiving physical examination. This retrospective study included people over 20 years old who had physical examination in the Health Management Center of Third Xiangya Hospital from Janurary 2008 to June 2011. CKD and its risk factors as well as questionnaire were recorded. The risk factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic analysis. CKD was defined by kidney damage (microalbuminuria≥30 mg/L) and/or hematuria and/or reduced kidney function [evaluate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60 mL/(min.1.73 m2)]. We counted eGFR according to the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD). A total of 5 708 physical examination reports were included. The detection rate of albuminuria, reduced renal function and hematuria was 25.0%, 1.7% and 1.1%. The detection rate of CKD was 25.6%, and detection rate of CKD stage 1-5 was 17.8%, 6.7%, 1.1%, 0 and 0, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, male, age, and smoking were the risk factors for CKD. Increasing physical activity was the protective factor against CKD. High prevalence of CKD in people receiving physical examination is found in Changsha, especially stage 1 and 2 CKD. Physical examination is important to screen CKD. Stopping smoking, control of blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipids and increasing physical activity may help reduce the prevalence of CKD.

Potential determinants of efficacy of mirror therapy in stroke patients--A pilot study.

PubMed

Brunetti, Maddalena; Morkisch, Nadine; Fritzsch, Claire; Mehnert, Jan; Steinbrink, Jens; Niedeggen, Michael; Dohle, Christian

2015-01-01

Mirror therapy (MT) was found to improve motor function after stroke. However, there is high variability between patients regarding motor recovery. The following pilot study was designed to identify potential factors determining this variability between patients with severe upper limb paresis, receiving MT. Eleven sub-acute stroke patients with severe upper limb paresis participated, receiving in-patient rehabilitation. After a set of pre-assessments (including measurement of brain activity at the primary motor cortex and precuneus during the mirror illusion, using near-infrared spectroscopy as described previously), four weeks of MT were applied, followed by a set of post-assessments. Discriminant group analysis for MT responders and non-responders was performed. Six out of eleven patients were defined as responders and five as non-responders on the basis of their functional motor improvement. The initial motor function and the activity shift in both precunei (mirror index) were found to discriminate significantly between responders and non-responders. In line with earlier results, initial motor function was confirmed as crucial determinant of motor recovery. Additionally, activity response to the mirror illusion in both precunei was found to be a candidate for determination of the efficacy of MT.

A Comparative Analysis of the Safety, Efficacy, and Cost of Islet Versus Pancreas Transplantation in Nonuremic Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Moassesfar, S.; Masharani, U.; Frassetto, L. A.; Szot, G. L.; Tavakol, M.; Stock, P. G.; Posselt, A. M.

2017-01-01

Few current studies compare the outcomes of islet transplantation alone (ITA) and pancreas transplantation alone (PTA) for type 1 diabetes (T1D). We examined these two beta cell replacement therapies in nonuremic patients with T1D with respect to safety, graft function and cost. Sequential patients received PTA (n = 15) or ITA (n = 10) at our institution. Assessments of graft function included duration of insulin independence; glycemic control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c; and elimination of severe hypoglycemia. Cost analysis included all normalized costs associated with transplantation and inpatient management. ITA patients received one (n = 6) or two (n = 4) islet transplants. Mean duration of insulin independence in this group was 35 mo; 90% were independent at 1 year, and 70% were independent at 3 years. Mean duration of insulin independence in PTA was 55 mo; 93% were insulin independent at 1 year, and 64% were independent at 3 years. Glycemic control was comparable in all patients with functioning grafts, as were overall costs ($138 872 for ITA, $134 748 for PTA). We conclude that with advances in islet isolation and posttransplant management, ITA can produce outcomes similar to PTA and represents a clinically viable option to achieve long-term insulin independence in selected patients with T1D. PMID:26595767

Structures of Xishan village landslide in Li County, Sichuan, China, inferred from high-frequency receiver functions of local earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Z.; Chu, R.

2017-12-01

Teleseismic receiver function methods are widely used to study the deep structural information beneath the seismic station. However, teleseismic waveforms are difficult to extract the high-frequency receiver function, which are insufficient to constrain the shallow structure because of the inelastic attenuation effect of the earth. In this study, using the local earthquake waveforms collected from 3 broadband stations deployed on the Xishan village landslide in Li County in Sichuan Province, we used the high-frequency receiver function method to study the shallow structure beneath the landslide. We developed the Vp-k (Vp/Vs) staking method of receiver functions, and combined with the H-k stacking and waveform inversion methods of receiver functions to invert the landslide's thickness, S-wave velocity and average Vp/Vs ratio beneath these stations, and compared the thickness with the borehole results. Our results show small-scale lateral variety of velocity structure, a 78-143m/s lower S-wave velocity in the bottom layer and 2.4-3.1 Vp/Vs ratio in the landslide. The observed high Vp/Vs ratio and low S-wave velocity in the bottom layer of the landslide are consistent with low electrical resistivity and water-rich in the bottom layer, suggesting a weak shear strength and potential danger zone in landslide h1. Our study suggest that the local earthquake receiver function can obtain the shallow velocity structural information and supply some seismic constrains for the landslide catastrophe mitigation.

Effectiveness of myofascial trigger point manual therapy combined with a self-stretching protocol for the management of plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Renan-Ordine, Rômulo; Alburquerque-Sendín, Francisco; de Souza, Daiana Priscila Rodrigues; Cleland, Joshua A; Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, César

2011-02-01

A randomized controlled clinical trial. To investigate the effects of trigger point (TrP) manual therapy combined with a self-stretching program for the management of patients with plantar heel pain. Previous studies have reported that stretching of the calf musculature and the plantar fascia are effective management strategies for plantar heel pain. However, it is not known if the inclusion of soft tissue therapy can further improve the outcomes in this population. Sixty patients, 15 men and 45 women (mean ± SD age, 44 ± 10 years) with a clinical diagnosis of plantar heel pain were randomly divided into 2 groups: a self-stretching (Str) group who received a stretching protocol, and a self-stretching and soft tissue TrP manual therapy (Str-ST) group who received TrP manual interventions (TrP pressure release and neuromuscular approach) in addition to the same self-stretching protocol. The primary outcomes were physical function and bodily pain domains of the quality of life SF-36 questionnaire. Additionally, pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over the affected gastrocnemii and soleus muscles, and over the calcaneus, by an assessor blinded to the treatment allocation. Outcomes of interest were captured at baseline and at a 1-month follow-up (end of treatment period). Mixed-model ANOVAs were used to examine the effects of the interventions on each outcome, with group as the between-subjects variable and time as the within-subjects variable. The primary analysis was the group-by-time interaction. The 2 × 2 mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant group-by-time interaction for the main outcomes of the study: physical function (P = .001) and bodily pain (P = .005); patients receiving a combination of self-stretching and TrP tissue intervention experienced a greater improvement in physical function and a greater reduction in pain, as compared to those receiving the self-stretching protocol. The mixed ANOVA also revealed significant group-by-time interactions for changes in PPT over the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles, and the calcaneus (all P<.001). Patients receiving a combination of self-stretching and TrP tissue intervention showed a greater improvement in PPT, as compared to those who received only the self-stretching protocol. This study provides evidence that the addition of TrP manual therapies to a self-stretching protocol resulted in superior short-term outcomes as compared to a self-stretching program alone in the treatment of patients with plantar heel pain. Therapy, level 1b.

High throughput reconfigurable data analysis system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bearman, Greg (Inventor); Pelletier, Michael J. (Inventor); Seshadri, Suresh (Inventor); Pain, Bedabrata (Inventor)

2008-01-01

The present invention relates to a system and method for performing rapid and programmable analysis of data. The present invention relates to a reconfigurable detector comprising at least one array of a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels can be selected to receive and read-out an input. The pixel array is divided into at least one pixel group for conducting a common predefined analysis. Each of the pixels has a programmable circuitry programmed with a dynamically configurable user-defined function to modify the input. The present detector also comprises a summing circuit designed to sum the modified input.

Edward Miner Gallaudet's "Remarks on the Combined System": An Analysis of the "Preservative" Function of Rhetoric of Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sharkey, William F.; Hikins, James W.

1993-01-01

Examines Edward Miner Gallaudet's speech, "Remarks on the Combined System," to illustrate the power of the rhetorical knowledge thesis to account for paradoxes in Gallaudet's discourse on educating the deaf student. Contends that Gallaudet offered his remarks to preserve his ideas for a later age when they might receive sympathetic…

75 FR 77829 - Purified Carboxymethylcellulose From the Netherlands: Final Results of Antidumping Duty...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-14

... Nobel Functional Chemicals B.V. (ANFC) and CP Kelco B.V. (CP Kelco). The petitioner in this proceeding... responses of CP Kelco in the current review. On October 22, 2010, ANFC submitted a case brief and CP Kelco.... Analysis of Comments Received All issues raised in ANFC's case brief and CP Kelco's letter in lieu of a...

76 FR 9046 - Non-Use Valuation Survey, Klamath Basin; Thirty-Day Notice Requesting Additional Public Comments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-16

... 10/90 split. The first wave of mailings will be to 10% of the households. Each household will receive... preliminary analysis. The second wave of mailings will be to the remaining 90% of the households. Each... collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including...

Seismotectonics and Crustal Thickness of Northwest Mindoro, Philippines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, P. F.; Olavere, E. A.; Lee, K. M.; Bautista, B.; Solidum, R., Jr.; Huang, B. S.

2015-12-01

Mindoro Island locates where the Palawan Continental Block (PCB) indented into the Philippine Mobile Belt (PMB) during the Early Miocene and where the Manila Trench terminates, having ceased convergence due to collision. On the transition from subduction to collision, Northwest Mindoro exhibits vigorous seismic activity and has been debated about its affiliation being PCB or PMB. Here, we use data from both the EHB and Global Centroid Moment Tensor catalogues to study the regional seismotectonics. We also deployed five broadband stations to probe the crustal thickness beneath NW Mindoro using receiver function analysis. Results show that, following the southeasterly reduction of convergence rates at the southern termination of the Manila Trench, the slab dipping angles steepen, were initiated at depth (~200 km) and propagate upwards. The horizontal distances of the trench and slab, as measured from the Wadati-Benioff zone at 200 km depth, also reduce in a southeasterly direction. Observations of intermediate-depth earthquakes that exhibit predominantly down-dip extensional stress patterns attest that the steepening of slab dipping angles is due to the negative buoyancy of the slab. Preliminary results of receiver function analysis suggest that the crustal thickness beneath NW Mindoro is about 40 km and is probably PCB affiliated.

Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Topical Dimethicone on Clinical Signs and Skin Barrier Function in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Atopic Dermatitis

PubMed Central

Pellicoro, C.; Marsella, R.; Ahrens, K.

2013-01-01

This study investigated the effects of a skin protectant solution (dimethicone 2%) on clinical signs and skin barrier function in canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Eighteen dogs with AD were randomly divided into two groups, one received dimethicone and the other received the vehicle (cyclomethicone) on selected areas (pinnae, groin, and axillae) daily for 4 weeks. Owners and investigators were blinded regarding group allocation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using a scoring system and skin barrier by measuring the transepidermal water loss. Twelve dogs completed the study (50% drop rate in the vehicle and 20% in the dimethicone). For clinical signs, analysis of variance showed an effect of time (P < 0.005; day 0 > day 28) and region (axillae < groin < pinnae) but no effect of group or group × time interaction. For transepidermal water loss, analysis of variance showed only a main effect of region (axillae > pinnae > groin). Pearson found no correlation between transepidermal water loss and clinical scores. In this pilot study dimethicone had no significant effect on clinical signs and transepidermal water loss in canine atopic dermatitis. PMID:23710417

A Quality Function Deployment Framework for the Service Quality of Health Information Websites

PubMed Central

Kim, Dohoon

2010-01-01

Objectives This research was conducted to identify both the users' service requirements on health information websites (HIWs) and the key functional elements for running HIWs. With the quality function deployment framework, the derived service attributes (SAs) are mapped into the suppliers' functional characteristics (FCs) to derive the most critical FCs for the users' satisfaction. Methods Using the survey data from 228 respondents, the SAs, FCs and their relationships were analyzed using various multivariate statistical methods such as principal component factor analysis, discriminant analysis, correlation analysis, etc. Simple and compound FC priorities were derived by matrix calculation. Results Nine factors of SAs and five key features of FCs were identified, and these served as the basis for the house of quality model. Based on the compound FC priorities, the functional elements pertaining to security and privacy, and usage support should receive top priority in the course of enhancing HIWs. Conclusions The quality function deployment framework can improve the FCs of the HIWs in an effective, structured manner, and it can also be utilized for critical success factors together with their strategic implications for enhancing the service quality of HIWs. Therefore, website managers could efficiently improve website operations by considering this study's results. PMID:21818418

Some dissociating factors in the analysis of structural and functional progressive damage in open-angle glaucoma.

PubMed

Hudson, C J W; Kim, L S; Hancock, S A; Cunliffe, I A; Wild, J M

2007-05-01

To identify the presence, and origin, of any "dissociating factors" inherent to the techniques for evaluating progression that mask the relationship between structural and functional progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG). 23 patients (14 with OAG and 9 with ocular hypertension (OHT)) who had received serial Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT II) and Humphrey Field Analyser (HFA) examinations for >or=5 years (mean 78.4 months (SD 9.5), range 60-101 months) were identified. Evidence of progressive disease was retrospectively evaluated in one eye of each patient using the Topographic Change Analysis (TCA) and Glaucoma Progression Analysis (GPA) for the HRT II and HFA, respectively. Six patients were stable by both techniques; four exhibited both structural and functional progression; seven exhibited structural progression, only, and six showed functional progression, only. Three types of dissociating factors were identified. TCA failed to identify progressive structural damage in the presence of advanced optic nerve head damage. GPA failed to identify progressive functional damage at stimulus locations, with sensitivities exhibiting test-retest variability beyond the maximum stimulus luminance of the perimeter, and where a perimetric learning effect was apparent. The three dissociating factors accounted for nine of the 13 patients who exhibited a lack of concordance between structural and functional progressive damage.

Data processing techniques used with MST radars: A review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rastogi, P. K.

1983-01-01

The data processing methods used in high power radar probing of the middle atmosphere are examined. The radar acts as a spatial filter on the small scale refractivity fluctuations in the medium. The characteristics of the received signals are related to the statistical properties of these fluctuations. A functional outline of the components of a radar system is given. Most computation intensive tasks are carried out by the processor. The processor computes a statistical function of the received signals, simultaneously for a large number of ranges. The slow fading of atmospheric signals is used to reduce the data input rate to the processor by coherent integration. The inherent range resolution of the radar experiments can be improved significant with the use of pseudonoise phase codes to modulate the transmitted pulses and a corresponding decoding operation on the received signals. Commutability of the decoding and coherent integration operations is used to obtain a significant reduction in computations. The limitations of the processors are outlined. At the next level of data reduction, the measured function is parameterized by a few spectral moments that can be related to physical processes in the medium. The problems encountered in estimating the spectral moments in the presence of strong ground clutter, external interference, and noise are discussed. The graphical and statistical analysis of the inferred parameters are outlined. The requirements for special purpose processors for MST radars are discussed.

Craton Heterogeneity in the South American Lithosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, S.; Van der Lee, S.; Assumpcao, M.; Feng, M.; Franca, G. S.

2012-04-01

We investigate structure of the lithosphere beneath South America using receiver functions, surface wave dispersion analysis, and seismic tomography. The data used include recordings from 20 temporary broadband seismic stations deployed across eastern Brazil (BLSP02) and from the Chile Ridge Subduction Project seismic array in southern Chile (CRSP). By jointly inverting Moho point constraints, Rayleigh wave group velocities, and regional S and Rayleigh wave forms we obtain a continuous map of Moho depth. The new tomographic Moho map suggests that Moho depth and Moho relief vary slightly with age within the Precambrian crust. Whether or not a correlation between crustal thickness and geologic age can be derived from the pre-interpolation point constraints depends strongly on the selected subset of receiver functions. This implies that using only pre-interpolation point constraints (receiver functions) inadequately samples the spatial variation in geologic age. We also invert for S velocity structure and estimate the depth of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) in Precambrian South America. The new model reveals a relatively thin lithosphere throughout most of Precambrian South America (< 140 km). Comparing LAB depth with lithospheric age shows they are overall positively correlated, whereby the thickest lithosphere occurs in the relatively small Saõ Francisco craton (200 km). However, within the larger Amazonian craton the younger lithosphere is thicker, indicating that locally even larger cratons are not protected from erosion or reworking of the lithosphere.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pasyanos, M; Gok, R; Zor, E

We investigate the crustal and upper mantle structure of eastern Turkey where the Anatolian, Arabian and Eurasian Plates meet and form a complex tectonic structure. The Bitlis suture is a continental collision zone between the Anatolian plateau and the Arabian plate. Broadband data available through the Eastern Turkey Seismic Experiment (ETSE) provided a unique opportunity for studying the high resolution velocity structure. Zor et al. found an average 46 km thick crust in Anatolian plateau using six-layered grid search inversion of the ETSE receiver functions. Receiver functions are sensitive to the velocity contrast of interfaces and the relative travel timemore » of converted and reverberated waves between those interfaces. The interpretation of receiver function alone with many-layered parameterization may result in an apparent depth-velocity tradeoff. In order to improve previous velocity model, we employed the joint inversion method with many layered parameterization of Julia et al. (2000) to the ETSE receiver functions. In this technique, the receiver function and surface-wave observations are combined into a single algebraic equation and each data set is weighted by an estimate of the uncertainty in the observations. We consider azimuthal changes of receiver functions and have stacked them into different groups. We calculated the receiver functions using iterative time-domain deconvolution technique and surface wave group velocity dispersion curves between 10-100 sec. We are making surface wave dispersion measurements at the ETSE stations and have incorporated them into a regional group velocity model. Preliminary results indicate a strong trend in the long period group velocity in the northeast. This indicates slow upper mantle velocities in the region consistent with Pn, Sn and receiver function results. We started with both the 1-D model that is obtained with the 12 tones dam explosion shot data recorded by ETSE network and the existing receiver function inversion results. In fact, we observe that the inversion results are independent at the starting model and converges well to the same final model. We don't observe a significant change at the first order discontinuities of model (e.g. Moho depth), but we obtain better defined depths to low velocity layers.« less

Autonomous Integrated Receive System (AIRS) requirements definition. Volume 4: Functional specification for the prototype Automated Integrated Receive System (AIRS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chie, C. M.

1984-01-01

The functional requirements for the performance, design, and testing for the prototype Automated Integrated Receive System (AIRS) to be demonstrated for the TDRSS S-Band Single Access Return Link are presented.

Impact of partial versus whole breast radiation therapy on fatigue, perceived stress, quality of life and natural killer cell activity in women with breast cancer.

PubMed

Albuquerque, Kevin; Tell, Dina; Lobo, Philip; Millbrandt, Linda; Mathews, Herbert L; Janusek, Linda Witek

2012-06-18

This pilot study used a prospective longitudinal design to compare the effect of adjuvant whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT) versus partial breast radiation therapy (PBRT) on fatigue, perceived stress, quality of life and natural killer cell activity (NKCA) in women receiving radiation after breast cancer surgery. Women (N = 30) with early-stage breast cancer received either PBRT, Mammosite brachytherapy at dose of 34 Gy 10 fractions/5 days, (N = 15) or WBRT, 3-D conformal techniques at dose of 50 Gy +10 Gy Boost/30 fractions, (N = 15). Treatment was determined by the attending oncologist after discussion with the patient and the choice was based on tumor stage and clinical need. Women were assessed prior to initiation of radiation therapy and twice after completion of radiation therapy. At each assessment, blood was obtained for determination of NKCA and the following instruments were administered: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to evaluate group differences in initial outcomes and change in outcomes over time. Fatigue (FACT-F) levels, which were similar prior to radiation therapy, demonstrated a significant difference in trajectory. Women who received PBRT reported progressively lower fatigue; conversely fatigue worsened over time for women who received WBRT. No difference in perceived stress was observed between women who received PBRT or WBRT. Both groups of women reported similar levels of quality of life (FACT-G) prior to initiation of radiation therapy. However, HLM analysis revealed significant group differences in the trajectory of quality of life, such that women receiving PBRT exhibited a linear increase in quality of life over time after completion of radiation therapy; whereas women receiving WBRT showed a decreasing trajectory. NKCA was also similar between therapy groups but additional post hoc analysis revealed that better quality of life significantly predicted higher NKCA regardless of therapy. Compared to WBRT, PBRT results in more rapid recovery from cancer-related fatigue with improved restoration of quality of life after radiation therapy. Additionally, better quality of life predicts higher NKCA against tumor targets, emphasizing the importance of fostering quality of life for women undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter K-Band (26 GHz) Signal Analysis: Initial Study Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morabito, D. D.; Heckman, D.

2017-11-01

Lower frequency telemetry bands are becoming more limited in bandwidth due to increased competition between flight projects and other entities. Higher frequency bands offer significantly more bandwidth and hence the prospect of much higher data rates. Future or prospective flight projects considering higher frequency bands such as Ka-band (32 GHz) for deep-space and K-band (26 GHz) for near-Earth telemetry links are interested in past flight experience with available received data at these frequencies. Given that there is increased degradation due to the atmosphere at these higher frequencies, there is an effort to retrieve flight data of received signal strength to analyze performance under a variety of factors. Such factors include elevation angle, season, and atmospheric conditions. This article reports on the analysis findings of over 10 million observations of received signal strength of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft collected between 2014 and 2017. We analyzed these data to characterize link performance over a wide range of weather conditions, season, and as a function of elevation angle. Based on this analysis, we have confirmed the safety of using a 3-dB margin for preflight planning purposes. These results suggest that a 3-dB margin with respect to adverse conditions will ensure a 98 to 99 percent data return under 95 percent weather conditions at 26 GHz (K-band), thus confirming expectations from link budget predictions. The results suggest that this margin should be applicable for all elevation angles above 10 deg. Thus, missions that have sufficient power for their desired data rates may opt to use 10 deg as their minimum elevation angle. Limitations of this study include climate variability and the fact that the observations require removal of hotbody noise in order to perform an adequate cumulative distribution function (CDF) analysis, which is planned for a future comprehensive study. Flight projects may use other link margins depending upon available information, uncertainties of non-atmospheric link parameters, and mission phase.

Functional connectivity analysis of the neural bases of emotion regulation: A comparison of independent component method with density-based k-means clustering method.

PubMed

Zou, Ling; Guo, Qian; Xu, Yi; Yang, Biao; Jiao, Zhuqing; Xiang, Jianbo

2016-04-29

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an important tool in neuroscience for assessing connectivity and interactions between distant areas of the brain. To find and characterize the coherent patterns of brain activity as a means of identifying brain systems for the cognitive reappraisal of the emotion task, both density-based k-means clustering and independent component analysis (ICA) methods can be applied to characterize the interactions between brain regions involved in cognitive reappraisal of emotion. Our results reveal that compared with the ICA method, the density-based k-means clustering method provides a higher sensitivity of polymerization. In addition, it is more sensitive to those relatively weak functional connection regions. Thus, the study concludes that in the process of receiving emotional stimuli, the relatively obvious activation areas are mainly distributed in the frontal lobe, cingulum and near the hypothalamus. Furthermore, density-based k-means clustering method creates a more reliable method for follow-up studies of brain functional connectivity.

Does Kinesiotaping improve pain and functionality in patients with newly diagnosed lateral epicondylitis?

PubMed

Eraslan, Leyla; Yuce, Deniz; Erbilici, Arzu; Baltaci, Gul

2018-03-01

This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) along with physiotherapy on pain, functionality, and grip strength in patients with newly diagnosed lateral epicondylitis undergoing rehabilitation. Forty-five voluntary patients (mean age 48 years) were randomly assigned to three groups. Patients in all groups received physiotherapy consisting of a cold pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation five times per week for a total of 15 sessions and a home exercise programme including stretching and eccentric strength exercises. In the second group, patients received kinesiotaping 5 days a week for 3 weeks. In the third group, ESWT was applied three times for 3 weeks. Patients were assessed by visual analogue scale for pain intensity, pain-free grip strength using a hand dynamometer, Cyriax Resisted Muscle Test, and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale. All measurements were collected at baseline and after treatment. There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of the patients in all groups at baseline. Intra-group analysis revealed that pain intensity decreased, whereas maximum grip strength and functionality increased in all groups at the end of the treatment (p < 0.05). Inter-group analysis revealed that the kinesiotaping group yielded better results in decreasing pain intensity than the other groups (p < 0.05). The kinesiotaping group (p < 0.001) and ESWT group (p = 0.002) yielded better results in improving functionality than the physiotherapy group. There were significant differences in recovering pain-free grip strength in the kinesiotaping group (p < 0.05). Kinesiotaping was found to be effective for decreasing pain intensity, recovering grip strength, and improving functionality in patients with lateral epicondylitis undergoing rehabilitation. Therapeutic study, Level II.

Muscle-targeted hydrodynamic gene introduction of insulin-like growth factor-1 using polyplex nanomicelle to treat peripheral nerve injury.

PubMed

Nagata, Kazuya; Itaka, Keiji; Baba, Miyuki; Uchida, Satoshi; Ishii, Takehiko; Kataoka, Kazunori

2014-06-10

The recovery of neurologic function after peripheral nerve injury often remains incomplete because of the prolonged reinnervation process, which leads to skeletal muscle atrophy and articular contracture from disuse over time. To rescue the skeletal muscle and promote functional recovery, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a potent myogenic factor, was introduced into the muscle by hydrodynamic injection of IGF-1-expressing plasmid DNA using a biocompatible nonviral gene carrier, a polyplex nanomicelle. In a mouse model of sciatic nerve injury, the introduction of IGF-1 into the skeletal muscle of the paralyzed limb effectively alleviated a decrease in muscle weight compared with that in untreated control mice. Histologic analysis of the muscle revealed the IGF-1-expressing plasmid DNA (pDNA) to have a myogenic effect, inducing muscle hypertrophy with the upregulation of the myogenic regulatory factors, myogenin and MyoD. The evaluation of motor function by walking track analysis revealed that the group that received the hydrodynamic injection of IGF-1-expressing pDNA using the polyplex nanomicelle had significantly early recovery of motor function compared with groups receiving negative control pDNA and untreated controls. Early recovery of sensation in the distal area of sciatic nerve injury was also induced by the introduction of IGF-1-expressing pDNA, presumably because of the effect of secreted IGF-1 protein in the vicinity of the injured sciatic nerve exerting a synergistic effect with muscle hypertrophy, inducing a more favorable prognosis. This approach of introducing IGF-1 into skeletal muscle is promising for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury by promoting early motor function recovery. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dosimetric feasibility of 4DCT-ventilation imaging guided proton therapy for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Huang, Qijie; Jabbour, Salma K; Xiao, Zhiyan; Yue, Ning; Wang, Xiao; Cao, Hongbin; Kuang, Yu; Zhang, Yin; Nie, Ke

2018-04-25

The principle aim of this study is to incorporate 4DCT ventilation imaging into functional treatment planning that preserves high-functioning lung with both double scattering and scanning beam techniques in proton therapy. Eight patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were included in this study. Deformable image registration was performed for each patient on their planning 4DCTs and the resultant displacement vector field with Jacobian analysis was used to identify the high-, medium- and low-functional lung regions. Five plans were designed for each patient: a regular photon IMRT vs. anatomic proton plans without consideration of functional ventilation information using double scattering proton therapy (DSPT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) vs. functional proton plans with avoidance of high-functional lung using both DSPT and IMPT. Dosimetric parameters were compared in terms of tumor coverage, plan heterogeneity, and avoidance of normal tissues. Our results showed that both DSPT and IMPT plans gave superior dose advantage to photon IMRTs in sparing low dose regions of the total lung in terms of V5 (volume receiving 5Gy). The functional DSPT only showed marginal benefit in sparing high-functioning lung in terms of V5 or V20 (volume receiving 20Gy) compared to anatomical plans. Yet, the functional planning in IMPT delivery, can further reduce the low dose in high-functioning lung without degrading the PTV dosimetric coverages, compared to anatomical proton planning. Although the doses to some critical organs might increase during functional planning, the necessary constraints were all met. Incorporating 4DCT ventilation imaging into functional proton therapy is feasible. The functional proton plans, in intensity modulated proton delivery, are effective to further preserve high-functioning lung regions without degrading the PTV coverage.

Anti-inflammatory treatment improves high-density lipoprotein function in rheumatoid arthritis

PubMed Central

O'Neill, Francis; Charakida, Marietta; Topham, Eric; McLoughlin, Eve; Patel, Neha; Sutill, Emma; Kay, Christopher W M; D'Aiuto, Francesco; Landmesser, Ulf; Taylor, Peter C; Deanfield, John

2017-01-01

Objective Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased cardiovascular risk. Recent studies suggest that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may lose its protective vascular phenotype in inflammatory conditions. However, the effects of common anti-inflammatory treatments on HDL function are not yet known. Methods We compared the function of HDL in 18 patients with RA and 18 matched healthy controls. Subsequently, patients were randomised to (methotrexate+infliximab (M+I) (5 mg/kg)) or methotrexate+placebo (M+P) infusions for 54 weeks. At week 54 and thereafter, all patients received infliximab therapy until completion of the trial (110 weeks), enabling assessment of the impact of 1 year of infliximab therapy in all patients. HDL functional properties were assessed at baseline, 54 weeks and 110 weeks by measuring the impact on endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and superoxide production (SO), paraoxonase activity (PON-1) and cholesterol efflux. Results All HDL vascular assays were impaired in patients compared with controls. After 54 weeks, NO in response to HDL was significantly greater in patients who received M+I compared with those who received M+P. Endothelial SO in response to HDL was reduced in both groups, but PON-1 and cholesterol efflux remained unchanged. All vascular measures improved compared with baseline after ≥1 infliximab therapy in the analysis at 110 weeks. No significant trend was noted for cholesterol efflux. Conclusions HDL function can be improved with anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with RA. The M+I combination was superior to the M+P alone, suggesting that the tumour necrosis factor-α pathway may have a role in HDL vascular properties. PMID:27852695

A randomized trial of exercise on well-being and function following breast cancer surgery: the RESTORE trial.

PubMed

Anderson, Roger T; Kimmick, Gretchen G; McCoy, Thomas P; Hopkins, Judith; Levine, Edward; Miller, Gary; Ribisl, Paul; Mihalko, Shannon L

2012-06-01

This study aimed to determine the effect of a moderate, tailored exercise program on health-related quality of life, physical function, and arm volume in women receiving treatment for nonmetastatic breast cancer. Women who were within 4-12 weeks of surgery for stage I-III breast cancer were randomized to center-based exercise and lymphedema education intervention or patient education. Functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast cancer (FACT-B), 6-min walk, and arm volume were performed at 3-month intervals through 18 months. Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to model the total meters walked over time, FACT-B scores, and arm volume. Models were adjusted for baseline measurement, baseline affected arm volume, number of nodes removed, age, self-reported symptoms, baseline SF-12 mental and physical component scores, visit, and treatment group. Of the recruited 104 women, 82 completed all 18 months. Mean age (range) was 53.6 (32-82) years; 88% were Caucasian; 45% were employed full time; 44% were overweight; and 28% obese. Approximately, 46% had breast-conserving surgery; 79% had axillary node dissection; 59% received chemotherapy; and 64% received radiation. The intervention resulted in an average increase of 34.3 ml (SD = 12.8) versus patient education (p = 0.01). Changes in FACT-B scores and arm volumes were not significantly different. With this early exercise intervention after breast cancer diagnosis, a significant improvement was achieved in physical function, with no decline in health-related quality of life or detrimental effect on arm volume. Starting a supervised exercise regimen that is tailored to an individual's strength and stamina within 3 months following breast cancer surgery appears safe and may hasten improvements in physical functioning.

Is more better than less? An analysis of children's mental health services.

PubMed Central

Foster, E M

2000-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dose-response relationship for outpatient therapy received by children and adolescents-that is, to determine the impact of added outpatient visits on key mental health outcomes (functioning and symptomatology). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: The results presented involve analyses of data from the Fort Bragg Demonstration and are based on a sample of 301 individuals using outpatient services. STUDY DESIGN: This article provides estimates of the impact of outpatient therapy based on comparisons of individuals receiving differing treatment doses. Those comparisons involve standard multiple regression analyses as well as instrumental variables estimation. The latter provides a means of adjusting comparisons for unobserved or unmeasured differences among individuals receiving differing doses, differences that would otherwise be confounded with the impact of treatment dose. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Using structured diagnostic interviews and behavior checklists completed by the child and his or her caretaker, detailed data on psychopathology, symptomatology, and psychosocial functioning were collected on individuals included in these analyses. Information on the use of mental health services was taken from insurance claims and a management information system. Services data were used to describe the use of outpatient therapy within the year following entry into the study. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: Instrumental variables estimation indicates that added outpatient therapy improves functioning among children and adolescents. The effect is statistically significant and of moderate practical magnitude. These results imply that conventional analyses of the dose-response relationship may understate the impact of additional treatment on functioning. This finding is robust to choice of functional form, length of time over which outcomes are measured, and model specification. Dose does not appear to influence symptomatology. PMID:11130814

Depression and Functional Status Among African American Stroke Survivors in Inpatient Rehabilitation.

PubMed

Harris, Gabrielle M; Collins-McNeil, Janice; Yang, Qing; Nguyen, Vu Q C; Hirsch, Mark A; Rhoads, Charles F; Guerrier, Tami; Thomas, J George; Pugh, Terrence M; Hamm, Deanna; Pereira, Carol; Prvu Bettger, Janet

2017-01-01

To examine the prevalence of poststroke depression (PSD) among African American stroke survivors and the association of depression with functional status at inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) discharge. Secondary data analysis was conducted of a patient cohort who received care at 3 IRFs in the United States from 2009 to 2011. Functional status was measured by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations of PSD and FIM motor and cognitive scores. Of 458 African American stroke survivors, 48.5% were female, 84% had an ischemic stroke, and the mean age was 60.8 ± 13.6 years. Only 15.4% (n = 71) had documentation of PSD. Bivariate analyses to identify factors associated with depression identified a higher percentage of patients with depression than without who were retired due to disability (17.1% versus 11.6%) or employed (31.4% versus 19.6%) prestroke (P = .041). Dysphagia, cognitive deficits, and a lower admission motor FIM score were also significantly more common among those with depression. There was no significant relationship between depression and functional status after adjusting for patient characteristics. In this study, 15% of the African Americans who received rehabilitation after a stroke had documentation of PSD but this was not associated with functional status at discharge. Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetic Vortex-Based Radar Imaging Using a Single Receiving Antenna: Theory and Experimental Results

PubMed Central

Yuan, Tiezhu; Wang, Hongqiang; Cheng, Yongqiang; Qin, Yuliang

2017-01-01

Radar imaging based on electromagnetic vortex can achieve azimuth resolution without relative motion. The present paper investigates this imaging technique with the use of a single receiving antenna through theoretical analysis and experimental results. Compared with the use of multiple receiving antennas, the echoes from a single receiver cannot be used directly for image reconstruction using Fourier method. The reason is revealed by using the point spread function. An additional phase is compensated for each mode before imaging process based on the array parameters and the elevation of the targets. A proof-of-concept imaging system based on a circular phased array is created, and imaging experiments of corner-reflector targets are performed in an anechoic chamber. The azimuthal image is reconstructed by the use of Fourier transform and spectral estimation methods. The azimuth resolution of the two methods is analyzed and compared through experimental data. The experimental results verify the principle of azimuth resolution and the proposed phase compensation method. PMID:28335487

Adaptative synchronization in multi-output fractional-order complex dynamical networks and secure communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mata-Machuca, Juan L.; Aguilar-López, Ricardo

2018-01-01

This work deals with the adaptative synchronization of complex dynamical networks with fractional-order nodes and its application in secure communications employing chaotic parameter modulation. The complex network is composed of multiple fractional-order systems with mismatch parameters and the coupling functions are given to realize the network synchronization. We introduce a fractional algebraic synchronizability condition (FASC) and a fractional algebraic identifiability condition (FAIC) which are used to know if the synchronization and parameters estimation problems can be solved. To overcome these problems, an adaptative synchronization methodology is designed; the strategy consists in proposing multiple receiver systems which tend to follow asymptotically the uncertain transmitters systems. The coupling functions and parameters of the receiver systems are adjusted continually according to a convenient sigmoid-like adaptative controller (SLAC), until the measurable output errors converge to zero, hence, synchronization between transmitter and receivers is achieved and message signals are recovered. Indeed, the stability analysis of the synchronization error is based on the fractional Lyapunov direct method. Finally, numerical results corroborate the satisfactory performance of the proposed scheme by means of the synchronization of a complex network consisting of several fractional-order unified chaotic systems.

Caffeine intake decreases oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in experimental liver diseases induced by thioacetamide: Biochemical and histological study.

PubMed

Amer, Mona G; Mazen, Nehad F; Mohamed, Ahmed M

2017-03-01

Liver disease remains a significant global health problem. Increased caffeine consumption has been associated with a lower prevalence of chronic liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the modifying effects of caffeine on liver injury induced by thioacetamide (TAA) administration in male rats and the possible underlying mechanisms. Forty adult male rats were equally classified into four groups: control group, received only tap water; caffeine-treated group, received caffeine (37.5 mg/kg per day); TAA-treated group, received intraperitoneal (i.p.) TAA (200 mg/kg b.w.) twice a week; and caffeine + TAA-treated group, received combined TAA and caffeine in the same previous doses. After eight weeks of treatment, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and liver specimens were prepared for histological and immunohistochemical studies and for assessment of oxidative stress. TAA induced liver toxicity with elevated liver enzymes and histological alterations, fatty changes, apoptosis, and fibrosis evidenced by increased immunohistochemical reaction to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and collagen type IV in hepatocytes. Also, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in serum were significantly elevated. Co-treatment with caffeine and TAA restored normal liver structure and function. Caffeine provided an anti-fibrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effect that was associated with recovery of hepatic histological and functional alterations from TAA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Corticosteroids in IgA Nephropathy: A Retrospective Analysis from the VALIGA Study

PubMed Central

Tesar, Vladimir; Troyanov, Stéphan; Bellur, Shubha; Verhave, Jacobien C.; Cook, H. Terence; Feehally, John; Roberts, Ian S.D.; Cattran, Daniel

2015-01-01

Current guidelines suggest treatment with corticosteroids (CS) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) when proteinuria is persistently ≥1 g/d despite 3–6 months of supportive care and when eGFR is >50 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Whether the benefits of this treatment extend to patients with an eGFR≤50 ml/min per 1.73 m2, other levels of proteinuria, or different renal pathologic lesions remains unknown. We retrospectively studied 1147 patients with IgAN from the European Validation Study of the Oxford Classification of IgAN (VALIGA) cohort classified according to the Oxford-MEST classification and medication used, with details of duration but not dosing. Overall, 46% of patients received immunosuppression, of which 98% received CS. Treated individuals presented with greater clinical and pathologic risk factors of progression. They also received more antihypertensive medication, and a greater proportion received renin angiotensin system blockade (RASB) compared with individuals without immunosuppressive therapy. Immunosuppression was associated with a significant reduction in proteinuria, a slower rate of renal function decline, and greater renal survival. Using a propensity score, we matched 184 subjects who received CS and RASB to 184 patients with a similar risk profile of progression who received only RASB. Within this group, CS reduced proteinuria and the rate of renal function decline and increased renal survival. These benefits extended to those with an eGFR≤50 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and the benefits increased proportionally with the level of proteinuria. Thus, CS reduced the risk of progression regardless of initial eGFR and in direct proportion to the extent of proteinuria in this cohort. PMID:25677392

Corticosteroids in IgA Nephropathy: A Retrospective Analysis from the VALIGA Study.

PubMed

Tesar, Vladimir; Troyanov, Stéphan; Bellur, Shubha; Verhave, Jacobien C; Cook, H Terence; Feehally, John; Roberts, Ian S D; Cattran, Daniel; Coppo, Rosanna

2015-09-01

Current guidelines suggest treatment with corticosteroids (CS) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) when proteinuria is persistently ≥1 g/d despite 3-6 months of supportive care and when eGFR is >50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Whether the benefits of this treatment extend to patients with an eGFR≤50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), other levels of proteinuria, or different renal pathologic lesions remains unknown. We retrospectively studied 1147 patients with IgAN from the European Validation Study of the Oxford Classification of IgAN (VALIGA) cohort classified according to the Oxford-MEST classification and medication used, with details of duration but not dosing. Overall, 46% of patients received immunosuppression, of which 98% received CS. Treated individuals presented with greater clinical and pathologic risk factors of progression. They also received more antihypertensive medication, and a greater proportion received renin angiotensin system blockade (RASB) compared with individuals without immunosuppressive therapy. Immunosuppression was associated with a significant reduction in proteinuria, a slower rate of renal function decline, and greater renal survival. Using a propensity score, we matched 184 subjects who received CS and RASB to 184 patients with a similar risk profile of progression who received only RASB. Within this group, CS reduced proteinuria and the rate of renal function decline and increased renal survival. These benefits extended to those with an eGFR≤50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), and the benefits increased proportionally with the level of proteinuria. Thus, CS reduced the risk of progression regardless of initial eGFR and in direct proportion to the extent of proteinuria in this cohort. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Efficacy of an Electromechanical Gait Trainer Poststroke in Singapore: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Chua, Joyce; Culpan, Jane; Menon, Edward

2016-05-01

To evaluate the longer-term effects of electromechanical gait trainers (GTs) combined with conventional physiotherapy on health status, function, and ambulation in people with subacute stroke in comparison with conventional physiotherapy given alone. Randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. Community hospital in Singapore. Nonambulant individuals (N=106) recruited approximately 1 month poststroke. Both groups received 45 minutes of physiotherapy 6 times per week for 8 weeks as follows: the GT group received 20 minutes of GT training and 5 minutes of stance/gait training in contrast with 25 minutes of stance/gait training for the control group. Both groups completed 10 minutes of standing and 10 minutes of cycling. The primary outcome was the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC). Secondary outcomes were the Barthel Index (BI), gait speed and endurance, and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Measures were taken at baseline and 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. Generalized linear model analysis showed significant improvement over time (independent of group) for the FAC, BI, and SIS physical and participation subscales. However, no significant group × time or group differences were observed for any of the outcome variables after generalized linear model analysis. The use of GTs combined with conventional physiotherapy can be as effective as conventional physiotherapy applied alone for people with subacute stroke. Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A pilot single-blind multicentre randomized controlled trial to evaluate the potential benefits of computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming technology on the arm function of children with spastic cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Preston, Nick; Weightman, Andrew; Gallagher, Justin; Levesley, Martin; Mon-Williams, Mark; Clarke, Mike; O'Connor, Rory J

2016-10-01

To evaluate the potential benefits of computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming technology on arm function of children with spastic cerebral palsy. A single-blind randomized controlled trial design. Power calculations indicated that 58 children would be required to demonstrate a clinically important difference. Intervention was home-based; recruitment took place in regional spasticity clinics. A total of 15 children with cerebral palsy aged five to 12 years were recruited; eight to the device group. Both study groups received 'usual follow-up treatment' following spasticity treatment with botulinum toxin; the intervention group also received a rehabilitation gaming device. ABILHAND-kids and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were performed by blinded assessors at baseline, six and 12 weeks. An analysis of covariance showed no group differences in mean ABILHAND-kids scores between time points. A non-parametric analysis of variance on Canadian Occupational Performance Measure scores showed a statistically significant improvement across time points (χ 2 (2,15) = 6.778, p = 0.031), but this improvement did not reach minimal clinically important difference. Mean daily device use was seven minutes. Recruitment did not reach target owing to unanticipated staff shortages in clinical services. Feedback from children and their families indicated that the games were not sufficiently engaging to promote sufficient use that was likely to result in functional benefits. This study suggests that computer-assisted arm rehabilitation gaming does not benefit arm function, but a Type II error cannot be ruled out. © The Author(s) 2015.

Outcome of endovascular treatment for acute basilar artery occlusion in the modern era: a single institution experience.

PubMed

Li, Chuanhui; Zhao, Wenbo; Wu, Chuanjie; Shang, Shuyi; Chen, Jian; Ren, Ming; Duan, Jiangang; Ma, Qingfeng; Li, Guilin; Zhang, Yunzhou; Zhang, Hongqi; Jiao, Liqun; Ji, Xunming

2018-06-01

The beneficial effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) for patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) remains uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical outcome of EVT for patients with ABAO and analyze prognostic factors of good outcome. From our prospectively established database, we reviewed all patients with ABAO receiving EVT during January 2014 to December 2016. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. Favorable functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 3 assessed at 3-month follow-up. The association between clinical and procedural characteristics and functional outcome was assessed. Of the 68 patients included, 50 patients (73.5%) received mechanical thrombectomy with stent retriever device. Successful reperfusion (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grades 2b-3) was achieved in 61 patients (89.7%). Overall favorable functional outcome was reached by 31 patients (45.6%). In univariate analysis, Glasgow Coma Scale sum score, baseline National Institutes of Health stroke scale score (NIHSS), and baseline glycemia level were identified predicting good clinical outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that lower NIHSS was the only independent risk factor of favorable functional outcome (OR 0.832; 95% CI, 0.715-0.968; p = 0.018). No difference of favorable outcomes was observed between the subgroups of time to EVT < 6 h and ≽ 6 h. Data in the present study suggests that EVT for ABAO patients should be reasonable within 24 h of symptom onset. The most important factor determining clinical outcome is initial stroke severity.

Effect of Play-based Therapy on Meta-cognitive and Behavioral Aspects of Executive Function: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial on the Students With Learning Disabilities.

PubMed

Karamali Esmaili, Samaneh; Shafaroodi, Narges; Hassani Mehraban, Afsoon; Parand, Akram; Zarei, Masoume; Akbari-Zardkhaneh, Saeed

2017-01-01

Although the effect of educational methods on executive function (EF) is well known, training this function by a playful method is debatable. The current study aimed at investigating if a play-based intervention is effective on metacognitive and behavioral skills of EF in students with specific learning disabilities. In the current randomized, clinical trial, 49 subjects within the age range of 7 to 11 years with specific learning disabilities were randomly assigned into the intervention (25 subjects; mean age 8.5±1.33 years) and control (24 subjects; mean age 8.7±1.03 years) groups. Subjects in the intervention group received EF group training based on playing activities; subjects in the control group received no intervention. The behavior rating inventory of executive function (BRIEF) was administered to evaluate the behavioral and cognitive aspects of EF. The duration of the intervention was 6 hours per week for 9 weeks. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to compare mean changes (before and after) in the BRIEF scores between the groups. The assumptions of multivariate analysis of covariance were examined. After controlling pre-test conditions, the intervention and control groups scored significantly differently on both the metacognition (P=0.002; effect size=0.20) and behavior regulation indices (P=0.01; effect size=0.12) of BRIEF. Play-based therapy is effective on the metacognitive and behavioral aspects of EF in students with specific learning disabilities. Professionals can use play-based therapy rather than educational approaches in clinical practice to enhance EF skills.

Precise Clock Solutions Using Carrier Phase from GPS Receivers in the International GPS Service

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zumberge, J. F.; Jefferson, D. C.; Stowers, D. A.; Tjoelker, R. L.; Young, L. E.

1999-01-01

As one of its activities as an Analysis Center in the International GPS Service (IGS), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) uses data from a globally distributed network of geodetic-quality GPS receivers to estimate precise clock solutions, relative to a chosen reference, for both the GPS satellites and GPS receiver internal clocks, every day. The GPS constellation and ground network provide geometrical strength resulting in formal errors of about 100 p sec for these estimates. Some of the receivers in the global IGS network contain high quality frequency references, such as hydrogen masers. The clock solutions for such receivers are smooth at the 20-p sec level on time scales of a few minutes. There are occasional (daily to weekly) shifts at the microsec level, symptomatic of receiver resets, and 200-p sec-level discontinuities at midnight due to 1-day processing boundaries. Relative clock solutions among 22 IGS sites proposed as "fiducial" in the IGS/BIPM pilot project have been examined over a recent 4-week period. This allows a quantitative measure of receiver reset frequency as a function of site. For days and-sites without resets, the Allan deviation of the relative clock solutions is also computed for subdaily values of tau..

Functional behavioral analysis and social scripting for the older patient with schizophrenia: a staff development program.

PubMed

Markwick, Laura; Smith, Charlene; Mick, Diane

2014-11-01

Executive functioning is the ability to plan, strategize, organize, and focus on details. Impaired executive functioning plays a significant role in behavior disturbances. Lack of inhibition, impaired abstract reasoning, thought perseverance, rigidity in routine, and lack of insight disrupt social skills and daily life. Autism and schizophrenia present some similar behaviors, including impaired executive functioning, often resulting in pharmacological management as many healthcare professionals receive limited training in executive functioning. Non-pharmacological tools used in autism for behavior management include functional behavioral analysis and social scripting, which help to identify causes of behavior and teach more appropriate behavioral responses. Described here is an educational program for healthcare workers in a long-term care skilled nursing facility, to help them understand the basis for behaviors in individuals with impaired executive function, to use these same tools for behavioral modification techniques, and to help patients learn more appropriate social skills. Program evaluation suggested the educational program was successful in increasing the staff's knowledge and comfort level in addressing the behavioral issues that arise with this population and staff also reported less use of medication as first-line treatment for behavioral issues.

Socio-sexual functioning in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analyses of existing literature.

PubMed

Hancock, Grace I P; Stokes, Mark A; Mesibov, Gary B

2017-11-01

Socio-sexual functioning encompasses an individual's interests, behaviors, and knowledge with respect to sexual, romantic, and social aspects of life. An individual's understanding of these domains is developed through a range of informal and formal avenues of sexual health education. The current model demonstrated this and proposed that, compared to typically developing individuals, those with ASD develop socio-sexual functioning differently due to having less peer engagement, less relationship experience, more parental guidance, greater use of online materials, receive less school-based sexual health education, and more support from wellbeing services. Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature revealed that individuals with ASD have greater difficultly adhering to privacy norms, engage in less social behavior, are described as engaging in less appropriate sexual behavior, have greater concerns about themselves, and receive less sexual health education. Having fewer opportunities for appropriate informal and formal sexual health education leaves them at a double disadvantage from others who are receiving this information from both of these avenues. Some of the current meta-analytic results are cautioned by large l-square statistics which suggest that a degree of variance is being caused by extraneous factors. Further empirical research in this area is needed to overcome current design and sample limitations. Finally, the Sexual Behavior Scale was the most commonly utilized tool in the meta-analyzed studies, thus comprehensive evaluation of its functioning is warranted. The importance of work in this area is highlighted by the central role of social and sexual wellbeing on one's quality of life. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1823-1833. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Review of existing literature revealed that individuals with ASD have greater difficultly adhering to privacy norms, engage in less social behavior, are described as engaging in less appropriate sexual behavior, have greater concerns about themselves, and receive less sexual health education. Having fewer opportunities for appropriate informal and formal sexual health education leaves them at a double disadvantage from others who are receiving this information from both of these avenues. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structure of the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere beneath the Western US from Simultaneous Multi-Parameter Inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steck, L.; Maceira, M.; Ammon, C. J.; Herrmann, R. B.

2013-12-01

Joint inversion of multiple datasets should produce more realistic images of Earth structure. Here we simultaneously invert surface wave dispersion, receiver functions, and gravity to determine structure of the crust and upper mantle of the western United States. Our target region is comprised of a one-degree grid that spans latitudes from 30 to 50 degrees North and longitudes from 95 to 125 degrees West. Receiver functions come from the Earthscope Automated Receiver system, and are stacked to produce an average model for each cell. Rayleigh and Love dispersion data come from multiple filter analysis of regional earthquakes, while the gravity observations are extracted from the EGM2008 model. Our starting model is comprised of an oceanic PREM model west of the Pacific coast, a western US model between that and the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains, and a continental PREM model east of the Rocky Mountain Front. Several different velocity/density relationships have been tested and all result in very similar models. Our inversion reduces RMS surface wave residuals by 58% and receiver function misfits by about 18%. Gravity residuals are reduced by more than 90%. While the reduction in residuals for receiver functions is not as profound as for surface waves or gravity, they are meaningful and produce sharper boundaries for the observed crustal anomalies. The addition of gravity produces subtle changes to the final model. Our final results are consistent with numerous previous studies in the region. In general, the craton exhibits higher velocities than the tectonically active regions to its west. We see high mid-crustal velocities under the Snake River Plain and the Colorado Plateau. In the lower crust we observe lowest velocities in the western Basin and Range and under the Colorado Mineral Belt. At 80km depth we see broad low velocities fanning out from the Snake River Plain associated with the mantle plume feeding Yellowstone Caldera. Additionally we see high and low velocity anomalies along the west coast that reflect ongoing subduction processes beneath the western US, including the subducting slab and slab window.

Activities of daily living in nursing home and home care settings: a retrospective 1-year cohort study.

PubMed

Lee, Tae Wha; Cho, Eunhee; Yim, Eun Shil; Lee, Hye Sun; Ko, Yu Kyung; Kim, Bok Nam; Kim, Sinhye

2015-02-01

Korea introduced universal long-term care insurance (LTCI) for physically dependent older adults in 2008. Older adults, their family members, and policy makers in Korea want to know patient outcomes in different care modalities because older adults who have a similar functional status and LTC needs can choose either nursing home care or home care. The aim of this study was to compare activities of daily living (ADLs) in nursing home care and home care settings for physically dependent older adults in Korea. A retrospective 1-year cohort study using national LTCI data. This study used the LTCI dataset from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. Participants were identified from among those in the LTCI dataset who enrolled from July 2008 to June 2010. We extracted a sample consisting of 22,557 older adults who consistently received either nursing home care (n = 11,678) or home care (n = 10,879) for 1 year. The outcome variable was change in ADLs after 1 year. Covariates were an older adult's home geographical region, LTC level, age, sex, primary caregiver, Medicaid beneficiary status, bedridden status, medical diagnosis, baseline ADLs, cognitive function, behavioral problems, nursing and special treatment, and rehabilitation needs. Multiple regression analysis of all participants unmatched and a paired t-test with a propensity-score-matched cohort were performed to explain the association of changes in ADLs with the types of LTC. Multiple regression analysis with all participants (n = 22,557) unmatched showed that compared with older adults who received home care, those who received nursing home care had deteriorated further in terms of ADLs after 1 year (β = 0.44108, P < .0001). After propensity-score matching, paired t-test analysis also found that the ADLs of older adults had deteriorated less in the home care group compared with the nursing home group after 1 year (P < .0001). The ADLs of older adults who received home care showed significantly less deterioration than those of the older adults in nursing home care after 1 year. The ADLs of older adults could differ according to the type of LTC they receive, and home care could result in better maintenance of ADLs than nursing home care. Copyright © 2015 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional description of signal processing in the Rogue GPS receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, J. B.

1988-01-01

Over the past year, two Rogue GPS prototype receivers have been assembled and successfully subjected to a variety of laboratory and field tests. A functional description is presented of signal processing in the Rogue receiver, tracing the signal from RF input to the output values of group delay, phase, and data bits. The receiver can track up to eight satellites, without time multiplexing among satellites or channels, simultaneously measuring both group delay and phase for each of three channels (L1-C/A, L1-P, L2-P). The Rogue signal processing described requires generation of the code for all three channels. Receiver functional design, which emphasized accuracy, reliability, flexibility, and dynamic capability, is summarized. A detailed functional description of signal processing is presented, including C/A-channel and P-channel processing, carrier-aided averaging of group delays, checks for cycle slips, acquistion, and distinctive features.

[Diagnosis of temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction caused by occlusion pathology and treatment of such patients].

PubMed

Semkin, V A; Rabukhina, N A; Kravchenko, D V

2007-01-01

Patients with temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction need complex treatment that includes prosthetic treatment in intrajoint relation stabilization. In cases of TMJ pathology it is necessary to examine patients and make axiography, function analysis, MPI-analysis, magnetic resonance tomography and zonography of TMJ, electromyography of the masticatory muscles. The authors examined 47 patients with TMJ dysfunction, 43 of them had occlusion pathology. We managed to eliminate the dysfunction symptoms and to receive stable result of the treatment in all the patients.

Inclusion versus Specialized Intervention for Very-Low- Performing Students: What Does Access Mean in an Era of Academic Challenge?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuchs, Lynn S.; Fuchs, Douglas; Compton, Donald L.; Wehby, Joseph; Schumacher, Robin F.; Gersten, Russell; Jordan, Nancy C.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this analysis was to examine achievement gaps on fractions for very-low-performing students as a function of whether they receive inclusive fraction instruction or specialized fraction intervention and with the shift to Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In three randomized control trials conducted in 3 consecutive years, 203…

Inclusion versus Specialized Intervention for Very-Low-Performing Students: What Does "Access" Mean in an Era of Academic Challenge?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuchs, Lynn S.; Fuchs, Douglas; Compton, Donald L.; Wehby, Joseph; Schumacher, Robin F.; Gersten, Russell; Jordan, Nancy C.

2015-01-01

The purpose of this analysis was to examine achievement gaps on fractions for very-low-performing students as a function of whether they receive inclusive fraction instruction or specialized fraction intervention and with the shift to Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In three randomized control trials conducted in 3 consecutive years, 203…

Functional network-based statistics in depression: Theory of mind subnetwork and importance of parietal region.

PubMed

Lai, Chien-Han; Wu, Yu-Te; Hou, Yuh-Ming

2017-08-01

The functional network analysis of whole brain is an emerging field for research in depression. We initiated this study to investigate which subnetwork is significantly altered within the functional connectome in major depressive disorder (MDD). The study enrolled 52 first-episode medication-naïve patients with MDD and 40 controls for functional network analysis. All participants received the resting-state functional imaging using a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. After preprocessing, we calculated the connectivity matrix of functional connectivity in whole brain for each subject. The network-based statistics of connectome was used to perform group comparisons between patients and controls. The correlations between functional connectivity and clinical parameters were also performed. MDD patients had significant alterations in the network involving "theory of mind" regions, such as the left precentral gyrus, left angular gyrus, bilateral rolandic operculums and left inferior frontal gyrus. The center node of significant network was the left angular gyrus. No significant correlations of functional connectivity within the subnetwork and clinical parameters were noted. Functional connectivity of "theory of mind" subnetwork may be the core issue for pathophysiology in MDD. In addition, the center role of parietal region should be emphasized in future study. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The effect of variation in donor platelet function on transfusion outcome: a semirandomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kelly, Anne M; Garner, Stephen F; Foukaneli, Theodora; Godec, Thomas R; Herbert, Nina; Kahan, Brennan C; Deary, Alison; Bakrania, Lekha; Llewelyn, Charlotte; Ouwehand, Willem H; Williamson, Lorna M; Cardigan, Rebecca A

2017-07-13

The effect of variation in platelet function in platelet donors on patient outcome following platelet transfusion is unknown. This trial assessed the hypothesis that platelets collected from donors with highly responsive platelets to agonists in vitro assessed by flow cytometry (high-responder donors) are cleared more quickly from the circulation than those from low-responder donors, resulting in lower platelet count increments following transfusion. This parallel group, semirandomized double-blinded trial was conducted in a single center in the United Kingdom. Eligible patients were those 16 or older with thrombocytopenia secondary to bone marrow failure, requiring prophylactic platelet transfusion. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a platelet donation from a high- or low-responder donor when both were available, or when only 1 type of platelet was available, patients received that. Participants, investigators, and those assessing outcomes were masked to group assignment. The primary end point was the platelet count increment 10 to 90 minutes following transfusion. Analysis was by intention to treat. Fifty-one patients were assigned to receive platelets from low-responder donors, and 49 from high-responder donors (47 of which were randomized and 53 nonrandomized). There was no significant difference in platelet count increment 10 to 90 minutes following transfusion in patients receiving platelets from high-responder (mean, 21.0 × 10 9 /L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9-37.2) or low-responder (mean, 23.3 × 10 9 /L; 95% CI, 7.8-38.9) donors (mean difference, 2.3; 95% CI, -1.1 to 5.7; P = .18). These results support the current policy of not selecting platelet donors on the basis of platelet function for prophylactic platelet transfusion. © 2017 by The American Society of Hematology.

Sustained inhibition of progressive joint damage with rituximab plus methotrexate in early active rheumatoid arthritis: 2-year results from the randomised controlled trial IMAGE.

PubMed

Tak, Paul P; Rigby, William; Rubbert-Roth, Andrea; Peterfy, Charles; van Vollenhoven, Ronald F; Stohl, William; Healy, Emma; Hessey, Eva; Reynard, Mark; Shaw, Tim

2012-03-01

In the IMAGEstudy, rituximab plus methotrexate (MTX) inhibited joint damage and improved clinical outcomes at 1 year in MTX-naïve patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to assess joint damage progression and clinical outcomes over 2 years. Patients (n=755) were randomised to receive rituximab 2×500 mg+MTX, 2×1000 mg+MTX or placebo+MTX. The placebo-controlled period continued to week 104. Two-year end points were defined as secondary or exploratory and included change in total Genant-modified Sharp score (mTSS), total erosion score and joint space narrowing score from baseline to week 104. Clinical efficacy and physical function end points were also assessed. At 2 years, rituximab 2×1000 mg+MTX maintained inhibition of progressive joint damage versus MTX alone (mTSS change 0.41 vs 1.95; p<0.0001 (79% inhibition)), and a higher proportion of patients receiving rituximab 2×1000 mg+MTX had no radiographic progression over 2 years compared with those receiving MTX alone (57% vs 37%; p<0.0001). Contrary to 1-year results, exploratory analysis of rituximab 2×500 mg+MTX at 2 years showed that progressive joint damage was slowed by ∼61% versus placebo+MTX (mTSS, exploratory p=0.0041). Improvements in clinical signs and symptoms and physical function seen after 1 year in rituximab-treated patients versus those receiving placebo were maintained at year 2. Safety profiles were similar between groups. Treatment with rituximab 2×1000 mg+MTX was associated with sustained improvements in radiographic, clinical and functional outcomes over 2 years. Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT00299104.

Variation in Crustal Structure of the Lesser Caucasus Region from Teleseismic Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, C. M.; Tseng, T. L.; Huang, B. S.; Legendre, C. P.; Karakhanian, A.

2016-12-01

The Caucasus, including the mountains of Greater and Lesser Caucasus, is formed by the continental collision between Arabia and Eurasia. The crustal thickness for this region was mostly constrained by joint analysis of receiver functions and surface waves. Although the thickest value of 52 km was reported under the Lesser Caucasus, the resolution of earlier studies were often limited by sparse array. Large gradient across Moho also makes the definition of Moho difficult. Moreover, higher value of the Vp/Vs ratio is commonly reported in the northeastern Turkey but no estimates had been made for the Caucasus. To further investigate the detail structure around the Lesser Caucasus, we constructed a new seismic network in Georgia and Armenia. We also include other broadband stations to enhance the coverage. The average interval in the Lesser Caucasus is roughly 30 km, much denser than any previous experiments. We selected P-waveforms from teleseismic earthquakes during the operation (January 2012 - June 2016) to calculate receiver functions and then estimate the crustal thickness (H) and Vp/Vs ratio (k) with the H-k stacking technique. Our preliminary results show that Moho depth increases from 40 km under the northeastern Turkey to 50 km beneath northern Georgia, no station with Moho deeper than 50 km under the Lesser Caucasus. The Vp/Vs ratios in the northeastern Anatolian plateau are around 1.8, which is slightly higher than the average of global continents but consistent with the previous estimates. Further to the east, some stations show anomalously higher Vp/Vs ratio in central & southern Armenia that may be associated with Holocene volcanism. In the future, we plan to join locally measured dispersion curves to invert the velocity model without velocity-depth trade-off. We expect to resolve the velocity variations of the crust beneath this region in small scale that may be tied to the continental collision and surface volcanism. Keywords: Caucasus, receiver function, continental collision, volcanic plateau, crustal structure

2.5D S-wave velocity model of the TESZ area in northern Poland from receiver function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilde-Piorko, Monika; Polkowski, Marcin; Grad, Marek

2016-04-01

Receiver function (RF) locally provides the signature of sharp seismic discontinuities and information about the shear wave (S-wave) velocity distribution beneath the seismic station. The data recorded by "13 BB Star" broadband seismic stations (Grad et al., 2015) and by few PASSEQ broadband seismic stations (Wilde-Piórko et al., 2008) are analysed to investigate the crustal and upper mantle structure in the Trans-European Suture Zone (TESZ) in northern Poland. The TESZ is one of the most prominent suture zones in Europe separating the young Palaeozoic platform from the much older Precambrian East European craton. Compilation of over thirty deep seismic refraction and wide angle reflection profiles, vertical seismic profiling in over one hundred thousand boreholes and magnetic, gravity, magnetotelluric and thermal methods allowed for creation a high-resolution 3D P-wave velocity model down to 60 km depth in the area of Poland (Grad et al. 2016). On the other hand the receiver function methods give an opportunity for creation the S-wave velocity model. Modified ray-tracing method (Langston, 1977) are used to calculate the response of the structure with dipping interfaces to the incoming plane wave with fixed slowness and back-azimuth. 3D P-wave velocity model are interpolated to 2.5D P-wave velocity model beneath each seismic station and synthetic back-azimuthal sections of receiver function are calculated for different Vp/Vs ratio. Densities are calculated with combined formulas of Berteussen (1977) and Gardner et al. (1974). Next, the synthetic back-azimuthal sections of RF are compared with observed back-azimuthal sections of RF for "13 BB Star" and PASSEQ seismic stations to find the best 2.5D S-wave models down to 60 km depth. National Science Centre Poland provided financial support for this work by NCN grant DEC-2011/02/A/ST10/00284.

No Evidence for Connectivity between the Bushveld Igneous Complex and the Molopo Farms Complex from Forward Modeling of Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skryzalin, P. A.; Ramirez, C.; Durrheim, R. J.; Raveloson, A.; Nyblade, A.; Feineman, M. D.

2016-12-01

The Bushveld Igneous Complex contains one of the most studied and economically important layered mafic intrusions in the world. The Rustenburg Layered Suite outcrops in northern South Africa over an area of 65,000 km2, and has a volume of up to 1,000,000 km3. Both the Bushveld Igneous Complex and the Molopo Farms Complex in Botswana intruded the crust at 2.05 Ga. Despite being extensively exploited by the mining industry, many questions still exist regarding the structure of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, specifically the total size and connectivity of the different outcrops. In this study, we used receiver function analysis, a technique for determining the seismic velocity structure of the crust and upper mantle, to search for evidence of the Bushveld at station LBTB, which lies in Botswana, between the Far Western Limb of the Bushveld and the Molopo Farms Complex. The goal of our study was to determine whether a fast, high-density mafic body can be seen in the crust beneath this region using receiver functions. Observation of a high density layer would argue in favor of connectivity of the Bushveld between The Far Western Limb and the Molopo Farms Complex. We forward modeled stacks of receiver functions as well as sub-stacks that were split into azimuthal groups which share similar characteristics. We found that there was no evidence for a high velocity zone in the crust, and that the Moho in this region is located at a depth of 38 ± 3 km, about 8-9 km shallower than Moho depths determined beneath the Bushveld Complex. These two lines of evidence give no reason to assume connectivity between the Bushveld Igneous Complex and the Molopo Farms Complex, and rather suggest two separate intrusive suites.

Derivation of GPS TEC and receiver bias for Langkawi station in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teh, W. L.; Chen, W. S.; Abdullah, M.

2017-05-01

This paper presents the polynomial-type TEC model to derive total electron content (TEC) and receiver bias for Langkawi (LGKW) station in Malaysia at geographic latitude of 6.32° and longitude of 99.85°. The model uses a polynomial function of coordinates of the ionospheric piercing point to describe the TEC distribution in space. In the model, six polynomial coefficients and a receiver bias are unknown which can be solved by the least squares method. A reasonable agreement is achieved for the derivation of TEC and receiver bias for IENG station in Italy, as compared with that derived by the IGS analysis center, CODE. We process one year of LGKW data in 2010 and show the monthly receiver bias and the seasonal TEC variation. The monthly receiver bias varies between -48 and -24 TECu (1016 electrons/m2), with the mean value at -37 TECu. Large variations happen in the monthly receiver biases due to the low data coverage of high satellite elevation angle (60° < α ≤ 90°). Post-processing TEC approach is implemented which can resolve the wavy pattern of the monthly TEC baseline resulted from the large variation of the receiver bias. The seasonal TEC variation at LGKW exhibits a semi-annual variation, where the peak occurs during equinoctial months, and the trough during summer and winter months.

Iodine Supplementation for Pediatric Patients Receiving Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition.

PubMed

Santoro, Jonathan D; Nespor, Colleen; Poole, Robert L; Kerner, John A

2016-04-01

Patients dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN) are among a group at risk of developing iodine deficiency. Supplementation with iodine in this population has been debated in a number of studies, resulting in variable clinical practices. The Committee on Clinical Practice Issues of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition recommends a dose of 1 mcg/kg/d of parenteral iodine for patients receiving PN. At our institution, PN trace elements do not include iodine, although this is not the case internationally. Our study sought to assess iodine levels and thyroid function in a cohort of PN-dependent pediatric patients. A retrospective analysis studied 32 pediatric patients with a variety of medical diagnoses who received PN as a primary means of nutrition for 6 months or longer. Patients received variable proportions of their total caloric intake as PN, which ranged from 14%-100%. Iodine and thyroid function levels were obtained by serum sampling. No patient in our cohort of 32 demonstrated thyroid dysfunction or developed iodine deficiency. The length of time on PN and the percentage of total nutrition intake as PN were not associated with iodine levels (P < .89 and P < .73, respectively). There were no significant associations between age (P < .342), clinical diagnosis (P < .46), or sex (P < .43) on iodine status. There were no incidences of abnormal iodine levels in our cohort. Our study suggests that pediatric patients older than 6 months receiving PN may not benefit from iodine supplementation, but further investigation is needed. © 2015 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Chemical-genetic profile analysis in yeast suggests that a previously uncharacterized open reading frame, YBR261C, affects protein synthesis

PubMed Central

Alamgir, Md; Eroukova, Veronika; Jessulat, Matthew; Xu, Jianhua; Golshani, Ashkan

2008-01-01

Background Functional genomics has received considerable attention in the post-genomic era, as it aims to identify function(s) for different genes. One way to study gene function is to investigate the alterations in the responses of deletion mutants to different stimuli. Here we investigate the genetic profile of yeast non-essential gene deletion array (yGDA, ~4700 strains) for increased sensitivity to paromomycin, which targets the process of protein synthesis. Results As expected, our analysis indicated that the majority of deletion strains (134) with increased sensitivity to paromomycin, are involved in protein biosynthesis. The remaining strains can be divided into smaller functional categories: metabolism (45), cellular component biogenesis and organization (28), DNA maintenance (21), transport (20), others (38) and unknown (39). These may represent minor cellular target sites (side-effects) for paromomycin. They may also represent novel links to protein synthesis. One of these strains carries a deletion for a previously uncharacterized ORF, YBR261C, that we term TAE1 for Translation Associated Element 1. Our focused follow-up experiments indicated that deletion of TAE1 alters the ribosomal profile of the mutant cells. Also, gene deletion strain for TAE1 has defects in both translation efficiency and fidelity. Miniaturized synthetic genetic array analysis further indicates that TAE1 genetically interacts with 16 ribosomal protein genes. Phenotypic suppression analysis using TAE1 overexpression also links TAE1 to protein synthesis. Conclusion We show that a previously uncharacterized ORF, YBR261C, affects the process of protein synthesis and reaffirm that large-scale genetic profile analysis can be a useful tool to study novel gene function(s). PMID:19055778

Chemical-genetic profile analysis in yeast suggests that a previously uncharacterized open reading frame, YBR261C, affects protein synthesis.

PubMed

Alamgir, Md; Eroukova, Veronika; Jessulat, Matthew; Xu, Jianhua; Golshani, Ashkan

2008-12-03

Functional genomics has received considerable attention in the post-genomic era, as it aims to identify function(s) for different genes. One way to study gene function is to investigate the alterations in the responses of deletion mutants to different stimuli. Here we investigate the genetic profile of yeast non-essential gene deletion array (yGDA, approximately 4700 strains) for increased sensitivity to paromomycin, which targets the process of protein synthesis. As expected, our analysis indicated that the majority of deletion strains (134) with increased sensitivity to paromomycin, are involved in protein biosynthesis. The remaining strains can be divided into smaller functional categories: metabolism (45), cellular component biogenesis and organization (28), DNA maintenance (21), transport (20), others (38) and unknown (39). These may represent minor cellular target sites (side-effects) for paromomycin. They may also represent novel links to protein synthesis. One of these strains carries a deletion for a previously uncharacterized ORF, YBR261C, that we term TAE1 for Translation Associated Element 1. Our focused follow-up experiments indicated that deletion of TAE1 alters the ribosomal profile of the mutant cells. Also, gene deletion strain for TAE1 has defects in both translation efficiency and fidelity. Miniaturized synthetic genetic array analysis further indicates that TAE1 genetically interacts with 16 ribosomal protein genes. Phenotypic suppression analysis using TAE1 overexpression also links TAE1 to protein synthesis. We show that a previously uncharacterized ORF, YBR261C, affects the process of protein synthesis and reaffirm that large-scale genetic profile analysis can be a useful tool to study novel gene function(s).

A study protocol of a randomised controlled trial incorporating a health economic analysis to investigate if additional allied health services for rehabilitation reduce length of stay without compromising patient outcomes.

PubMed

Taylor, Nicholas F; Brusco, Natasha K; Watts, Jennifer J; Shields, Nora; Peiris, Casey; Sullivan, Natalie; Kennedy, Genevieve; Teo, Cheng Kwong; Farley, Allison; Lockwood, Kylee; Radia-George, Camilla

2010-11-12

Reducing patient length of stay is a high priority for health service providers. Preliminary information suggests additional Saturday rehabilitation services could reduce the time a patient stays in hospital by three days. This large trial will examine if providing additional physiotherapy and occupational therapy services on a Saturday reduces health care costs, and improves the health of hospital inpatients receiving rehabilitation compared to the usual Monday to Friday service. We will also investigate the cost effectiveness and patient outcomes of such a service. A randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effect of providing additional physiotherapy and occupational therapy for rehabilitation. Seven hundred and twelve patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation at two metropolitan sites will be randomly allocated to the intervention group or control group. The control group will receive usual care physiotherapy and occupational therapy from Monday to Friday while the intervention group will receive the same amount of rehabilitation as the control group Monday to Friday plus a full physiotherapy and occupational therapy service on Saturday. The primary outcomes will be patient length of stay, quality of life (EuroQol questionnaire), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and health utilization and cost data. Secondary outcomes will assess clinical outcomes relevant to the goals of therapy: the 10 metre walk test, the timed up and go test, the Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC PART), and the modified motor assessment scale. Blinded assessors will assess outcomes at admission and discharge, and follow up data on quality of life, function and health care costs will be collected at 6 and 12 months after discharge. Between group differences will be analysed with analysis of covariance using baseline measures as the covariate. A health economic analysis will be carried out alongside the randomised controlled trial. This paper outlines the study protocol for the first fully powered randomised controlled trial incorporating a health economic analysis to establish if additional Saturday allied health services for rehabilitation inpatients reduces length of stay without compromising discharge outcomes. If successful, this trial will have substantial health benefits for the patients and for organizations delivering rehabilitation services. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000973213.

A study protocol of a randomised controlled trial incorporating a health economic analysis to investigate if additional allied health services for rehabilitation reduce length of stay without compromising patient outcomes

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Reducing patient length of stay is a high priority for health service providers. Preliminary information suggests additional Saturday rehabilitation services could reduce the time a patient stays in hospital by three days. This large trial will examine if providing additional physiotherapy and occupational therapy services on a Saturday reduces health care costs, and improves the health of hospital inpatients receiving rehabilitation compared to the usual Monday to Friday service. We will also investigate the cost effectiveness and patient outcomes of such a service. Methods/Design A randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effect of providing additional physiotherapy and occupational therapy for rehabilitation. Seven hundred and twelve patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation at two metropolitan sites will be randomly allocated to the intervention group or control group. The control group will receive usual care physiotherapy and occupational therapy from Monday to Friday while the intervention group will receive the same amount of rehabilitation as the control group Monday to Friday plus a full physiotherapy and occupational therapy service on Saturday. The primary outcomes will be patient length of stay, quality of life (EuroQol questionnaire), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and health utilization and cost data. Secondary outcomes will assess clinical outcomes relevant to the goals of therapy: the 10 metre walk test, the timed up and go test, the Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC PART), and the modified motor assessment scale. Blinded assessors will assess outcomes at admission and discharge, and follow up data on quality of life, function and health care costs will be collected at 6 and 12 months after discharge. Between group differences will be analysed with analysis of covariance using baseline measures as the covariate. A health economic analysis will be carried out alongside the randomised controlled trial. Discussion This paper outlines the study protocol for the first fully powered randomised controlled trial incorporating a health economic analysis to establish if additional Saturday allied health services for rehabilitation inpatients reduces length of stay without compromising discharge outcomes. If successful, this trial will have substantial health benefits for the patients and for organizations delivering rehabilitation services. Clinical trial registration number Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000973213 PMID:21073703

TLD measurements of in vivo mammographic exposures and the calculated mean glandular dose across the United States.

PubMed

Gentry, J R; DeWerd, L A

1996-06-01

An analysis is presented of the exposures received by TLDs placed on the breasts of 4400 women obtaining mammograms at 170 institutions across the United States. Mean glandular dose and exposure were examined as a function of compressed breast thickness. The exposure and mean glandular dose were found to increase linearly with breast thickness. The mean glandular dose typically delivered by the institutions was well below the limit of 3.0 mGy for the 4.5-cm breast. However, some institutions tend to uniformly give higher doses. In such institutions approximately 25% of 4.5-cm-thick breasts received a mean glandular dose exceeding 3.0 mGy.

LANDSAT D local user terminal study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexander, L.; Louie, M.; Spencer, R.; Stow, W. K.

1976-01-01

The effect of the changes incorporated in the LANDSAT D system on the ability of a local user terminal to receive, record and process data in real time was studied. Alternate solutions to the problems raised by these changes were evaluated. A loading analysis was performed in order to determine the quantities of data that a local user terminal (LUT) would be interested in receiving and processing. The number of bits in an MSS and a TM scene were calculated along with the number of scenes per day that an LUT might require for processing. These then combined to a total number of processed bits/day for an LUT as a function of sensor and coverage circle radius.

Digital Microfluidics for Manipulation and Analysis of a Single Cell.

PubMed

He, Jie-Long; Chen, An-Te; Lee, Jyong-Huei; Fan, Shih-Kang

2015-09-15

The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism is a single cell. To understand the variability and to improve the biomedical requirement of a single cell, its analysis has become a key technique in biological and biomedical research. With a physical boundary of microchannels and microstructures, single cells are efficiently captured and analyzed, whereas electric forces sort and position single cells. Various microfluidic techniques have been exploited to manipulate single cells through hydrodynamic and electric forces. Digital microfluidics (DMF), the manipulation of individual droplets holding minute reagents and cells of interest by electric forces, has received more attention recently. Because of ease of fabrication, compactness and prospective automation, DMF has become a powerful approach for biological application. We review recent developments of various microfluidic chips for analysis of a single cell and for efficient genetic screening. In addition, perspectives to develop analysis of single cells based on DMF and emerging functionality with high throughput are discussed.

Digital Microfluidics for Manipulation and Analysis of a Single Cell

PubMed Central

He, Jie-Long; Chen, An-Te; Lee, Jyong-Huei; Fan, Shih-Kang

2015-01-01

The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism is a single cell. To understand the variability and to improve the biomedical requirement of a single cell, its analysis has become a key technique in biological and biomedical research. With a physical boundary of microchannels and microstructures, single cells are efficiently captured and analyzed, whereas electric forces sort and position single cells. Various microfluidic techniques have been exploited to manipulate single cells through hydrodynamic and electric forces. Digital microfluidics (DMF), the manipulation of individual droplets holding minute reagents and cells of interest by electric forces, has received more attention recently. Because of ease of fabrication, compactness and prospective automation, DMF has become a powerful approach for biological application. We review recent developments of various microfluidic chips for analysis of a single cell and for efficient genetic screening. In addition, perspectives to develop analysis of single cells based on DMF and emerging functionality with high throughput are discussed. PMID:26389890

Autonomous Integrated Receive System (AIRS) requirements definition. Volume 3: Performance and simulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chie, C. M.; Su, Y. T.; Lindsey, W. C.; Koukos, J.

1984-01-01

The autonomous and integrated aspects of the operation of the AIRS (Autonomous Integrated Receive System) are discussed from a system operation point of view. The advantages of AIRS compared to the existing SSA receive chain equipment are highlighted. The three modes of AIRS operation are addressed in detail. The configurations of the AIRS are defined as a function of the operating modes and the user signal characteristics. Each AIRS configuration selection is made up of three components: the hardware, the software algorithms and the parameters used by these algorithms. A comparison between AIRS and the wide dynamics demodulation (WDD) is provided. The organization of the AIRS analytical/simulation software is described. The modeling and analysis is for simulating the performance of the PN subsystem is documented. The frequence acquisition technique using a frequency-locked loop is also documented. Doppler compensation implementation is described. The technological aspects of employing CCD's for PN acquisition are addressed.

Screen-printed flexible MRI receive coils

PubMed Central

Corea, Joseph R.; Flynn, Anita M.; Lechêne, Balthazar; Scott, Greig; Reed, Galen D.; Shin, Peter J.; Lustig, Michael; Arias, Ana C.

2016-01-01

Magnetic resonance imaging is an inherently signal-to-noise-starved technique that limits the spatial resolution, diagnostic image quality and results in typically long acquisition times that are prone to motion artefacts. This limitation is exacerbated when receive coils have poor fit due to lack of flexibility or need for padding for patient comfort. Here, we report a new approach that uses printing for fabricating receive coils. Our approach enables highly flexible, extremely lightweight conforming devices. We show that these devices exhibit similar to higher signal-to-noise ratio than conventional ones, in clinical scenarios when coils could be displaced more than 18 mm away from the body. In addition, we provide detailed material properties and components performance analysis. Prototype arrays are incorporated within infant blankets for in vivo studies. This work presents the first fully functional, printed coils for 1.5- and 3-T clinical scanners. PMID:26961073

Changes in the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Mg alloy processed by severe plastic deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasnoveikin, V. A.; Kozulin, A. A.; Skripnyak, V. A.; Moskvichev, E. N.; Borodulin, D. A.

2017-12-01

This paper presents the results of studies into the effect of severe plastic deformation on the microstructure, physical and mechanical properties of coarse-grained Al-Mg alloy 1560 in the as-received state with an average grain size of 50 µm. Severe plastic deformation is performed by four-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), which results in the formation of an ultrafine-grained structure with an average grain size of 3 µm in the alloy. Analysis of experimental data revealed that the physical and mechanical properties change significantly after severe plastic deformation. The microhardness of the ECAPed alloy increases by 50%, tensile yield strength by 80%, and ultimate strength by 44% in comparison with these parameters in the as-received state. The constants of approximating functions have been determined for the experimental stress-strain curves of the alloy specimens in the as-received and ECAPed states.

Metacognitive reflection and insight therapy (MERIT) for patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

de Jong, S; van Donkersgoed, R J M; Timmerman, M E; Aan Het Rot, M; Wunderink, L; Arends, J; van Der Gaag, M; Aleman, A; Lysaker, P H; Pijnenborg, G H M

2018-04-25

Impaired metacognition is associated with difficulties in the daily functioning of people with psychosis. Metacognition can be divided into four domains: Self-Reflection, Understanding the Other's Mind, Decentration, and Mastery. This study investigated whether Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) can be used to improve metacognition. This study is a randomized controlled trial. Patients in the active condition (n = 35) received forty MERIT sessions, the control group (n = 35) received treatment as usual. Multilevel intention-to-treat and completers analyses were performed for metacognition and secondary outcomes (psychotic symptomatology, cognitive insight, Theory of Mind, empathy, depression, self-stigma, quality of life, social functioning, and work readiness). Eighteen out of 35 participants finished treatment, half the drop-out stemmed from therapist attrition (N = 5) or before the first session (N = 4). Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that in both groups metacognition improved between pre- and post-measurements, with no significant differences between the groups. Patients who received MERIT continued to improve, while the control group returned to baseline, leading to significant differences at follow-up. Completers analysis (18/35) showed improvements on the Metacognition Assessment Scale (MAS-A) scales Self Reflectivity and metacognitive Mastery at follow-up. No effects were found on secondary outcomes. On average, participants in the MERIT group were, based on MAS-A scores, at follow-up more likely to recognize their thoughts as changeable rather than as facts. MERIT might be useful for patients whose self-reflection is too limited to benefit from other therapies. Given how no changes were found in secondary measures, further research is needed. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Terlipressin Improves Renal Function and Reverses Hepatorenal Syndrome in Patients With Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

PubMed

Wong, Florence; Pappas, Stephen Chris; Boyer, Thomas D; Sanyal, Arun J; Bajaj, Jasmohan S; Escalante, Shannon; Jamil, Khurram

2017-02-01

Patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) along with decompensated cirrhosis and renal dysfunction have a poor prognosis and a lower response to treatment. We evaluated the effect of SIRS on the response of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1) to terlipressin. We performed a retrospective study of data from a trial of the effects of terlipressin (1 mg every 6 hours or placebo with concomitant albumin) in 198 patients with HRS-1, performed at 50 investigational sites in the United States and 2 in Canada from October 2010 through February 2013. We identified patients with 2 or more criteria for SIRS, without untreated infections (28 received terlipressin and 30 received placebo), and patients with less than 2 criteria for SIRS (control subjects). Primary endpoints included HRS reversal (a decrease in serum level of creatinine to ≤1.5 mg/dL), confirmed HRS reversal (defined as 2 serum creatinine levels ≤1.5 mg/dL, ≥ 48 hours apart), and survival for 90 days after treatment. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, apart from slightly higher white blood cell counts and heart rates, and slightly lower serum levels of bicarbonate in patients with SIRS versus without SIRS. HRS was reversed in 42.9% of patients who received terlipressin with SIRS (12/28) versus 6.7% of patients who received placebo (2/30) (P = .0018); confirmed HRS reversal occurred in 32.1% of patients who received terlipressin with SIRS (9/28) versus 3.3% who received placebo (1/30) (P = .0048). A larger proportion of patients with SIRS who received terlipressin survived for 90 days without a transplant (13/28; 46.4%) than patients with SIRS who received placebo (7/30; 23.3%) (P = .076). In an analysis of data from a placebo-controlled study, we found that terlipressin improved renal function and reversed HRS in a higher proportion of patients with HRS-1 and SIRS than patients who received albumin plus placebo. ClincialTrials.gov, number NCT 01143246. Copyright © 2017 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Postoperative Decrease in Platelet Counts Is Associated with Delayed Liver Function Recovery and Complications after Partial Hepatectomy.

PubMed

Takahashi, Kazuhiro; Kurokawa, Tomohiro; Oshiro, Yukio; Fukunaga, Kiyoshi; Sakashita, Shingo; Ohkohchi, Nobuhiro

2016-05-01

Peripheral platelet counts decrease after partial hepatectomy; however, the implications of this phenomenon are unclear. We assessed if the observed decrease in platelet counts was associated with postoperative liver function and morbidity (complications grade ≤ II according to the Clavien-Dindo classification). We enrolled 216 consecutive patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for primary liver cancers, metastatic liver cancers, benign tumors, and donor hepatectomy. We classified patients as either low or high platelet percentage (postoperative platelet count/preoperative platelet count) using the optimal cutoff value calculated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and analyzed risk factors for delayed liver functional recovery and morbidity after hepatectomy. Delayed liver function recovery and morbidity were significantly correlated with the lowest value of platelet percentage based on ROC analysis. Using a cutoff value of 60% acquired by ROC analysis, univariate and multivariate analysis determined that postoperative lowest platelet percentage ≤ 60% was identified as an independent risk factor of delayed liver function recovery (odds ratio (OR) 6.85; P < 0.01) and morbidity (OR, 4.90; P < 0.01). Furthermore, patients with the lowest platelet percentage ≤ 60% had decreased postoperative prothrombin time ratio and serum albumin level and increased serum bilirubin level when compared with patients with platelet percentage ≥ 61%. A greater than 40% decrease in platelet count after partial hepatectomy was an independent risk factor for delayed liver function recovery and postoperative morbidity. In conclusion, the decrease in platelet counts is an early marker to predict the liver function recovery and complications after hepatectomy.

Performance of correlation receivers in the presence of impulse noise.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, J. D.; Houts, R. C.

1972-01-01

An impulse noise model, which assumes that each noise burst contains a randomly weighted version of a basic waveform, is used to derive the performance equations for a correlation receiver. The expected number of bit errors per noise burst is expressed as a function of the average signal energy, signal-set correlation coefficient, bit time, noise-weighting-factor variance and probability density function, and a time range function which depends on the crosscorrelation of the signal-set basis functions and the noise waveform. Unlike the performance results for additive white Gaussian noise, it is shown that the error performance for impulse noise is affected by the choice of signal-set basis function, and that Orthogonal signaling is not equivalent to On-Off signaling with the same average energy. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the correlation-receiver error performance can be improved by inserting a properly specified nonlinear device prior to the receiver input.

Gambling problems and health functioning in individuals receiving disability.

PubMed

Morasco, Benjamin J; Petry, Nancy M

2006-05-30

This study evaluated the rates and correlates of disordered gambling, with a focus on gambling behavior among participants receiving disability. The sample consisted of 723 patients seeking free or reduced-cost dental care. Participants completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Short Form-12 Health Survey, Second Edition (SF-12v2), and questions assessing demographic characteristics and frequency and intensity of current gambling behaviors. Results indicate a significantly higher prevalence of disordered gambling among participants receiving disability (26%) than in the remainder of the sample (14%; p < 0.001). Of the 135 individuals receiving disability, disordered gambling was associated with decreased physical and mental health functioning. These data indicate that individuals receiving disability have high rates of disordered gambling, and gambling behavior in this population is associated with poorer health functioning. Results suggest that disordered gamblers who receive disability have an increased need for interventions to reduce gambling and associated problems.

Evaluation of Liver Biomarkers as Prognostic Factors for Outcomes to Yttrium-90 Radioembolization of Primary and Secondary Liver Malignancies.

PubMed

Henrie, Adam M; Wittstrom, Kristina; Delu, Adam; Deming, Paulina

2015-09-01

The objective of this study was to examine indicators of liver function and inflammation for prognostic value in predicting outcomes to yttrium-90 radioembolization (RE). In a retrospective analysis, markers of liver function and inflammation, biomarkers required to stage liver function and inflammation, and data regarding survival, tumor response, and progression after RE were recorded. Univariate regression models were used to investigate the prognostic value of liver biomarkers in predicting outcome to RE as measured by survival, tumor progression, and radiographic and biochemical tumor response. Markers from all malignancy types were analyzed together. A subgroup analysis was performed on markers from patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. A total of 31 patients received RE from 2004 to 2014. Median survival after RE for all malignancies combined was 13.6 months (95% CI: 6.7-17.6 months). Results from an exploratory analysis of patient data suggest that liver biomarkers, including albumin concentrations, international normalized ratio, bilirubin concentrations, and the model for end-stage liver disease score, possess prognostic value in predicting outcomes to RE.

Intra-aortic balloon pump combined with mechanical ventilation for treating patients aged > 60 years in cardiogenic shock: Retrospective analysis

PubMed Central

Liu, Hongwei; Wu, Xueping; Zhao, Xiaoning; Zhu, Ping

2016-01-01

Objective To examine if mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) combined with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) provided a better outcome than IABP alone for the treatment of cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction in patients aged > 60 years. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of data from patients in cardiogenic shock, refractory to pharmacological therapy and treated at a geriatric coronary care unit. Results Sixty-two patients were eligible for study inclusion: 33 received IABP alone; 29 received IABP combined with mechanical ventilation. Patients in the IABP + mechanical ventilation group had lower mean arterial blood pressure (BP), systolic BP and partial pressure of oxygen compared with the IABP group, indicating worse cardiac and pulmonary function. In addition, higher rates of pulmonary infection and renal insufficiency were observed in the IABP + mechanical ventilation group than in the IABP group. A statistically significant improvement of left ventricular function before and after treatment was observed in the IABP + mechanical ventilation group, but not in the IABP group. Pulmonary infection and renal insufficiency were risk factors for all-cause in-hospital mortality; successful revascularization was a negative risk factor. There was no between-group difference in survival. Conclusion Mechanical ventilation with an appropriate level of PEEP appears to enhance the beneficial effects of IABP on left ventricular function for patients in cardiogenic shock. PMID:27020597

Cognitive Function in a Randomized Trial of Evolocumab.

PubMed

Giugliano, Robert P; Mach, François; Zavitz, Kenton; Kurtz, Christopher; Im, Kyungah; Kanevsky, Estella; Schneider, Jingjing; Wang, Huei; Keech, Anthony; Pedersen, Terje R; Sabatine, Marc S; Sever, Peter S; Robinson, Jennifer G; Honarpour, Narimon; Wasserman, Scott M; Ott, Brian R

2017-08-17

Background Findings from clinical trials of proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors have led to concern that these drugs or the low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that result from their use are associated with cognitive deficits. Methods In a subgroup of patients from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of evolocumab added to statin therapy, we prospectively assessed cognitive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. The primary end point was the score on the spatial working memory strategy index of executive function (scores range from 4 to 28, with lower scores indicating a more efficient use of strategy and planning). Secondary end points were the scores for working memory (scores range from 0 to 279, with lower scores indicating fewer errors), episodic memory (scores range from 0 to 70, with lower scores indicating fewer errors), and psychomotor speed (scores range from 100 to 5100 msec, with faster times representing better performance). Assessments of cognitive function were performed at baseline, week 24, yearly, and at the end of the trial. The primary analysis was a noninferiority comparison of the mean change from baseline in the score on the spatial working memory strategy index of executive function between the patients who received evolocumab and those who received placebo; the noninferiority margin was set at 20% of the standard deviation of the score in the placebo group. Results A total of 1204 patients were followed for a median of 19 months; the mean (±SD) change from baseline over time in the raw score for the spatial working memory strategy index of executive function (primary end point) was -0.21±2.62 in the evolocumab group and -0.29±2.81 in the placebo group (P<0.001 for noninferiority; P=0.85 for superiority). There were no significant between-group differences in the secondary end points of scores for working memory (change in raw score, -0.52 in the evolocumab group and -0.93 in the placebo group), episodic memory (change in raw score, -1.53 and -1.53, respectively), or psychomotor speed (change in raw score, 5.2 msec and 0.9 msec, respectively). In an exploratory analysis, there were no associations between LDL cholesterol levels and cognitive changes. Conclusions In a randomized trial involving patients who received either evolocumab or placebo in addition to statin therapy, no significant between-group difference in cognitive function was observed over a median of 19 months. (Funded by Amgen; EBBINGHAUS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02207634 .).

Potential determinants of efficacy of mirror therapy in stroke patients – A pilot study

PubMed Central

Brunetti, Maddalena; Morkisch, Nadine; Fritzsch, Claire; Mehnert, Jan; Steinbrink, Jens; Niedeggen, Michael; Dohle, Christian

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: Mirror therapy (MT) was found to improve motor function after stroke. However, there is high variability between patients regarding motor recovery. Objectives: The following pilot study was designed to identify potential factors determining this variability between patients with severe upper limb paresis, receiving MT. Methods: Eleven sub-acute stroke patients with severe upper limb paresis participated, receiving in-patient rehabilitation. After a set of pre-assessments (including measurement of brain activity at the primary motor cortex and precuneus during the mirror illusion, using near-infrared spectroscopy as described previously), four weeks of MT were applied, followed by a set of post-assessments. Discriminant group analysis for MT responders and non-responders was performed. Results: Six out of eleven patients were defined as responders and five as non-responders on the basis of their functional motor improvement. The initial motor function and the activity shift in both precunei (mirror index) were found to discriminate significantly between responders and non-responders. Conclusions: In line with earlier results, initial motor function was confirmed as crucial determinant of motor recovery. Additionally, activity response to the mirror illusion in both precunei was found to be a candidate for determination of the efficacy of MT. PMID:26409402

Empirical likelihood based detection procedure for change point in mean residual life functions under random censorship.

PubMed

Chen, Ying-Ju; Ning, Wei; Gupta, Arjun K

2016-05-01

The mean residual life (MRL) function is one of the basic parameters of interest in survival analysis that describes the expected remaining time of an individual after a certain age. The study of changes in the MRL function is practical and interesting because it may help us to identify some factors such as age and gender that may influence the remaining lifetimes of patients after receiving a certain surgery. In this paper, we propose a detection procedure based on the empirical likelihood for the changes in MRL functions with right censored data. Two real examples are also given: Veterans' administration lung cancer study and Stanford heart transplant to illustrate the detecting procedure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ocean acoustic interferometry.

PubMed

Brooks, Laura A; Gerstoft, Peter

2007-06-01

Ocean acoustic interferometry refers to an approach whereby signals recorded from a line of sources are used to infer the Green's function between two receivers. An approximation of the time domain Green's function is obtained by summing, over all source positions (stacking), the cross-correlations between the receivers. Within this paper a stationary phase argument is used to describe the relationship between the stacked cross-correlations from a line of vertical sources, located in the same vertical plane as two receivers, and the Green's function between the receivers. Theory and simulations demonstrate the approach and are in agreement with those of a modal based approach presented by others. Results indicate that the stacked cross-correlations can be directly related to the shaded Green's function, so long as the modal continuum of any sediment layers is negligible.

Prediction of Advisability of Returning Home Using the Home Care Score

PubMed Central

Matsugi, Akiyoshi; Tani, Keisuke; Tamaru, Yoshiki; Yoshioka, Nami; Yamashita, Akira; Mori, Nobuhiko; Oku, Kosuke; Ikeda, Masashi; Nagano, Kiyoshi

2015-01-01

Purpose. The aim of this study was to assess whether the home care score (HCS), which was developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Japan in 1992, is useful for the prediction of advisability of home care. Methods. Subjects living at home and in assisted-living facilities were analyzed. Binominal logistic regression analyses, using age, sex, the functional independence measure score, and the HCS, along with receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, were conducted. Findings/Conclusions. Only HCS was selected for the regression equation. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (0.9), sensitivity (0.82), specificity (0.83), and positive predictive value (0.84) for HCS were higher than those for the functional independence measure, indicating that the HCS is a powerful predictor for advisability of home care. Clinical Relevance. Comprehensive measurements of the condition of provided care and the activities of daily living of the subjects, which are included in the HCS, are required for the prediction of advisability of home care. PMID:26491568

Cognitive modifiability of children with developmental disabilities: a multicentre study using Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment--Basic program.

PubMed

Kozulin, A; Lebeer, J; Madella-Noja, A; Gonzalez, F; Jeffrey, I; Rosenthal, N; Koslowsky, M

2010-01-01

The study aimed at exploring the effectiveness of cognitive intervention with the new "Instrumental Enrichment Basic" program (IE-basic), based on Feuerstein's theory of structural cognitive modifiability that contends that a child's cognitive functioning can be significantly modified through mediated learning intervention. The IE-basic progam is aimed at enhancing domain-general cognitive functioning in a number of areas (systematic perception, self-regulation abilities, conceptual vocabulary, planning, decoding emotions and social relations) as well as transferring learnt principles to daily life domains. Participants were children with DCD, CP, intellectual impairment of genetic origin, autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD or other learning disorders, with a mental age of 5-7 years, from Canada, Chile, Belgium, Italy and Israel. Children in the experimental groups (N=104) received 27-90 h of the program during 30-45 weeks; the comparison groups (N=72) received general occupational and sensory-motor therapy. Analysis of the pre- to post-test gain scores demonstrated significant (p<0.05) advantage of experimental over comparison groups in three WISC-R subtests ("Similarities", "Picture Completion", "Picture Arrangement") and Raven Coloured Matrices. Effect sizes ranged from 0.3 to 0.52. Results suggest that it is possible to improve cognitive functioning of children with developmental disability. No advantage was found for children with specific aetiology. Greater cognitive gains were demonstrated by children who received the program in an educational context where all teachers were committed to the principles of mediated learning. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lithospheric Velocity Structure of the Anatolain plateau-Caucasus-Caspian Regions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gok, R; Mellors, R J; Sandvol, E

Anatolian Plateau-Caucasus-Caspian region is an area of complex structure accompanied by large variations in seismic wave velocities. Despite the complexity of the region little is known about the detailed lithospheric structure. Using data from 29 new broadband seismic stations in the region, a unified velocity structure is developed using teleseismic receiver functions and surface waves. Love and Rayleigh surface waves dispersion curves have been derived from event-based analysis and ambient-noise correlation. We jointly inverted the receiver functions with the surface wave dispersion curves to determine absolute shear wave velocity and important discontinuities such as sedimentary layer, Moho, lithospheric-asthenospheric boundary. Wemore » combined these new station results with Eastern Turkey Seismic Experiment results (29 stations). Caspian Sea and Kura basin underlained by one of the thickest sediments in the world. Therefore, short-period surface waves are observed to be very slow. The strong crustal multiples in receiver functions and the slow velocities in upper crust indicate the presence of thick sedimentary unit (up to 20 km). Crustal thickness varies from 34 to 52 km in the region. The thickest crust is in Lesser Caucasus and the thinnest is in the Arabian Plate. The lithospheric mantle in the Greater Caucasus and the Kura depression is faster than the Anatolian Plateau and Lesser Caucasus. This possibly indicates the presence of cold lithosphere. The lower crust is slowest in the northeastern part of the Anatolian Plateau where Holocene volcanoes are located.« less

Acupuncture for patients with functional dyspepsia: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

Zheng, Hui; Xu, Jing; Li, Juan; Li, Xiang; Zhao, Ling; Chang, Xiaorong; Liu, Mi; Gong, Biao; Li, Xuezhi; Liang, Fanrong

2013-01-01

Introduction Whether acupuncture is efficacious for patients with functional dyspepsia is still controversial. So we designed a randomised controlled trial to settle the problem. Methods and analysis We designed a multicentre, two-arm, sham-controlled clinical trial. 200 participants with functional dyspepsia will be randomly assigned to the true acupuncture (TA) group and sham acupuncture (SA) group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the TA group will receive acupuncture at points selected according to syndrome differentiation. Participants in the sham acupuncture group will receive penetrations at sham points. Participants in both groups will receive 20 sessions of electroacupuncture in 4 weeks, five times continuously with a 2 day rest in a week. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients reporting the absence of dyspeptic symptoms at 16 weeks after inclusion. The secondary outcome includes a Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, the Chinese version of the 36-Item Short Form Survey, the Chinese version of the Nepean dyspepsia index, etc. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol has been approved by the institutional review boards and ethics committees of the first affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, the first affiliated hospital of Hunan University of TCM and Chongqing Medical University, respectively (from April to August 2012). The results of this trial will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses. Trials registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01671670. PMID:23901030

Local infiltration analgesia: a 2-year follow-up of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Kuchálik, Ján; Magnuson, Anders; Lundin, Anders; Gupta, Anil

2017-12-01

Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) is commonly used for postoperative pain management following total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the long-term effects of the component drugs are unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate functional outcome, quality of life, chronic post-surgical pain, and adverse events in patients within 2 years of undergoing THA. The study was a secondary analysis of data from a previous larger study. Eighty patients were randomized to receive either intrathecal morphine (Group ITM) or local infiltration analgesia (Group LIA) for pain management in a double-blind study. The parameters measured were patient-assessed functional outcome [using the Hip dysfunction and Osteo-arthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) questionnaire], health-related quality of life [using the European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score], and pain using the numeric rating score (NRS), with persistent post-surgical pain having a NRS of > 3 or a HOOS pain sub-score of > 30. All complications and adverse events were investigated during the first 2 years after primary surgery. Pain intensity and rescue analgesic consumption were similar between the groups after hospital discharge. No differences were found in HOOS or SF-36 score between the groups up to 6 months after surgery. A significant group × time interaction was seen in the EQ 5D form in favor of the LIA group. No between-group difference in persistent post-surgical pain was found at 3 or 6 months, or in adverse events up to 2 years after surgery. Analysis of functional outcome, quality of life, and post-discharge surgical pain did not reveal significant differences between patients receiving LIA and those receiving ITM. LIA was found to be a safe technique for THA during the long-term follow-up. However, it should be noted that these conclusions are based on a limited number of patients.

Association of center volume with outcomes in critically ill children with acute asthma.

PubMed

Gupta, Punkaj; Tang, Xinyu; Gossett, Jeffrey M; Gall, Christine M; Lauer, Casey; Rice, Tom B; Carroll, Christopher L; Kacmarek, Robert M; Wetzel, Randall C

2014-07-01

Little is known about the relation between center volume and outcomes in children requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for acute asthma. To evaluate the association of center volume with the odds of receiving positive pressure ventilation and length of ICU stay. Patients 2 to 18 years of age with the primary diagnosis of asthma were included (2009-2012). Center volume was defined as the average number of mechanical ventilator cases per year for any diagnoses during the study period. In multivariable analysis, the odds of receiving positive pressure ventilation (invasive and noninvasive ventilation) and ICU length of stay were evaluated as a function of center volume. Fifteen thousand eighty-three patients from 103 pediatric ICUs with the primary diagnosis of acute asthma met the inclusion criteria. Seven hundred fifty-two patients (5%) received conventional mechanical ventilation and 964 patients (6%) received noninvasive ventilation. In multivariable analysis, center volume was not associated with the odds of receiving any form of positive pressure ventilation in children with acute asthma, with the exception of high- to medium-volume centers. However, ICU length of stay varied with center volume and was noted to be longer in low-volume centers compared with medium- and high-volume centers. In children with acute asthma, this study establishes a relation between center volume and ICU length of stay. However, this study fails to show any significant relation between center volume and the odds of receiving positive pressure ventilation; further analyses are needed to evaluate this relation in more detail. Copyright © 2014 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Use of Evidence in Public Debates in the Media: The Case of Swiss Direct-Democratic Campaigns in the Health Policy Sector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stucki, Iris

2016-01-01

This article analyses the reporting of evidence in Swiss direct-democratic campaigns in the health policy sector, assuming that an informed public helps democracy function successfully. A content analysis of the media's news reporting shows that of 5030 media items retrieved, a reference to evidence is found in 6.8%. The voter receives evidence in…

Detrended Fluctuation Analysis of Heart Rate Dynamics Is an Important Prognostic Factor in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis

PubMed Central

Lin, Lian-Yu; Chang, Chin-Hao; Chu, Fang-Ying; Lin, Yen-Hung; Wu, Cho-Kai; Lee, Jen-Kuang; Hwang, Juei-Jen; Lin, Jiunn-Lee; Chiang, Fu-Tien

2016-01-01

Background and Objectives Patients with severe kidney function impairment often have autonomic dysfunction, which could be evaluated noninvasively by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Nonlinear HRV parameters such as detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) has been demonstrated to be an important outcome predictor in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Whether cardiac autonomic dysfunction measured by DFA is also a useful prognostic factor in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was designed to test the hypothesis. Materials and Methods Patients with ESRD receiving PD were included for the study. Twenty-four hour Holter monitor was obtained from each patient together with other important traditional prognostic makers such as underlying diseases, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and serum biochemistry profiles. Short-term (DFAα1) and long-term (DFAα2) DFA as well as other linear HRV parameters were calculated. Results A total of 132 patients (62 men, 72 women) with a mean age of 53.7±12.5 years were recruited from July 2007 to March 2009. During a median follow-up period of around 34 months, eight cardiac and six non-cardiac deaths were observed. Competing risk analysis demonstrated that decreased DFAα1 was a strong prognostic predictor for increased cardiac and total mortality. ROC analysis showed that the AUC of DFAα1 (<0.95) to predict mortality was 0.761 (95% confidence interval (CI). = 0.617–0.905). DFAα1≧ 0.95 was associated with lower cardiac mortality (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.062, 95% CI = 0.007–0.571, P = 0.014) and total mortality (HR = 0.109, 95% CI = 0.033–0.362, P = 0.0003). Conclusion Cardiac autonomic dysfunction evaluated by DFAα1 is an independent predictor for cardiac and total mortality in patients with ESRD receiving PD. PMID:26828209

A cost-performance model for ground-based optical communications receiving telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lesh, J. R.; Robinson, D. L.

1986-01-01

An analytical cost-performance model for a ground-based optical communications receiving telescope is presented. The model considers costs of existing telescopes as a function of diameter and field of view. This, coupled with communication performance as a function of receiver diameter and field of view, yields the appropriate telescope cost versus communication performance curve.

Automated laser spectrofluorimeter for monitoring of myocardial metabolism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Popov, A. Yu.; Salmin, V. V.; Fursov, A. A.; Stepanenko, A. V.; Sokolovich, A. G.; Salmina, A. B.; Rebenkova, A. A.; Makarov, R. A.; Provorov, A. S.

2006-09-01

Methods of optical biopsy have a series of advantages before other methods of clinical diagnostics. The high accuracy of received results enables registration even small change of concentration of substances, and the opportunity of remote registration makes methods optical biopsy by an optimum means for noninvasive methods of diagnostics in medicine. The method of the fluorescent analysis allows to investigate dynamics of changes of a functional condition of organs and tissue in norm and pathologies, called by the various factors (an inflammation, ischemia, degenerative changes). Bring the results of development of expiremental setup for the laser fluorescent analysis of physiological and functional condition of various organs and tissue of organism. In expiremental setup was used pulse UF nitric laser with length of wave generation = 337 nm. For delivery of radiation to tissue, and, also, collection of a radiation of fluorescence were used various optic fiber scheme. The expiremental setup includes automated tunable monochromator and ADC, receiving a signal from photomultiplier tube. Driving of all blocks and processing of results is realize on IBM-compatible computer with the appropriate software. Was used the synchronous detecting for reducing of a background signal. Myocard at surgical introoperation by an accompanied condition of sharp ischemia was researches on these expiremental setup. Spectrofluorimetric criteria of an estimation of a condition of viscus at peritonitis were development.

Abnormal gut microbiota composition contributes to cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8 mice.

PubMed

Zhan, Gaofeng; Yang, Ning; Li, Shan; Huang, Niannian; Fang, Xi; Zhang, Jie; Zhu, Bin; Yang, Ling; Yang, Chun; Luo, Ailin

2018-06-10

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by cognitive dysfunction and aging is an important predisposing factor; however, the pathological and therapeutic mechanisms are not fully understood. Recently, the role of gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease has received increasing attention. The cognitive function in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice was significantly decreased and the Chao 1 and Shannon indices, principal coordinates analysis, and principal component analysis results were notably abnormal compared with that of those in senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. Moreover, 27 gut bacteria at six phylogenetic levels differed between SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice. In a separate study, we transplanted fecal bacteria from SAMP8 or SAMR1 mice into pseudo germ-free mice. Interestingly, the pseudo germ-free mice had significantly lower cognitive function prior to transplant. Pseudo germ-free mice that received fecal bacteria transplants from SAMR1 mice but not from SAMP8 mice showed improvements in behavior and in α-diversity and β-diversity indices. In total, 14 bacteria at six phylogenetic levels were significantly altered by the gut microbiota transplant. These results suggest that cognitive dysfunction in SAMP8 mice is associated with abnormal composition of the gut microbiota. Thus, improving abnormal gut microbiota may provide an alternative treatment for cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease.

Evaluation of MELD score and Maddrey discriminant function for mortality prediction in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

PubMed

Monsanto, Pedro; Almeida, Nuno; Lrias, Clotilde; Pina, Jos Eduardo; Sofia, Carlos

2013-01-01

Maddrey discriminant function (DF) is the traditional model for evaluating the severity and prognosis in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). However, MELD has also been used for this purpose. We aimed to determine the predictive parameters and compare the ability of Maddrey DF and MELD to predict short-term mortality in patients with AH. Retrospective study of 45 patients admitted in our department with AH between 2000 and 2010. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were collected. MELD and Maddrey DF were calculated on admission. Short-term mortality was assessed at 30 and 90 days. Student t-test, χ2 test, univariate analysis, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. Thirty-day and 90-day mortality was 27% and 42%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, Maddrey DF was the only independent predictor of mortality for these two periods. Receiver operating characteristic curves for Maddrey DF revealed an excellent discriminatory ability to predict 30-day and 90-day mortality for a Maddrey DF greater than 65 and 60, respectively. Discriminatory ability to predict 30-day and 90-day mortality for MELD was low. AH remains associated with a high short-term mortality. Maddrey DF is a more valuable model than MELD to predict short-term mortality in patients with AH.

Physical Exercise with Multicomponent Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Kim, Min-Ji; Han, Chang-Wan; Min, Kyoung-Youn; Cho, Chae-Yoon; Lee, Chae-Won; Ogawa, Yoshiko; Mori, Etsuro; Kohzuki, Masahiro

2016-01-01

Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of 6-month physical exercise with a multicomponent cognitive program (MCP) on the cognitive function of older adults with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods We included 33 participants with AD in a 6-month randomized controlled trial. The intervention group participated in physical exercise and received a MCP. The control group received only the MCP. Before and after the intervention, cognitive outcomes were assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog), Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Clock Drawing Test. Physical performance was evaluated by exercise time, the number of pedal rotation, total load, grip strength, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results In all cognitive measures, there were no significant improvements between the two groups after 6 months in the baseline value-adjusted primary analysis. However, the ADAS-cog score was significantly lower between the two groups in secondary analysis adjusted for baseline value, age, sex, and education years. All physical outcomes were significantly higher in the intervention group except for total load compared with baseline measurements. Conclusion This study indicates that it is possible to improve cognitive function in older adults with moderate to severe AD through 6-month physical exercise with a multicomponent cognitive intervention. PMID:27403134

Combining controlled-source seismology and receiver function information to derive 3-D Moho topography for Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spada, M.; Bianchi, I.; Kissling, E.; Agostinetti, N. Piana; Wiemer, S.

2013-08-01

The accurate definition of 3-D crustal structures and, in primis, the Moho depth, are the most important requirement for seismological, geophysical and geodynamic modelling in complex tectonic regions. In such areas, like the Mediterranean region, various active and passive seismic experiments are performed, locally reveal information on Moho depth, average and gradient crustal Vp velocity and average Vp/Vs velocity ratios. Until now, the most reliable information on crustal structures stems from controlled-source seismology experiments. In most parts of the Alpine region, a relatively large number of controlled-source seismology information are available though the overall coverage in the central Mediterranean area is still sparse due to high costs of such experiments. Thus, results from other seismic methodologies, such as local earthquake tomography, receiver functions and ambient noise tomography can be used to complement the controlled-source seismology information to increase coverage and thus the quality of 3-D crustal models. In this paper, we introduce a methodology to directly combine controlled-source seismology and receiver functions information relying on the strengths of each method and in relation to quantitative uncertainty estimates for all data to derive a well resolved Moho map for Italy. To obtain a homogeneous elaboration of controlled-source seismology and receiver functions results, we introduce a new classification/weighting scheme based on uncertainty assessment for receiver functions data. In order to tune the receiver functions information quality, we compare local receiver functions Moho depths and uncertainties with a recently derived well-resolved local earthquake tomography-derived Moho map and with controlled-source seismology information. We find an excellent correlation in the Moho information obtained by these three methodologies in Italy. In the final step, we interpolate the controlled-source seismology and receiver functions information to derive the map of Moho topography in Italy and surrounding regions. Our results show high-frequency undulation in the Moho topography of three different Moho interfaces, the European, the Adriatic-Ionian, and the Liguria-Corsica-Sardinia-Tyrrhenia, reflecting the complexity of geodynamical evolution.

Accuracy of Presurgical Functional MR Imaging for Language Mapping of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Weng, Hsu-Huei; Noll, Kyle R; Johnson, Jason M; Prabhu, Sujit S; Tsai, Yuan-Hsiung; Chang, Sheng-Wei; Huang, Yen-Chu; Lee, Jiann-Der; Yang, Jen-Tsung; Yang, Cheng-Ta; Tsai, Ying-Huang; Yang, Chun-Yuh; Hazle, John D; Schomer, Donald F; Liu, Ho-Ling

2018-02-01

Purpose To compare functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for language mapping (hereafter, language functional MR imaging) with direct cortical stimulation (DCS) in patients with brain tumors and to assess factors associated with its accuracy. Materials and Methods PubMed/MEDLINE and related databases were searched for research articles published between January 2000 and September 2016. Findings were pooled by using bivariate random-effects and hierarchic summary receiver operating characteristic curve models. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate whether publication year, functional MR imaging paradigm, magnetic field strength, statistical threshold, and analysis software affected classification accuracy. Results Ten articles with a total of 214 patients were included in the analysis. On a per-patient basis, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of functional MR imaging was 44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14%, 78%) and 80% (95% CI: 54%, 93%), respectively. On a per-tag basis (ie, each DCS stimulation site or "tag" was considered a separate data point across all patients), the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 67% (95% CI: 51%, 80%) and 55% (95% CI: 25%, 82%), respectively. The per-tag analysis showed significantly higher sensitivity for studies with shorter functional MR imaging session times (P = .03) and relaxed statistical threshold (P = .05). Significantly higher specificity was found when expressive language task (P = .02), longer functional MR imaging session times (P < .01), visual presentation of stimuli (P = .04), and stringent statistical threshold (P = .01) were used. Conclusion Results of this study showed moderate accuracy of language functional MR imaging when compared with intraoperative DCS, and the included studies displayed significant methodologic heterogeneity. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Communicating with individuals receiving home mechanical ventilation: the experiences of key communication partners.

PubMed

Laakso, Katja; Markström, Agneta; Havstam, Christina; Idvall, Markus; Hartelius, Lena

2014-01-01

The aim of the study was to explore the communication experiences of key communications partners (CPs) of individuals receiving home mechanical ventilation (HMV), with particular emphasis on the possibilities, difficulties and limitations CPs experienced in communication, possible support given to facilitate communication and exploring what made a skilled communicator. A qualitative research design using interviews was used. The participants included 19 key CPs of individuals receiving HMV. The analysis resulted in five themes: Encountering communication limitations, Functional communication strategies, Being a communication facilitator, Role insecurity and Emotional reactions and coping. The findings revealed that CPs needed to develop partly new reference frames for communication. In particular, participants emphasised the need to understand and interpret subtle details in the communicative interaction. The findings are discussed in the light of previous research, in particular an earlier study exploring another perspective; the ventilator-supported individuals' experiences of communication. Issues relating to the educational needs of CPs of individuals receiving HMV are discussed. The results are intended to enhance understanding of the challenges that individuals receiving HMV and their CPs face with communication, which should be of relevance not only to speech therapists, but for all healthcare practitioners in the field of HMV.

Hypofractionated Nodal Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer Was Not Associated With Increased Patient-Reported Arm or Brachial Plexopathy Symptoms.

PubMed

Leong, Nelson; Truong, Pauline T; Tankel, Keith; Kwan, Winkle; Weir, Lorna; Olivotto, Ivo A

2017-12-01

To determine whether nodal radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer using modest hypofractionation (HF) with 2.25 to 2.5 Gy per fraction (fx) was associated with increased patient-reported arm symptoms, compared with conventional fractionation (CF) ≤2 Gy/fx. Two cancer registries were used to identify subjects who received computed tomography-planned nodal RT for pT1-3, pN0-2, M0 breast cancer, from 2007 to 2010 at 2 cancer institutions. After ethics approval, patients were mailed an explanatory letter and the Self-reported Arm Symptom Scale, a validated instrument with 8 questions about arm symptoms and 5 related to activities of daily living. Clinicopathologic characteristics and Self-reported Arm Symptom Scale scores were compared between HF/CF cohorts using nonparametric analysis, χ 2 analysis, and multivariate ordinal regression. Of 1759 patients, 800 (45.5%) returned a completed survey. A total of 708 eligible cases formed the study cohort. Of these, 406 (57%) received HFRT (40 Gy/16 fx, 45 Gy/20 fx), and 302 (43%) received CFRT (45-50 Gy/25 fx, 50.4 Gy/28 fx). Median time interval after RT was 5.7 years. Forty-three percent and 75% of patients received breast-conserving surgery and chemotherapy, respectively. Twenty-two percent received breast boost RT, independent of fractionation. Median age at diagnosis was 59 years (HF) and 53 years (CF) (P<.001). The mean numbers of excised (n=12) and involved (n=3) nodes were similar between fractionation cohorts (P=.44), as were the mean sums of responses in arm symptoms (P=.17) and activities of daily living (P=.85). Patients receiving HF reported lower rates of shoulder stiffness (P=.04), trouble moving the arm (P=.02), and difficulty reaching overhead (P<.01) compared with the CF cohort. There was no difference in self-reported arm swelling or symptoms related to brachial plexopathy. Nodal RT with hypofractionation was not associated with increased patient-reported arm symptoms or functional deficits compared with CF. Subjects treated with CF reported more disability in certain aspects of arm/shoulder function. These data support shorter fractionation utilization when regional nodes are within the therapeutic target. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sequencing bilateral robot-assisted arm therapy and constraint-induced therapy improves reach to press and trunk kinematics in patients with stroke.

PubMed

Hsieh, Yu-wei; Liing, Rong-jiuan; Lin, Keh-chung; Wu, Ching-yi; Liou, Tsan-hon; Lin, Jui-chi; Hung, Jen-wen

2016-03-22

The combination of robot-assisted therapy (RT) and a modified form of constraint-induced therapy (mCIT) shows promise for improving motor function of patients with stroke. However, whether the changes of motor control strategies are concomitant with the improvements in motor function after combination of RT and mCIT (RT + mCIT) is unclear. This study investigated the effects of the sequential combination of RT + mCIT compared with RT alone on the strategies of motor control measured by kinematic analysis and on motor function and daily performance measured by clinical scales. The study enrolled 34 patients with chronic stroke. The data were derived from part of a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants in the RT + mCIT and RT groups received 20 therapy sessions (90 to 105 min/day, 5 days for 4 weeks). Patients in the RT + mCIT group received 10 RT sessions for first 2 weeks and 10 mCIT sessions for the next 2 weeks. The Bi-Manu-Track was used in RT sessions to provide bilateral practice of wrist and forearm movements. The primary outcome was kinematic variables in a task of reaching to press a desk bell. Secondary outcomes included scores on the Wolf Motor Function Test, Functional Independence Measure, and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living. All outcome measures were administered before and after intervention. RT + mCIT and RT demonstrated different benefits on motor control strategies. RT + mCIT uniquely improved motor control strategies by reducing shoulder abduction, increasing elbow extension, and decreasing trunk compensatory movement during the reaching task. Motor function and quality of the affected limb was improved, and patients achieved greater independence in instrumental activities of daily living. Force generation at movement initiation was improved in the patients who received RT. A combination of RT and mCIT could be an effective approach to improve stroke rehabilitation outcomes, achieving better motor control strategies, motor function, and functional independence of instrumental activities of daily living. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01727648.

Correlation of Clinical and Dosimetric Factors With Adverse Pulmonary Outcomes in Children After Lung Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Venkatramani, Rajkumar, E-mail: rvenkatramani@chla.usc.edu; Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Kamath, Sunil

Purpose: To identify the incidence and the risk factors for pulmonary toxicity in children treated for cancer with contemporary lung irradiation. Methods and Materials: We analyzed clinical features, radiographic findings, pulmonary function tests, and dosimetric parameters of children receiving irradiation to the lung fields over a 10-year period. Results: We identified 109 patients (75 male patients). The median age at irradiation was 13.8 years (range, 0.04-20.9 years). The median follow-up period was 3.4 years. The median prescribed radiation dose was 21 Gy (range, 0.4-64.8 Gy). Pulmonary toxic chemotherapy included bleomycin in 58.7% of patients and cyclophosphamide in 83.5%. The followingmore » pulmonary outcomes were identified and the 5-year cumulative incidence after irradiation was determined: pneumonitis, 6%; chronic cough, 10%; pneumonia, 35%; dyspnea, 11%; supplemental oxygen requirement, 2%; radiographic interstitial lung disease, 40%; and chest wall deformity, 12%. One patient died of progressive respiratory failure. Post-irradiation pulmonary function tests available from 44 patients showed evidence of obstructive lung disease (25%), restrictive disease (11%), hyperinflation (32%), and abnormal diffusion capacity (12%). Thoracic surgery, bleomycin, age, mean lung irradiation dose (MLD), maximum lung dose, prescribed dose, and dosimetric parameters between V{sub 22} (volume of lung exposed to a radiation dose ≥22 Gy) and V{sub 30} (volume of lung exposed to a radiation dose ≥30 Gy) were significant for the development of adverse pulmonary outcomes on univariate analysis. MLD, maximum lung dose, and V{sub dose} (percentage of volume of lung receiving the threshold dose or greater) were highly correlated. On multivariate analysis, MLD was the sole significant predictor of adverse pulmonary outcome (P=.01). Conclusions: Significant pulmonary dysfunction occurs in children receiving lung irradiation by contemporary techniques. MLD rather than prescribed dose should be used to perform risk stratification of patients receiving lung irradiation.« less

IMAGING OF BRAIN FUNCTION BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY - IMAGING ANALYSIS OF BRAIN FUNCTION BY FMRI AFTER ACUPUNCTURE AT LR3 IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS.

PubMed

Zheng, Yu; Wang, Yuying; Lan, Yujun; Qu, Xiaodong; Lin, Kelin; Zhang, Jiping; Qu, Shanshan; Wang, Yanjie; Tang, Chunzhi; Huang, Yong

2016-01-01

This Study observed the relevant brain areas activated by acupuncture at the Taichong acupoint (LR3) and analyzed the functional connectivity among brain areas using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the acupoint specificity of the Taichong acupoint. A total of 45 healthy subjects were randomly divided into the Taichong (LR3) group, sham acupuncture group and sham acupoint group. Subjects received resting state fMRI before acupuncture, after true (sham) acupuncture in each group. Analysis of changes in connectivity among the brain areas was performed using the brain functional connectivity method. The right cerebrum temporal lobe was selected as the seed point to analyze the functional connectivity. It had a functional connectivity with right cerebrum superior frontal gyrus, limbic lobe cingulate gyrus and left cerebrum inferior temporal gyrus (BA 37), inferior parietal lobule compared by before vs. after acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum sub-lobar insula and left cerebrum middle frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus compared by true vs. sham acupuncture at LR3, and right cerebrum occipital lobe cuneus, occipital lobe sub-gyral, parietal lobe precuneus and left cerebellum anterior lobe culmen by acupuncture at LR3 vs. sham acupoint. Acupuncture at LR3 mainly specifically activated the brain functional network that participates in visual function, associative function, and emotion cognition, which are similar to the features on LR3 in tradition Chinese medicine. These brain areas constituted a neural network structure with specific functions that had specific reference values for the interpretation of the acupoint specificity of the Taichong acupoint.

Contrasting Patterns of Cortical Input to Architectural Subdivisions of the Area 8 Complex: A Retrograde Tracing Study in Marmoset Monkeys

PubMed Central

Reser, David H.; Burman, Kathleen J.; Yu, Hsin-Hao; Chaplin, Tristan A.; Richardson, Karyn E.; Worthy, Katrina H.; Rosa, Marcello G.P.

2013-01-01

Contemporary studies recognize 3 distinct cytoarchitectural and functional areas within the Brodmann area 8 complex, in the caudal prefrontal cortex: 8b, 8aD, and 8aV. Here, we report on the quantitative characteristics of the cortical projections to these areas, using injections of fluorescent tracers in marmoset monkeys. Area 8b was distinct from both 8aD and 8aV due to its connections with medial prefrontal, anterior cingulate, superior temporal polysensory, and ventral midline/retrosplenial areas. In contrast, areas 8aD and 8aV received the bulk of the projections from posterior parietal cortex and dorsal midline areas. In the frontal lobe, area 8aV received projections primarily from ventrolateral areas, while both 8aD and 8b received dense inputs from areas on the dorsolateral surface. Whereas area 8aD received the most significant auditory projections, these were relatively sparse, in comparison with those previously reported in macaques. Finally, area 8aV was distinct from both 8aD and 8b by virtue of its widespread input from the extrastriate visual areas. These results are compatible with a homologous organization of the prefrontal cortex in New and Old World monkeys, and suggest significant parallels between the present pathways, revealed by tract-tracing, and networks revealed by functional connectivity analysis in Old World monkeys and humans. PMID:22735155

Incidence and economic burden of suspected adverse events and adverse event monitoring during AF therapy.

PubMed

Kim, M H; Lin, J; Hussein, M; Battleman, D

2009-12-01

Rhythm- and rate-control therapies are an essential part of atrial fibrillation (AF) management; however, the use of existing agents is often limited by the occurrence of adverse events. The aim of this study was to evaluate suspected adverse events and adverse event monitoring, and associated medical costs, in patients receiving AF rhythm-control and/or rate-control therapy. This retrospective cohort study used claims data from the Integrated Healthcare Information Systems National Managed Care Benchmark Database from 2002-2006. Patients hospitalized for AF (primary diagnosis), and who had at least 365 days' enrollment before and after the initial (index) AF hospitalization, were included in the analysis. Suspected AF therapy-related adverse events and function tests for adverse event monitoring were identified according to pre-specified diagnosis codes/procedures, and examined over the 12 months following discharge from the index hospitalization. Events/function tests had to have occurred within 90 days of a claim for AF therapy to be considered a suspected adverse event/adverse event monitoring. Of 4174 AF patients meeting the study criteria, 3323 received AF drugs; 428 received rhythm-control only (12.9%), 2130 rate-control only (64.1%), and 765 combined rhythm/rate-control therapy (23.0%). Overall, 50.1% of treated patients had a suspected adverse event and/or function test for adverse event monitoring (45.5% with rate-control, 53.5% with rhythm-control, and 61.2% with combined rhythm/rate-control). Suspected cardiovascular adverse events were the most common events (occurring in 36.1% of patients), followed by pulmonary (6.1%), and endocrine events (5.9%). Overall, suspected adverse events/function tests were associated with mean annual per-patient costs of $3089 ($1750 with rhythm-control, $2041 with rate control, and $6755 with combined rhythm/rate-control). As a retrospective analysis, the study is subject to potential selection bias, while its reliance on diagnostic codes for identification of AF and suspected adverse events is a source of potential investigator error. A direct cause-effect relationship between suspected adverse events/function tests and AF therapy cannot be confirmed based on the claims data available. The incidence of suspected adverse events and adverse event monitoring during AF rhythm-control and/or rate-control therapy is high. Costs associated with adverse events and adverse event monitoring are likely to add considerably to the overall burden of AF management.

Analysis of Optimum Heterodyne Receivers for Coherent Lidar Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amzajerdian, Farzin

2002-01-01

A full analysis of the combined effects of all the noise sources of optical heterodyne receiver and the interaction between the competing control parameters of the receiver detector and pre-amplifier will be presented. This analysis provides the mean for true optimization of the coherent lidar receiver. The significance of the optimization of heterodyne receiver is shown for 2-micron coherent lidar.

A randomized-controlled trial of intensive case management emphasizing the recovery model among patients with severe and enduring mental illness.

PubMed

O'Brien, S; McFarland, J; Kealy, B; Pullela, A; Saunders, J; Cullen, W; Meagher, D

2012-09-01

There is increasing interest in the application of recovery principles in mental health services. We studied the implementation of a programme of intensive case management (ICM) emphasizing recovery principles in a community mental health service in Ireland. Eighty service attenders with severe and enduring illness characterized by significant ongoing disability were randomized into (1) a group receiving a programme of ICM and (2) a group receiving treatment as usual (TAU). Groups were compared before and after the programme for general psychopathology using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (clinician rated) and How are You? scale (self-rated). The Functional Analysis of Care Environments (FACE) scale provided assessment of multiple functional domains. The overall group (mean age 44.5 ± 13.2 years; 60% male) had mean total Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) scale scores of 10.5 ± 4.6, with problems in social functioning especially prominent (mean social subscale score 5.0 ± 2.7). The ICM group were younger (p < 0.01) with higher baseline scores on the HoNOS social subscale and BPRS (p < 0.05). An analysis of covariance, controlling for these baseline differences, indicated greater improvement in BPRS scores (p = 0.001), How are You? scores (p = 0.02) and FACE domains for cognition, symptoms and interpersonal relationships (all p < 0.001) in the ICM group. The ICM group underwent greater changes in structured daily activities that were linked to improved BPRS scores (p = 0.01). A programme of ICM emphasizing recovery principles resulted in significant improvement across psychopathological and functional domains. Improvements were linked to enhanced engagement with structured daily activities. Recovery-oriented practices can be integrated into existing mental health services and provided alongside traditional models of care.

A Comparative Study of Group Behavioral Activation and Cognitive Therapy in Reducing Subsyndromal Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms.

PubMed

Soleimani, Mehdi; Mohammadkhani, Parvaneh; Dolatshahi, Behroz; Alizadeh, Hamid; Overmann, Karenleigh A; Coolidge, Frederick L

2015-04-01

This study compared the effectiveness of two group treatments, behavioral activation (BA) and cognitive therapy (CT), in reducing subsyndromal anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of Iranian university students. Twenty-seven Iranian university students who scored 18 or higher on the depression subscale and 16 or higher on the anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were randomly assigned into treatment groups. One group received 8 sessions of BA (n = 14), and the other received 8 sessions of group CT (n = 13). Analysis of covariance revealed that the BA group had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than the CT group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the levels of anxiety, stress symptoms or functional impairment after treatment. This study found evidence for the effectiveness of BA in reducing anxiety, depressive and stress symptoms and functional impairment compared to CT. BA was more effective than CT in improving depressive symptoms and was as effective as CT in decreasing anxiety, stress and functional impairment. BA is also a cost-effective intervention, particularly in group formats.

Examining frontotemporal connectivity and rTMS in healthy controls: implications for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Gromann, Paula M; Tracy, Derek K; Giampietro, Vincent; Brammer, Michael J; Krabbendam, Lydia; Shergill, Sukhwinder S

2012-01-01

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to have clinically beneficial effects in altering the perception of auditory hallucinations (AH) in patients with schizophrenia. However, the mode of action is not clear. Recent neuroimaging findings indicate that rTMS has the potential to induce not only local effects but also changes in remote, functionally connected brain regions. Frontotemporal dysconnectivity has been proposed as a mechanism leading to psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. The current study examines functional connectivity between temporal and frontal brain regions after rTMS and the implications for AH in schizophrenia. A connectivity analysis was conducted on the fMRI data of 11 healthy controls receiving rTMS, compared with 11 matched subjects receiving sham TMS, to the temporoparietal junction, before engaging in a task associated with robust frontotemporal activation. Compared to the control group, the rTMS group showed an altered frontotemporal connectivity with stronger connectivity between the right temporoparietal cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the angular gyrus. This finding provides preliminary evidence for the hypothesis that normalizing the functional connectivity between the temporoparietal and frontal brain regions may underlie the therapeutic effect of rTMS on AH in schizophrenia.

Proposal of a socio-cognitive-behavioral structural equation model of internalized stigma in people with severe and persistent mental illness.

PubMed

Muñoz, Manuel; Sanz, María; Pérez-Santos, Eloísa; Quiroga, María de Los Ángeles

2011-04-30

The social stigma of mental illness has received much attention in recent years and its effects on diverse variables such as psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, self-esteem, self-efficacy, quality of life, and social integration are well established. However, internalized stigma in people with severe and persistent mental illness has not received the same attention. The aim of the present work was to study the relationships between the principal variables involved in the functioning of internalized stigma (sociodemographic and clinical variables, social stigma, psychosocial functioning, recovery expectations, empowerment, and discrimination experiences) in a sample of people with severe and persistent mental illness (N=108). The main characteristics of the sample and the differences between groups with high and low internalized stigma were analyzed, a correlation analysis of the variables was performed, and a structural equation model, integrating variables of social, cognitive, and behavioral content, was proposed and tested. The results indicate the relationships among social stigma, discrimination experiences, recovery expectation, and internalized stigma and their role in the psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An analysis of carrier phase jitter in an MPSK receiver utilizing map estimation. Ph.D. Thesis Semiannual Status Report, Jul. 1993 - Jan. 1994

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Osborne, William P.

1994-01-01

The use of 8 and 16 PSK TCM to support satellite communications in an effort to achieve more bandwidth efficiency in a power-limited channel has been proposed. This project addresses the problem of carrier phase jitter in an M-PSK receiver utilizing the high SNR approximation to the maximum aposteriori estimation of carrier phase. In particular, numerical solutions to the 8 and 16 PSK self-noise and phase detector gain in the carrier tracking loop are presented. The effect of changing SNR on the loop noise bandwidth is also discussed. These data are then used to compute variance of phase error as a function of SNR. Simulation and hardware data are used to verify these calculations. The results show that there is a threshold in the variance of phase error versus SNR curves that is a strong function of SNR and a weak function of loop bandwidth. The M-PSK variance thresholds occur at SNR's in the range of practical interest for the use of 8 and 16-PSK TCM. This suggests that phase error variance is an important consideration in the design of these systems.

Prehospital antiplatelet use and functional status on admission of patients with non-haemorrhagic moyamoya disease: a nationwide retrospective cohort study (J-ASPECT study)

PubMed Central

Onozuka, Daisuke; Hagihara, Akihito; Nishimura, Kunihiro; Kada, Akiko; Nakagawara, Jyoji; Ogasawara, Kuniaki; Ono, Junichi; Shiokawa, Yoshiaki; Aruga, Toru; Miyachi, Shigeru; Nagata, Izumi; Toyoda, Kazunori; Matsuda, Shinya; Suzuki, Akifumi; Kataoka, Hiroharu; Nakamura, Fumiaki; Kamitani, Satoru; Nishimura, Ataru; Kurogi, Ryota; Sayama, Tetsuro; Iihara, Koji

2016-01-01

Objectives To elucidate the association between antiplatelet use in patients with non-haemorrhagic moyamoya disease before hospital admission and good functional status on admission in Japan. Design Retrospective, multicentre, non-randomised, observational study. Setting Nationwide registry data in Japan. Participants A total of 1925 patients with non-haemorrhagic moyamoya disease admitted between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2014 in Japan. Main outcome measure We performed propensity score-matched analysis to examine the association between prehospital antiplatelet use and no significant disability on hospital admission, as defined by a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1. Results Propensity-matched patients who received prehospital antiplatelet drugs were associated with a good outcome on hospital admission (OR adjusted for all covariates, 3.82; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.99) compared with those who did not receive antiplatelet drugs prior to hospital admission. Conclusions Prehospital antiplatelet use was significantly associated with good functional status on hospital admission among patients with non-haemorrhagic moyamoya disease in Japan. Our results suggest that prehospital antiplatelet use should be considered when evaluating outcomes of patients with non-haemorrhagic moyamoya disease. PMID:27008684

LOCAL PERIARTICULAR ANALGESIA IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

PubMed Central

Sadigursky, David; Simões, Daniel Pereira; de Albuquerque, Raphael Araújo; Silva, Monize Zórnio; Fernandes, Rogério Jamil Carneiro; Colavolpe, Paulo Oliveira

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the use of infiltration of periarticular analgesic agents intraoperatively in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), with regard to benefits, reduction of pain, opioid consumption, improvement of range of motion and early ambulation. Methods: To analyze the benefits of periarticular drug infiltration, the patients submitted to TKA were evaluated, being separated into two groups. One group received the local periarticular infiltration protocol containing 0.5% bupivacaine (400mg/20ml), 1/1000 epinephrine (0.3ml), triamcinolone hexacetonide (20mg/1ml), clonidine (150mcg/1ml) and 20 ml of saline (0.9% SS) and, the other group underwent conventional intravenous analgesia. The results were compared and the variables analyzed were age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, postoperative complications, pain, functional capacity, range of motion, transfusion and rescue opioids for analgesia. Results: The mean age of the patients was 68 years and most were female and presented involvement of the left knee. Postoperatively, patients who had received periarticular infiltration showed improvement of pain as well as functional capacity. Conclusion: The analysis of data obtained demonstrated that the periarticular infiltration of analgesic agents is significantly effective for pain control and functional recovery.Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study. PMID:28642656

Preliminary study of crust-upper mantle structure of the Tibetan Plateau by using broadband teleseismic body waveforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Lu-Pei; Zeng, Rong-Sheng; Wu, Francis T.; Owens, Thomas J.; Randall, George E.

1993-05-01

As part of a joint Sino-U.S. research project to study the deep structure of the Tibetan Plateau, 11 broadband digital seismic recorders were deployed on the Plateau for one year of passive seismic recording. In this report we use teleseimic P waveforms to study the seismic velocity structure of crust and upper mantle under three stations by receiver function inversion. The receiver function is obtained by first rotating two horizontal components of seismic records into radial and tangential components and then deconvolving the vertical component from them. The receiver function depends only on the structure near the station because the source and path effects have been removed by the deconvolution. To suppress noise, receiver functions calculated from events clustered in a small range of back-azimuths and epicentral distances are stacked. Using a matrix formalism describing the propagation of elastic waves in laterally homogeneous stratified medium, a synthetic receiver function and differential receiver functions for the parameters in each layer can be calculated to establish a linearized inversion for one-dimensional velocity structure. Preliminary results of three stations, Wen-quan, Golmud and Xigatze (Coded as WNDO, TUNL and XIGA), located in central, northern and southern Plateau are given in this paper. The receiver functions of all three stations show clear P-S converted phases. The time delays of these converted phases relative to direct P arrivals are: WNDO 7.9s (for NE direction) and 8.3s (for SE direction), TUNL 8.2s, XIGA 9.0s. Such long time delays indicate the great thickness of crust under the Plateau. The differences between receiver function of these three station shows the tectonic difference between southern and north-central Plateau. The waveforms of the receiver functions for WNDO and TUNL are very simple, while the receiver function of XIGA has an additional midcrustal converted phase. The S wave velocity structures at these three stations are estimated from inversions of the receiver function. The crustal shear wave velocities at WNDO and TUNL are vertically homogeneous, with value between 3.5 3.6 km/s down to Moho. This value in the lower crust is lower than the normal value for the lower crust of continents, which is consistent with the observed strong Sn attenuation in this region. The velocity structure at XIGA shows a velocity discontinuity at depth of 20 km and high velocity value of 4.0 km/s in the midcrust between 20 30 km depth. Similar results are obtained from a DSS profile in southern Tibet. The velocity under XIGA decreases below a depth of 30 km, reaching the lowest value of 3.2 km/s between 50 55 km. depth. This may imply that the Indian crust underthrusts the low part of Tibetan crust in the southern Plateau, forming a “double crust”. The crustal thickness at each of these sites is: WNDO, 68 km; TUNL, 70 km; XI-GA, 80 km.

Prediction of postoperative outcome after hepatectomy with a new bedside test for maximal liver function capacity.

PubMed

Stockmann, Martin; Lock, Johan F; Riecke, Björn; Heyne, Karsten; Martus, Peter; Fricke, Michael; Lehmann, Sina; Niehues, Stefan M; Schwabe, Michael; Lemke, Arne-Jörn; Neuhaus, Peter

2009-07-01

To validate the LiMAx test, a new bedside test for the determination of maximal liver function capacity based on C-methacetin kinetics. To investigate the diagnostic performance of different liver function tests and scores including the LiMAx test for the prediction of postoperative outcome after hepatectomy. Liver failure is a major cause of mortality after hepatectomy. Preoperative prediction of residual liver function has been limited so far. Sixty-four patients undergoing hepatectomy were analyzed in a prospective observational study. Volumetric analysis of the liver was carried out using preoperative computed tomography and intraoperative measurements. Perioperative factors associated with morbidity and mortality were analyzed. Cutoff values of the LiMAx test were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic. Residual LiMAx demonstrated an excellent linear correlation with residual liver volume (r = 0.94, P < 0.001) after hepatectomy. The multivariate analysis revealed LiMAx on postoperative day 1 as the only predictor of liver failure (P = 0.003) and mortality (P = 0.004). AUROC for the prediction of liver failure and liver failure related death by the LiMAx test was both 0.99. Preoperative volume/function analysis combining CT volumetry and LiMAx allowed an accurate calculation of the remnant liver function capacity prior to surgery (r = 0.85, P < 0.001). Residual liver function is the major factor influencing the outcome of patients after hepatectomy and can be predicted preoperatively by a combination of LiMAx and CT volumetry.

Functional Principal Component Analysis and Randomized Sparse Clustering Algorithm for Medical Image Analysis

PubMed Central

Lin, Nan; Jiang, Junhai; Guo, Shicheng; Xiong, Momiao

2015-01-01

Due to the advancement in sensor technology, the growing large medical image data have the ability to visualize the anatomical changes in biological tissues. As a consequence, the medical images have the potential to enhance the diagnosis of disease, the prediction of clinical outcomes and the characterization of disease progression. But in the meantime, the growing data dimensions pose great methodological and computational challenges for the representation and selection of features in image cluster analysis. To address these challenges, we first extend the functional principal component analysis (FPCA) from one dimension to two dimensions to fully capture the space variation of image the signals. The image signals contain a large number of redundant features which provide no additional information for clustering analysis. The widely used methods for removing the irrelevant features are sparse clustering algorithms using a lasso-type penalty to select the features. However, the accuracy of clustering using a lasso-type penalty depends on the selection of the penalty parameters and the threshold value. In practice, they are difficult to determine. Recently, randomized algorithms have received a great deal of attentions in big data analysis. This paper presents a randomized algorithm for accurate feature selection in image clustering analysis. The proposed method is applied to both the liver and kidney cancer histology image data from the TCGA database. The results demonstrate that the randomized feature selection method coupled with functional principal component analysis substantially outperforms the current sparse clustering algorithms in image cluster analysis. PMID:26196383

Shoreline-crossing shear-velocity structure of the Juan de Fuca plate and Cascadia subduction zone from surface waves and receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janiszewski, Helen; Gaherty, James; Abers, Geoffrey; Gao, Haiying

2017-04-01

The Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) is the site of the onshore-offshore Cascadia Initiative, which deployed seismometers extending from the Juan de Fuca ridge to the subduction zone and onshore beyond the volcanic arc. This array allows the unique opportunity to seismically image the evolution and along-strike variation of the crust and mantle of the entire CSZ. We compare teleseismic receiver functions, ambient-noise Rayleigh-wave phase velocities in the 10-20 s period band, and earthquake-source Rayleigh-wave phase velocities from 20-100 s, to determine shear-velocity structure in the upper 200 km. Receiver functions from both onshore and shallow-water offshore sites provide constraints on crustal and plate interface structure. Spectral-domain fitting of ambient-noise empirical Green's functions constrains shear velocity of the crust and shallow mantle. An automated multi-channel cross-correlation analysis of teleseismic Rayleigh waves provides deeper lithosphere and asthenosphere constraints. The amphibious nature of the array means it is essential to examine the effect of noise variability on data quality. Ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) are affected by tilt and compliance noise. Removal of this noise from the vertical components of the OBS is essential for the teleseismic Rayleigh waves; this stabilizes the output phase velocity maps particularly along the coastline where observations are predominately from shallow water OBS. Our noise-corrected phase velocity maps reflect major structures and tectonic transitions including the transition from high-velocity oceanic lithosphere to low-velocity continental lithosphere, high velocities associated with the subducting slab, and low velocities beneath the ridge and arc. We interpret the resulting shear-velocity model in the context of temperature and compositional variation in the incoming plate and along the strike of the CSZ.

Shoreline-Crossing Shear-Velocity Structure of the Juan de Fuca Plate and Cascadia Subduction Zone from Surface Waves and Receiver Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janiszewski, H. A.; Gaherty, J. B.; Abers, G. A.; Gao, H.

2016-12-01

The Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) is the site of the onshore-offshore Cascadia Initiative, which deployed seismometers extending from the Juan de Fuca ridge to the subduction zone and onshore beyond the volcanic arc. This array allows the unique opportunity to seismically image the evolution and along-strike variation of the crust and mantle of the entire CSZ. We compare teleseismic receiver functions, ambient-noise Rayleigh-wave phase velocities in the 10-20 s period band, and earthquake-source Rayleigh-wave phase velocities from 20-100 s, to determine shear-velocity structure in the upper 200 km. Receiver functions from both onshore and shallow-water offshore sites provide constraints on crustal and plate interface structure. Spectral-domain fitting of ambient-noise empirical Green's functions constrains shear velocity of the crust and shallow mantle. An automated multi-channel cross-correlation analysis of teleseismic Rayleigh waves provides deeper lithosphere and asthenosphere constraints. The amphibious nature of the array means it is essential to examine the effect of noise variability on data quality. Ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) are affected by tilt and compliance noise. Removal of this noise from the vertical components of the OBS is essential for the teleseismic Rayleigh waves; this stabilizes the output phase velocity maps particularly along the coastline where observations are predominately from shallow water OBS. Our noise-corrected phase velocity maps reflect major structures and tectonic transitions including the transition from high-velocity oceanic lithosphere to low-velocity continental lithosphere, high velocities associated with the subducting slab, and low velocities beneath the ridge and arc. We interpret the resulting shear-velocity model in the context of temperature and compositional variation in the incoming plate and along the strike of the CSZ.

Cognitive Predictors of Work Among Social Security Disability Insurance Beneficiaries With Psychiatric Disorders Enrolled in IPS Supported Employment.

PubMed

McGurk, Susan R; Drake, Robert E; Xie, Haiyi; Riley, Jarnee; Milfort, Roline; Hale, Thomas W; Frey, William

2018-01-13

Impaired cognitive functioning is a significant predictor of work dysfunction in schizophrenia. Less is known, however about relationships of cognition and work in people with less severe disorders with relatively normal cognitive functioning. This secondary analysis evaluated cognitive predictors of work in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with a recent work history who were randomized to receive mental health services, supported employment, and freedom from work disincentives over a 2-year study period in the Mental Health Treatment Study. Of the 1045 participants randomized to the treatment package, 945 (90.4%) received a cognitive assessment at study entry. Competitive work activity was evaluated using a computer-assisted timeline follow-back calendar at baseline and quarterly for 24 months. Mood disorders were the most common psychiatric diagnoses (64.9%), followed by schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (35.1%). Tobit regression analyses predicting the average number of hours worked per week, controlling for demographic characteristics, diagnosis, and work history indicated that the cognitive composite score (P < .01) and verbal learning subscale scores (P < .001) were associated with fewer hours of weekly work over the study period. Cognitive functioning predicted work over 2 years in SSDI beneficiaries with mood or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders who were receiving supported employment and mental health interventions, despite a relative absence of cognitive impairment in the study participants. The findings suggest cognitive functioning contributes to competitive work outcomes in persons with psychiatric disorders who have relatively unimpaired cognitive abilities, even under optimal conditions of treatment and vocational support. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

"I've got somebody there, someone cares": what support is most valued following a stroke?

PubMed

Northcott, Sarah; Hilari, Katerina

2017-06-19

There is often a need for increased support following a stroke. This study explored what types of support are provided by different network members and what support functions are most valued. Adults with first stroke were recruited from a stroke unit and participated in in-depth interviews 8-15 months poststroke. Framework Analysis was used to build thematic and explanatory accounts of the data. Twenty-nine participants took part. Main themes to emerge were as follows: the spouse was the most important provider of support; children were a relatively stable source of support, although many participants expressed reservations about worrying a child; relatives and friends typically provided social companionship and emotional support rather than on-going practical support. The only universally valued support function was the sense that someone was concerned and cared. Other valued functions were as follows: social companionship including everyday social "chit chat"; practical support provided sensitively; and, for many, sharing worries and sensitive encouragement. The manner and context in which support was provided was important: support was easiest to receive when it communicated concern, and was part of a reciprocal, caring relationship. As well as measuring supportive acts, researchers and clinicians should consider the manner and context of support. Implications for rehabilitation The manner in which support was provided mattered: support was easier to receive when it communicated concern. The spouse was the most important source of all support functions; children, relatives and friends were important providers of emotional and social companionship support. Researchers and clinicians should not only focus on what support is received, but also the context (e.g., contribution, reciprocity, quality of relationship) and manner (e.g., responsiveness, sensitivity) of the support.

The Aspartate-Less Receiver (ALR) Domains: Distribution, Structure and Function

PubMed Central

Weiner, Joshua J.; Han, Lanlan; Peterson, Francis C.; Volkman, Brian F.; Silvaggi, Nicholas R.; Ulijasz, Andrew T.

2015-01-01

Two-component signaling systems are ubiquitous in bacteria, Archaea and plants and play important roles in sensing and responding to environmental stimuli. To propagate a signaling response the typical system employs a sensory histidine kinase that phosphorylates a Receiver (REC) domain on a conserved aspartate (Asp) residue. Although it is known that some REC domains are missing this Asp residue, it remains unclear as to how many of these divergent REC domains exist, what their functional roles are and how they are regulated in the absence of the conserved Asp. Here we have compiled all deposited REC domains missing their phosphorylatable Asp residue, renamed here as the Aspartate-Less Receiver (ALR) domains. Our data show that ALRs are surprisingly common and are enriched for when attached to more rare effector outputs. Analysis of our informatics and the available ALR atomic structures, combined with structural, biochemical and genetic data of the ALR archetype RitR from Streptococcus pneumoniae presented here suggest that ALRs have reorganized their active pockets to instead take on a constitutive regulatory role or accommodate input signals other than Asp phosphorylation, while largely retaining the canonical post-phosphorylation mechanisms and dimeric interface. This work defines ALRs as an atypical REC subclass and provides insights into shared mechanisms of activation between ALR and REC domains. PMID:25875291

Ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate synergistically aggravates testicular dysfunction in adult Wistar rats.

PubMed

Kehinde, Olaniyi S; Christianah, Oyewopo I; Oyetunji, Oyewopo A

2018-01-01

The effect of the concomitant use of sodium benzoate (NaB) and ascorbic acid on human health remains controversial. Therefore, the current study is designed to investigate the effect of NaB and ascorbic acid on the testicular function of adult Wistar rats. Adult Wistar rats were randomly allotted into Control (vehicle; received 1 ml of distilled water), NaB-treated (SB-treated; received 100 mg/kg body weight; b.w ), ascorbic acid-treated (AA-treated; received 150 mg/kg b.w ) and NaB+ ascorbic acid-treated (SB+AA-treated) groups. The treatment lasted for 28 days and the administration was given orally. The body weight change was monitored. Semen analysis, biochemical assay and histological examination were performed. Treatment with NaB significantly altered the cytoarchitecture of testicular tissue, sperm quality, testicular endocrine function and oxidative stress status without any alteration in body weight gain compared to control. In addition, treatment with NaB+ ascorbic acid exacerbated testicular tissue disruption, impaired sperm quality and testicular endocrine impairment with significant reduction in oxidative stress and unaltered body weight gain when compared with NaB-treated group. This study suggests that ascorbic acid and NaB synergistically aggravates testicular dysfunction. This is independent of oxidative stress status.

Clinical Outcomes of Paramyxovirus Infections in Lung Transplant Recipients Treated With Oral Ribavirin: A Two-Center Case Series.

PubMed

Garcia, Bryan; Sharma, Nirmal; Johnson, Kevin; Salgado, Juan; Wille, Keith

2017-10-31

Paramyxoviruses contribute to morbidity and mortality after lung transplant and are associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Oral ribavirin has been used off-label for treatment of paramyxoviruses in immunosuppressed patients; however, data supporting its use for this purpose are lacking. We conducted a retrospective review to evaluate clinical outcomes of lung transplant recipients infected with paramyxoviruses and received treatment with oral ribavirin at 2 tertiary referral centers. Patients who were diagnosed with paramyxovirus infection by polymerase chain reaction testing between January 2011 and December 2014 and who received oral ribavirin were included. Clinical outcomes included pulmonary function testing, infection severity, and adverse events related to treatment. Twenty-six patients were diagnosed with a paramyxovirus and received oral ribavirin. The changes in mean forced expiratory volume 1 second from preinfection to infection onset and from infection onset to postinfection were significant (1.79 ± 0.13 to 1.61 ± 0.12 L and 1.61 ± 0.12L to 1.74 ± 0.12 L; P = .0001). Similar results were seen in subgroup analysis when respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza infections were evaluated independently. Use of oral ribavirin for treatment of paramyxovirus infections in lung transplant recipients was safe and associated with recovery of lung function.

Cognitive function, behavioral problems, and physical function in long-term care insurance beneficiaries with dementia in South Korea: comparison of home care and institutional care services.

PubMed

Lee, Tae Wha; Yim, Eunsil; Cho, Eunhee; Chung, Jane

2014-08-01

To examine, in beneficiaries with long-term care (LTC) insurance (LTCI) with dementia in Korea, changes in cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and physical function over time in relation to LTCI service type and to determine the 2-year effects of service type on those health outcomes. Secondary analyses of the existing LTCI data set from 2008 to 2010. South Korea. LTCI beneficiaries with dementia aged 65 and older (N=31,319). Participants were divided according to the service type that they were receiving home care (HC), institutional care (IC), and combined care (CC). A LTC approval checklist was used to determine the level of LTCI coverage of each participant and to assess cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and physical function. Linear mixed models and multiple regression models were used. There were significant differences in cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and physical function at baseline between individuals receiving the three service types (P<.001) and overall improvements in those outcomes over 2 years in the three groups (P<.001). After limiting the sample to those who had received LTCI services for the full 2 years (2008-2010) and adjusting for baseline characteristics, individuals receiving HC were more likely to have better cognitive and physical function than those receiving IC or CC but were likely to have more behavioral symptoms 2 years after the LTCI enrollment (P<.001). LTCI service type (HC, IC, CC) predicted cognitive function, behavioral symptoms, and physical function at 2-year follow-up in beneficiaries with dementia. Further research is necessary to examine the effect of LTC services on health outcomes in a longer observational cohort. © 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, The American Geriatrics Society.

Estimating errors in least-squares fitting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richter, P. H.

1995-01-01

While least-squares fitting procedures are commonly used in data analysis and are extensively discussed in the literature devoted to this subject, the proper assessment of errors resulting from such fits has received relatively little attention. The present work considers statistical errors in the fitted parameters, as well as in the values of the fitted function itself, resulting from random errors in the data. Expressions are derived for the standard error of the fit, as a function of the independent variable, for the general nonlinear and linear fitting problems. Additionally, closed-form expressions are derived for some examples commonly encountered in the scientific and engineering fields, namely ordinary polynomial and Gaussian fitting functions. These results have direct application to the assessment of the antenna gain and system temperature characteristics, in addition to a broad range of problems in data analysis. The effects of the nature of the data and the choice of fitting function on the ability to accurately model the system under study are discussed, and some general rules are deduced to assist workers intent on maximizing the amount of information obtained form a given set of measurements.

Impact of liver volume and liver function on posthepatectomy liver failure after portal vein embolization- A multivariable cohort analysis.

PubMed

Alizai, Patrick H; Haelsig, Annabel; Bruners, Philipp; Ulmer, Florian; Klink, Christian D; Dejong, Cornelis H C; Neumann, Ulf P; Schmeding, Maximilian

2018-01-01

Liver failure remains a life-threatening complication after liver resection, and is difficult to predict preoperatively. This retrospective cohort study evaluated different preoperative factors in regard to their impact on posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) after extended liver resection and previous portal vein embolization (PVE). Patient characteristics, liver function and liver volumes of patients undergoing PVE and subsequent liver resection were analyzed. Liver function was determined by the LiMAx test (enzymatic capacity of cytochrome P450 1A2). Factors associated with the primary end point PHLF (according to ISGLS definition) were identified through multivariable analysis. Secondary end points were 30-day mortality and morbidity. 95 patients received PVE, of which 64 patients underwent major liver resection. PHLF occurred in 7 patients (11%). Calculated postoperative liver function was significantly lower in patients with PHLF than in patients without PHLF (67 vs. 109 μg/kg/h; p = 0.01). Other factors associated with PHLF by univariable analysis were age, future liver remnant, MELD score, ASA score, renal insufficiency and heart insufficiency. By multivariable analysis, future liver remnant was the only factor significantly associated with PHLF (p = 0.03). Mortality and morbidity rates were 4.7% and 29.7% respectively. Future liver remnant is the only preoperative factor with a significant impact on PHLF. Assessment of preoperative liver function may additionally help identify patients at risk for PHLF.

Factor structure of the Hooper Visual Organization Test: a cross-cultural replication and extension.

PubMed

Merten, Thomas

2005-01-01

To investigate construct validity of the Hooper Visual Organization Test (VOT), a principal-axis analysis was performed on the neuropsychological test results of 200 German-speaking neurological patients who received a comprehensive battery, encompassing tests of visuospatial functions, memory, attention, executive functions, naming ability, and vocabulary. A four-factor solution was obtained with substantial loadings of the VOT only on the first factor, interpreted as a global dimension of non-verbal cognitive functions. This factor loaded significantly on numerous measures of visuospatial processing and attention (with particularly high loadings on WAIS-R Block Design, Trails A and B, and Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices). The remaining three factors were interpreted as memory, verbal abilities (vocabulary), and a separate factor of naming abilities.

The Working Memory and Dorsolateral Prefrontal-Hippocampal Functional Connectivity Changes in Long-Term Survival Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen

PubMed Central

Chen, Xingui; Tao, Longxiang; Li, Jingjing; Wu, Jiaonan; Zhu, Chunyan; Yu, Fengqiong; Zhang, Lei; Zhang, Jingjie; Qiu, Bensheng; Yu, Yongqiang; He, Xiaoxuan

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Tamoxifen is the most widely used drug for treating patients with estrogen receptor-sensitive breast cancer. There is evidence that breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen exhibit cognitive dysfunction. However, the underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying working memory deficits in combination with functional connectivity changes in premenopausal women with breast cancer who received long-term tamoxifen treatment. Methods: A total of 31 premenopausal women with breast cancer who received tamoxifen and 32 matched healthy control participants were included. The participants completed n-back tasks and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, which measure working memory performance and brain functional connectivity, respectively. A seed-based functional connectivity analysis within the whole brain was conducted, for which the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was chosen as the seed region. Results: Our results indicated that the tamoxifen group had significant deficits in working memory and general executive function performance and significantly lower functional connectivity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the right hippocampus compared with the healthy controls. There were no significant changes in functional connectivity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex within the whole brain between the tamoxifen group and healthy controls. Moreover, significant correlations were found in the tamoxifen group between the functional connectivity strength of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with the right hippocampus and decreased working memory performance. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus may be affected by tamoxifen treatment, supporting an antagonistic role of tamoxifen in the long-term treatment of breast cancer patients. PMID:28177081

Hormone therapy and physical function change among older women in the Women’s Health Initiative: a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Michael, Yvonne L.; Gold, Rachel; Manson, JoAnn E.; Keast, Erin M.; Cochrane, Barbara B.; Woods, Nancy F.; Brzyski, Robert G.; McNeeley, S. Gene; Wallace, Robert B.

2011-01-01

Objective Although estrogen may be linked to biological pathways that maintain higher physical function, the evidence is derived mostly from observational epidemiology and therefore has numerous limitations. We examined whether hormone therapy affected physical function in women 65 to 79 years of age at enrollment. Methods This study involves an analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trials of hormone therapy in which 922 nondisabled women who had previous hysterectomies were randomized to receive estrogen therapy or a placebo and 1,458 nondisabled women with intact uteri were randomized to receive estrogen + progestin therapy or a placebo. Changes in physical function were analyzed for treatment effect, and subgroup differences were evaluated. All women completed performance-based measures of physical function (grip strength, chair stands, and timed walk) at baseline. These measures were repeated after 1, 3, and 6 years. Results Overall, participants’ grip strength declined by 12.0%, chair stands declined by 3.5%, and walk pace slowed by 11.4% in the 6 years of follow-up (all P values <0.0001). Hormone therapy, as compared with placebo, was not associated with an increased or decreased risk of decline in physical function in either the intention-to-treat analyses or in analyses restricted to participants who were compliant in taking study pills. Conclusions Hormone therapy provided no overall protection against functional decline in nondisabled postmenopausal women 65 years or older in 6 years of follow-up. This study did not address the influence of hormone therapy for women of younger ages. PMID:19858764

Quality of Life in Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Using Cabazitaxel or Other Therapies After Previous Docetaxel Chemotherapy: Swiss Observational Treatment Registry.

PubMed

Stenner, Frank; Rothschild, Sacha I; Betticher, Daniel; Caspar, Clemens; Morant, Rudolf; Popescu, Razvan; Rauch, Daniel; Huber, Urs; Zenhäusern, Reinhard; Rentsch, Cyrill; Cathomas, Richard

2017-08-24

The aim was to evaluate quality of life (QoL), pain, and fatigue in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with different regimens after first-line docetaxel, as well as disease progression. Patients with mCRPC having received first-line chemotherapy with docetaxel were eligible. Second-line treatment choice was at the discretion of the local investigator. All patients had regular assessments of QoL with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) questionnaire, of fatigue with the Brief Fatigue Inventory, and of pain with the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. The primary end point was QoL maintenance defined as having a maximum decrease in 2 functional domains of the FACT-P. One hundred thirty-eight patients were included in 36 oncology centers across Switzerland. QoL analysis was available for all patients (59 who received cabazitaxel; 79 who received other therapy [OT] including 75 who received abiraterone). No significant differences for any of the end points were found between groups. A numerically higher number of patients had QoL maintenance with OT (25 of 79 patients, 32%) compared with cabazitaxel (8 of 59 patients, 14%). QoL improvement was found in 20% of patients (12 of 59) who received cabazitaxel and 24% (19 of 79) who received OT. Mean FACT-P score did not change in a clinically relevant manner over time in either group. Pain was present in 70% of patients (96 of 138), and a pain response to treatment was noted in 22% (13 of 59) who received cabazitaxel and 29% (23 of 79) who received OT. A similar but minor improvement of fatigue was noted in both groups. Some degree of QoL decrease was seen in most patients regardless of second-line treatment. No significant differences in QoL parameters between cabazitaxel or other second line treatments were found. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Radar Imaging Using The Wigner-Ville Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boashash, Boualem; Kenny, Owen P.; Whitehouse, Harper J.

1989-12-01

The need for analysis of time-varying signals has led to the formulation of a class of joint time-frequency distributions (TFDs). One of these TFDs, the Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD), has useful properties which can be applied to radar imaging. This paper first discusses the radar equation in terms of the time-frequency representation of the signal received from a radar system. It then presents a method of tomographic reconstruction for time-frequency images to estimate the scattering function of the aircraft. An optical archi-tecture is then discussed for the real-time implementation of the analysis method based on the WVD.

Comparison of Two Detection Combination Algorithms for Phased Array Radars

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-01

data were generated by a simulator of multi-function radar ( MFR ) and the combination algorithms are evaluated with the recorded simulation data. With...electronically scanned phased array Multi-Function Radar ( MFR ), is a type of radar whose transmitter and receiver functions are composed of numerous...small transmit/receive modules. An MFR can perform many functions previously performed by individual, dedicated radars for search, tracking and

WWSSF - a worldwide study on radioisotopic renal split function: reproducibility of renal split function assessment in children.

PubMed

Geist, Barbara Katharina; Dobrozemsky, Georg; Samal, Martin; Schaffarich, Michael P; Sinzinger, Helmut; Staudenherz, Anton

2015-12-01

The split or differential renal function is the most widely accepted quantitative parameter derived from radionuclide renography. To examine the intercenter variance of this parameter, we designed a worldwide round robin test. Five selected dynamic renal studies have been distributed all over the world by e-mail. Three of these studies are anonymized patient data acquired using the EANM standardized protocol and two studies are phantom studies. In a simple form, individual participants were asked to measure renal split function as well as to provide additional information such as data analysis software, positioning of background region of interest, or the method of calculation. We received the evaluation forms from 34 centers located in 21 countries. The analysis of the round robin test yielded an overall z-score of 0.3 (a z-score below 1 reflecting a good result). However, the z-scores from several centers were unacceptably high, with values greater than 3. In particular, the studies with impaired renal function showed a wide variance. A wide variance in the split renal function was found in patients with impaired kidney function. This study indicates the ultimate importance of quality control and standardization of the measurement of the split renal function. It is especially important with respect to the commonly accepted threshold for significant change in split renal function by 10%.

Persistent topographic quantitative EEG sequelae of chronic marihuana use: a replication study and initial discriminant function analysis.

PubMed

Struve, F A; Straumanis, J J; Patrick, G

1994-04-01

In a previous pilot study using psychiatric patients we reported that daily marihuana users had significant elevations of (1) Absolute Alpha Power, (2) Relative Alpha Power, and (3) Interhemispheric Alpha Coherence over both frontal and frontal-central areas when contrasted with subjects who did not use marihuana. We referred to this phenomenon as Hyperfrontality of Alpha. The study presented here is a successful replication of our previous findings using new samples of subjects and identical methods. Post hoc analyses based on the combined sample from both studies suggest that variables of psychiatric diagnoses and medication did not bias our results. In addition, a discriminant function analysis using quantitative EEG variables as candidate predictors generated a 95% correct THC user versus nonuser classification accuracy which received a successful jackknife replication.

Functional Decline in Children Undergoing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy after Age 10

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacWilliams, Bruce A.; Johnson, Barbara A.; Shuckra, Amy L.; D'Astous, Jacques L.

2011-01-01

Aim: To compare function and gait in a group of children older than most children who received selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) with age- and function-matched peers who received either orthopedic surgery or no surgical intervention. Method: A retrospective study examined ambulatory children with diplegic cerebral palsy, aged between 10 years and…

Common and distinct neural correlates of personal and vicarious reward: A quantitative meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Morelli, Sylvia A.; Sacchet, Matthew D.; Zaki, Jamil

2015-01-01

Individuals experience reward not only when directly receiving positive outcomes (e.g., food or money), but also when observing others receive such outcomes. This latter phenomenon, known as vicarious reward, is a perennial topic of interest among psychologists and economists. More recently, neuroscientists have begun exploring the neuroanatomy underlying vicarious reward. Here we present a quantitative whole-brain meta-analysis of this emerging literature. We identified 25 functional neuroimaging studies that included contrasts between vicarious reward and a neutral control, and subjected these contrasts to an activation likelihood estimate (ALE) meta-analysis. This analysis revealed a consistent pattern of activation across studies, spanning structures typically associated with the computation of value (especially ventromedial prefrontal cortex) and mentalizing (including dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus). We further quantitatively compared this activation pattern to activation foci from a previous meta-analysis of personal reward. Conjunction analyses yielded overlapping VMPFC activity in response to personal and vicarious reward. Contrast analyses identified preferential engagement of the nucleus accumbens in response to personal as compared to vicarious reward, and in mentalizing-related structures in response to vicarious as compared to personal reward. These data shed light on the common and unique components of the reward that individuals experience directly and through their social connections. PMID:25554428

Wavelet coherence analysis: A new approach to distinguish organic and functional tremor types.

PubMed

Kramer, G; Van der Stouwe, A M M; Maurits, N M; Tijssen, M A J; Elting, J W J

2018-01-01

To distinguish tremor subtypes using wavelet coherence analysis (WCA). WCA enables to detect variations in coherence and phase difference between two signals over time and might be especially useful in distinguishing functional from organic tremor. In this pilot study, polymyography recordings were studied retrospectively of 26 Parkinsonian (PT), 26 functional (FT), 26 essential (ET), and 20 enhanced physiological (EPT) tremor patients. Per patient one segment of 20 s in duration, in which tremor was present continuously in the same posture, was selected. We studied several coherence and phase related parameters, and analysed all possible muscle combinations of the flexor and extensor muscles of the upper and fore arm. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) was applied to compare WCA and standard coherence analysis to distinguish tremor subtypes. The percentage of time with significant coherence (PTSC) and the number of periods without significant coherence (NOV) proved the most discriminative parameters. FT could be discriminated from organic (PT, ET, EPT) tremor by high NOV (31.88 vs 21.58, 23.12 and 10.20 respectively) with an AUC-ROC of 0.809, while standard coherence analysis resulted in an AUC-ROC of 0.552. EMG-EMG WCA analysis might provide additional variables to distinguish functional from organic tremor. WCA might prove to be of additional value to discriminate between tremor types. Copyright © 2017 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of pseudo noise CW diode laser for ranging applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Hyo S.; Ramaswami, Ravi

1992-01-01

A new Pseudo Random Noise (PN) modulated CW diode laser radar system is being developed for real time ranging of targets at both close and large distances (greater than 10 KM) to satisy a wide range of applications: from robotics to future space applications. Results from computer modeling and statistical analysis, along with some preliminary data obtained from a prototype system, are presented. The received signal is averaged for a short time to recover the target response function. It is found that even with uncooperative targets, based on the design parameters used (200-mW laser and 20-cm receiver), accurate ranging is possible up to about 15 KM, beyond which signal to noise ratio (SNR) becomes too small for real time analog detection.

Influence Analysis for the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve.

PubMed

Ke, Bo-Shiang; Chiang, An Jen; Chang, Yuan-Chin Ivan

2018-01-01

Classification measures play essential roles in the assessment and construction of classifiers. Hence, determining how to prevent these measures from being affected by individual observations has become an important problem. In this paper, we propose several indexes based on the influence function and the concept of local influence to identify influential observations that affect the estimate of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), an important and commonly used measure. Cumulative lift charts are also used to equipoise the disagreements among the proposed indexes. Both the AUC indexes and the graphical tools only rely on the classification scores, and both are applicable to classifiers that can produce real-valued classification scores. A real data set is used for illustration.

Life Skills Training for Middle and High School Students with Autism.

PubMed

Chiang, Hsu-Min; Ni, Xinyu; Lee, Young-Sun

2017-04-01

This study investigated the extent to which life skills training was offered to middle and high school students with autism and life skills training needs after high school. A secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Training Study-2 (NLTS-2) data was conducted in this study. This study found that the majority of the middle and high school students with autism (77.4%) had received life skills training in school. Receipt of life skills training differed across students' gender, age, diagnosis of intellectual disability, and functional mental skills. Students received life skills training in general education classrooms, special education classrooms, individual instruction, and community settings. Life skills training was needed for the majority of the high school leavers with autism (78%).

The design and implementation of photoacoustic based laser warning receiver for harsh environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Sherif, Ashraf F.; Ayoub, H. S.; El-Sharkawy, Yasser H.; Gomaa, Walid; Hassan, H. H.

2018-01-01

This paper discusses the implementation of new type of laser warning receiver (LWR) system, based on the detection of photoacoustic signals, induced by high power infrared laser designators pulses on target's surfaces. This system appends conventional optoelectronic based LWR to decrease the false alarm rate (FAR) in harsh environments, where ambient conditions are expected to obstruct optical LWR. To improve the sensitivity of the photoacoustic based LWR system, some metallic and polymeric target shielding materials were studied, in order to cover a friendly civil structure, vehicle or a maritime entity with a low cost large area acoustic detector array shield. A thermographic investigation of target surface material- laser reaction, signal processing and system configuration and functional analysis are also presented.

An Improved Model for Predicting Radiation Pneumonitis Incorporating Clinical and Dosimetric Variables;Lung cancer; Radiation pneumonitis; Dose-volume histogram; Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jenkins, Peter, E-mail: peter.jenkins@glos.nhs.uk; Watts, Joanne

2011-07-15

Purpose: Single dose-volume metrics are of limited value for the prediction of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in day-to-day clinical practice. We investigated whether multiparametric models that incorporate clinical and physiologic factors might have improved accuracy. Methods and Materials: The records of 160 patients who received radiation therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer were reviewed. All patients were treated to the same dose and with an identical technique. Dosimetric, pulmonary function, and clinical parameters were analyzed to determine their ability to predict for the subsequent development of RP. Results: Twenty-seven patients (17%) developed RP. On univariate analysis, the following factors were significantly correlatedmore » with the risk of pneumonitis: fractional volume of lung receiving >5-20 Gy, absolute volume of lung spared from receiving >5-15 Gy, mean lung dose, craniocaudal position of the isocenter, transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide (KCOc), total lung capacity, coadministration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and coadministration of angiotensin receptor antagonists. By combining the absolute volume of lung spared from receiving >5 Gy with the KCOc, we defined a new parameter termed Transfer Factor Spared from receiving >5 Gy (TFS{sub 5}). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for TFS{sub 5} was 0.778, increasing to 0.846 if patients receiving modulators of the renin-angiotensin system were excluded from the analysis. Patients with a TFS{sub 5} <2.17 mmol/min/kPa had a risk of RP of 30% compared with 5% for the group with a TFS{sub 5} {>=}2.17. Conclusions: TFS{sub 5} represents a simple parameter that can be used in routine clinical practice to more accurately segregate patients into high- and low-risk groups for developing RP.« less

Unraveling the Origin of the Bermuda Rise Using Receiver Functions: Insights from Mantle Discontinuity Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burky, A.; Irving, J. C. E.; Simons, F.

2017-12-01

The Bermuda Rise is an enigmatic intraplate bathymetric feature which is considered a candidate hotspot in some catalogs, but remains a poor candidate due to the lack of an associated seamount chain and the absence of any present-day volcanism. Tomographic models of the seismic P and S wave velocity structure in the upper mantle and transition zone beneath Bermuda and the surrounding seafloor consistently resolve low velocity structures, but the magnitude, lateral dimensions, and position of these low velocity structures vary considerably between models. Due to these discrepancies, it remains difficult to attribute the observed velocity anomalies to thermal or chemical heterogeneity in this region. In addition to tomographic modeling, previous studies investigated the mantle transition zone structure beneath Bermuda by calculating receiver functions for GSN station BBSR, and suggested thinning of the transition zone as well as depressed discontinuity topography. In this study, we expand upon those studies by including the wealth of newly available data, and by incorporating a suite of three-dimensional velocity models. We calculate radial receiver functions in multiple frequency bands for the highest quality seismograms selected from over 5,000 waveforms recorded at station BBSR between October 2008 and August 2017 using the iterative deconvolution technique. We use various one- and three-dimensional velocity models to depth-convert our receiver functions to find the depths of the mantle transition zone discontinuities responsible for the signals in our receiver functions. The observed discontinuity topography is interpreted in the context of candidate mineralogical phase transitions and mantle temperature. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of our observations, we also calculate synthetic seismograms using AxiSEM, compute radial receiver functions for these synthetic data, and compare the results to the real receiver functions. Lastly, we discuss our results in the context of the geologic and geodynamic history of the Bermuda Rise.

CCP Receiver-Function Imaging of the Moho beneath Volcanic Fields in Western Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanchette, A. R.; Mooney, W. D.; Klemperer, S. L.; Zahran, H. M.; El-Hadidy, S. Y.

2015-12-01

We are searching for structural complexity in the crust and upper mantle beneath the Neogene volcanic fields ('harrats') of western Saudi Arabia. We determined P-wave seismic receiver functions for 50 broadband seismographic stations located within or adjacent to three volcanic fields: Harrats Lunayyir, Rahat, and Khaybar. There are 18 seismographic stations within Lunayyir, 11 in Khaybar, and 15 in Rahat with average interstation spacing of 10 km, 30km, and 50 km. For each station we calculated 300 to 600 receiver functions with an iterative time-domain deconvolution; noisy receiver functions (outliers) were rejected by cross correlating each receiver function with a station stack; we only accepted those with a cross correlation coefficient ≥ 0.6. We used these receiver functions to create a common-conversion point (CCP) image of the crust and upper mantle. The Moho and lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) are clearly imaged, particularly beneath Lunayyir, and have average depths of about 38 km and 60 km. We do not find any evidence for structural disruption of the Moho within our ~70 km x 70 km image of the Moho beneath Lunayyir. We image a clear crust-mantle boundary beneath Rahat and Khaybar also at ~38 km, 2-3 km deeper than anticipated from prior receiver function results outside of the harrats. Mid-crustal low velocity zones seen locally beneath all three harrats, most commonly at 10-15 km or 15-20 km in depth, may more likely represent silicic Precambrian basement than accumulations of magma. Estimates of up to ~0.5 km3 of magma erupted during each eruptive episode are consistent with the lack of a disrupted Moho. However, the total erupted volume of magma, e.g. > 1000 km3 at Rahat, together with associated intrusions from the mantle, is consistent with crustal thickening of ~2 km beneath the harrats.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Signals: Formulations and Approaches for Data Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-05-01

discussion of the nature of SAR signals, error sources, phase history correlation, and the status of SAR hardware;(2) to produce a document that is...preserving phase, thus forming a phase history of the received echoes. When all the returns from a given range interval have been accumulated, they...the functional form of their resolution, the storage of raw data (phase histories ) on film, the linear FM signal and two-dimensional holograms

Atmosphere Explorer control system software (version 1.0)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Villasenor, A.

1972-01-01

The basic design is described of the Atmosphere Explorer Control System (AECS) software used in the testing, integration, and flight contol of the AE spacecraft and experiments. The software performs several vital functions, such as issuing commands to the spacecraft and experiments, receiving and processing telemetry data, and allowing for extensive data processing by experiment analysis programs. The major processing sections are: executive control section, telemetry decommutation section, command generation section, and utility section.

Changes in Ovarian Stromal Function and Associated Symptoms in Premenopausal Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

HSRRB and IRB approval received 4/05. Task 2: Attend mentoring sessions and educational meetings, months 2 through 24. Task completed prior to...2006 and 2007 no-cost extensions. I continue participation in several educational meetings and mentoring opportunities. My participation this past...team in the collection, clean-up and analysis of data as well as in management of the budget. • Attended several educational meetings: o

Using Telemedicine to Conduct Behavioral Assessments

PubMed Central

Barretto, Anjali; Wacker, David P; Harding, Jay; Lee, John; Berg, Wendy K

2006-01-01

We describe the use of telemedicine by the Biobehavioral Service at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to conduct brief functional analyses for children with developmental and behavioral disorders who live in rural areas of Iowa. Instead of being served at our outpatient facility, participants received initial behavioral assessments in their local schools or social service agencies via videoconference. Case descriptions for 2 participants whose evaluations were conducted via telemedicine, and a brief summary of all outpatient assessments conducted over a 4-year period by the Biobehavioral Service, are provided. This report extends previous applications of functional analysis procedures by examining brief behavioral assessments conducted via telemedicine. PMID:17020213

Small-scale seismic inversion using surface waves extracted from noise cross correlation.

PubMed

Gouédard, Pierre; Roux, Philippe; Campillo, Michel

2008-03-01

Green's functions can be retrieved between receivers from the correlation of ambient seismic noise or with an appropriate set of randomly distributed sources. This principle is demonstrated in small-scale geophysics using noise sources generated by human steps during a 10-min walk in the alignment of a 14-m-long accelerometer line array. The time-domain correlation of the records yields two surface wave modes extracted from the Green's function between each pair of accelerometers. A frequency-wave-number Fourier analysis yields each mode contribution and their dispersion curve. These dispersion curves are then inverted to provide the one-dimensional shear velocity of the near surface.

A telescope with augmented reality functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Qichao; Cheng, Dewen; Wang, Qiwei; Wang, Yongtian

2016-10-01

This study introduces a telescope with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) functions. In this telescope, information on the micro-display screen is integrated to the reticule of telescope through a beam splitter and is then received by the observer. The design and analysis of telescope optical system with AR and VR ability is accomplished and the opto-mechanical structure is designed. Finally, a proof-of-concept prototype is fabricated and demonstrated. The telescope has an exit pupil diameter of 6 mm at an eye relief of 19 mm, 6° field of view, 5 to 8 times visual magnification , and a 30° field of view of the virtual image.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in Huntington disease.

PubMed

McGarry, Andrew; McDermott, Michael; Kieburtz, Karl; de Blieck, Elisabeth A; Beal, Flint; Marder, Karen; Ross, Christopher; Shoulson, Ira; Gilbert, Peter; Mallonee, William M; Guttman, Mark; Wojcieszek, Joanne; Kumar, Rajeev; LeDoux, Mark S; Jenkins, Mary; Rosas, H Diana; Nance, Martha; Biglan, Kevin; Como, Peter; Dubinsky, Richard M; Shannon, Kathleen M; O'Suilleabhain, Padraig; Chou, Kelvin; Walker, Francis; Martin, Wayne; Wheelock, Vicki L; McCusker, Elizabeth; Jankovic, Joseph; Singer, Carlos; Sanchez-Ramos, Juan; Scott, Burton; Suchowersky, Oksana; Factor, Stewart A; Higgins, Donald S; Molho, Eric; Revilla, Fredy; Caviness, John N; Friedman, Joseph H; Perlmutter, Joel S; Feigin, Andrew; Anderson, Karen; Rodriguez, Ramon; McFarland, Nikolaus R; Margolis, Russell L; Farbman, Eric S; Raymond, Lynn A; Suski, Valerie; Kostyk, Sandra; Colcher, Amy; Seeberger, Lauren; Epping, Eric; Esmail, Sherali; Diaz, Nancy; Fung, Wai Lun Alan; Diamond, Alan; Frank, Samuel; Hanna, Philip; Hermanowicz, Neal; Dure, Leon S; Cudkowicz, Merit

2017-01-10

To test the hypothesis that chronic treatment of early-stage Huntington disease (HD) with high-dose coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) will slow the progressive functional decline of HD. We performed a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients with early-stage HD (n = 609) were enrolled at 48 sites in the United States, Canada, and Australia from 2008 to 2012. Patients were randomized to receive either CoQ 2,400 mg/d or matching placebo, then followed for 60 months. The primary outcome variable was the change from baseline to month 60 in Total Functional Capacity score (for patients who survived) combined with time to death (for patients who died) analyzed using a joint-rank analysis approach. An interim analysis for futility revealed a conditional power of <5% for the primary analysis, prompting premature conclusion in July 2014. No statistically significant differences were seen between treatment groups for the primary or secondary outcome measures. CoQ was generally safe and well-tolerated throughout the study. These data do not justify use of CoQ as a treatment to slow functional decline in HD. NCT00608881. This article provides Class I evidence that CoQ does not slow the progressive functional decline of patients with HD. © 2016 American Academy of Neurology.

Electrical stimulation reduces smokers' craving by modulating the coupling between dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus.

PubMed

Yang, Li-Zhuang; Shi, Bin; Li, Hai; Zhang, Wei; Liu, Ying; Wang, Hongzhi; Zhou, Yanfei; Wang, Ying; Lv, Wanwan; Ji, Xuebing; Hudak, Justin; Zhou, Yifeng; Fallgatter, Andreas J; Zhang, Xiaochu

2017-08-01

Applying electrical stimulation over the prefrontal cortex can help nicotine dependents reduce cigarette craving. However, the underlying mechanism remains ambiguous. This study investigates this issue with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Thirty-two male chronic smokers received real and sham stimulation over dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) separated by 1 week. The neuroimaging data of the resting state, the smoking cue-reactivity task and the emotion task after stimulation were collected. The craving across the cue-reactivity task was diminished during real stimulation as compared with sham stimulation. The whole-brain analysis on the cue-reactivity task revealed a significant interaction between the stimulation condition (real vs sham) and the cue type (smoking vs neutral) in the left superior frontal gyrus and the left middle frontal gyrus. The functional connectivity between the left DLPFC and the right parahippocampal gyrus, as revealed by both psychophysical interaction analysis and the resting state functional connectivity, is altered by electrical stimulation. Moreover, the craving change across the real and sham condition is predicted by alteration of functional connectivity revealed by psychophysical interaction analysis. The local and long-distance coupling, altered by the electrical stimulation, might be the underlying neural mechanism of craving regulation. © The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press.

Shear wave velocity variation across the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, from receiver function inversion

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bannister, S.; Bryan, C.J.; Bibby, H.M.

2004-01-01

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand is a region characterized by very high magma eruption rates and extremely high heat flow, which is manifest in high-temperature geothermal waters. The shear wave velocity structure across the region is inferred using non-linear inversion of receiver functions, which were derived from teleseismic earthquake data. Results from the non-linear inversion, and from forward synthetic modelling, indicate low S velocities at ???6- 16 km depth near the Rotorua and Reporoa calderas. We infer these low-velocity layers to represent the presence of high-level bodies of partial melt associated with the volcanism. Receiver functions at other stations are complicated by reverberations associated with near-surface sedimentary layers. The receiver function data also indicate that the Moho lies between 25 and 30 km, deeper than the 15 ?? 2 km depth previously inferred for the crust-mantle boundary beneath the TVZ. ?? 2004 RAS.

A retrospective analysis of the use of caspofungin in recipients of liver transplant with a modified high index of suspicion for fungal infection. A critical review of mortality, acute cellular rejection, infections, and changes in the liver function tests while on caspofungin.

PubMed

Doria, Cataldo; Bodzin, Adam S; Vaccino, Silvia; Daskalakis, Constantine; Krawitz, Steven; Ramirez, Carlo B

2011-01-01

This study is a retrospective analysis of death, adverse events (AE), fungal infections, and hepatic function among recipients of liver transplantation at high risk of fungal infection who received prophylactic treatment with caspofungin. After reviewing data of 105 patients who had received isolated liver transplant between January 2003 and April 2007, we identified and analyzed 82 high-risk patients. Post-transplant patients at high risk for fungal infection are commonly defined by the presence of at least one of the following: (i) re-transplantation; (ii) re-operation; (iii) renal dysfunction. However, in our practice, patients are also considered at high risk for developing fungal infections if they present with the following: (iv) fever of unknown origin; (v) hypothermia; (vi) positive random culture for fungus at the time of transplant (bile and/or ascites); (vii) sepsis; (viii) use of vasopressors; (ix) re-intubation, during the first hospitalization after liver transplant; (x) prolonged intubation (>24 h), and (xi) acute respiratory distress syndrome, until negative fungal cultures are obtained. Exact conditional logistic regression was used to compare the risk of death, AEs, and fungal infections between patients who received caspofungin, other antifungal drugs, and no antifungal drugs. Analyses were then performed with SAS 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Patients were between 27 and 72 yr old (mean = 55), with two-thirds male and three-quarters Caucasian. Sixteen patients received caspofungin (11 preventively), and 32 received other antifungal (26 preventively). There were no proven fungal infections among the patients who received caspofungin, three infections among patients who received other antifungal (3/26 = 12%), and 14 infections among patients who were not preventively treated (14/45 = 31%). These infection rates were significantly different across the three groups (p = 0.029), with caspofungin and other antifungal preventive treatment comparable (p = 0.540), and both better than no preventive treatment at all (OR = 0.15, p = 0.049, for caspofungin versus no preventive treatment; OR = 0.29, p = 0.085, for other antifungal versus no preventive treatment). Caspofungin appears to be an effective preventive agent against fungal infections when used in recipients of liver transplant designated as high risk for fungal infection. Usage of caspofungin in these patients does not carry an apparent increase in risk of death or acute cellular rejection, although we observed a significantly higher risk of AEs, especially acute renal failure (p = 0.001), in patients who received this agent. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Interagency registry for mechanically assisted circulatory support report on the total artificial heart.

PubMed

Arabía, Francisco A; Cantor, Ryan S; Koehl, Devin A; Kasirajan, Vigneshwar; Gregoric, Igor; Moriguchi, Jaime D; Esmailian, Fardad; Ramzy, Danny; Chung, Joshua S; Czer, Lawrence S; Kobashigawa, Jon A; Smith, Richard G; Kirklin, James K

2018-04-26

We sought to better understand the patient population who receive a temporary total artificial heart (TAH) as bridge to transplant or as bridge to decision by evaluating data from the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) database. We examined data related to survival, adverse events, and competing outcomes from patients who received TAHs between June 2006 and April 2017 and used hazard function analysis to explore risk factors for mortality. Data from 450 patients (87% men; mean age, 50 years) were available in the INTERMACS database. The 2 most common diagnoses were dilated cardiomyopathy (50%) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (20%). Risk factors for right heart failure were present in 82% of patients. Most patients were INTERMACS Profile 1 (43%) or 2 (37%) at implantation. There were 266 patients who eventually underwent transplantation, and 162 died. Overall 3-, 6-, and 12-month actuarial survival rates were 73%, 62%, and 53%, respectively. Risk factors for death included older age (p = 0.001), need for pre-implantation dialysis (p = 0.006), higher creatinine (p = 0.008) and lower albumin (p < 0.001) levels, and implantation at a low-volume center (≤10 TAHs; p < 0.001). Competing-outcomes analysis showed 71% of patients in high-volume centers were alive on the device or had undergone transplantation at 12 months after TAH implantation vs 57% in low-volume centers (p = 0.003). Patients receiving TAHs have rapidly declining cardiac function and require prompt intervention. Experienced centers have better outcomes, likely related to patient selection, timing of implantation, patient care, and device management. Organized transfer of knowledge to low-volume centers could improve outcomes. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Left ventricular remodeling and change of systolic function after closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adults: device and surgical closure.

PubMed

Jeong, Young-Hoon; Yun, Tae-Jin; Song, Jong-Min; Park, Jung-Jun; Seo, Dong-Man; Koh, Jae-Kon; Lee, Se-Whan; Kim, Mi-Jeong; Kang, Duk-Hyun; Song, Jae-Kwan

2007-09-01

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling and predictors of LV systolic function late after closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in adults remain to be clearly demonstrated. In 45 patients with PDA, including 28 patients who received successful occlusion using the Amplatzer device (AD group) (AGA, Golden Valley, MN) and 17 patients who received surgical closure (OP group), echocardiography studies were performed before closure and 1 day (AD group) or within 7 days (OP group) after closure, and then were repeated at > or = 6 months (17 +/- 13 months). In both groups, LV ejection fraction (EF) and end-diastolic volume index were significantly decreased immediately after closure, whereas end-systolic volume index did not change. During the long-term follow-up period, end-systolic as well as end-diastolic volume indices decreased significantly in both groups and LV EF recovered compared to the immediate postclosure state. However, LV EF remained low compared to the preclosure state. Five patients (11.1%) including 3 patients in the AD group and 2 patients in the OP group showed persistent late LV systolic dysfunction (EF <50%). In stepwise, multiple logistic regression analysis, preclosure EF was the only independent predictor of late normal postclosure EF (odds ratio, 1.230; 95% CI, 1.054-1.434; P = .008). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that preclosure EF > or = 62% had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 83% for predicting late normal LV EF after closure. Left ventricular EF remains low late after PDA closure compared with preclosure state in adults. Preclosure LV EF is the best index to predict late postclosure LV EF.

Associations between physical activity and mental health among bariatric surgical candidates

PubMed Central

King, Wendy C.; Kalarchian, Melissa A.; Steffen, Kristine J.; Wolfe, Bruce M.; Elder, Katherine A.; Mitchell, James E.

2013-01-01

Objective This study aimed to examine associations between physical activity (PA) and mental health among adults undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods Cross sectional analysis was conducted on pre-operative data of 850 adults with ≥ class 2 obesity. PA was measured with a step activity monitor; mean daily steps, active minutes, and high-cadence minutes (proxy for moderate-vigorous intensity PA) were determined. Mental health functioning, depressive symptoms and treatment for depression or anxiety were measured with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form, Beck Depression Inventory, and a study-specific questionnaire, respectively. Logistic regression analyses tested associations between PA and mental health indicators, controlling for potential confounders. Receiver operative characteristic analysis determined PA thresholds that best differentiated odds of each mental health indicator. Results Each PA parameter was significantly (P<.05) associated with a decreased odds of depressive symptoms and/or treatment for depression or anxiety, but not with impaired mental health functioning. After controlling for sociodemographics and physical health, only associations with treatment for depression and anxiety remained statistically significant. PA thresholds that best differentiated those who had vs. had not recently received treatment for depression or anxiety were <191 active minutes/day, <4750 steps/day, and <8 high-cadence minutes/day. Utilizing high-cadence minutes, compared to active minutes or steps, yielded the highest classification accuracy. Conclusion Adults undergoing bariatric surgery who meet relatively low thresholds of PA (e.g., ≥ 8 high-cadence minutes/day, representative of approximately one hour/week of moderate-vigorous intensity PA) are less likely to have recently received treatment for depression or anxiety compared to less active counterparts. PMID:23332532

Effect of nitrous oxide use on long-term neurologic and neuropsychological outcome in patients who received temporary proximal artery occlusion during cerebral aneurysm clipping surgery.

PubMed

Pasternak, Jeffrey J; McGregor, Diana G; Lanier, William L; Schroeder, Darrell R; Rusy, Deborah A; Hindman, Bradley; Clarke, William; Torner, James; Todd, Michael M

2009-03-01

The authors explored the relationship between nitrous oxide use and neurologic and neuropsychological outcome in a population of patients likely to experience intraoperative cerebral ischemia: those who had temporary cerebral arterial occlusion during aneurysm clipping surgery. A post hoc analysis of a subset of the data from the Intraoperative Hypothermia for Aneurysm Surgery Trial was conducted. Only subjects who had temporary arterial occlusion during surgery were included in the analysis. Metrics of short-term and long-term (i.e., 3 months after surgery) outcome were evaluated via both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. An odds ratio (OR) greater than 1.0 denotes a worse outcome in patients receiving nitrous oxide. The authors evaluated 441 patients, of which 199 received nitrous oxide. Patients receiving nitrous oxide had a greater risk of delayed ischemic neurologic deficits (i.e., the clinical manifestation of vasospasm) (OR, 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.95; P = 0.025). However, at 3 months after surgery, there was no difference in any metric of gross neurologic outcome: Glasgow Outcome Score (OR, 0.67; CI, 0.44-1.03; P = 0.065), Rankin Score (OR, 0.74; CI, 0.47-1.16; P = 0.192), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (OR, 1.02; CI, 0.66-1.56; P = 0.937), or Barthel Index (OR, 0.69; CI, 0.38-1.25; P = 0.22). The risk of impairment on at least one test of neuropsychological function was reduced in those who received nitrous oxide (OR, 0.56; CI, 0.36-0.89; P = 0.013). In this patient population, use of nitrous oxide was associated with an increased risk for the development of delayed ischemic neurologic deficits; however, there was no evidence of detriment to long-term gross neurologic or neuropsychological outcome.

Spacecraft-spacecraft radio-metric tracking: Signal acquisition requirements and application to Mars approach navigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, R. D.; Thurman, S.; Edwards, C.

1994-01-01

Doppler and ranging measurements between spacecraft can be obtained only when the ratio of the total received signal power to noise power density (P(sub t)/N(sub 0)) at the receiving spacecraft is sufficiently large that reliable signal detection can be achieved within a reasonable time period. In this article, the requirement on P(sub t)/N(sub 0) for reliable carrier signal detection is calculated as a function of various system parameters, including characteristics of the spacecraft computing hardware and a priori uncertainty in spacecraft-spacecraft relative velocity and acceleration. Also calculated is the P(sub t)/N(sub 0) requirements for reliable detection of a ranging signal, consisting of a carrier with pseudonoise (PN) phase modulation. Once the P(sub t)/N(sub 0) requirement is determined, then for a given set of assumed spacecraft telecommunication characteristics (transmitted signal power, antenna gains, and receiver noise temperatures) it is possible to calculate the maximum range at which a carrier signal or ranging signal may be acquired. For example, if a Mars lander and a spacecraft approaching Mars are each equipped with 1-m-diameter antennas, the transmitted power is 5 W, and the receiver noise temperatures are 350 K, then S-band carrier signal acquisition can be achieved at ranges exceeding 10 million km. An error covariance analysis illustrates the utility of in situ Doppler and ranging measurements for Mars approach navigation. Covariance analysis results indicate that navigation accuracies of a few km can be achieved with either data type. The analysis also illustrates dependency of the achievable accuracy on the approach trajectory velocity.

Exploring the Interplay between Rescue Drugs, Data Imputation, and Study Outcomes: Conceptual Review and Qualitative Analysis of an Acute Pain Data Set.

PubMed

Singla, Neil K; Meske, Diana S; Desjardins, Paul J

2017-12-01

In placebo-controlled acute surgical pain studies, provisions must be made for study subjects to receive adequate analgesic therapy. As such, most protocols allow study subjects to receive a pre-specified regimen of open-label analgesic drugs (rescue drugs) as needed. The selection of an appropriate rescue regimen is a critical experimental design choice. We hypothesized that a rescue regimen that is too liberal could lead to all study arms receiving similar levels of pain relief (thereby confounding experimental results), while a regimen that is too stringent could lead to a high subject dropout rate (giving rise to a preponderance of missing data). Despite the importance of rescue regimen as a study design feature, there exist no published review articles or meta-analysis focusing on the impact of rescue therapy on experimental outcomes. Therefore, when selecting a rescue regimen, researchers must rely on clinical factors (what analgesics do patients usually receive in similar surgical scenarios) and/or anecdotal evidence. In the following article, we attempt to bridge this gap by reviewing and discussing the experimental impacts of rescue therapy on a common acute surgical pain population: first metatarsal bunionectomy. The function of this analysis is to (1) create a framework for discussion and future exploration of rescue as a methodological study design feature, (2) discuss the interplay between data imputation techniques and rescue drugs, and (3) inform the readership regarding the impact of data imputation techniques on the validity of study conclusions. Our findings indicate that liberal rescue may degrade assay sensitivity, while stringent rescue may lead to unacceptably high dropout rates.

Psychometric properties of the PROMIS Physical Function item bank in patients receiving physical therapy.

PubMed

Crins, Martine H P; van der Wees, Philip J; Klausch, Thomas; van Dulmen, Simone A; Roorda, Leo D; Terwee, Caroline B

2018-01-01

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a universally applicable set of instruments, including item banks, short forms and computer adaptive tests (CATs), measuring patient-reported health across different patient populations. PROMIS CATs are highly efficient and the use in practice is considered feasible with little administration time, offering standardized and routine patient monitoring. Before an item bank can be used as CAT, the psychometric properties of the item bank have to be examined. Therefore, the objective was to assess the psychometric properties of the Dutch-Flemish PROMIS Physical Function item bank (DF-PROMIS-PF) in Dutch patients receiving physical therapy. Cross-sectional study. 805 patients >18 years, who received any kind of physical therapy in primary care in the past year, completed the full DF-PROMIS-PF (121 items). Unidimensionality was examined by Confirmatory Factor Analysis and local dependence and monotonicity were evaluated. A Graded Response Model was fitted. Construct validity was examined with correlations between DF-PROMIS-PF T-scores and scores on two legacy instruments (SF-36 Health Survey Physical Functioning scale [SF36-PF10] and the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability-Index [HAQ-DI]). Reliability (standard errors of theta) was assessed. The results for unidimensionality were mixed (scaled CFI = 0.924, TLI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.045, 1th factor explained 61.5% of variance). Some local dependence was found (8.2% of item pairs). The item bank showed a broad coverage of the physical function construct (threshold-parameters range: -4.28-2.33) and good construct validity (correlation with SF36-PF10 = 0.84 and HAQ-DI = -0.85). Furthermore, the DF-PROMIS-PF showed greater reliability over a broader score-range than the SF36-PF10 and HAQ-DI. The psychometric properties of the DF-PROMIS-PF item bank are sufficient. The DF-PROMIS-PF can now be used as short forms or CAT to measure the level of physical function of physiotherapy patients.

Biofeedback to Promote Movement Symmetry After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Feasibility Study

PubMed Central

ZENI, JOSEPH; ABUJABER, SUMAYAH; FLOWERS, PORTIA; POZZI, FEDERICO; SNYDER-MACKLER, LYNN

2014-01-01

STUDY DESIGN Prospective analysis of a longitudinal cohort with an embedded comparison group at a single time point. OBJECTIVES To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of an outpatient rehabilitation protocol that includes movement symmetry biofeedback on functional and biomechanical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). BACKGROUND TKA reduces pain and improves functional ability, but many patients experience strength deficits and movement abnormalities in the operated limb, despite outpatient rehabilitation. These asymmetries increase load on the nonoperated limb, and greater asymmetry is related to worse functional outcomes. METHODS Biomechanical and functional metrics were assessed 2 to 3 weeks prior to TKA, at discharge from outpatient physical therapy, and 6 months after TKA in 11 patients (9 men, 2 women; mean ± SD age, 61.4 ± 5.8 years; body mass index, 33.1 ± 5.4 kg/m2) who received 6 to 8 weeks of outpatient physical therapy that included specialized symmetry training. Six-month outcomes were compared to a control group, matched by age, body mass index, and sex (9 men, 2 women; mean ± SD age, 61.8 ± 5 years; body mass index, 34.3 ± 5.1 kg/m2), that did not receive specialized symmetry retraining. RESULTS Of the 11 patients who received added symmetry training, 9 demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements that exceeded the minimal detectable change for all performance-based functional tests at 6 months post-TKA compared to pre-TKA. Six months after TKA, when walking, patients who underwent symmetry retraining had greater knee extension during midstance and had mean sagittal knee moments that were more symmetrical, biphasic, and more representative of normal knee kinetics compared to patients who did not undergo symmetry training. No patients experienced adverse events as the result of the protocol. CONCLUSION Adding symmetry retraining to postoperative protocols is clinically viable, safe, and may have additional benefits compared to rehabilitation protocols that focus on range of motion, strength, and return to independence. PMID:23892267

Influence analysis in quantitative trait loci detection.

PubMed

Dou, Xiaoling; Kuriki, Satoshi; Maeno, Akiteru; Takada, Toyoyuki; Shiroishi, Toshihiko

2014-07-01

This paper presents systematic methods for the detection of influential individuals that affect the log odds (LOD) score curve. We derive general formulas of influence functions for profile likelihoods and introduce them into two standard quantitative trait locus detection methods-the interval mapping method and single marker analysis. Besides influence analysis on specific LOD scores, we also develop influence analysis methods on the shape of the LOD score curves. A simulation-based method is proposed to assess the significance of the influence of the individuals. These methods are shown useful in the influence analysis of a real dataset of an experimental population from an F2 mouse cross. By receiver operating characteristic analysis, we confirm that the proposed methods show better performance than existing diagnostics. © 2014 The Author. Biometrical Journal published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hyperbranched polyglycerol is superior to glucose for long-term preservation of peritoneal membrane in a rat model of chronic peritoneal dialysis.

PubMed

Du, Caigan; Mendelson, Asher A; Guan, Qiunong; Dairi, Ghida; Chafeeva, Irina; da Roza, Gerald; Kizhakkedathu, Jayachandran N

2016-12-13

Replacing glucose with a better biocompatible osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions is needed in PD clinic. We previously demonstrated the potential of hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) as a replacement for glucose. This study further investigated the long-term effects of chronic exposure to HPG as compared to a glucose-based conventional PD solution on peritoneal membrane (PM) structure and function in rats. Adult male Wistar rats received once-daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mL of HPG solution (1 kDa, HPG 6%) compared to Physioneal™ 40 (PYS, glucose 2.27%) or electrolyte solution (Control) for 3 months. The overall health conditions were determined by blood chemistry analysis. The PM function was determined by ultrafiltration, and its injury by histological and transcriptome-based pathway analyses. Here, we showed that there was no difference in the blood chemistry between rats receiving the HPG and the Control, while PYS increased serum alkaline phosphatase, globulin and creatinine and decreased serum albumin. Unlike PYS, HPG did not significantly attenuate PM function, which was associated with smaller change in both the structure and the angiogenesis of the PM and less cells expressing vascular endothelial growth factor, α-smooth muscle actin and MAC387 (macrophage marker). The pathway analysis revealed that there were more inflammatory signaling pathways functioning in the PM of PYS group than those of HPG or Control, which included the signaling for cytokine production in both macrophages and T cells, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, Toll-like receptors, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 and high mobility group box 1. The results from this experimental study indicate the superiority of HPG to glucose in the preservation of the peritoneum function and structure during the long-term PD treatment, suggesting the potential of HPG as a novel osmotic agent for PD.

Hemorrhage and Subsequent Allogenic Red Blood Cell Transfusion are Associated With Characteristic Monocyte Messenger RNA Expression Patterns in Patients After Multiple Injury—A Genome Wide View

PubMed Central

Bogner, Viktoria; Baker, Henry V.; Kanz, Karl-Georg; Moldawer, L. L.; Mutschler, Wolf; Biberthaler, Peter

2014-01-01

Introduction As outcome to severe trauma is frequently affected by massive blood loss and consecutive hemorrhagic shock, replacement of red blood cell (RBC) units remains indispensable. Administration of RBC units is an independent risk factor for adverse outcome in patients with trauma. The impact of massive blood transfusion or uncrossmatched blood transfusion on the patients’ immune response in the early posttraumatic period remains unclear. Material Thirteen patients presenting with blunt multiple injuries (Injury Severity Score >16) were studied. Monocytes were obtained on admission and at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after trauma. Biotinylated complementary RNA targets were hybridized to Affymetrix HG U 133A microarrays. The data were analyzed by a supervised analysis based on whether the patients received massive blood transfusions, and then subsequently, by hierarchical clustering, and by Ingenuity pathway analysis. Results Supervised analysis identified 224 probe sets to be differentially expressed (p < 0.001) in patients who received massive blood transfusion, when compared with those who did not. In addition, 331 probe sets were found differentially expressed (p < 0.001) in patients who received uncrossmatched RBC units in comparison with those who exclusively gained crossmatched ones. Functional pathway analysis of the respectively identified gene expression profiles suggests a contributory role by the AKT/PI3Kinase pathway, the mitogen-activated protein-kinase pathway, the Ubiquitin pathway, and the diverse inflammatory networks. Conclusion We exhibited for the first time a serial, sequential screening analysis of monocyte messenger RNA expression patterns in patients with multiple trauma indicating a strongly significant association between the patients’ genomic response in blood monocytes and massive or uncross-matched RBC substitution. PMID:19820587

Impact of mycophenolate mofetil dose posttransplantation on 12-month renal function: analysis of the MOST database.

PubMed

Salvadori, M; Bock, A; Chapman, J; Dussol, B; Fritsche, L; Kliem, V; Lebranchu, Y; Oppenheimer, F; Pohanka, E; Tufveson, G; Rosati, A; Puig, X; Corbetta, G

2005-01-01

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has greatly reduced the risk of acute rejection episodes (ARE) after renal transplantation, but dose reductions/withdrawals could jeopardize long-term results. The MOST database of "de novo" patients treated with MMF at month 1 and functioning grafts at month 12 were divided into 2 groups: groups 1, 2 g MMF at month 1 and month 12; and group 2, 2 g MMF at month 1 but MMF <2 g at month 12 to evaluate renal function glonerular filtration rate (GFR). In this study, 1136 patients were receiving 2 g MMF at month 1. On month 12, 645 were on 2 g (56.8%, group 1) and 431 were on <2 g (43.2%, group 2). Group 1 included younger recipients of younger donors with fewer patients with delayed graft function (DGF). Group 1 showed more ARE during month 1 and more patients who received induction. Mean Neoral daily doses at month 1/month 12 were 5.3/3.0 and 5.3/3.1 mg/kg in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .05 at month 12). GFR in group 1 and group 2 were 59.06 (CI 57.10-60.60) and 53.81 (CI 52-55.7) at month 1 (P < .001); 63.7 (CI 62.1-65.30) and 55.9 (CI 54.1-57.7) mL/min*1.73 m(2) at month 12 (P < .001). The mean increases in GFR between month 1 and month 12 were 4.64 and 1.94 mL/min*1.73 m(2), respectively (P < .05). A multivariate analysis also included 795 patients from the "maintenance" patient database with retrospective detailed information. The following parameters were highly predictive for good renal function at month 12: donor age younger than 60 years, recipient age younger than 60 years, immediate graft function, 12-month MMF dose = 2 g, absence of CMV infection, and 12-month Neoral dose <3 mg/kg/d. Maintenance of MMF dose at 2 g/d during the first year appears to facilitate the attainment of optimal renal function at 12-months after kidney transplantation.

[Association between sleep quality and life function among elderly community residents].

PubMed

Tanaka, Mika; Kusaga, Mari; Tagaya, Hirokuni; Miyoko, I; Oshima, Asami; Watanabe, Chiho

2012-01-01

To investigate the association between sleep quality and life function in an elderly Japanese population. A total of 563 residents of a village in Kumamoto Prefecture aged ≥65 years were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire survey from June to July 2010. Sleep quality and life function were respectively evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Basics Check List, which is used to screen elderly individuals at high risk of needing long-term care in the future. As adjustment factors, age, sex, economic situation, residency status, medical history, depression status, and cognitive function were assessed. We examined the relationship between sleep quality and life function using multiple logistic regression analysis, with life function as a dependent variable. Subjects already receiving care or with psychiatric disorders or severe cognitive disturbance were excluded from analysis. Among the subjects (n=395), a significant relationship was found between poor sleep quality and impaired life function in all models. The odds ratio was 1.82 (95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.23) in the final model controlling for all adjustment factors. Our findings here suggest a significant relationship between poor sleep quality and impaired life function among elderly community residents. Given these findings, intervention to improve sleep may help delay or prevent the need for long-term care among elderly individuals.

Functional connectivity analysis of resting-state fMRI networks in nicotine dependent patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Aria; Ehtemami, Anahid; Fratte, Daniel; Meyer-Baese, Anke; Zavala-Romero, Olmo; Goudriaan, Anna E.; Schmaal, Lianne; Schulte, Mieke H. J.

2016-03-01

Brain imaging studies identified brain networks that play a key role in nicotine dependence-related behavior. Functional connectivity of the brain is dynamic; it changes over time due to different causes such as learning, or quitting a habit. Functional connectivity analysis is useful in discovering and comparing patterns between functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of patients' brains. In the resting state, the patient is asked to remain calm and not do any task to minimize the contribution of external stimuli. The study of resting-state fMRI networks have shown functionally connected brain regions that have a high level of activity during this state. In this project, we are interested in the relationship between these functionally connected brain regions to identify nicotine dependent patients, who underwent a smoking cessation treatment. Our approach is on the comparison of the set of connections between the fMRI scans before and after treatment. We applied support vector machines, a machine learning technique, to classify patients based on receiving the treatment or the placebo. Using the functional connectivity (CONN) toolbox, we were able to form a correlation matrix based on the functional connectivity between different regions of the brain. The experimental results show that there is inadequate predictive information to classify nicotine dependent patients using the SVM classifier. We propose other classification methods be explored to better classify the nicotine dependent patients.

Factor H autoantibody is associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in children in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

PubMed

Brocklebank, Vicky; Johnson, Sally; Sheerin, Thomas P; Marks, Stephen D; Gilbert, Rodney D; Tyerman, Kay; Kinoshita, Meredith; Awan, Atif; Kaur, Amrit; Webb, Nicholas; Hegde, Shivaram; Finlay, Eric; Fitzpatrick, Maggie; Walsh, Patrick R; Wong, Edwin K S; Booth, Caroline; Kerecuk, Larissa; Salama, Alan D; Almond, Mike; Inward, Carol; Goodship, Timothy H; Sheerin, Neil S; Marchbank, Kevin J; Kavanagh, David

2017-11-01

Factor H autoantibodies can impair complement regulation, resulting in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, predominantly in childhood. There are no trials investigating treatment, and clinical practice is only informed by retrospective cohort analysis. Here we examined 175 children presenting with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in the United Kingdom and Ireland for factor H autoantibodies that included 17 children with titers above the international standard. Of the 17, seven had a concomitant rare genetic variant in a gene encoding a complement pathway component or regulator. Two children received supportive treatment; both developed established renal failure. Plasma exchange was associated with a poor rate of renal recovery in seven of 11 treated. Six patients treated with eculizumab recovered renal function. Contrary to global practice, immunosuppressive therapy to prevent relapse in plasma exchange-treated patients was not adopted due to concerns over treatment-associated complications. Without immunosuppression, the relapse rate was high (five of seven). However, reintroduction of treatment resulted in recovery of renal function. All patients treated with eculizumab achieved sustained remission. Five patients received renal transplants without specific factor H autoantibody-targeted treatment with recurrence in one who also had a functionally significant CFI mutation. Thus, our current practice is to initiate eculizumab therapy for treatment of factor H autoantibody-mediated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome rather than plasma exchange with or without immunosuppression. Based on this retrospective analysis we see no suggestion of inferior treatment, albeit the strength of our conclusions is limited by the small sample size. Copyright © 2017 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High Resolution Velocity Structure in Eastern Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasyanos, M. E.; Gok, R.; Zor, E.; Walter, W. R.

2004-12-01

We investigate the crust and upper mantle structure of eastern Turkey where the Anatolian, Arabian and Eurasian Plates meet, forming a complex tectonic regime. The Bitlis suture is a continental collision zone between the Anatolian plateau and the Arabian plate. Broadband data available through the Eastern Turkey Seismic Experiment (ETSE) provide a unique opportunity for studying the high resolution velocity structure of the region. Zor et al. (2003) found an average 46 km thick crust in the Anatolian plateau using a six-layered grid search inversion of the ETSE receiver functions. Receiver functions are sensitive to the velocity contrast of interfaces and the relative travel time of converted and reverberated waves between those interfaces. The interpretation of receiver functions alone, however, may result in an apparent depth-velocity trade-off [Ammon et al., 1990]. In order to improve upon this velocity model, we have combined the receiver functions with surface wave data using the joint inversion method of Julia et al. (2000). In this technique, the two sets of observations are combined into a single algebraic equation and each data set is weighted by an estimate of the uncertainty in the observations. The receiver functions are calculated using an iterative time-domain deconvolution technique. We also consider azimuthal changes in the receiver functions and have stacked them into different groups accordingly. We are improving our surface wave model by making Love and Rayleigh dispersion measurements at the ETSE stations and incorporating them into a regional group velocity model for periods between 10 and 100 seconds. Preliminary results indicate a strong trend in the long period group velocities toward the northeast, indicating slow upper mantle velocities in the area consistent with Pn, Sn and receiver function results. Starting models used for the joint inversions include both a 1-D model from a 12-ton dam shot recorded by ETSE [Gurbuz et al., 2004] and the models from the original receiver function inversions. We observe that the joint inversion results are independent of the starting model and converge to the same final model, with some differences compared to the original profiles. While we don't observe significant changes in the first order discontinuities of the model, such as Moho depth, we are better able to resolve features in the crust.

Functional disability in patients with low back pain: the mediator role of suffering and beliefs about pain control in patients receiving physical and chiropractic treatment.

PubMed

Pereira, M Graça; Roios, Edite; Pereira, Marta

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. There is evidence that depression, anxiety, and external locus of control are negative predictors of functional disability in low back patients. This study focused on the mediator role of suffering and beliefs about pain control in the relationship between psychological morbidity and functional disability in patients receiving physical therapy and chiropractic treatment for chronic low back pain. The sample included 213 patients receiving chiropractic treatment and 125 receiving physical therapy, who answered the following instruments: Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire; Inventory of Subjective Experiences of Suffering in Illness; Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire; and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. Suffering was a mediator in the relationship between depression and functional disability in both treatment groups. Only beliefs related to external chance events mediated the relationship between depression and functional disability in the physical therapy group, but not in the chiropratic teratment group. Intervention should focus on suffering regardless of the type of treatment and target beliefs about pain control, in patients receiving physical therapy treatment since they seem to play a key role in functional disability in patients with low back pain. Copyright © 2017 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

Crustal structure of north Peru from analysis of teleseismic receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Condori, Cristobal; França, George S.; Tavera, Hernando J.; Albuquerque, Diogo F.; Bishop, Brandon T.; Beck, Susan L.

2017-07-01

In this study, we present results from teleseismic receiver functions, in order to investigate the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio beneath northern Peru. A total number of 981 receiver functions were analyzed, from data recorded by 28 broadband seismic stations from the Peruvian permanent seismic network, the regional temporary SisNort network and one CTBTO station. The Moho depth and average crustal Vp/Vs ratio were determined at each station using the H-k stacking technique to identify the arrival times of primary P to S conversion and crustal reverberations (PpPms, PpSs + PsPms). The results show that the Moho depth correlates well with the surface topography and varies significantly from west to east, showing a shallow depth of around 25 km near the coast, a maximum depth of 55-60 km beneath the Andean Cordillera, and a depth of 35-40 km further to the east in the Amazonian Basin. The bulk crustal Vp/Vs ratio ranges between 1.60 and 1.88 with the mean of 1.75. Higher values between 1.75 and 1.88 are found beneath the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, consistent with a mafic composition in the lower crust. In contrast values vary from 1.60 to 1.75 in the extreme flanks of the Eastern and Western Cordillera indicating a felsic composition. We find a positive relationship between crustal thickness, Vp/Vs ratio, the Bouguer anomaly, and topography. These results are consistent with previous studies in other parts of Peru (central and southern regions) and provide the first crustal thickness estimates for the high cordillera in northern Peru.

Indicators and correlates of psychological disturbance in Chinese patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Wang, Si-Yuan; Zang, Xiao-Ying; Liu, Jun-Duo; Cheng, Mei; Shi, Yue-Xian; Zhao, Yue

2015-04-01

Depression and anxiety have been considered as the most common comorbidities in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study aimed to assess mental disorder in hemodialysis patients and to study the indicators and correlates of psychological disturbance among patients receiving MHD in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 187 outpatients undergoing regular hemodialysis for at least 3 months. All the participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue, Chinese mainland version), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Family APGAR Index (PAGAR), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES II, Chinese version) and the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ). Based on the cutoff point of HADS-D/A ≥ 8, 51 (27.3%) and 29 (15.5%) patients reported depression and anxiety, respectively; 26 (13.9%) of all reported both depression and anxiety. Depressive patients had lower economic status, less subsidies, less than 3 years duration on hemodialysis and comorbidities when compared to patients without depression (all P < 0.05). HADS-D showed positive correlations with HADS-A, PSQI and SFQ and negative correlations with FACIT-Fatigue, PAGAR, family cohesion and adaptability (all P < 0.001). Patients with better family cohesion showed higher level of psychosocial well-being no matter their economic status. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that anxiety (OR 1.80, P < 0.001) and bad social functioning (OR 1.31, P < 0.001) were independently associated with depression. More attention should be paid on assessment and management psychological disturbance, and development family/social/medical supporting system for Chinese patients receiving MHD.

Infusion fluids contain harmful glucose degradation products

PubMed Central

Bryland, Anna; Broman, Marcus; Erixon, Martin; Klarin, Bengt; Lindén, Torbjörn; Friberg, Hans; Wieslander, Anders; Kjellstrand, Per; Ronco, Claudio; Carlsson, Ola

2010-01-01

Purpose Glucose degradation products (GDPs) are precursors of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that cause cellular damage and inflammation. We examined the content of GDPs in commercially available glucose-containing infusion fluids and investigated whether GDPs are found in patients’ blood. Methods The content of GDPs was examined in infusion fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To investigate whether GDPs also are found in patients, we included 11 patients who received glucose fluids (standard group) during and after their surgery and 11 control patients receiving buffered saline (control group). Blood samples were analyzed for GDP content and carboxymethyllysine (CML), as a measure of AGE formation. The influence of heat-sterilized fluids on cell viability and cell function upon infection was investigated. Results All investigated fluids contained high concentrations of GDPs, such as 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG). Serum concentration of 3-DG increased rapidly by a factor of eight in patients receiving standard therapy. Serum CML levels increased significantly and showed linear correlation with the amount of infused 3-DG. There was no increase in serum 3-DG or CML concentrations in the control group. The concentration of GDPs in most of the tested fluids damaged neutrophils, reducing their cytokine secretion, and inhibited microbial killing. Conclusions These findings indicate that normal standard fluid therapy involves unwanted infusion of GDPs. Reduction of the content of GDPs in commonly used infusion fluids may improve cell function, and possibly also organ function, in intensive-care patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00134-010-1873-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. PMID:20397009

Modulation of Active Gut Microbiota by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in a Diet Induced Obesity Murine Model.

PubMed

Ji, Yosep; Park, Soyoung; Park, Haryung; Hwang, Eunchong; Shin, Hyeunkil; Pot, Bruno; Holzapfel, Wilhelm H

2018-01-01

Gut microbiota play a key role in the development of metabolic disorders. Defining and correlating structural shifts in gut microbial assemblages with conditions related to metabolic syndrome have, however, been proven difficult. Results from 16S genomic DNA and 16S ribosomal RNA analyses of fecal samples may differ widely, leading to controversial information on the whole microbial community and metabolically active microbiota. Using a C57BL/6J murine model, we compared data from 16S genomic DNA and ribosomal RNA of the fecal microbiota. The study included three groups of experimental animals comprising two groups with high fat diet induced obesity (DIO) while a third group (control) received a low fat diet. One of the DIO groups was treated with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Compared to the data obtained by DNA analysis, a significantly higher abundance of OTUs was accounted for by RNA analysis. Moreover, rRNA based analysis showed a modulation of the active gut microbial population in the DIO group receiving LGG, thus reflecting a change in the induced obesity status of the host. As one of the most widely studied probiotics the functionality of LGG has been linked to the alleviation of metabolic syndrome, and, in some cases, to an impact on the microbiome. Yet, it appears that no study has reported thus far on modulation of the active microbiota by LGG treatment. It is postulated that the resulting impact on calorie consumption affects weight gain concomitantly with modulation of the functional structure of the gut microbial population. Using the 16S rRNA based approach therefore decisively increased the precision of gut microbiota metagenome analysis.

Family economic empowerment and mental health among AIDS-affected children living in AIDS-impacted communities: evidence from a randomised evaluation in southwestern Uganda.

PubMed

Han, Chang-Keun; Ssewamala, Fred M; Wang, Julia Shu-Huah

2013-03-01

The authors examine whether an innovative family economic empowerment intervention addresses mental health functioning of AIDS-affected children in communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS in Uganda. A cluster randomised controlled trial consisting of two study arms, a treatment condition (n=179) and a control condition (n=118), was used to examine the impact of the family economic empowerment intervention on children's levels of hopelessness and depression. The intervention comprised matched children savings accounts, financial management workshops and mentorship. Data were collected at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. Using multivariate analysis with several socioeconomic controls, the authors find that children in the treatment condition (receiving the intervention) report significant improvement in their mental health functioning. Specifically, the intervention reduces hopelessness and depression levels. On the other hand, children in the control condition (not receiving the intervention) report no changes on both measures. The findings indicate that children with poor mental health functioning living in communities affected by HIV/AIDS may benefit from innovative family economic empowerment interventions. As measures of mental health functioning, both hopelessness and depression have long-term negative psychosocial and developmental impacts on children. These findings have implications for public health programmes intended for long-term care and support of children living in resource poor AIDS-impacted communities.

Family Economic Empowerment and Mental Health Among AIDS-Affected Children Living in AIDS-Impacted Communities: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Southwestern Uganda

PubMed Central

Han, Chang-Keun; Ssewamala, Fred M.; Wang, Julia Shu-Huah

2012-01-01

OBJECTIVE We examine whether an innovative family economic empowerment intervention addresses mental health functioning of AIDS-affected children in communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS in Uganda. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) consisting of two study arms: a treatment condition (n=179) and a control condition (n=118) was used to examine the impact of the family economic empowerment intervention on children’s levels of hopelessness and depression. The intervention comprised of matched children savings accounts, financial management workshops, and mentorship. Data were collected at baseline and 12 months post-intervention. RESULTS Using multivariate analysis with several socio-economic controls, we find that children in the treatment condition (receiving the intervention) report significant improvement in their mental health functioning. Specifically, the intervention reduces hopelessness and depression levels. On the other hand, children in the control condition (not receiving the intervention) report no changes on both measures. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that children with poor mental health functioning living in communities affected by HIV/AIDS may benefit from innovative family economic empowerment interventions. As measures of mental health functioning, both hopelessness and depression have long-term negative psychosocial and developmental impacts on children. These findings have implications for public health programs intended for long-term care and support of children living in resource poor, AIDS-impacted communities. PMID:23410851

Comparison of Bobath based and movement science based treatment for stroke: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

van Vliet, P M; Lincoln, N B; Foxall, A

2005-04-01

Bobath based (BB) and movement science based (MSB) physiotherapy interventions are widely used for patients after stroke. There is little evidence to suggest which is most effective. This single-blind randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of these treatments on movement abilities and functional independence. A total of 120 patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation ward were randomised into two treatment groups to receive either BB or MSB treatment. Primary outcome measures were the Rivermead Motor Assessment and the Motor Assessment Scale. Secondary measures assessed functional independence, walking speed, arm function, muscle tone, and sensation. Measures were performed by a blinded assessor at baseline, and then at 1, 3, and 6 months after baseline. Analysis of serial measurements was performed to compare outcomes between the groups by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) and inserting AUC values into Mann-Whitney U tests. Comparison between groups showed no significant difference for any outcome measures. Significance values for the Rivermead Motor Assessment ranged from p = 0.23 to p = 0.97 and for the Motor Assessment Scale from p = 0.29 to p = 0.87. There were no significant differences in movement abilities or functional independence between patients receiving a BB or an MSB intervention. Therefore the study did not show that one approach was more effective than the other in the treatment of stroke patients.

Comparison of Bobath based and movement science based treatment for stroke: a randomised controlled trial

PubMed Central

van Vliet, P M; Lincoln, N; Foxall, A

2005-01-01

Objectives: Bobath based (BB) and movement science based (MSB) physiotherapy interventions are widely used for patients after stroke. There is little evidence to suggest which is most effective. This single-blind randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of these treatments on movement abilities and functional independence. Methods: A total of 120 patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation ward were randomised into two treatment groups to receive either BB or MSB treatment. Primary outcome measures were the Rivermead Motor Assessment and the Motor Assessment Scale. Secondary measures assessed functional independence, walking speed, arm function, muscle tone, and sensation. Measures were performed by a blinded assessor at baseline, and then at 1, 3, and 6 months after baseline. Analysis of serial measurements was performed to compare outcomes between the groups by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) and inserting AUC values into Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Comparison between groups showed no significant difference for any outcome measures. Significance values for the Rivermead Motor Assessment ranged from p = 0.23 to p = 0.97 and for the Motor Assessment Scale from p = 0.29 to p = 0.87. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in movement abilities or functional independence between patients receiving a BB or an MSB intervention. Therefore the study did not show that one approach was more effective than the other in the treatment of stroke patients. PMID:15774435

The Association Between Nutritional Adequacy and Long-Term Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

PubMed

Wei, Xuejiao; Day, Andrew G; Ouellette-Kuntz, Hélène; Heyland, Daren K

2015-08-01

To examine the association between short-term nutritional adequacy received while in the ICU and long-term outcomes including 6-month survival and health-related quality of life in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected in the context of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. An international sample of ICUs. Adult patients who were mechanically ventilated for more than 8 days in the ICU. None. Nutritional adequacy was obtained from the average proportion of prescribed calories received over the amount prescribed during the first 8 days. Survival status and health-related quality of life as assessed using the Short-Form 36 v2 were obtained at 3- and 6 months post ICU admission. Of the 1,223 patients enrolled in the randomized controlled trial, 475 met the inclusion criteria for this study. At 6-month follow-up, 302 of the 475 patients (64%) were alive. Survival time in those who received low nutritional adequacy was significantly shorter than those who received high nutritional adequacy while adjusting for important covariates (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.6). At 3-month follow-up, a 25% increase in nutritional adequacy was associated with improvements in Physical Functioning and Role Physical of 7.3 (p = 0.02) and 8.3 (p = 0.004) points, respectively. At 6-month follow-up, adjusted increases in Physical Functioning and Role Physical scores for every 25% increase in nutrition adequacy became smaller and were no longer statistically significant (adjusted estimate for Physical Functioning = 4.2, p = 0.14; for Role Physical = 3.2, p = 0.25). Greater amounts of nutritional intake received during the first week in the ICU were associated with longer survival time and faster physical recovery to 3 months but not 6 months post ICU discharge in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Current recommendations to underfeed critically ill patients may cause harm in some long-stay patients.

Function, health and psychosocial needs in job-seekers with anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders who access disability employment services.

PubMed

Matthews, Lynda R; Harris, Lynne M; Jaworski, Alison; Alam, Ashraful; Bozdag, Gokcen

2014-01-01

Labour force participation of people with mental disorders varies according to the nature of their disorder. Research that compares function and psychosocial need in job-seekers with different mental disorders, however, is scant especially in the Australian setting. Identifying rehabilitation needs of job-seekers with mental disorders receiving employment services is of interest to providers of disability employment services in Australia. This study sought to identify differences in health, social needs and function in people with anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorders accessing disability employment services to inform disability service providers of vocational rehabilitation interventions. 106 adult job-seekers with anxiety (29%), mood (51%), and psychotic (20%) disorders receiving job placement services from a disability employment service provider consented to participate in this study. Self-report measures and the Executive Interview (EXIT) were used to document function. Differences between disorders were determined using one-way analysis of variance. Significantly better estimates of social functioning as measured by the Behaviour and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) were reported by job-seekers with psychotic disorders compared to those with anxiety or mood disorders. However, job-seekers with psychotic disorders reported longer periods of unemployment compared to those with mood disorders and longer estimates of the time it would take to obtain work compared to both the other groups. Perceived psychosocial problems, such as poor social function in job-seekers with anxiety and mood disorders and perceptions of poor employability in those with psychotic disorders, should be considered when developing vocational rehabilitation interventions, or where additional support may be required once employment is obtained.

The Impact of a Participatory Care Model on Work Satisfaction of Care Workers and the Functionality, Connectedness, and Mental Health of Community-Dwelling Older People.

PubMed

Bernoth, Maree; Burmeister, Oliver K; Morrison, Mark; Islam, Md Zahidul; Onslow, Fiona; Cleary, Michelle

2016-06-01

This study describes and evaluates an innovative program designed to reduce functional decline among seniors, using a participatory care approach and integrated health teams. The evaluation provides older people and community support workers (CSWs) with the opportunity to share their experiences of being involved with an innovative program to reduce functional decline (mobility, skin integrity, nutrition, mental health, continence) of older, community dwelling adults implemented by a Nursing Service in a major capital city in Australia. As part of the program, CSWs were trained to provide care that aimed to reduce functional decline, and improve the quality of life for the care recipients. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with older people receiving care and a focus group (FG) was conducted with CSWs. Seven themes emerged during data analysis: 1) functionality/independence; 2) prevention; 3) confidence; 4) connection; 5) the approach; 6) care plans; and 7) the role of the CSWs. The relationship built between care giver and receiver and the mutual respect facilitated through adopting a participatory care approach was crucial. This relationship-focused care contributed to improved functionality and consequently quality of life for the older person, and for the CSW professional it contributed to their development, improved satisfaction with their role, and increased pride in the difference they make in the lives of their clients. Opportunities for improvement of the program included ensuring that participants understood the rationale for all aspects of the program, including regular reminders, as well as the use of regular reviews of individual outcomes.

Markov model plus k-word distributions: a synergy that produces novel statistical measures for sequence comparison.

PubMed

Dai, Qi; Yang, Yanchun; Wang, Tianming

2008-10-15

Many proposed statistical measures can efficiently compare biological sequences to further infer their structures, functions and evolutionary information. They are related in spirit because all the ideas for sequence comparison try to use the information on the k-word distributions, Markov model or both. Motivated by adding k-word distributions to Markov model directly, we investigated two novel statistical measures for sequence comparison, called wre.k.r and S2.k.r. The proposed measures were tested by similarity search, evaluation on functionally related regulatory sequences and phylogenetic analysis. This offers the systematic and quantitative experimental assessment of our measures. Moreover, we compared our achievements with these based on alignment or alignment-free. We grouped our experiments into two sets. The first one, performed via ROC (receiver operating curve) analysis, aims at assessing the intrinsic ability of our statistical measures to search for similar sequences from a database and discriminate functionally related regulatory sequences from unrelated sequences. The second one aims at assessing how well our statistical measure is used for phylogenetic analysis. The experimental assessment demonstrates that our similarity measures intending to incorporate k-word distributions into Markov model are more efficient.

Receiver function analysis of the Texas Gulf Coast to better understand the Ouachita Orogeny, opening of the Gulf of Mexico, and current state of the southern margin of North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knuppel, M.; Pratt, K. W.; Evanzia, D.; Gurrola, H.; Pulliam, J.

2012-12-01

For the past two years, Texas Tech and Baylor universities have been operating 21 broadband seismic stations extending from Matagorda Island, crossing the Gulf Coast plain and Balcones fault, ending in the middle of the Llano Uplift at Johnson City, Texas. The goal of this project is to image the basement to better understand the opening of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and the stabilization of the southern lithosphere of North America. In this presentation we will present preliminary results of receiver function analysis of data recorded by our broadband array. Using 18 months' of data we performed common conversion point (CCP) stack imaging of the crust and lithosphere along the profile and have produced a cross section showing receiver function derived Vp/Vs ratios along the profile. The strongest phase on the CCP stack is the Ps phase from the base of a 15 to 20-km-deep (at the shoreline) sedimentary basin that shallows to approximately 1 km deep at the Balcones fault. Vp/Vs analysis shows that this sedimentary unit has Vp/Vs ratios between 1.9 and 2.0. This unusually high Vp/Vs ratio is consistent with the basin being dominated by poorly consolidated, relatively young clastic sediment. This layer pinches out to the northwest. No clear Ps phase is observed from base of the Mesozoic carbonates and Ouachita-related sediments that we believe is several kilometers thick, based on observed Vp/Vs ratios of 1.85 to 1.9 (which is more consistent with carbonate rock than granitic basement). The pattern of Vp/Vs implies near-vertical, crust-wide displacement along the Balcones Fault. The Moho appears to be 15 to 20 km deep near the ocean but descends to more than 40 km beneath the Llano uplift. There is a strong Ps phase from about 70 km depth near the coastline that we interpret as remnant depleted mantle from the rifting of the GOM. The region between this P70s phase and the Moho appear to have a low Vp/Vs ratio (~1.75), which would be consistent with mantle depleted in iron as a result of rifting during the opening of the Gulf of Mexico.

Geophysical Model Research and Results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pasyanos, M; Walter, W; Tkalcic, H

2004-07-07

Geophysical models constitute an important component of calibration for nuclear explosion monitoring. We will focus on four major topics: (1) a priori geophysical models, (2) surface wave models, (3) receiver function derived profiles, and (4) stochastic geophysical models. The first, a priori models, can be used to predict a host of geophysical measurements, such as body wave travel times, and can be derived from direct regional studies or even by geophysical analogy. Use of these models is particularly important in aseismic regions or regions without seismic stations, where data of direct measurements might not exist. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)more » has developed the Western Eurasia and North Africa (WENA) model which has been evaluated using a number of data sets, including travel times, surface waves, receiver functions, and waveform analysis (Pasyanos et al., 2004). We have joined this model with our Yellow Sea - Korean Peninsula (YSKP) model and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) East Asia model to construct a model for all of Eurasia and North Africa. Secondly, we continue to improve upon our surface wave model by adding more paths. This has allowed us to expand the region to all of Eurasia and into Africa, increase the resolution of our model, and extend results to even shorter periods (7 sec). High-resolution models exist for the Middle East and the YSKP region. The surface wave results can be inverted either alone, or in conjunction with other data, to derive models of the crust and upper mantle structure. We are also using receiver functions, in joint inversions with the surface waves, to produce profiles directly under seismic stations throughout the region. In a collaborative project with Ammon, et al., they have been focusing on stations throughout western Eurasia and North Africa, while we have been focusing on LLNL deployments in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Finally, we have been exploring methodologies such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to generate data-driven stochastic models. We have applied this technique to the YSKP region using surface wave dispersion data, body wave travel time data, and receiver functions.« less

Estimating crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio with joint constraints of receiver function and gravity data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Lei; Guo, Lianghui; Ma, Yawei; Li, Yonghua; Wang, Weilai

2018-05-01

The technique of teleseismic receiver function H-κ stacking is popular for estimating the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio. However, it has large uncertainty or ambiguity when the Moho multiples in receiver function are not easy to be identified. We present an improved technique to estimate the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio by joint constraints of receiver function and gravity data. The complete Bouguer gravity anomalies, composed of the anomalies due to the relief of the Moho interface and the heterogeneous density distribution within the crust, are associated with the crustal thickness, density and Vp/Vs ratio. According to their relationship formulae presented by Lowry and Pérez-Gussinyé, we invert the complete Bouguer gravity anomalies by using a common algorithm of likelihood estimation to obtain the crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio, and then utilize them to constrain the receiver function H-κ stacking result. We verified the improved technique on three synthetic crustal models and evaluated the influence of selected parameters, the results of which demonstrated that the novel technique could reduce the ambiguity and enhance the accuracy of estimation. Real data test at two given stations in the NE margin of Tibetan Plateau illustrated that the improved technique provided reliable estimations of crustal thickness and Vp/Vs ratio.

Influence of the noise sources motion on the estimated Green's functions from ambient noise cross-correlations.

PubMed

Sabra, Karim G

2010-06-01

It has been demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that an estimate of the Green's function between two receivers can be obtained by cross-correlating acoustic (or elastic) ambient noise recorded at these two receivers. Coherent wavefronts emerge from the noise cross-correlation time function due to the accumulated contributions over time from noise sources whose propagation path pass through both receivers. Previous theoretical studies of the performance of this passive imaging technique have assumed that no relative motion between noise sources and receivers occurs. In this article, the influence of noise sources motion (e.g., aircraft or ship) on this passive imaging technique was investigated theoretically in free space, using a stationary phase approximation, for stationary receivers. The theoretical results were extended to more complex environments, in the high-frequency regime, using first-order expansions of the Green's function. Although sources motion typically degrades the performance of wideband coherent processing schemes, such as time-delay beamforming, it was found that the Green's function estimated from ambient noise cross-correlations are not expected to be significantly affected by the Doppler effect, even for supersonic sources. Numerical Monte-Carlo simulations were conducted to confirm these theoretical predictions for both cases of subsonic and supersonic moving sources.

A theoretical study on the impact of particle scattering on the channel characteristics of underwater optical communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahu, Sanjay Kumar; Shanmugam, Palanisamy

2018-02-01

Scattering by water molecules and particulate matters determines the path and distance of photon propagation in underwater medium. Consequently, photon angle of scattering (given by scattering phase function) requires to be considered in addition to the extinction coefficient of the aquatic medium governed by the absorption and scattering coefficients in channel characterization for an underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) system. This study focuses on analyzing the received signal power and impulse response of UWOC channel based on Monte-Carlo simulations for different water types, link distances, link geometries and transceiver parameters. A newly developed scattering phase function (referred to as SS phase function), which represents the real water types more accurately like the Petzold phase function, is considered for quantification of the channel characteristics along with the effects of absorption and scattering coefficients. A comparison between the results simulated using various phase function models and the experimental measurements of Petzold revealed that the SS phase function model predicts values closely matching with the actual values of the Petzold's phase function, which further establishes the importance of using a correct scattering phase function model while estimating the channel capacity of UWOC system in terms of the received power and channel impulse response. Results further demonstrate a great advantage of considering the nonzero probability of receiving scattered photons in estimating channel capacity rather than considering the reception of only ballistic photons as in Beer's Law, which severely underestimates the received power and affects the range of communication especially in the scattering water column. The received power computed based on the Monte-Carlo method by considering the receiver aperture sizes and field of views in different water types are further analyzed and discussed. These results are essential for evaluating the underwater link budget and constructing different system and design parameters for an UWOC system.

Functional Impairment and Changes in Depression Subtypes for Women in STAR*D: A Latent Transition Analysis

PubMed Central

Rothschild, Anthony J.; Lapane, Kate L.

2016-01-01

Abstract Objective: To characterize the association between functional impairment and major depression subtypes at baseline and to characterize changes in subtypes by functional impairment level in women receiving citalopram in level 1 of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial. Method: Women who completed baseline and week 12 study visits were included. Items from the self-reported Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology were used to define the latent depression subtypes. The Work and Social Adjustment Scale was used to classify baseline functional impairment. A latent transition analysis model provided estimates of the prevalence of subtype membership and transition probabilities by functional impairment level. Results: Of the 755 women included, 69% had major functional impairment at baseline. Regardless of functional impairment level, the subtypes were differentiated by depression severity, appetite changes, psychomotor disturbances, and insomnia. Sixty-seven percent of women with normal/significant functional impairment and 60% of women with major impairment were likely to transition to a symptom resolution subtype at week 12. Women with baseline major impairment who were in the severe with psychomotor agitation subtype at the beginning of the study were least likely to transition to the symptom resolution subtype (4% chance). Conclusions: Functional impairment level was related to both the baseline depression subtype and the likelihood of moving to a different subtype. These results underscore the need to incorporate not only depression symptoms but also functioning in the assessment and treatment of depression. PMID:26488110

Self-Reported Functional Status among the Old-Old: A Comparison of Two Israeli Cohorts

PubMed Central

Litwin, Howard; Shrira, Amit; Shmotkin, Dov

2012-01-01

OBJECTIVES To examine differences in functional status among two successive cohorts. METHODS The study was a comparative analysis of Jewish respondents aged 75–94 from two nationwide random samples: the Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Aging Study (1989–1992; N =1200) and the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (2005–2006; N =379). Self-reported functional limitation and disability were compared by means of logistic regressions and MANCOVA, controlling for age, gender, origin, education, marital status, income, self-rated health, and home care receipt. RESULTS Reported functional limitation decreased in the later cohort (SHARE-Israel), but ADL- and IADL-disability increased. Receipt of home care moderated these effects. ADL- and IADL-disability increased among home-care-receiving respondents in the later cohort whereas functional limitation decreased among respondents not in receipt of home care. DISCUSSION The findings suggest that different measures used to assess the disablement process capture different aspects, and that contextual factors influence how older people rate their own functional capacity. PMID:22422761

Overdiagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and underdiagnosis of functional dyspepsia in a USA community.

PubMed

Pleyer, C; Bittner, H; Locke, G R; Choung, R S; Zinsmeister, A R; Schleck, C D; Herrick, L M; Talley, N J

2014-08-01

There is symptom overlap between gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD). We aimed to test the hypothesis that FD cases are now more likely mislabeled as GERD. In subjects from Olmsted County, MN seen at Mayo Clinic: (i) Investigation of GERD and FD diagnosis rates between 1985 and 2009. (ii) Assessment of survey-based upper gastrointestinal symptoms between 1988 and 2009. (iii) Analysis of patients reporting GERD and/or FD symptoms and subsequently receiving a consistent diagnosis of GERD and/or FD during a medical encounter. (iv) Assess the association between PPI use and GERD and/or FD symptoms and between actual diagnoses received. (i) Yearly GERD diagnosis rates rose between 1985 and 2009 (325-1866 per 100 000). FD diagnosis rates rose from 45 in 1985, to 964 in 1999 but decreased to 452 per 100 000 in 2009. (ii) Reported GERD symptoms did not significantly change between three survey waves in the years 1988-2009 (p = 0.052), whereas FD symptoms slightly increased (p = 0.01). (iii) 62.9% of subjects reporting GERD symptoms received a GERD diagnosis, however only 12.5% of subjects reporting FD symptoms received a FD diagnosis. (iv) PPI use was associated with documented GERD diagnosis (p < 0.001), however there was no significant association between GERD symptoms and PPI use (p = 0.078). We have found evidence supporting a systematic bias away from diagnosing FD, favoring a GERD diagnosis. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy and Sexual Function in PostmenopausalWomen: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Johnson, Aimee K; Johnson, Alisa J; Barton, Debra; Elkins, Gary

2016-01-01

Sexual dysfunction is a common problem for postmenopausal women. This study, as part of a larger randomized controlled trial, examined the effect of hypnotic relaxation therapy on sexual dysfunction, a secondary study outcome, in postmenopausal women. Sexual function was assessed using the Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ). Significant improvement in sexual pleasure and discomfort were reported following 5 weekly sessions of hypnotic relaxation therapy, compared with those receiving an attention control. Total SAQ scores showed significant improvement in the hypnotic relaxation therapy treatment group while holding baseline SAQ scores constant. Improvements showed a slight increase at the Week 12 follow-up. The results of this analysis provide initial support for the use of hypnotic relaxation therapy to improve sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Kramers-Kronig receiver operable without digital upsampling.

PubMed

Bo, Tianwai; Kim, Hoon

2018-05-28

The Kramers-Kronig (KK) receiver is capable of retrieving the phase information of optical single-sideband (SSB) signal from the optical intensity when the optical signal satisfies the minimum phase condition. Thus, it is possible to direct-detect the optical SSB signal without suffering from the signal-signal beat interference and linear transmission impairments. However, due to the spectral broadening induced by nonlinear operations in the conventional KK algorithm, it is necessary to employ the digital upsampling at the beginning of the digital signal processing (DSP). The increased number of samples at the DSP would hinder the real-time implementation of this attractive receiver. Hence, we propose a new DSP algorithm for KK receiver operable at 2 samples per symbol. We adopt a couple of mathematical approximations to avoid the use of nonlinear operations such as logarithm and exponential functions. By using the proposed algorithm, we demonstrate the transmission of 112-Gb/s SSB orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexed signal over an 80-km fiber link. The results show that the proposed algorithm operating at 2 samples per symbol exhibits similar performance to the conventional KK one operating at 6 samples per symbol. We also present the error analysis of the proposed algorithm for KK receiver in comparison with the conventional one.

NASA's next generation all-digital deep space network breadboard receiver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinedi, Sami

1993-01-01

This paper describes the breadboard advanced receiver (ARX) that is currently being built for future use in NASA's deep space network (DSN). This receiver has unique requirements in having to operate with very weak signals from deep space probes and provide high quality telemetry and tracking data. The hybrid analog/digital receiver performs multiple functions including carrier, subcarrier and symbol synchronization. Tracking can be achieved for either residual, suppressed or hybrid carriers and for both sinusoidal and square wave subcarriers. System requirements are specified and a functional description of the ARX is presented. The various digital signal processing algorithms used are also discussed and illustrated with block diagrams. Other functions such as time tagged Doppler extraction and monitor/control are also discussed including acquisition algorithms and lock detection schemes.

Physical and non-physical energy in scattered wave source-receiver interferometry.

PubMed

Meles, Giovanni Angelo; Curtis, Andrew

2013-06-01

Source-receiver interferometry allows Green's functions between sources and receivers to be estimated by means of convolution and cross-correlation of other wavefields. Source-receiver interferometry has been observed to work surprisingly well in practical applications when theoretical requirements (e.g., complete enclosing boundaries of other sources and receivers) are contravened: this paper contributes to explain why this may be true. Commonly used inter-receiver interferometry requires wavefields to be generated around specific stationary points in space which are controlled purely by medium heterogeneity and receiver locations. By contrast, application of source-receiver interferometry constructs at least kinematic information about physically scattered waves between a source and a receiver by cross-convolution of scattered waves propagating from and to any points on the boundary. This reduces the ambiguity in interpreting wavefields generated using source-receiver interferometry with only partial boundaries (as is standard in practical applications), as it allows spurious or non-physical energy in the constructed Green's function to be identified and ignored. Further, source-receiver interferometry (which includes a step of inter-receiver interferometry) turns all types of non-physical or spurious energy deriving from inter-receiver interferometry into what appears to be physical energy. This explains in part why source-receiver interferometry may perform relatively well compared to inter-receiver interferometry when constructing scattered wavefields.

Enteral High Fat-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Blend Alters the Pathogen Composition of the Intestinal Microbiome in Premature Infants with an Enterostomy

PubMed Central

Younge, Noelle; Yang, Qing; Seed, Patrick C.

2016-01-01

Objective To determine the effect of enteral fish oil and safflower oil supplementation on the intestinal microbiome in premature infants with an enterostomy. Study design Premature infants with an enterostomy were randomized to receive early enteral supplementation with a high fat-polyunsaturated fatty acid (HF-PUFA) blend of fish oil and safflower oil versus standard nutritional therapy. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing for longitudinal profiling of the microbiome from the time of study entry until bowel reanastomosis. We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify microbial community modules that differed between study groups over time. We performed imputed metagenomic analysis to determine metabolic pathways associated with the microbial genes. Results Sixteen infants were randomized to receive enteral HF-PUFA supplementation and 16 infants received standard care. The intestinal microbiota of infants in the treatment group differed from those in the control group, with greater bacterial diversity and lower abundance of Streptococcus, Clostridium, and many pathogenic genera within the Enterobacteriaceae family. We identified four microbial community modules with significant differences between groups over time. Imputed metagenomic analysis of the microbial genes revealed metabolic pathways that differed between groups, including metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and secondary bile acid synthesis. Conclusion Enteral HF-PUFA supplementation was associated with decreased abundance of pathogenic bacteria, greater bacterial diversity, and shifts in the potential metabolic functions of intestinal microbiota. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01306838 PMID:27856001

Enteral High Fat-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Blend Alters the Pathogen Composition of the Intestinal Microbiome in Premature Infants with an Enterostomy.

PubMed

Younge, Noelle; Yang, Qing; Seed, Patrick C

2017-02-01

To determine the effect of enteral fish oil and safflower oil supplementation on the intestinal microbiome in infants with an enterostomy born premature. Infants with an enterostomy born premature were randomized to receive early enteral supplementation with a high-fat polyunsaturated fatty acid (HF-PUFA) blend of fish oil and safflower oil vs standard nutritional therapy. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing for longitudinal profiling of the microbiome from the time of study entry until bowel reanastomosis. We used weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify microbial community modules that differed between study groups over time. We performed imputed metagenomic analysis to determine metabolic pathways associated with the microbial genes. Sixteen infants were randomized to receive enteral HF-PUFA supplementation, and 16 infants received standard care. The intestinal microbiota of infants in the treatment group differed from those in the control group, with greater bacterial diversity and lower abundance of Streptococcus, Clostridium, and many pathogenic genera within the Enterobacteriaceae family. We identified 4 microbial community modules with significant differences between groups over time. Imputed metagenomic analysis of the microbial genes revealed metabolic pathways that differed between groups, including metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and secondary bile acid synthesis. Enteral HF-PUFA supplementation was associated with decreased abundance of pathogenic bacteria, greater bacterial diversity, and shifts in the potential metabolic functions of intestinal microbiota. ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01306838. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Does it really matter where women live? A multilevel analysis of the determinants of postnatal care in Nigeria.

PubMed

Ononokpono, Dorothy N; Odimegwu, Clifford O; Imasiku, Eunice N S; Adedini, Sunday A

2014-05-01

Although postnatal care is one of the major interventions recommended for the reduction of maternal and newborn deaths worldwide, almost two-third (56 %) of women in Nigeria do not receive postnatal care. Attempts to explain this situation have focused on individual and household level factors, but the role of community characteristics has received less attention.This study examines community factors associated with the receipt of postnatal care in Nigeria and the moderating effects of community factors on the association between individual factors and postnatal care. Data was drawn from the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, and a sample of 17,846 women aged 15-49 years was selected. We employed a multilevel logistic regression analysis to identify community factors associated with postnatal care. Our findings showed that significant variations in receiving postnatal care exist across communities. Specifically, Nigerian women's likelihood of receiving postnatal care is a function of where they reside. Living in communities with a high proportion of educated women (OR = 2.04; 95 % CI = 1.32-3.16; p < 0.001) and a high proportion of those who have had a health facility delivery (OR = 17.86; 95 % CI = 8.34-38.24; p < 0.001) was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of receiving postnatal care. Community women's education moderated the association between ethnic origin and postnatal care. Community variance in postnatal care was significant (τ = 10.352, p = 0.001). Community interventions aimed at improving postnatal care should take into account the community context in which women live. To close the gap in community variations in postnatal care, secondary and higher education for women, and health facility delivery should be increased in disadvantaged communities.

Effect of airplane transport of donor livers on post-liver transplantation survival.

PubMed

Huang, Yi; MacQuillan, Gerry; Adams, Leon A; Garas, George; Collins, Megan; Nwaba, Albert; Mou, Linjun; Bulsara, Max K; Delriviere, Luc; Jeffrey, Gary P

2016-11-07

To evaluate the effect of long haul airplane transport of donor livers on post-transplant outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of patients who received a liver transplantation was performed in Perth, Australia from 1992 to 2012. Donor and recipient characteristics information were extracted from Western Australian liver transplantation service database. Patients were followed up for a mean of six years. Patient and graft survival were evaluated and compared between patients who received a local donor liver and those who received an airplane transported donor liver. Predictors of survival were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using cox regression. One hundred and ninety-three patients received a local donor liver and 93 patients received an airplane transported donor liver. Airplane transported livers had a significantly lower alanine transaminase (mean: 45 U/L vs 84 U/L, P = 0.035), higher donor risk index (mean: 1.88 vs 1.42, P < 0.001) and longer cold ischemic time (CIT) (mean: 10.1 h vs 6.4 h, P < 0.001). There was a weak correlation between CIT and transport distance ( r 2 = 0.29, P < 0.001). Mean follow up was six years and 93 patients had graft failure. Multivariate analysis found only airplane transport retained significance for graft loss (HR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.16-3.17). One year graft survival was 0.88 for those with a local liver and was 0.71 for those with an airplane transported liver. One year graft loss was due to primary graft non-function or associated with preservation injury in 20.8% of recipients of an airplane transported liver compared with 4.6% in those with a local liver ( P = 0.027). Airplane transport of donor livers was independently associated with reduced graft survival following liver transplantation.

The Impact of Preoperative Stoma Marking on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Comparison Cohort Study.

PubMed

McKenna, Linda S; Taggart, Elizabeth; Stoelting, Joyce; Kirkbride, Geri; Forbes, Gordon B

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients receiving preoperative stoma marking by a certified wound, ostomy and continence nurse (CWOCN) to patients who did not receive preoperative marking. Quasi-experimental, nonrandomized comparison cohort study. The sample comprised 59 patients immediately following creation of a fecal stoma during an 18-month period between 2008 and 2010. The experimental group consisted of 35 patients with a mean age of 49.7 years who received preoperative stoma site marking by a CWOCN. Six of those 35 patients (17%) received preoperative ostomy education and stoma site marking. The control group consisted of 24 patients with a mean age of 60.1 years who did not receive preoperative stoma site marking or preoperative ostomy education. The study setting was a 500-bed Midwest Magnet-designated teaching hospital. Data collection occurred at 2 points: within 72 hours before hospital discharge and 8 weeks after discharge. The Stoma Quality of Life (Stoma-QOL) instrument was used to measure HRQOL. Two CWOCNs and 3 RNs, all members of Memorial's Ostomy & Wound Services, administered the Stoma QOL within 72 hours before hospital discharge. The 2 CWOCNs followed a scripted message to collect functional lifestyle factors and administer the Stoma-QOL, for the second time at 8 weeks after discharge. Groups were compared using analysis of covariance to control for age; analysis demonstrated significantly higher HOQOL in the marked group compared to the unmarked group (F = 4.9, P = .031). Findings demonstrated that patients who underwent stoma site marking reported higher HRQOL than those who did not.

Safety of remifentanil in transsphenoidal surgery: A single-center analysis of 540 patients.

PubMed

Cote, David J; Burke, William T; Castlen, Joseph P; King, Chih H; Zaidi, Hasan A; Smith, Timothy R; Laws, Edward R; Aglio, Linda S

2017-04-01

Although some studies have examined the efficacy and safety of remifentanil in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures, none has examined its safety in transsphenoidal operations specifically. In this study, all transsphenoidal operations performed by a single author from 2008 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the safety of remifentanil in a consecutive series of patients. During the study period, 540 transsphenoidal operations were identified. Of these, 443 (82.0%) patients received remifentanil intra-operatively; 97 (18.0%) did not. The two groups were well-matched with regard to demographic categories, comorbidities, and pre-operative medications (p>0.05), except pre-operative tobacco use (p=0.021). Patients were also well-matched with regard to radiographic features and surgical techniques. Patients who received remifentanil were more likely to harbor a macroadenoma (78.1% vs. 67.0%, p=0.025), and had slightly longer anesthesia time on average (269.2minvs. 239.4min, p=0.024). All pathologic diagnoses were well-matched between the two groups, except that patients receiving remifentanil were more likely to harbor a non-functioning adenoma (46.5% vs. 26.8%, p<0.001). Analysis of post-operative complications showed no significant difference between patients who received remifentanil and those who did not, and length of stay and prevalence of ICU stay did not differ between the two groups. In a well-matched series of 540 patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery, remifentanil was found to be a safe anesthetic adjunct. There were no significant differences in post-operative hospital course or complications in patients who did and did not receive intra-operative remifentanil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acquisition of High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometers for Research in Molecular Structure, Function and Dynamics

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

starting materials at high concentration, such as plasmid DNA (3.6 µg/µL), pure lipofectamine, and pure cholesterol as received from the manufacturer, as...24), including analyzing the chemical composition of individual triglyceride -rich lipoproteins (25). A Raman spectrum appears when a small portion of...J. C., Keim, N. L., and Huser, T. (2005) Raman spectroscopic analysis of biochemical changes in individual triglyceride -rich lipoproteins in the pre

Nonlinear Scaling Laws for Parametric Receiving Arrays. Part II. Numerical Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-30

SECTION 3U SUBROUTINE WRITE -UP» JPL» MAY 1969. 2, F. T, KROGH» »ON TESTING A SUBROUTINE FOR THE NUMERICAL INTEGRATION OF ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL...WHICH IS ENTIRELY DOUBLE PRECISION. SEE THEIR WRITE -UPS FOR MINOR DIFFERENCES IN USAGE. 12.1.1.5. REMARKS THE ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS MAY BE...OF THE DEPENDENT VARIABLES» OR VALUES OF AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS. ONLY THE FIRST TWO OF THESE FEATURES ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS WRITE -UP. SEE REFERENCE 1

Analysis of Alternatives in System Capability Satisficing for Effective Acquisition

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-30

Technology. He received his BS in Actuarial Science from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, MS in Statistics, and MS and PhD in Industrial and Systems...one can view this metric (ITRLfk(i)) as “subsystem” measurement of this technology integrates within the system. In a mathematical representation...that this new metric should be a function of the different ITRLs of each technology, or in a mathematical representation: SRL_Cfk=f(ITRLfk(1), ITRLfk

Analysis of a Data Communication Network’s Performance under Varying Retransmission Disciplines

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

The routing table is updated using delay information transmitted via congestion/routing up- date packets ( CRUP ) or through delay measurement...previous delay, plus or minus a threshold value, a CRUP is generated and flooded over the network. Upon receipt of a CRUP the ROUTING function up- dates...DDN topology is very large, accounting for the time delay for the full network to be updated, whereas adjacent PSN’s receive CRUP packets virtually

Large-Eddy Simulation Analysis of Unsteady Separation Over a Pitching Airfoil at High Reynolds Number

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-24

channel flow using explicit filtering and dynamic mixed models, Physics of Fluids, (08 2012): 0. doi : 10.1063/1.4745007 Satbir Singh, Donghyun You...08 2013): 0. doi : 10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2013.02.008 TOTAL: 2 Received Paper TOTAL: Number of Papers published in non peer-reviewed journals...coordinate xi Cartesian coordinates y Wall-normal coordinate z Cross-stream coordinate Greek Symbols α Angle of attack δ Dirac delta function; boundary

Approximate formulas for elasticity of the Tornquist functions and some their advantages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Issin, Meyram

2017-09-01

In this article functions of demand for prime necessity, second necessity and luxury goods depending on the income are considered. These functions are called Tornquist functions. By means of the return model the demand for prime necessity goods and second necessity goods are approximately described. Then on the basis of a method of the smallest squares approximate formulas for elasticity of these Tornquist functions are received. To receive an approximate formula for elasticity of function of demand for luxury goods, the linear asymptotic formula is constructed for this function. Some benefits of approximate formulas for elasticity of Tornquist functions are specified.

Simulation of fMRI signals to validate dynamic causal modeling estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anandwala, Mobin; Siadat, Mohamad-Reza; Hadi, Shamil M.

2012-03-01

Through cognitive tasks certain brain areas are activated and also receive increased blood to them. This is modeled through a state system consisting of two separate parts one that deals with the neural node stimulation and the other blood response during that stimulation. The rationale behind using this state system is to validate existing analysis methods such as DCM to see what levels of noise they can handle. Using the forward Euler's method this system was approximated in a series of difference equations. What was obtained was the hemodynamic response for each brain area and this was used to test an analysis tool to estimate functional connectivity between each brain area with a given amount of noise. The importance of modeling this system is to not only have a model for neural response but also to compare to actual data obtained through functional imaging scans.

Left Atrial trajectory impairment in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy disclosed by Geometric Morphometrics and Parallel Transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piras, Paolo; Torromeo, Concetta; Re, Federica; Evangelista, Antonietta; Gabriele, Stefano; Esposito, Giuseppe; Nardinocchi, Paola; Teresi, Luciano; Madeo, Andrea; Chialastri, Claudia; Schiariti, Michele; Varano, Valerio; Uguccioni, Massimo; Puddu, Paolo E.

2016-10-01

The analysis of full Left Atrium (LA) deformation and whole LA deformational trajectory in time has been poorly investigated and, to the best of our knowledge, seldom discussed in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Therefore, we considered 22 patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 46 healthy subjects, investigated them by three-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography, and studied the derived landmark clouds via Geometric Morphometrics with Parallel Transport. Trajectory shape and trajectory size were different in Controls versus HCM and their classification powers had high AUC (Area Under the Receiving Operator Characteristic Curve) and accuracy. The two trajectories were much different at the transition between LA conduit and booster pump functions. Full shape and deformation analyses with trajectory analysis enabled a straightforward perception of pathophysiological consequences of HCM condition on LA functioning. It might be worthwhile to apply these techniques to look for novel pathophysiological approaches that may better define atrio-ventricular interaction.

Hydrotherapy after total hip arthroplasty: a follow-up study.

PubMed

Giaquinto, S; Ciotola, E; Dall'armi, V; Margutti, F

2010-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who underwent hydrotherapy (HT) 6 months after discharge. A prospective randomized study was performed on 70 elderly inpatients with recent THA, who completed a rehabilitation program. After randomization, 33 of them were treated in conventional gyms (no-hydrotherapy group=NHTG) and 31 received HT (hydrotherapy group=HTG). Interviews with the Western-Ontario MacMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were performed at admission, at discharge and 6 months later. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were applied for statistical analysis. Both groups improved. Pain, stiffness and function were all positively affected. Statistical analysis indicated that WOMAC sub-scales were significantly lower for all patients treated with HT. The benefits at discharge still remained after 6 months. We conclude that HT is recommended after THA in a geriatric population.

Safety Aspects of Postanesthesia Care Unit Discharge without Motor Function Assessment after Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized, Multicenter, Semiblinded, Noninferiority, Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Aasvang, Eske Kvanner; Jørgensen, Christoffer Calov; Laursen, Mogens Berg; Madsen, Jacob; Solgaard, Søren; Krøigaard, Mogens; Kjærsgaard-Andersen, Per; Mandøe, Hans; Hansen, Torben Bæk; Nielsen, Jørgen Ulrich; Krarup, Niels; Skøtt, Annette Elisabeth; Kehlet, Henrik

2017-06-01

Postanesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge without observation of lower limb motor function after spinal anesthesia has been suggested to significantly reduce PACU stay and enhance resource optimization and early rehabilitation but without enough data to allow clinical recommendations. A multicenter, semiblinded, noninferiority randomized controlled trial of discharge from the PACU with or without assessment of lower limb motor function after elective total hip or knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia was undertaken. The primary outcome was frequency of a successful fast-track course (length of stay 4 days or less and no 30-day readmission). Noninferiority would be declared if the odds ratio (OR) for a successful fast-track course was no worse for those patients receiving no motor function assessment versus those patients receiving motor function assessment by OR = 0.68. A total of 1,359 patients (98.8% follow-up) were available for analysis (93% American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1 to 2). The primary outcome occurred in 92.2% and 92.0%, corresponding to no motor function assessment being noninferior to motor function assessment with OR 0.97 (95% CI, 0.70 to 1.35). Adverse events in the ward during the first 24 h occurred in 5.8% versus 7.4% with or without motor function assessment, respectively (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.19, P = 0.24). PACU discharge without assessment of lower limb motor function after spinal anesthesia for total hip or knee arthroplasty was noninferior to motor function assessment in achieving length of stay 4 days or less or 30-day readmissions. Because a nonsignificant tendency toward increased adverse events during the first 24 h in the ward was discovered, further safety data are needed in patients without assessment of lower limb motor function before PACU discharge.

Long-Term Cognitive Functioning in Testicular Germ-Cell Tumor Survivors.

PubMed

Chovanec, Michal; Vasilkova, Lucia; Setteyova, Lucia; Obertova, Jana; Palacka, Patrik; Rejlekova, Katarina; Sycova-Mila, Zuzana; Kalavska, Katarina; Svetlovska, Daniela; Cingelova, Silvia; Mladosievicova, Beata; Mardiak, Jozef; Mego, Michal

2018-05-01

Treatment for cancer may lead to development of cognitive difficulties in cancer survivors. This study aimed to evaluate long-term cognitive functioning (CogF) in germ-cell tumor (GCT) survivors. GCT survivors ( n  = 155) from the National Cancer Institute of Slovakia completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Cognitive Function at a median of 10 years of follow-up (range: 5-32). The study group consisted of survivors receiving a cisplatin-based chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, or both, whereas the control group included survivors treated with orchiectomy only. Of the total survivors, 138 received treatment beyond orchiectomy and 17 controls had orchiectomy alone. Any treatment resulted in significantly greater cognitive difficulties on the overall cognitive function score. Treatment with radiotherapy was associated with cognitive declines in overall cognitive functioning and in subscales for perceived cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment perceived by others (both p  < .05). The burden of chemotherapy plus radiotherapy or radiotherapy versus controls resulted in the impairment in all cognitive functioning domains (all p  < .05). Overall long-term cognitive impairment was independent of age in the multivariable analysis. This prospective study shows that GCT survivors suffer from a long-term CogF impairment. These results may help guide clinicians' decisions in treatment and follow-up of GCTs. In this study, long-term survivors of germ-cell tumors have reported cognitive impairment after curative treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy compared with controls who had treatment with orchiectomy only. These data provide an argument against the use of adjuvant radiotherapy for stage I seminoma. Unnecessary overtreatment with chemotherapy and additional radiotherapy after chemotherapy should be avoided. © AlphaMed Press 2018.

Layer-specific input to distinct cell types in layer 6 of monkey primary visual cortex.

PubMed

Briggs, F; Callaway, E M

2001-05-15

Layer 6 of monkey V1 contains a physiologically and anatomically diverse population of excitatory pyramidal neurons. Distinctive arborization patterns of axons and dendrites within the functionally specialized cortical layers define eight types of layer 6 pyramidal neurons and suggest unique information processing roles for each cell type. To address how input sources contribute to cellular function, we examined the laminar sources of functional excitatory input onto individual layer 6 pyramidal neurons using scanning laser photostimulation. We find that excitatory input sources correlate with cell type. Class I neurons with axonal arbors selectively targeting magnocellular (M) recipient layer 4Calpha receive input from M-dominated layer 4B, whereas class I neurons whose axonal arbors target parvocellular (P) recipient layer 4Cbeta receive input from P-dominated layer 2/3. Surprisingly, these neuronal types do not differ significantly in the inputs they receive directly from layers 4Calpha or 4Cbeta. Class II cells, which lack dense axonal arbors within layer 4C, receive excitatory input from layers targeted by their local axons. Specifically, type IIA cells project axons to and receive input from the deep but not superficial layers. Type IIB neurons project to and receive input from the deepest and most superficial, but not middle layers. Type IIC neurons arborize throughout the cortical layers and tend to receive inputs from all cortical layers. These observations have implications for the functional roles of different layer 6 cell types in visual information processing.

Regional and teleseismic events recorded across the TESZ during POLONAISE'97

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilde-Piórko, M.; Grad, M.; Polonaise Working Group

1999-12-01

20 Polish short-period three-component stations were continuously operating for three weeks during POLONAISE'97 in the contact zone between Palaeozoic and Precambrian platforms in Poland. The distances between seismometers were about 20 km and the digitization interval was 0.02 s. Besides the shots, a few regional events from the Lubin area and teleseismic events mainly from the SE backazimuth were also recorded. Interpretation of traveltimes for P and S waves for regional events using a simplified LT-7 model of crustal structure for theoretical calculation allowed correction of their origin time. The same model can also explain the traveltime residuals of P waves for teleseismic events. The main features of the division of Poland into two platforms by the Teisseyre-Tornquist tectonic zone (TTZ) is seen both in the shape of residuals of teleseismic phases and in the receiver function. A passive seismic experiment made during POLONAISE'97 as a reconnaissance for future teleseismic tomography experiment TOR-2 gave quite promising results; however, to make a traveltime tomography and receiver function analysis, the duration of data acquisition should be about half a year.

Impact of spirometry feedback and brief motivational counseling on long term smoking outcomes: A comparison of smokers with and without lung impairment

PubMed Central

McClure, Jennifer B.; Ludman, Evette J.; Grothaus, Lou; Pabiniak, Chester; Richards, Julie

2009-01-01

Objective We compared long-term outcomes among smokers with and without impaired lung functioning who received brief counseling highlighting their spirometric test results. Methods Participants in this analysis all received a brief motivational intervention for smoking cessation including spirometric testing and feedback (~20 minutes), were advised to quit smoking, offered free access to a phone-based smoking cessation program, and followed for one year. Outcomes were analyzed for smokers with (n = 99) and without (n = 168) impaired lung function. Results Participants with lung impairment reported greater use of self-help cessation materials at 6 months, greater use of non-study-provided counseling services at 6 and 12 months, higher 7-day PPA rates at 6 months, and were more likely to talk with their doctor about their spirometry results. Conclusion Further research is warranted to determine if spirometry feedback has a differential treatment effect among smokers with and without lung impairment. Practice Implications It is premature to make practice recommendations based on these data. PMID:20434863

Impact of spirometry feedback and brief motivational counseling on long-term smoking outcomes: a comparison of smokers with and without lung impairment.

PubMed

McClure, Jennifer B; Ludman, Evette J; Grothaus, Lou; Pabiniak, Chester; Richards, Julie

2010-08-01

We compared long-term outcomes among smokers with and without impaired lung functioning who received brief counseling highlighting their spirometric test results. Participants in this analysis all received a brief motivational intervention for smoking cessation including spirometric testing and feedback ( approximately 20 min), were advised to quit smoking, offered free access to a phone-based smoking cessation program, and followed for one year. Outcomes were analyzed for smokers with (n=99) and without (n=168) impaired lung function. Participants with lung impairment reported greater use of self-help cessation materials at 6 months, greater use of non-study-provided counseling services at 6 and 12 months, higher 7-day PPA rates at 6 months, and were more likely to talk with their doctor about their spirometry results. Further research is warranted to determine if spirometry feedback has a differential treatment effect among smokers with and without lung impairment. It is premature to make practice recommendations based on these data. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Children who screen positive for autism at 2.5 years and receive early intervention: a prospective naturalistic 2-year outcome study

PubMed Central

Spjut Jansson, Birgitta; Miniscalco, Carmela; Westerlund, Joakim; Kantzer, Anne-Katrin; Fernell, Elisabeth; Gillberg, Christopher

2016-01-01

Background Previous research has stressed the importance of early identification and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders. Methods Children who had screened positive for autism at the age of 2.5 years in a general population screening and then received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder were enrolled in an intervention program provided by Swedish habilitation services. The following interventions were available: a comprehensive intervention based on Applied Behavior Analysis – Intensive Learning (IL) – in two settings, which included home- and preschool-based (IL Regular) and only home-based (IL Modified) and eclectic interventions. Results There was considerable variability in terms of outcome, but intervention group status was not associated with any of the chosen outcome variables. Conclusion The main finding was that the type of intervention was not critical for outcome of adaptive or global functioning. The variability in outcome demonstrates the need for continuous assessments and evaluation of the child’s function and behavior throughout the intervention period. PMID:27621636

Outage Probability of MRC for κ-μ Shadowed Fading Channels under Co-Channel Interference.

PubMed

Chen, Changfang; Shu, Minglei; Wang, Yinglong; Yang, Ming; Zhang, Chongqing

2016-01-01

In this paper, exact closed-form expressions are derived for the outage probability (OP) of the maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme in the κ-μ shadowed fading channels, in which both the independent and correlated shadowing components are considered. The scenario assumes the received desired signals are corrupted by the independent Rayleigh-faded co-channel interference (CCI) and background white Gaussian noise. To this end, first, the probability density function (PDF) of the κ-μ shadowed fading distribution is obtained in the form of a power series. Then the incomplete generalized moment-generating function (IG-MGF) of the received signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is derived in the closed form. By using the IG-MGF results, closed-form expressions for the OP of MRC scheme are obtained over the κ-μ shadowed fading channels. Simulation results are included to validate the correctness of the analytical derivations. These new statistical results can be applied to the modeling and analysis of several wireless communication systems, such as body centric communications.

Outage Probability of MRC for κ-μ Shadowed Fading Channels under Co-Channel Interference

PubMed Central

Chen, Changfang; Shu, Minglei; Wang, Yinglong; Yang, Ming; Zhang, Chongqing

2016-01-01

In this paper, exact closed-form expressions are derived for the outage probability (OP) of the maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme in the κ-μ shadowed fading channels, in which both the independent and correlated shadowing components are considered. The scenario assumes the received desired signals are corrupted by the independent Rayleigh-faded co-channel interference (CCI) and background white Gaussian noise. To this end, first, the probability density function (PDF) of the κ-μ shadowed fading distribution is obtained in the form of a power series. Then the incomplete generalized moment-generating function (IG-MGF) of the received signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is derived in the closed form. By using the IG-MGF results, closed-form expressions for the OP of MRC scheme are obtained over the κ-μ shadowed fading channels. Simulation results are included to validate the correctness of the analytical derivations. These new statistical results can be applied to the modeling and analysis of several wireless communication systems, such as body centric communications. PMID:27851817

Internal or External Stenting of the Ureterovesical Anastomosis in Renal Transplantation.

PubMed

Fockens, M Matthijs; Alberts, Victor P; Bemelman, Frederike J; Laguna Pes, M Pilar; Idu, Mirza M

2016-01-01

Stenting of the ureterovesical anastomosis reduces the incidence of urological complications (UCs) after renal transplantation, but there are multiple stenting techniques, and there is no consensus regarding which technique is preferred. The aim of this study was to compare an internal versus an external stenting technique on the incidence of UCs. This is a retrospective analysis of 419 deceased donor renal transplantations performed between January 2008 and December 2013. Until 2011, 183 patients received an external stent through the ureterovesical anastomosis placed by suprapubic bladder puncture (SP stent). From 2011, 236 recipients received an internal double-J (JJ) stent. The rate of UC was 3.8% in JJ stents, compared to 9.3% in SP stents (p = 0.021). No difference in surgical ureter revision rate was observed between the groups (2.1 vs. 5.5%; p = 0.068). Urinary tract infection (UTI) rate and graft function were comparable between both groups. Internal JJ stenting significantly decreased the incidence of UC compared to an external SP stent. There was no difference in surgical ureter revision rate, UTI or graft function. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Evaluation of a Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Model for Hypouricemic Effects of Febuxostat Using Datasets Obtained from Real-world Patients.

PubMed

Hirai, Toshinori; Itoh, Toshimasa; Kimura, Toshimi; Echizen, Hirotoshi

2018-06-06

Febuxostat is an active xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor that is widely used in the hyperuricemia treatment. We aimed to evaluate the predictive performance of a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model for hypouricemic effects of febuxostat. Previously, we have formulated a PK--PD model for predicting hypouricemic effects of febuxostat as a function of baseline serum urate levels, body weight, renal function, and drug dose using datasets reported in preapproval studies (Hirai T et al., Biol Pharm Bull 2016; 39: 1013-21). Using an updated model with sensitivity analysis, we examined the predictive performance of the PK-PD model using datasets obtained from the medical records of patients who received febuxostat from March 2011 to December 2015 at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to explore clinical variables to improve the predictive performance of the model. A total of 1,199 serum urate data were retrieved from 168 patients (age: 60.5 ±17.7 years, 71.4% males) who received febuxostat as hyperuricemia treatment. There was a significant correlation (r=0.68, p<0.01) between serum urate levels observed and those predicted by the modified PK-PD model. A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the predictive performance of the model may be improved further by considering comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and co-administration of loop diuretics (r = 0.77, p<0.01). The PK-PD model may be useful for predicting individualized maintenance doses of febuxostat in real-world patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A Microwave Photonic Interference Canceller: Architectures, Systems, and Integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Matthew P.

This thesis is a comprehensive portfolio of work on a Microwave Photonic Self-Interference Canceller (MPC), a specialized optical system designed to eliminate interference from radio-frequency (RF) receivers. The novelty and value of the microwave photonic system lies in its ability to operate over bandwidths and frequencies that are orders of magnitude larger than what is possible using existing RF technology. The work begins, in 2012, with a discrete fiber-optic microwave photonic canceller, which prior work had demonstrated as a proof-of-concept, and culminates, in 2017, with the first ever monolithically integrated microwave photonic canceller. With an eye towards practical implementation, the thesis establishes novelty through three major project thrusts. (Fig. 1): (1) Extensive RF and system analysis to develop a full understanding of how, and through what mechanisms, MPCs affect an RF receiver. The first investigations of how a microwave photonic canceller performs in an actual wireless environment and a digital radio are also presented. (2) New architectures to improve the performance and functionality of MPCs, based on the analysis performed in Thrust 1. A novel balanced microwave photonic canceller architecture is developed and experimentally demonstrated. The balanced architecture shows significant improvements in link gain, noise figure, and dynamic range. Its main advantage is its ability to suppress common-mode noise and reduce noise figure by increasing the optical power. (3) Monolithic integration of the microwave photonic canceller into a photonic integrated circuit. This thrust presents the progression of integrating individual discrete devices into their semiconductor equivalent, as well as a full functional and RF analysis of the first ever integrated microwave photonic canceller.

Analysis of the Optimum Receiver Design Problem Using Interactive Computer Graphics.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

7 _AD A115 498A l AR FORCE INST OF TECH WR16HT-PATTERSON AF8 OH SCHOO--ETC F/6 9/2 ANALYSIS OF THE OPTIMUM RECEIVER DESIGN PROBLEM USING INTERACTI...ANALYSIS OF THE OPTIMUM RECEIVER DESIGN PROBLEM USING INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS THESIS AFIT/GE/EE/81D-39 Michael R. Mazzuechi Cpt USA Approved for...public release; distribution unlimited AFIT/GE/EE/SlD-39 ANALYSIS OF THE OPTIMUM RECEIVER DESIGN PROBLEM USING INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GRAPHICS THESIS

Prediction and Factor Extraction of Drug Function by Analyzing Medical Records in Developing Countries.

PubMed

Hu, Min; Nohara, Yasunobu; Nakamura, Masafumi; Nakashima, Naoki

2017-01-01

The World Health Organization has declared Bangladesh one of 58 countries facing acute Human Resources for Health (HRH) crisis. Artificial intelligence in healthcare has been shown to be successful for diagnostics. Using machine learning to predict pharmaceutical prescriptions may solve HRH crises. In this study, we investigate a predictive model by analyzing prescription data of 4,543 subjects in Bangladesh. We predict the function of prescribed drugs, comparing three machine-learning approaches. The approaches compare whether a subject shall be prescribed medicine from the 21 most frequently prescribed drug functions. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) were selected as a way to evaluate and assess prediction models. The results show the drug function with the best prediction performance was oral hypoglycemic drugs, which has an average AUC of 0.962. To understand how the variables affect prediction, we conducted factor analysis based on tree-based algorithms and natural language processing techniques.

[Analysis of variability of cardiac rhythm and sexual function in men with arterial hypertension during therapy with biosporolol and nebivolol].

PubMed

Nurmamedova, G S; Mustafaev, I I

2012-01-01

The aim of the work was to study effect of bisoprolol and nebivolol therapy on the sexual function of men with AH. 20 men aged 35-55 (48 +/- 3.5) yr with grade I and II AH received either drug for 2 months. Cardiac rhythm variability (CRV) was estimated in the end of the 4-week placebo period and after 2-month monotherapy. Dopplerography of penile arteries and a questionnaire study (as described by Vasilchenko) were conducted. Both drugs significantly increased the tone of the parasympathetic component of the vegetative nervous system, improved systolic blood flow in cavernous and dorsal arteries. The questionnaire study failed to revel significant changes of the sexual function. It is concluded that biosporolol and nebivolol did not compromise the sexual function of men with AH; they improve spectral CRV characteristics and blood flow in cavernous arteries.

Cell type analysis of functional fetal dopamine cell suspension transplants in the striatum and substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson’s disease

PubMed Central

Mendez, Ivar; Sanchez-Pernaute, Rosario; Cooper, Oliver; Viñuela, Angel; Ferrari, Daniela; Björklund, Lars; Dagher, Alain; Isacson, Ole

2008-01-01

We report the first post-mortem analysis of two patients with Parkinson’s disease who received fetal midbrain transplants as a cell suspension in the striatum, and in one case also in the substantia nigra. These patients had a favourable clinical evolution and positive 18F-fluorodopa PET scans and did not develop motor complications. The surviving transplanted dopamine neurons were positively identified with phenotypic markers of normal control human substantia nigra (n = 3), such as tyrosine hydroxylase, G-protein-coupled inward rectifying current potassium channel type 2 (Girk2) and calbindin. The grafts restored the cell type that provides specific dopaminergic innervation to the most affected striatal regions in the parkinsonian brain. Such transplants were able to densely reinnervate the host putamen with new dopamine fibres. The patients received only 6 months of standard immune suppression, yet by post-mortem analysis 3–4 years after surgery the transplants appeared only mildly immunogenic to the host brain, by analysis of microglial CD45 and CD68 markers. This study demonstrates that, using these methods, dopamine neuronal replacement cell therapy can be beneficial for patients with advanced disease, and that changing technical approaches could have a favourable impact on efficacy and adverse events following neural transplantation. PMID:15872020

[A study of factors related to activities of daily living (ADL) of the elderly receiving in-home service longitudinal study using functional independence measures].

PubMed

Suzuki, Ikuko; Yanagi, Hisako; Tomura, Shigeo

2007-02-01

We conducted a longitudinal study using Functional Independence Measures to clarify factor related to independence of activities of daily living of elderly receiving in-home service under the long-term care insurance system Fifty-four elderly users of the in-home service of Ibaraki Prefecture assented to participate in this study and were analyzed. A researcher conducted survey at the baseline and after follow-up by visiting the elderly at each home. The evaluation standards used here were the Japanese version of Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). The FIM score (mean+/-SD) was decreased 83.6+/-36.4 to 81.7+/-37.4 during the 112+/-22.2 day follow up period. Thirty-nine elderly demonstrated improvement or no change in FIM and 15 had declining scores. To clarify independent factors related to FIM change, we conducted a step-wise multifactor logistic regression analysis, and the results suggested importance for "in-home service availability" and "home care period less than one year". Our study suggested that it is important for maintenance or improvement of ADL in home care elderly to provide sufficient home .care services from the beginning under the long-term care insurance system.

M18. Lack of Generalization From a High-Dose, Well-Powered Randomized Controlled Trial of Working Memory-Focused Training for Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Nienow, Tasha; MacDonald, Angus

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Cognitive deficits contribute to the functional disability associated with schizophrenia. Cognitive training has shown promise as a method of intervention; however, there is considerable variability in the implementation of this approach. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a high dose of cognitive training that targeted working memory-related functions. Methods: A randomized, double blind, active placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted with 80 outpatients with schizophrenia (mean age 46.44 years, 25% female). Patients were randomized to either working memory-based cognitive training or a computer skills training course that taught computer applications. In both conditions, participants received an average of 3 hours of training weekly for 16 weeks. Cognitive and functional outcomes were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery, N-Back performance, 2 measures of functional capacity (UPSA and SSPA) and a measure of community functioning, the Social Functioning Scale. Results: An intent-to-treat analysis found that patients who received cognitive training demonstrated significantly greater change on a trained task (Word N-Back), F(78) = 21.69, P < .0001, and a novel version of a trained task (Picture N-Back) as compared to those in the comparison condition, F(78) = 13.59, P = .002. However, only very modest support was found for generalization of training gains. A trend for an interaction was found on the MCCB Attention Domain score, F(78) = 2.56, P = .12. Participants who received cognitive training demonstrated significantly improved performance, t(39) = 3.79, P = .001, while those in computer skills did not, t(39) = 1.07, P = .37. Conclusion: A well-powered, high-dose, working memory focused, computer-based, cognitive training protocol produced only a small effect in patients with schizophrenia. Results indicate the importance of measuring generalization from training tasks in cognitive remediation studies. Computer-based training was not an effective method of producing change in cognition in patients with schizophrenia.

Statistical analysis of measured free-space laser signal intensity over a 2.33 km optical path.

PubMed

Tunick, Arnold

2007-10-17

Experimental research is conducted to determine the characteristic behavior of high frequency laser signal intensity data collected over a 2.33 km optical path. Results focus mainly on calculated power spectra and frequency distributions. In addition, a model is developed to calculate optical turbulence intensity (C(n)/2) as a function of receiving and transmitting aperture diameter, log-amplitude variance, and path length. Initial comparisons of calculated to measured C(n)/2 data are favorable. It is anticipated that this kind of signal data analysis will benefit laser communication systems development and testing at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and elsewhere.

Geoacoustic inversion with two source-receiver arrays in shallow water.

PubMed

Sukhovich, Alexey; Roux, Philippe; Wathelet, Marc

2010-08-01

A geoacoustic inversion scheme based on a double beamforming algorithm in shallow water is proposed and tested. Double beamforming allows identification of multi-reverberated eigenrays propagating between two vertical transducer arrays according to their emission and reception angles and arrival times. Analysis of eigenray intensities yields the bottom reflection coefficient as a function of angle of incidence. By fitting the experimental reflection coefficient with a theoretical prediction, values of the acoustic parameters of the waveguide bottom can be extracted. The procedure was initially tested in a small-scale tank experiment for a waveguide with a Plexiglas bottom. Inversion results for the speed of shear waves in Plexiglas are in good agreement with the table values. A similar analysis was applied to data collected during an at-sea experiment in shallow coastal waters of the Mediterranean. Bottom reflection coefficient was fitted with the theory in which bottom sediments are modeled as a multi-layered system. Retrieved bottom parameters are in quantitative agreement with those determined from a prior inversion scheme performed in the same area. The present study confirms the interest in processing source-receiver array data through the double beamforming algorithm, and indicates the potential for application of eigenray intensity analysis to geoacoustic inversion problems.

Retrieving Coherent Receiver Function Images with Dense Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, M.; Zhan, Z.

2016-12-01

Receiver functions highlight converted phases (e.g., Ps, PpPs, sP) and have been widely used to study seismic interfaces. With a dense array, receiver functions (RFs) at multiple stations form a RF image that can provide more robust/detailed constraints. However, due to noise in data, non-uniqueness of deconvolution, and local structures that cannot be detected across neighboring stations, traditional RF images are often noisy and hard to interpret. Previous attempts to enhance coherence by stacking RFs from multiple events or post-filtering the RF images have not produced satisfactory improvements. Here, we propose a new method to retrieve coherent RF images with dense arrays. We take advantage of the waveform coherency at neighboring stations and invert for a small number of coherent arrivals for their RFs. The new RF images contain only the coherent arrivals required to fit data well. Synthetic tests and preliminary applications on real data demonstrate that the new RF images are easier to interpret and improve our ability to infer Earth structures using receiver functions.

Gait analysis in children with haemophilia: first Italian experience at the Turin Haemophilia Centre.

PubMed

Forneris, E; Andreacchio, A; Pollio, B; Mannucci, C; Franchini, M; Mengoli, C; Pagliarino, M; Messina, M

2016-05-01

To investigate the functional status in haemophilia patients referred to an Italian paediatric haemophilia centre using gait analysis, verifying any differences between mild, moderate or severe haemophilia at a functional level. Forty-two patients (age 4-18) presenting to the Turin Paediatric Haemophilia Centre who could walk independently were included. Therapy included prophylaxis (n = 21), on-demand (n = 17) or immune tolerance induction + inhibitor (n = 4). Patients performed a test of gait analysis. Temporal, spatial and kinematic parameters were calculated for patient subgroups by disease severity and background treatment, and compared with normal values. Moderate (35.7%) or severe (64.3%) haemophilia patients showed obvious variations from normal across a variety of temporal and spatial gait analysis parameters, including step speed and length, double support, swing phase, load asymmetry, stance phase, swing phase and speed. Kinematic parameters were characterized by frequent foot external rotation with deficient plantar flexion during the stance phase, retropelvic tilt, impaired power generation distally and reduced ground reaction forces. Both Gait Deviation Index and Gait Profile Score values for severe haemophilia patients indicated abnormal gait parameters, which were worst in patients with a history of past or current use of inhibitors and those receiving on-demand therapy. Functional evaluation identified changes in gait pattern in patients with severe and moderate haemophilia, compared with normal values. Gait analysis may be a useful tool to facilitate early diagnosis of joint damage, prevent haemophilic arthropathy, design a personalized rehabilitative treatment and monitor functional status over time. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Survival analysis with functional covariates for partial follow-up studies.

PubMed

Fang, Hong-Bin; Wu, Tong Tong; Rapoport, Aaron P; Tan, Ming

2016-12-01

Predictive or prognostic analysis plays an increasingly important role in the era of personalized medicine to identify subsets of patients whom the treatment may benefit the most. Although various time-dependent covariate models are available, such models require that covariates be followed in the whole follow-up period. This article studies a new class of functional survival models where the covariates are only monitored in a time interval that is shorter than the whole follow-up period. This paper is motivated by the analysis of a longitudinal study on advanced myeloma patients who received stem cell transplants and T cell infusions after the transplants. The absolute lymphocyte cell counts were collected serially during hospitalization. Those patients are still followed up if they are alive after hospitalization, while their absolute lymphocyte cell counts cannot be measured after that. Another complication is that absolute lymphocyte cell counts are sparsely and irregularly measured. The conventional method using Cox model with time-varying covariates is not applicable because of the different lengths of observation periods. Analysis based on each single observation obviously underutilizes available information and, more seriously, may yield misleading results. This so-called partial follow-up study design represents increasingly common predictive modeling problem where we have serial multiple biomarkers up to a certain time point, which is shorter than the total length of follow-up. We therefore propose a solution to the partial follow-up design. The new method combines functional principal components analysis and survival analysis with selection of those functional covariates. It also has the advantage of handling sparse and irregularly measured longitudinal observations of covariates and measurement errors. Our analysis based on functional principal components reveals that it is the patterns of the trajectories of absolute lymphocyte cell counts, instead of the actual counts, that affect patient's disease-free survival time. © The Author(s) 2014.

A facile method to modify bentonite nanoclay with silane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abeywardena, Sujani B. Y.; Perera, Srimala; Nalin de Silva, K. M.; Tissera, Nadeeka P.

2017-07-01

Immobilization of smectite clay onto a desirable surface has received much attention, since its nanospace can be utilized for many applications in material science. Here, we present an efficient method to functionalize surface of bentonite nanoclay (BNC) through the grafting of 3-aminotriethoxysilane (APTES). Infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis confirmed the presence of organic chains and amine groups in modified nanoclay. XRD analysis confirmed grafting of APTES on the surface of bentonite nanoclay without intercalation. The accomplishment of the surface modification was quantitatively proved by TGA analysis. Modified BNC can covalently couple with different material surfaces, allowing its nanospace to be utilized for intercalation of cations, bio-molecules, and polymeric materials, to be used in advanced military aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and many other commercial applications.

Myocardial Fibrosis Progression in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Silva, Marly Conceição; Magalhães, Tiago Augusto; Meira, Zilda Maria Alves; Rassi, Carlos Henrique Reis Esselin; Andrade, Amanda Cristina de Souza; Gutierrez, Paulo Sampaio; Azevedo, Clerio Francisco; Gurgel-Giannetti, Juliana; Vainzof, Mariz; Zatz, Mayana; Kalil-Filho, Roberto; Rochitte, Carlos Eduardo

2017-02-01

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), interventions reducing the progression of myocardial disease could affect survival. To assess the effect of early angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy in patients with normal left ventricular function on the progression of myocardial fibrosis (MF) identified on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). A randomized clinical trial conducted in 2 centers included 76 male patients with DMD or BMD undergoing 2 CMR studies with a 2-year interval for ventricular function and MF assessment. In a non-intent-to-treat trial, 42 patients with MF and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were randomized (1:1) to receive or not receive ACE inhibitor therapy. The study was conducted from June 26, 2009, to June 30, 2012. Data analysis was performed from June 30, 2013, to October 3, 2016. Randomization (1:1) to receive or not receive ACE inhibitor therapy. Primary outcome was MF progression from baseline to the 2-year CMR study. Of the 76 male patients included in the study, 70 had DMD (92%) and 6 had BMD (8%); mean (SD) age at baseline was 13.1 (4.4) years. Myocardial fibrosis was present in 55 patients (72%) and LV systolic dysfunction was identified in 13 patients (24%). Myocardial fibrosis at baseline was an independent indicator of lower LVEF at follow-up (coefficient [SE], -0.16 [0.07]; P = .03). Among patients with MF and preserved LVEF (42 [55%]), those randomized (21 patients in each arm) to receive ACE inhibitors demonstrated slower MF progression compared with the untreated group (mean [SD] increase of 3.1% [7.4%] vs 10.0% [6.2%] as a percentage of LV mass; P = .001). In multivariate analysis, ACE inhibitor therapy was an independent indicator of decreased MF progression (coefficient [SE], -4.51 [2.11]; P = .04). Patients with MF noted on CMR had a higher probability of cardiovascular events (event rate, 10 of 55 [18.2%] vs 0 of 21 [0%]; log-rank P = .04). In this 2-year, follow-up, randomized clinical trial of patients with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy whose LVEF was preserved and MF was present as determined on CMR, ACE inhibitor therapy was associated with significantly slower progression of MF. The presence of MF was associated with worse patient prognosis. clinicaltrials.org Identifier: NCT02432885.

Influence of a cyclic combination chemotherapeutic protocol on primary haemostasis in dogs suffering from malignant lymphoma.

PubMed

Eberle, N; Mischke, R

2010-03-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of cyclic combination chemotherapy on primary haemostasis in dogs with malignant lymphoma. Seventeen dogs receiving cytostatic treatment for high-grade lymphoma were included in the study. The dogs were treated with a Madison-Wisconsin derived protocol, which included asparaginase, vincristine, doxorubicin and prednisolone. At different time points during the first 4 weeks of induction, platelet count, capillary bleeding time, analysis of the platelet function using the platelet function analyser PFA-100, and platelet aggregation by the Born-method were measured. The most obvious changes were found for median values of the platelet count, which increased significantly from 210,000/microL before induction to 349,000/microL during the second week of induction (P=0.0010). Median platelet count subsequently decreased by the fourth week of treatment (Friedman-test: P<0.0001). None of the parameters of platelet function (capillary bleeding time, automatic platelet function analysis, aggregation maximum) showed significant changes with time (P>0.05, Friedman-test). The results did not suggest that significant platelet dysfunction was induced by the chemotherapeutic protocol used in the study. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Project resources planning and control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sibbers, C. W.

1984-01-01

This report contains instructional guidelines for the resources planning and control of research and development (R&D) projects managed by NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC). Although written to serve primarily as a practical guide and reference for those LaRC personnel who perform resources planning, analysis, control, and reporting functions, it should also be meaningful to other NASA personnel who are directly or indirectly involved in or affected by these functions, especially project technical managers whose responsibilities include resources management. Certain sections should help Contractor personnel to better understand what resources information must usually be submitted on LaRC projects and what use is made of such information. The Project Manager of a large R&D project typicaly receives support from an Analyst in the area of resources management. The Analyst provides assistance in four functional areas: Planning, Analysis/Control, Administration, and Reporting. Each of these functions are discussed in detail. Examples of techniques used effectively on LaRC projects have been included where applicable. A considerable amount of information has been included on the use of Performance Measurement (Earned Value) Systems for contract cost control and reporting as little information is currently available on this subject in NASA publications.

A Pseudorange Measurement Scheme Based on Snapshot for Base Station Positioning Receivers.

PubMed

Mo, Jun; Deng, Zhongliang; Jia, Buyun; Bian, Xinmei

2017-12-01

Digital multimedia broadcasting signal is promised to be a wireless positioning signal. This paper mainly studies a multimedia broadcasting technology, named China mobile multimedia broadcasting (CMMB), in the context of positioning. Theoretical and practical analysis on the CMMB signal suggests that the existing CMMB signal does not have the meter positioning capability. So, the CMMB system has been modified to achieve meter positioning capability by multiplexing the CMMB signal and pseudo codes in the same frequency band. The time difference of arrival (TDOA) estimation method is used in base station positioning receivers. Due to the influence of a complex fading channel and the limited bandwidth of receivers, the regular tracking method based on pseudo code ranging is difficult to provide continuous and accurate TDOA estimations. A pseudorange measurement scheme based on snapshot is proposed to solve the problem. This algorithm extracts the TDOA estimation from the stored signal fragments, and utilizes the Taylor expansion of the autocorrelation function to improve the TDOA estimation accuracy. Monte Carlo simulations and real data tests show that the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the TDOA estimation error for base station positioning receivers, and then the modified CMMB system achieves meter positioning accuracy.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients With Terminal Illness: An Evidence-Based Analysis

PubMed Central

Sehatzadeh, S

2014-01-01

Background Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was first introduced in 1960 for people who unexpectedly experience sudden cardiac arrest. Over the years, it became routine practice in all institutions to perform CPR for all patients even though, for some patients with fatal conditions, application of CPR only prolongs the dying process through temporarily restoring cardiac function. Objectives This analysis aims to systematically review the literature to provide an accurate estimate of survival following CPR in patients with terminal health conditions. Data Sources A literature search was performed for studies published from January 1, 2004, until January 10, 2014. The search was updated monthly to March 1, 2014. Review Methods Abstracts and full text of studies that met eligibility criteria were reviewed. Reference lists were also examined for any additional relevant studies not identified through the search. Results Cancer patients have lower survival rates following CPR than patients with conditions other than cancer, and cancer patients who receive CPR in intensive care units have one-fifth the rate of survival to discharge of cancer patients who receive CPR in general wards. While the meta-analysis of studies published between 1967 and 2005 reported a lower survival to discharge for cancer patients (6.2%), more recent studies reported higher survival to discharge or to 30-day survival for these patients. Higher survival rates in more recent studies could originate with more “do not attempt resuscitation” orders for patients with end-stage cancer in recent years. Older age does not significantly decrease the rate of survival following CPR while the degree, the type, and the number of chronic health conditions; functional dependence; and multiple CPRs (particularly in advanced age) do reduce survival rates. Emergency Medical Services response time have a significant impact on survival following out-of-hospital CPR. Conclusions Survival after CPR depends on the severity of illness, type and number of health conditions, functional dependence, and multiple CPRs. PMID:26339301

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients With Terminal Illness: An Evidence-Based Analysis.

PubMed

Sehatzadeh, S

2014-01-01

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was first introduced in 1960 for people who unexpectedly experience sudden cardiac arrest. Over the years, it became routine practice in all institutions to perform CPR for all patients even though, for some patients with fatal conditions, application of CPR only prolongs the dying process through temporarily restoring cardiac function. This analysis aims to systematically review the literature to provide an accurate estimate of survival following CPR in patients with terminal health conditions. A literature search was performed for studies published from January 1, 2004, until January 10, 2014. The search was updated monthly to March 1, 2014. Abstracts and full text of studies that met eligibility criteria were reviewed. Reference lists were also examined for any additional relevant studies not identified through the search. Cancer patients have lower survival rates following CPR than patients with conditions other than cancer, and cancer patients who receive CPR in intensive care units have one-fifth the rate of survival to discharge of cancer patients who receive CPR in general wards. While the meta-analysis of studies published between 1967 and 2005 reported a lower survival to discharge for cancer patients (6.2%), more recent studies reported higher survival to discharge or to 30-day survival for these patients. Higher survival rates in more recent studies could originate with more "do not attempt resuscitation" orders for patients with end-stage cancer in recent years. Older age does not significantly decrease the rate of survival following CPR while the degree, the type, and the number of chronic health conditions; functional dependence; and multiple CPRs (particularly in advanced age) do reduce survival rates. Emergency Medical Services response time have a significant impact on survival following out-of-hospital CPR. Survival after CPR depends on the severity of illness, type and number of health conditions, functional dependence, and multiple CPRs.

Effects of Nutritional Prehabilitation, With and Without Exercise, on Outcomes of Patients Who Undergo Colorectal Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Gillis, Chelsia; Buhler, Katherine; Bresee, Lauren; Carli, Francesco; Gramlich, Leah; Culos-Reed, Nicole; Sajobi, Tolulope T; Fenton, Tanis R

2018-05-08

Although there have been meta-analyses of the effects of exercise prehabilitation on patients undergoing colorectal surgery, little is known about the effects of nutrition-only (oral nutritional supplements and/or counseling) and multi-modal (oral nutritional supplements and/or counseling with exercise) prehabilitation on clinical outcomes and patient function after surgery. We performed a systemic review and meta-analysis to determine the individual and combined effects of nutrition-only and multi-modal prehabilitation, compared with no prehabilitation (control), on outcomes of patients undergoing colorectal resection. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and ProQuest for cohort and randomized controlled studies of adults awaiting colorectal surgery who received at least 7 days of oral nutrition supplements and/or nutrition counselling with or without exercise. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled risk ratio for categorical data and the weighted mean difference for continuous variables. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay; the secondary outcome was recovery of functional capacity, based on results of a 6-minute walk test. We identified 9 studies (5 randomized controlled studies and 4 cohort studies) comprising 914 patients undergoing colorectal surgery (438 received prehabilitation and 476 served as controls). Receipt of any prehabilitation significantly reduced days spent in hospital compared with controls (weighted mean difference of length of hospital stay, -2.2 days; 95% CI, -3.5 days to -0.9 days). Only 3 studies reported functional outcomes but could not be pooled due to methodological heterogeneity. In the individual studies, multimodal prehabilitation significantly improved results of the 6-minute walk test at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery compared with standard enhanced recovery pathway care, and at 8 weeks compared with standard enhanced recovery pathway care with added rehabilitation. The 4 observational studies had a high risk of bias. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that nutritional prehabilitation alone, or when combined with an exercise program, significantly reduced length of hospital stay by 2 days in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. There is some evidence that multimodal prehabilitation accelerated the return to pre-surgery functional capacity. Copyright © 2018 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Higher protein intake increases cardiac function parameters in healthy children: metabolic programming by infant nutrition-secondary analysis from a clinical trial.

PubMed

Collell, Rosa; Closa-Monasterolo, Ricardo; Ferré, Natalia; Luque, Veronica; Koletzko, Berthold; Grote, Veit; Janas, Roman; Verduci, Elvira; Escribano, Joaquín

2016-06-01

Protein intake may modulate cardiac structure and function in pathological conditions, but there is a lack of knowledge on potential effects in healthy infants. Secondary analysis of an ongoing randomized clinical trial comparing two groups of infants receiving a higher (HP) or lower (LP) protein content formula in the first year of life, and compared with an observational group of breastfed (BF) infants. Growth and dietary intake were assessed periodically from birth to 2 y. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis parameters were analyzed at 6 mo in a blood sample. At 2 y, cardiac mass and function were assessed by echocardiography. HP infants (n = 50) showed a higher BMI z-score at 2 y compared with LP (n = 47) or BF (n = 44). Cardiac function parameters were increased in the HP group compared with the LP and were directly related to the protein intake during the first 6 mo of life. Moreover, there was an increase in free IGF-1 in the HP group at 6 mo. A moderate increase in protein supply during the first year of life is associated with higher cardiac function parameters at 2 y. IGF-1 axis modifications may, at least in part, underlie these effects.

Crustal structure of the rifted volcanic margins and uplifted plateau of Western Yemen from receiver function analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Abdulhakim; Tiberi, Christel; Leroy, Sylvie; Stuart, Graham W.; Keir, Derek; Sholan, Jamal; Khanbari, Khaled; Al-Ganad, Ismael; Basuyau, Clémence

2013-06-01

We analyse P-wave receiver functions across the western Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea continental margins in Western Yemen to constrain crustal thickness, internal crustal structure and the bulk seismic velocity characteristics in order to address the role of magmatism, faulting and mechanical crustal thinning during continental breakup. We analyse teleseismic data from 21 stations forming the temporary Young Conjugate Margins Laboratory (YOCMAL) network together with GFZ and Yemeni permanent stations. Analysis of computed receiver functions shows that (1) the thickness of unextended crust on the Yemen plateau is ˜35 km; (2) this thins to ˜22 km in coastal areas and reaches less than 14 km on the Red Sea coast, where presence of a high-velocity lower crust is evident. The average Vp/Vs ratio for the western Yemen Plateau is 1.79, increasing to ˜1.92 near the Red Sea coast and decreasing to 1.68 for those stations located on or near the granitic rocks. Thinning of the crust, and by inference extension, occurs over a ˜130-km-wide transition zone from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts to the edges of the Yemen plateau. Thinning of continental crust is particularly localized in a <30-km-wide zone near the coastline, spatially co-incident with addition of magmatic underplate to the lower crust, above which on the surface we observe the presence of seaward dipping reflectors (SDRs) and thickened Oligo-Miocene syn-rift basaltic flows. Our results strongly suggest the presence of high-velocity mafic intrusions in the lower crust, which are likely either synrift magmatic intrusion into continental lower crust or alternatively depleted upper mantle underplated to the base of the crust during the eruption of the SDRs. Our results also point towards a regional breakup history in which the onset of rifting was synchronous along the western Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea volcanic margins followed by a second phase of extension along the Red Sea margin.

Cost analysis in oral cavity and oropharyngeal reconstructions with microvascular and pedicled flaps.

PubMed

Deganello, A; Gitti, G; Parrinello, G; Muratori, E; Larotonda, G; Gallo, O

2013-12-01

Reconstructive surgery of the head and neck region has undergone tremendous advancement over the past three decades, and the success rate of free tissue transfers has risen to greater than 95%. It must always be considered that not all patients are ideal candidates for free flap reconstruction, and also that not every defect strictly requires a free flap transfer to achieve good functional results. At our institution, free flap reconstruction is first choice, although we use pedicled alternative flaps for most weak patients suffering from severe comorbidities, and for pretreated patients presenting a second primary or a recurrent cancer. From July 2006 to May 2010, 54 consecutive patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects. We divided the cohort in three groups: Group 1 (G1): 16 patients in good general conditions that received free radial forearm flap reconstruction; Group 2 (G2): 18 high-risk patients that received a reconstruction with infrahyoid flap; Group 3 (G3): 20 patients that received temporal flap (10 cases) or pectoral flap (10 cases) reconstruction. We must highlight that pedicled alternative flaps were used in elderly, unfavourable and weak patients, where usually the medical costs tend to rise rather than decrease. We compared the healthcare costs of the three groups, calculating real costs in each group from review of medical records and operating room registers, and calculating the corresponding DRG system reimbursement. For real costs, we found a statistically significant difference among groups: in G1 the average total cost per patient was € 22,924, in G2 it was € 18,037 and in G3 was € 19,872 (p = 0.043). The amount of the refund, based on the DRG system, was € 7,650 per patient, independently of the type of surgery. Our analysis shows that the use of alternative non-microvascular techniques, in high-risk patients, is functionally and oncologically sound, and can even produce a cost savings. In particular, the infrahyoid flap (G2) ensures excellent functional results, accompanied by the best economic savings in the worst group of patients. Our data reflect a large disconnection between the DRG system and actual treatment costs.

Crustal structure across the lateral edge of the Southern Tyrrhenian slab

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pio Lucente, Francesco; Piana Agostinetti, Nicola; Di Bona, Massimo; Govoni, Aladino; Bianchi, Irene

2015-04-01

In the southeastern corner of the Tyrrhenian basin, in the central Mediterranean Sea, a tight alignment of earthquakes along a well-defined Benioff zone reveals the presence of one of the narrowest active trenches worldwide, where one of the last fragments of the former Tethys ocean is consumed. Seismic tomography furnishes snapshot images of the present-day position and shape of this slab. Through receiver function analysis we investigate the layered structures overlying the slab. We compute receiver functions from the P-coda of teleseismic events at 13 temporary station deployed during the "Messina 1908-2008" research project (Margheriti, 2008), and operating for an average period of 15 months each. The crustal and uppermost mantle structure has been investigated using a trans-dimensional McMC algorithm developed by Piana Agostinetti and Malinverno (2010), obtaining a 1D S-wave velocity profile for each station. At three of the stations, operating for a longer period of time, the number and the azimuthal distribution of teleseisms allowed us to stack the RF data-set with back azimuth and to compute the harmonic expansion. The analysis of the back-azimuthal harmonics gave us insight on the presence of dipping interfaces and anisotropic layers at depth. The strike and the dip of interfaces and the anisotropic parameters have been quantified using the Neighbourhood Algorithm (Sambridge, 1999). Preliminary results highlight: (1) a neat differentiation of the isotropic S-wave velocity structure passing through the slab edge, from the tip of the Calabrian arc to the Peloritani Range, and (2) the presence of crustal complexities, such as dipping interfaces and anisotropic layers, both in the upper and lower crust. Margheriti, L. (2008), Understanding Crust Dynamics and Subduction in Southern Italy, Eos Trans. AGU, 89(25), 225-226, doi:10.1029/2008EO250002. Piana Agostinetti, N. and A. Malinverno (2010) Receiver Function inversion by trans-dimensional Monte Carlo sampling, Geophys. J. Int., 181(2) 858-872, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2010.04530.x Sambridge, M. (1999), Geophysical inversion with a neighbourhood algorithm-I. Searching a parameter space, Geophys. J. Int., 138, 479-494, doi:10.1046/j.1365-246X.1999.00876.x.

Crustal structure in Ethiopia and Kenya from receiver function analysis: Implications for rift development in eastern Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugda, Mulugeta T.; Nyblade, Andrew A.; Julia, Jordi; Langston, Charles A.; Ammon, Charles J.; Simiyu, Silas

2005-01-01

Crustal structure in Kenya and Ethiopia has been investigated using receiver function analysis of broadband seismic data to determine the extent to which the Cenozoic rifting and magmatism has modified the thickness and composition of the Proterozoic crust in which the East African rift system developed. Data for this study come from broadband seismic experiments conducted in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2002 and in Kenya between 2001 and 2002. Two methods have been used to analyze the receiver functions, the H-κ method, and direct stacks of the waveforms, yielding consistent results. Crustal thickness to the east of the Kenya rift varies between 39 and 42 km, and Poisson's ratios for the crust vary between 0.24 and 0.27. To the west of the Kenya rift, Moho depths vary between 37 and 38 km, and Poisson's ratios vary between 0.24 and 0.27. These findings support previous studies showing that crust away from the Kenya rift has not been modified extensively by Cenozoic rifting and magmatism. Beneath the Ethiopian Plateau on either side of the Main Ethiopian Rift, crustal thickness ranges from 33 to 44 km, and Poisson's ratios vary from 0.23 to 0.28. Within the Main Ethiopian Rift, Moho depths vary from 27 to 38 km, and Poisson's ratios range from 0.27 to 0.35. A crustal thickness of 25 km and a Poisson's ratio of 0.36 were obtained for a single station in the Afar Depression. These results indicate that the crust beneath the Ethiopian Plateau has not been modified significantly by the Cenozoic rifting and magmatism, even though up to a few kilometers of flood basalts have been added, and that the crust beneath the rifted regions in Ethiopia has been thinned in many places and extensively modified by the addition of mafic rock. The latter finding is consistent with models for rift evolution, suggesting that magmatic segments with the Main Ethiopian Rift, characterized by dike intrusion and Quaternary volcanism, act now as the locus of extension rather than the rift border faults.

Scaling functional status within the interRAI suite of assessment instruments

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background As one ages, physical, cognitive, and clinical problems accumulate and the pattern of loss follows a distinct progression. The first areas requiring outside support are the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and over time there is a need for support in performing the Activities of Daily Living. Two new functional hierarchies are presented, an IADL hierarchical capacity scale and a combination scale integrating both IADL and ADL hierarchies. Methods A secondary analyses of data from a cross-national sample of community residing persons was conducted using 762,023 interRAI assessments. The development of the new IADL Hierarchy and a new IADL-ADL combined scale proceeded through a series of interrelated steps first examining individual IADL and ADL item scores among persons receiving home care and those living independently without services. A factor analysis demonstrated the overall continuity across the IADL-ADL continuum. Evidence of the validity of the scales was explored with associative analyses of factors such as a cross-country distributional analysis for persons in home care programs, a count of functional problems across the categories of the hierarchy, an assessment of the hours of informal and formal care received each week by persons in the different categories of the hierarchy, and finally, evaluation of the relationship between cognitive status and the hierarchical IADL-ADL assignments. Results Using items from interRAI’s suite of assessment instruments, two new functional scales were developed, the interRAI IADL Hierarchy Scale and the interRAI IADL-ADL Functional Hierarchy Scale. The IADL Hierarchy Scale consisted of 5 items, meal preparation, housework, shopping, finances and medications. The interRAI IADL-ADL Functional Hierarchy Scale was created through an amalgamation of the ADL Hierarchy (developed previously) and IADL Hierarchy Scales. These scales cover the spectrum of IADL and ADL challenges faced by persons in the community. Conclusions An integrated IADL and ADL functional assessment tool is valuable. The loss in these areas follows a general hierarchical pattern and with the interRAI IADL-ADL Functional Hierarchy Scale, this progression can be reliably and validly assessed. Used across settings within the health continuum, it allows for monitoring of individuals from relative independence through episodes of care. PMID:24261417

Responsiveness of SF-36 and Lower Extremity Functional Scale for assessing outcomes in traumatic injuries of lower extremities.

PubMed

Pan, Shin-Liang; Liang, Huey-Wen; Hou, Wen-Hsuan; Yeh, Tian-Shin

2014-11-01

To assess the responsiveness of one generic questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and one region-specific outcome measure, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), in patients with traumatic injuries of lower extremities. A prospective and observational study of patients after traumatic injuries of lower extremities. Assessments were performed at baseline and 3 months later. In-patients and out-patients in two university hospitals in Taiwan. A convenience sample of 109 subjects were evaluated and 94 (86%) were followed. Not applicable. Assessments of responsiveness with distribution-based approach (effect size, standardized response mean [SRM], minimal detectable change) and anchor-based approach (receiver's operating curve analysis, ROC analysis). LEFS and physical component score (PCS) of SF-36 were all responsive to global improvement, with fair-to-good accuracy in discriminating between participants with and without improvement. The area under curve gained by ROC analysis for LEFS and SF-36 PCS was similar (0.65 vs. 0.70, p=0.26). Our findings revealed comparable responsiveness of LEFS and PCS of SF-36 in a sample of subjects with traumatic injuries of lower limbs. Either type of functional measure would be suitable for use in clinical trials where improvement in function was an endpoint of interest. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interaction of carbon nanotubes coatings with titanium substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fraczek-Szczypta, Aneta; Wedel-Grzenda, Alicja; Benko, Aleksandra; Grzonka, Justyna; Mizera, Jaroslaw

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) after chemical surface functionalization on the interaction with a titanium surface. Two kinds of MWCNTs differing in terms of concentration of functional groups were deposited on the Ti surface using the electrophoretic deposition method (EPD). The study has shown the detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of this form of carbon nanomaterial and received on their base coatings using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The adhesion of the MWCNTs coatings to the Ti surface was determined using the shear test method, according to standard ASTM F-1044-05. These results indicated that one type of MWCNTs characterized by a higher concentration of functional groups has better adhesion to the metal surface than the second type. Analysis of the MWCNT-metal interface using Raman spectroscopy and SEM and STEM indicates the presence of phase built of MWCNT and TiO2. This phase could be a type of nanocomposite that affects the improvement of the adhesion of MWCNT to the Ti surface.

Receiver design, performance analysis, and evaluation for space-borne laser altimeters and space-to-space laser ranging systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, Frederic M.; Sun, Xiaoli; Field, Christopher T.

1994-01-01

Accomplishments in the following areas of research are presented: receiver performance study of spaceborne laser altimeters and cloud and aerosol lidars; receiver performance analysis for space-to-space laser ranging systems; and receiver performance study for the Mars Environmental Survey (MESUR).

Experimental Design and Data Analysis in Receiver Operating Characteristic Studies: Lessons Learned from Reports in Radiology from 1997 to 20061

PubMed Central

Shiraishi, Junji; Pesce, Lorenzo L.; Metz, Charles E.; Doi, Kunio

2009-01-01

Purpose: To provide a broad perspective concerning the recent use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in medical imaging by reviewing ROC studies published in Radiology between 1997 and 2006 for experimental design, imaging modality, medical condition, and ROC paradigm. Materials and Methods: Two hundred ninety-five studies were obtained by conducting a literature search with PubMed with two criteria: publication in Radiology between 1997 and 2006 and occurrence of the phrase “receiver operating characteristic.” Studies returned by the query that were not diagnostic imaging procedure performance evaluations were excluded. Characteristics of the remaining studies were tabulated. Results: Two hundred thirty-three (79.0%) of the 295 studies reported findings based on observers' diagnostic judgments or objective measurements. Forty-three (14.6%) did not include human observers, with most of these reporting an evaluation of a computer-aided diagnosis system or functional data obtained with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The remaining 19 (6.4%) studies were classified as reviews or meta-analyses and were excluded from our subsequent analysis. Among the various imaging modalities, MR imaging (46.0%) and CT (25.7%) were investigated most frequently. Approximately 60% (144 of 233) of ROC studies with human observers published in Radiology included three or fewer observers. Conclusion: ROC analysis is widely used in radiologic research, confirming its fundamental role in assessing diagnostic performance. However, the ROC studies reported in Radiology were not always adequate to support clear and clinically relevant conclusions. © RSNA, 2009 Supplemental material: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.2533081632/-/DC1 PMID:19864510

Improvement of a Quantum Proxy Blind Signature Scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jia-Lei; Zhang, Jian-Zhong; Xie, Shu-Cui

2018-02-01

Improvement of a quantum proxy blind signature scheme is proposed in this paper. Six-qubit entangled state functions as quantum channel. In our scheme, a trust party Trent is introduced so as to avoid David's dishonest behavior. The receiver David verifies the signature with the help of Trent in our scheme. The scheme uses the physical characteristics of quantum mechanics to implement message blinding, delegation, signature and verification. Security analysis proves that our scheme has the properties of undeniability, unforgeability, anonymity and can resist some common attacks.

Improvement of a Quantum Proxy Blind Signature Scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jia-Lei; Zhang, Jian-Zhong; Xie, Shu-Cui

2018-06-01

Improvement of a quantum proxy blind signature scheme is proposed in this paper. Six-qubit entangled state functions as quantum channel. In our scheme, a trust party Trent is introduced so as to avoid David's dishonest behavior. The receiver David verifies the signature with the help of Trent in our scheme. The scheme uses the physical characteristics of quantum mechanics to implement message blinding, delegation, signature and verification. Security analysis proves that our scheme has the properties of undeniability, unforgeability, anonymity and can resist some common attacks.

Tact training versus bidirectional intraverbal training in teaching a foreign language.

PubMed

Dounavi, Katerina

2014-01-01

The current study involved an evaluation of the emergence of untrained verbal relations as a function of 3 different foreign-language teaching strategies. Two Spanish-speaking adults received foreign-language (English) tact training and native-to-foreign and foreign-to-native intraverbal training. Tact training and native-to-foreign intraverbal training resulted in the emergence of a greater number of untrained responses, and may thus be more efficient than foreign-to-native intraverbal training. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

P53 Mutation Analysis to Predict Tumor Response in Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Treatment for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

then sequenced (for GeneChip- positiv SSCP (for GeneChip-negative). We have received a total of 43 core breast biopsy DNA samples from the UNC... quantitative luciferase reporter. Both reporters exploit a “rheostatable” promoter for p53 expression and utilize the “delitto perfetto” in vivo... quantitative luciferase-based assay is also being used to characterize the altered function sistent an tion T mutants in greater detail. Preliminary

An Advanced Computational Approach to System of Systems Analysis & Architecting Using Agent-Based Behavioral Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

System N Agent « datatype » SoS Architecture -Receives Capabilities1 -Provides Capabilities1 1 -Provides Capabilities1 1 -Provides Capabilities1 -Updates 1...fitness, or objective function. The structure of the SoS Agent is depicted in Figure 10. SoS Agent Architecture « datatype » Initial SoS...Architecture «subsystem» Fuzzy Inference Engine FAM « datatype » Affordability « datatype » Flexibility « datatype » Performance « datatype » Robustness Input Input

Multi-pulse multi-delay (MPMD) multiple access modulation for UWB

DOEpatents

Dowla, Farid U.; Nekoogar, Faranak

2007-03-20

A new modulation scheme in UWB communications is introduced. This modulation technique utilizes multiple orthogonal transmitted-reference pulses for UWB channelization. The proposed UWB receiver samples the second order statistical function at both zero and non-zero lags and matches the samples to stored second order statistical functions, thus sampling and matching the shape of second order statistical functions rather than just the shape of the received pulses.

S100A9 and EGFR gene signatures predict disease progression in muscle invasive bladder cancer patients after chemotherapy.

PubMed

Kim, W T; Kim, J; Yan, C; Jeong, P; Choi, S Y; Lee, O J; Chae, Y B; Yun, S J; Lee, S C; Kim, W J

2014-05-01

In our previous gene expression profile analysis, IL1B, S100A8, S100A9, and EGFR were shown to be important mediators of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of these gene signatures to predict disease progression after chemotherapy in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC. Patients with locally advanced MIBC who received chemotherapy were enrolled. The expression signatures of four genes were measured and carried out further functional analysis to confirm our findings. Two of the four genes, S100A9 and EGFR, were determined to significantly influence disease progression (P = 0.023, 0.045, respectively). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut-off value for disease progression was determined. Patients with the good-prognostic signature group had a significantly longer time to progression and cancer-specific survival time than those with the poor-prognostic signature group (P < 0.001, 0.042, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, gene signature was the only factor that significantly influenced disease progression [hazard ratio: 4.726, confidence interval: 1.623-13.763, P = 0.004]. In immunohistochemical analysis, S100A9 and EGFR positivity were associated with disease progression after chemotherapy. Protein expression of S100A9/EGFR showed modest correlation with gene expression of S100A9/EGFR (r = 0.395, P = 0.014 and r = 0.453, P = 0.004). Our functional analysis provided the evidence demonstrating that expression of S100A9 and EGFR closely associated chemoresistance, and that inhibition of S100A9 and EGFR may sensitize bladder tumor cells to the cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The S100A9/EGFR level is a novel prognostic marker to predict the chemoresponsiveness of patients with locally recurrent or metastatic MIBC.

Swallowing Function and Nutritional Status in Japanese Elderly People Receiving Home-care Services: A 1-year Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Okabe, Y; Furuta, M; Akifusa, S; Takeuchi, K; Adachi, M; Kinoshita, T; Kikutani, T; Nakamura, S; Yamashita, Y

2016-01-01

Malnutrition is a serious health concern for frail elderly people. Poor oral function leading to insufficient food intake can contribute to the development of malnutrition. In the present study, we explored the longitudinal association of malnutrition with oral function, including oral health status and swallowing function, in elderly people receiving home nursing care. Prospective observational cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Two mid-sized cities in Fukuoka, Japan from November 2010 to March 2012. One hundred and ninety-seven individuals, aged ≥ 60 years, living at home and receiving home-care services because of physical disabilities, without malnutrition. Oral health status, swallowing function, taking modified-texture diets such as minced or pureed foods, nutritional status, cognitive function, and activities of daily living were assessed at baseline. The associations between malnutrition at 1-year follow-up and these related factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Swallowing disorders [risk ratio (RR): 5.21, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.65-16.43] were associated with malnutrition. On the other hand, oral health status did not have a direct association with malnutrition. Swallowing disorders may be associated with the incidence of malnutrition in elderly people receiving home-care. The findings indicate that maintaining swallowing function may contribute to the prevention of malnutrition in frail elderly people.

Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). Performance Verification Report, METSAT (S/N:107) AMSU-A1 Receiver Assemblies: P/N 1356429-1, S/N:F04, P/N 1356409-1,S/N F04

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pines, D.

1999-01-01

This is the Performance Verification Report, METSAT (S/N: 107) AMSU-A1 Receiver Assemblies, P/N 1356429-1, SIN: F04, P/N 1356409- 1, S/N: F04, for the Integrated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). The AMSU-A receiver subsystem comprises two separated receiver assemblies; AMSU-A1 and AMSU-A2 (P/N 1356441-1). The AMSU-A1 receiver contains 13 channels and the AMSU-A2 receiver 2 channels. The AMSU-A receiver assembly is further divided into two parts; AMSU-A I - I (P/N 13 5 6429- 1) and AMSU-A 1 -2 (P/N 1356409-1), which contain 9 and 4 channels, respectively. The AMSU-A receiver subsystem is located in between the antenna and signal processing subsystems of the AMSU-A instrument and comprises the RF and IF components from isolators to attenuators. It receives the RF signals from the antenna subsystem, down-converts the RF signals to IF signals, amplifies and defines the IF signals to proper power level and frequency bandwidth as specified for each channel, and inputs the IF signals to the signal processing subsystem. The test reports for the METSAT AMSU-A receiver subsystem are prepared separately for Al and A2 receivers so that each receiver stands alone during integration of instruments into the spacecraft. This test report presents the test data of the N4ETSAT AMSU-A1 Flight Model No. 4 (FM-4) receiver subsystem. The tests are performed per the Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP) for the AMSU-A Receiver Subsystem, AE-26002/6A. The functional performance tests are conducted either at the component or subsystem level. While the component-level tests are performed over the entire operating temperature range predicted by thermal analysis, most subsystem-level tests are conducted at ambient temperature only. Key performances (bandpass characteristics and noise figure) of the receiver subsystem are verified over the operating temperature.

Effect of general anaesthesia on functional outcome in patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke having endovascular thrombectomy versus standard care: a meta-analysis of individual patient data.

PubMed

Campbell, Bruce C V; van Zwam, Wim H; Goyal, Mayank; Menon, Bijoy K; Dippel, Diederik W J; Demchuk, Andrew M; Bracard, Serge; White, Philip; Dávalos, Antoni; Majoie, Charles B L M; van der Lugt, Aad; Ford, Gary A; de la Ossa, Natalia Pérez; Kelly, Michael; Bourcier, Romain; Donnan, Geoffrey A; Roos, Yvo B W E M; Bang, Oh Young; Nogueira, Raul G; Devlin, Thomas G; van den Berg, Lucie A; Clarençon, Frédéric; Burns, Paul; Carpenter, Jeffrey; Berkhemer, Olvert A; Yavagal, Dileep R; Pereira, Vitor Mendes; Ducrocq, Xavier; Dixit, Anand; Quesada, Helena; Epstein, Jonathan; Davis, Stephen M; Jansen, Olav; Rubiera, Marta; Urra, Xabier; Micard, Emilien; Lingsma, Hester F; Naggara, Olivier; Brown, Scott; Guillemin, Francis; Muir, Keith W; van Oostenbrugge, Robert J; Saver, Jeffrey L; Jovin, Tudor G; Hill, Michael D; Mitchell, Peter J

2018-01-01

General anaesthesia (GA) during endovascular thrombectomy has been associated with worse patient outcomes in observational studies compared with patients treated without GA. We assessed functional outcome in ischaemic stroke patients with large vessel anterior circulation occlusion undergoing endovascular thrombectomy under GA, versus thrombectomy not under GA (with or without sedation) versus standard care (ie, no thrombectomy), stratified by the use of GA versus standard care. For this meta-analysis, patient-level data were pooled from all patients included in randomised trials in PuMed published between Jan 1, 2010, and May 31, 2017, that compared endovascular thrombectomy predominantly done with stent retrievers with standard care in anterior circulation ischaemic stroke patients (HERMES Collaboration). The primary outcome was functional outcome assessed by ordinal analysis of the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days in the GA and non-GA subgroups of patients treated with endovascular therapy versus those patients treated with standard care, adjusted for baseline prognostic variables. To account for between-trial variance we used mixed-effects modelling with a random effect for trials incorporated in all models. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane method. The meta-analysis was prospectively designed, but not registered. Seven trials were identified by our search; of 1764 patients included in these trials, 871 were allocated to endovascular thrombectomy and 893 were assigned standard care. After exclusion of 74 patients (72 did not undergo the procedure and two had missing data on anaesthetic strategy), 236 (30%) of 797 patients who had endovascular procedures were treated under GA. At baseline, patients receiving GA were younger and had a shorter delay between stroke onset and randomisation but they had similar pre-treatment clinical severity compared with patients who did not have GA. Endovascular thrombectomy improved functional outcome at 3 months both in patients who had GA (adjusted common odds ratio (cOR) 1·52, 95% CI 1·09-2·11, p=0·014) and in those who did not have GA (adjusted cOR 2·33, 95% CI 1·75-3·10, p<0·0001) versus standard care. However, outcomes were significantly better for patients who did not receive GA versus those who received GA (covariate-adjusted cOR 1·53, 95% CI 1·14-2·04, p=0·0044). The risk of bias and variability between studies was assessed to be low. Worse outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy were associated with GA, after adjustment for baseline prognostic variables. These data support avoidance of GA whenever possible. The procedure did, however, remain effective versus standard care in patients treated under GA, indicating that treatment should not be withheld in those who require anaesthesia for medical reasons. Medtronic. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Incidence of delayed seizures, delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcome with the use of levetiracetam versus phenytoin after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

PubMed

Karamchandani, Rahul Ramesh; Fletcher, Jeffrey James; Pandey, Aditya Swarup; Rajajee, Venkatakrishna

2014-09-01

Current guidelines recommend against the use of phenytoin following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) but consider other anticonvulsants, such as levetiracetam, acceptable. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of poor functional outcomes, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and delayed seizures in aSAH patients treated with levetiracetam versus phenytoin. Medical records of patients with aSAH admitted between 2005-2012 receiving anticonvulsant prophylaxis with phenytoin or levetiracetam for >72 hours were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was poor functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score >3 at first recorded follow-up. Secondary outcomes measures included DCI and the incidence of delayed seizures. The association between the use of levetiracetam and phenytoin and the outcomes of interest was studied using logistic regression. Medical records of 564 aSAH patients were reviewed and 259 included in the analysis after application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Phenytoin was used exclusively in 43 (17%), levetiracetam exclusively in 132 (51%) while 84 (32%) patients were switched from phenytoin to levetiracetam. Six (2%) patients had delayed seizures, 94 (36%) developed DCI and 63 (24%) had mRS score >3 at follow-up. On multivariate analysis, only modified Fisher grade and seizure before anticonvulsant administration were associated with DCI while age, Hunt-Hess grade and presence of intraparenchymal hematoma were associated with mRS score >3. Choice of anticonvulsant was not associated with any of the outcomes of interest. There was no difference in the rate of delayed seizures, DCI or poor functional outcome in patients receiving phenytoin versus levetiracetam after aSAH. The high rate of crossover from phenytoin suggests that levetiracetam may be better tolerated. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

A phase 3 trial of IV immunoglobulin for Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Relkin, Norman R; Thomas, Ronald G; Rissman, Robert A; Brewer, James B; Rafii, Michael S; van Dyck, Christopher H; Jack, Clifford R; Sano, Mary; Knopman, David S; Raman, Rema; Szabo, Paul; Gelmont, David M; Fritsch, Sandor; Aisen, Paul S

2017-05-02

We tested biweekly infusions of IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) as a possible treatment for mild to moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia. In a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 390 participants with mild to moderate AD to receive placebo (low-dose albumin) or IVIg (Gammagard Liquid; Baxalta, Bannockburn, IL) administered IV at doses of 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg every 2 weeks for 18 months. The primary cognitive outcome was change from baseline to 18 months on the 11-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale; the primary functional outcome was 18-month change on the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Safety and tolerability data, as well as serial MRIs and plasma samples, were collected throughout the study from all enrolled participants. No beneficial effects were observed in the dual primary outcome measures for the 2 IVIg doses tested. Significant decreases in plasma Aβ42 (but not Aβ40) levels were observed in IVIg-treated participants. Analysis of safety data showed no difference between IVIg and placebo in terms of the rate of occurrence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (brain edema or microhemorrhage). IVIg-treated participants had more systemic reactions (chills, rashes) but fewer respiratory infections than participants receiving placebo. Participants with mild to moderate AD showed good tolerability of treatment with low-dose human IVIg for 18 months but did not show beneficial effects on cognition or function relative to participants who received placebo. NCT00818662. This study provides Class II evidence that IVIg infusions performed every 2 weeks do not improve cognition or function at 18 months in patients with mild to moderate AD. © 2017 American Academy of Neurology.

Structure of the Lithosphere and Asthenosphere beneath the Western US from Simultaneous Multi-Parameter Inversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steck, L.; Maceira, M.; Herrmann, R. B.; Ammon, C. J.

2012-12-01

Joint inversion of multiple datasets should produce more realistic images of Earth structure. Here we simultaneously invert surface wave dispersion, gravity, and receiver functions to determine structure of the crust and upper mantle of the western United States. To date our receiver function dataset, from the EARS system, spans California and western Nevada, but it will be expanded to include the entire study area as the project continues. Rayleigh and Love dispersion data come from multiple filter analysis of regional earthquakes, while the PACES and GRACE campaigns provide the gravity measurements. Our starting model is comprised of an oceanic PREM model west of the Pacific coast, a western US model between that and the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains, and a continental PREM model east of the Rocky Mountain Front. Our inversion reduces surface wave residuals by 57% and receiver function residuals by about 10%, when the two datasets are weighted equally. Gravity residuals are reduced to less than 3 Mgal. Results are consistent with numerous previous studies in the region. In general, the craton exhibits higher velocities than the tectonically active regions to its west. We see high mid-crustal velocities under the Snake River Plain and the Colorado Plateau. In the lower crust we observe lowest velocities in the western Basin and Range and under the Colorado Mineral Belt. At 80km depth we see broad low velocities fanning out from the Snake River Plain associated with the mantle plume feeding Yellowstone Caldera. Other high and low velocity anomalies along the west coast and to the east are likely related to ongoing subduction processes beneath the western US.

Effects of methylmercury exposure on the immune function of juvenile common loons (Gavia immer)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kenow, K.P.; Grasman, K.A.; Hines, R.K.; Meyer, M.W.; Gendron-Fitzpatrick, A.; Spalding, M.G.; Gray, B.R.

2007-01-01

We conducted a dose-response laboratory study to quantify the level of exposure to dietary Hg, delivered as methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl), that is associated with suppressed immune function in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks. We used the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test to assess T-lymphocyte function and the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) hemagglutination test to measure antibody-mediated immunity. The PHA stimulation index among chicks receiving dietary Hg treatment did not differ significantly from those of chicks on the control diet (p = 0.15). Total antibody (immunoglobulin [Ig] M [primary antibody] + IgG [secondary response]) production to the SRBC antigen in chicks treated with dietary methylmercury (MeHg), however, was suppressed (p = 0.04) relative to chicks on control diets. Analysis indicated suppression of total Ig production (p = 0.025 with comparisonwise ?? level = 0.017) between control and 0.4 ??g Hg/g wet food intake treatment groups. Furthermore, the control group exhibited a higher degree of variability in antibody response compared to the Hg groups, suggesting that in addition to reducing the mean response, Hg treatment reduced the normal variation attributable to other biological factors. We observed bursal lymphoid depletion in chicks receiving the 1.2 ??g Hg/g treatment (p = 0.017) and a marginally significant effect (p = 0.025) in chicks receiving the 0.4 ??g Hg/g diet. These findings suggest that common loon chick immune systems may be compromised at an ecologically relevant dietary exposure concentration (0.4 ??g Hg/g wet wt food intake). We also found that chicks hatched from eggs collected from low-pH lakes exhibited higher levels of lymphoid depletion in bursa tissue relative to chicks hatched from eggs collected from neutral-pH lakes. ?? 2007 SETAC.

Renal structure and function evaluation of rats from dams that received increased sodium intake during pregnancy and lactation submitted or not to 5/6 nephrectomy.

PubMed

Marin, Evelyn Cristina Santana; Balbi, Ana Paula Coelho; Francescato, Heloísa Della Coletta; Alves da Silva, Cleonice Giovanini; Costa, Roberto Silva; Coimbra, Terezila M

2008-01-01

Adult rats submitted to perinatal salt overload presented renin-angiotensin system (RAS) functional disturbances. The RAS contributes to the renal development and renal damage in a 5/6 nephrectomy model. The aim of the present study was to analyze the renal structure and function of offspring from dams that received a high-salt intake during pregnancy and lactation. We also evaluated the influence of the prenatal high-salt intake on the evolution of 5/6 nephrectomy in adult rats. A total of 111 sixty-day-old rat pups from dams that received saline or water during pregnancy and lactation were submitted to 5/6 nephrectomy (nephrectomized) or to a sham operation (sham). The animals were killed 120 days after surgery, and the kidneys were removed for immunohistochemical and histological analysis. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were evaluated. Increased SBP, albuminuria, and decreased GFR were observed in the rats from dams submitted to high-sodium intake before surgery. However, there was no difference in these parameters between the groups after the 5/6 nephrectomy. The scores for tubulointerstitial lesions and glomerulosclerosis were higher in the rats from the sham saline group compared to the same age control rats, but there was no difference in the histological findings between the groups of nephrectomized rats. In conclusion, our data showed that the high-salt intake during pregnancy and lactation in rats leads to structural changes in the kidney of adult offspring. However, the progression of the renal lesions after 5/6 nephrectomy was similar in both groups.

Associations between physical activity and quality of life in cancer patients receiving palliative care: a pilot survey.

PubMed

Lowe, Sonya S; Watanabe, Sharon M; Baracos, Vickie E; Courneya, Kerry S

2009-11-01

The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity and quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients receiving palliative care. Fifty advanced cancer patients aged 18 years or older with clinician-estimated life expectancy of 3-12 months and Palliative Performance Status Scale scores greater than 30% were recruited from an outpatient palliative care clinic and palliative home care. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey by means of face-to-face interview assessing self-reported QoL (McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire [MQOL]), self-reported physical function (Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument), symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), and physical activity behavior. Seventy-six percent (38 of 50) of the participants were deceased at the time of data analysis, with a median survival of 104 days from time of survey to time of death. Walking was the most common reported physical activity. Analyses of variance indicated that participants who reported walking more than 30 minutes per day also reported higher existential subscores (+/-0.8 [95% CI, 0.0-1.5]; P=0.045), support subscores (+/-0.7 [95% CI, 0.1-1.4]; P=0.027), and total scores (+/-0.5 [95% CI, 0.0-0.9]; P=0.046) on the MQOL. There were no significant differences for self-reported physical function or symptoms. Our findings show a significant positive association between physical activity and QoL scores in this sample of patients with advanced cancer. A pilot intervention trial testing the causal effects of physical activity on QoL in cancer patients receiving palliative care is warranted.

Health-related quality of life impact in a randomised phase III study of the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib versus dabrafenib monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600 metastatic melanoma.

PubMed

Schadendorf, Dirk; Amonkar, Mayur M; Stroyakovskiy, Daniil; Levchenko, Evgeny; Gogas, Helen; de Braud, Filippo; Grob, Jean-Jacques; Bondarenko, Igor; Garbe, Claus; Lebbe, Celeste; Larkin, James; Chiarion-Sileni, Vanna; Millward, Michael; Arance, Ana; Mandalà, Mario; Flaherty, Keith T; Nathan, Paul; Ribas, Antoni; Robert, Caroline; Casey, Michelle; DeMarini, Douglas J; Irani, Jhangir G; Aktan, Gursel; Long, Georgina V

2015-05-01

To present the impact of treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the double-blind, randomised phase III COMBI-d study that investigated the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib versus dabrafenib monotherapy in patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant metastatic melanoma. COMBI-d showed significantly prolonged progression-free survival for the combination. HRQoL was evaluated using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30, a generic cancer questionnaire (completed at baseline, during study treatment, at progression and post progression) assessing various dimensions (global health/QoL, functional status, and symptom impact). A mixed-model, repeated-measures analyses of covariance evaluated differences between arms. Questionnaire completion rates were >95% at baseline, >85% to week 40 and >70% at disease progression. Baseline scores across both arms were comparable for all dimensions. Global health dimension scores were significantly better at weeks 8, 16 and 24 for patients receiving the combination during treatment and at progression. The majority of functional dimension scores (physical, social, role, emotional and cognitive functioning) trended in favour of the combination. Pain scores were significantly improved and clinically meaningful (6-13 point difference) for patients receiving the combination for all follow-up assessments versus those receiving dabrafenib monotherapy. For other symptom dimensions (nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, and constipation), scores trended in favour of dabrafenib monotherapy. This analysis demonstrates that the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib provides better preservation of HRQoL and pain improvements versus dabrafenib monotherapy while also delaying progression. (Clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT01584648). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in childhood asthma.

PubMed

Kong, Qian; Li, Wen-Jing; Huang, Hua-Rong; Zhong, Ying-Qiang; Fang, Jian-Pei

2015-05-01

Asthma is a common childhood disease with strong genetic components. This study compared whole-genome expression differences between asthmatic young children and healthy controls to identify gene signatures of childhood asthma. Total RNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was subjected to microarray analysis. QRT-PCR was performed to verify the microarray results. Classification and functional characterization of differential genes were illustrated by hierarchical clustering and gene ontology analysis. Multiple logistic regression (MLR) analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and discriminate power were used to scan asthma-specific diagnostic markers. For fold-change>2 and p < 0.05, there were 758 named differential genes. The results of QRT-PCR confirmed successfully the array data. Hierarchical clustering divided 29 highly possible genes into seven categories and the genes in the same cluster were likely to possess similar expression patterns or functions. Gene ontology analysis presented that differential genes primarily enriched in immune response, response to stress or stimulus, and regulation of apoptosis in biological process. MLR and ROC curve analysis revealed that the combination of ADAM33, Smad7, and LIGHT possessed excellent discriminating power. The combination of ADAM33, Smad7, and LIGHT would be a reliable and useful childhood asthma model for prediction and diagnosis.

Early physical and functional rehabilitation of trauma patients in the Médecins Sans Frontières trauma centre in Kunduz, Afghanistan: luxury or necessity?

PubMed Central

Gohy, Bérangère; Ali, Engy; Van den Bergh, Rafael; Schillberg, Erin; Nasim, Masood; Naimi, Muhammad Mahmood; Cheréstal, Sophia; Falipou, Pauline; Weerts, Eric; Skelton, Peter; Van Overloop, Catherine; Trelles, Miguel

2016-01-01

Background In Afghanistan, Médecins Sans Frontières provided specialised trauma care in Kunduz Trauma Centre (KTC), including physiotherapy. In this study, we describe the development of an adapted functional score for patient outcome monitoring, and document the rehabilitation care provided and patient outcomes in relation to this functional score. Methods A descriptive cohort study was done, including all patients admitted in the KTC inpatient department (IPD) between January and June 2015. The adapted functional score was collected at four points in time: admission and discharge from both IPD and outpatient department (OPD). Results Out of the 1528 admitted patients, 92.3% (n = 1410) received at least one physiotherapy session. A total of 1022 patients sustained either lower limb fracture, upper limb fracture, traumatic brain injury or multiple injury. Among them, 966 patients received physiotherapy in IPD, of whom 596 (61.7%) received IPD sessions within 2 days of admission; 696 patients received physiotherapy in OPD. Functional independence increased over time; among patients having a functional score taken at admission and discharge from IPD, 32.2% (172/535) were independent at discharge, and among patients having a functional score at OPD admission and discharge, 79% (75/95) were independent at discharge. Conclusions The provision of physiotherapy was feasible in this humanitarian setting, and the tailored functional score appeared to be relevant. PMID:27738078

Performance prediction evaluation of ceramic materials in point-focusing solar receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ewing, J.; Zwissler, J.

1979-01-01

A performance prediction was adapted to evaluate the use of ceramic materials in solar receivers for point focusing distributed applications. System requirements were determined including the receiver operating environment and system operating parameters for various engine types. Preliminary receiver designs were evolved from these system requirements. Specific receiver designs were then evaluated to determine material functional requirements.

Transplantation of BDNF-Secreting Mesenchymal Stem Cells Provides Neuroprotection in Chronically Hypertensive Rat Eyes

PubMed Central

Harper, Matthew M.; Grozdanic, Sinisa D.; Blits, Bas; Kuehn, Markus H.; Zamzow, Daniel; Buss, Janice E.; Kardon, Randy H.; Sakaguchi, Donald S.

2011-01-01

Purpose. To evaluate the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) engineered to produce and secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to protect retinal function and structure after intravitreal transplantation in a rat model of chronic ocular hypertension (COH). Methods. COH was induced by laser cauterization of trabecular meshwork and episcleral veins in rat eyes. COH eyes received an intravitreal transplant of MSCs engineered to express BDNF and green fluorescent protein (BDNF-MSCs) or just GFP (GFP-MSCs). Computerized pupillometry and electroretinography (ERG) were performed to assess optic nerve and retinal function. Quantification of optic nerve damage was performed by counting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and evaluating optic nerve cross-sections. Results. After transplantation into COH eyes, BDNF-MSCs preserved significantly more retina and optic nerve function than GFP-MSC–treated eyes when pupil light reflex (PLR) and ERG function were evaluated. PLR analysis showed significantly better function (P = 0.03) in BDNF-MSC–treated eyes (operated/control ratio = 63.00% ± 11.39%) than GFP-MSC–treated eyes (operated/control ratio = 31.81% ± 9.63%) at 42 days after surgery. The BDNF-MSC–transplanted eyes also displayed a greater level of RGC preservation than eyes that received the GFP-MSCs only (RGC cell counts: BDNF-MSC–treated COH eyes, 112.2 ± 19.39 cells/section; GFP-MSC–treated COH eyes, 52.21 ± 11.54 cells/section; P = 0.01). Conclusions. The authors have demonstrated that lentiviral-transduced BDNF-producing MSCs can survive in eyes with chronic hypertension and can provide retina and optic nerve functional and structural protection. Transplantation of BDNF-producing stem cells may be a viable treatment strategy for glaucoma. PMID:21498611

Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's disease: effects of gender, butyrylcholinesterase genotype and rivastigmine treatment

PubMed Central

Ferris, Steven; Nordberg, Agneta; Soininen, Hilkka; Darreh-Shori, Taher; Lane, Roger

2014-01-01

Objective Evaluate the influence of gender and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) genotype on incidence of progression to AD, rate of cognitive and functional decline, and response to rivastigmine treatment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects. Methods This retrospective exploratory analysis from a 3–4 year, randomized, placebo-controlled study of rivastigmine in MCI subjects included participants who consented to pharmacogenetic testing. Results Of 1018 total patients, 490 (253 [52%] female) were successfully genotyped for BuChE. In subjects receiving placebo, the BuChE wt/wt genotype was associated with a statistically significantly higher rate of progression to AD and functional decline in women, compared with men with the BuChE wt/wt genotype. In subjects with a BuChE-K allele receiving placebo, incidence of progression to AD and rate of functional decline were not significantly different by gender, however cognitive decline was significantly faster in men. Statistically significant benefits of rivastigmine treatment on progression to AD, functional decline, ventricular volume expansion, whole brain atrophy and white matter loss were evident in female BuChE wt/wt. Conclusion Gender appears to differentially influence the type of decline in MCI subjects according to BuChE genotype, with more rapid progression of cognitive decline in male BuChE-K, and more rapid progression to AD and functional decline in female BuChE wt/wt. Cognitive decline in male BuChE-K and functional decline and progression to AD in female BuChE wt/wt were significantly attenuated by rivastigmine. Rivastigmine treatment also significantly reduced ventricular expansion, whole brain atrophy rate and white matter loss in female BuChE wt/wt, suggesting a possible disease-modifying effect. PMID:19617863

The treatment of peripheral nerve injuries using irradiated allografts and temporary host immunosuppression (in a rat model)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Easterling, K.J.; Trumble, T.E.

1990-10-01

Irradiation of allografts prior to transplantation and host immunosuppression with cyclosporin-A were studied separately and in combination as means of lessening the rejection of transplanted peripheral nerve tissue. Lewis and Brown Norway rats were used in the animal model, as they differ at both major and minor histocompatibility loci. Sciatic nerve grafts (2.5 cm) were used and the animals were followed for 16 weeks after nerve grafting. The outcome was studied by functional measurements (sensory testing, gait analysis, joint flexion contracture, and muscle weight), as well as by measurements of biochemical and histologic parameters (hydroxyproline concentration and axon counts, respectively).more » Sensory testing was not reliable because of crossover innervation by the saphenous nerve. Evaluation by standard gait-testing techniques was found to be unsatisfactory. However, the allografted animals receiving cyclosporin-A had significantly smaller flexion contractures, compared to the allografted animals without immunosuppression (17 degrees +/- 12 degrees vs. 44 degrees +/- 13 degrees and 51 degrees +/- 13 degrees, p less than 0.005). Allografted animals receiving short-term cyclosporin-A had contractures that were not significantly different from those seen in isografted control animals (17 degrees +/- 12 degrees vs. 22 degrees +/- 15 degrees, NS). Muscle hydroxyproline concentration analysis revealed a lower hydroxyproline concentration among the allografted groups that received irradiated allografts, compared to groups receiving nonirradiated allogeneic grafts. The studies of muscle hydroxyproline concentration and muscle weight both showed substantial reinnervation, even in allografted animals without pretreatment of the grafts or immunosuppression of the recipient animal.« less

Impacts of treatments on the quality of life among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

PubMed

Chen, C-Y; Hsieh, V C-R; Chang, C-H; Chen, P-R; Liang, W-M; Pan, S-C; Shieh, S-H

2017-10-01

This study aims to investigate the effects of treatments on the quality of life for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients diagnosed at early and late stages. From a medical center in central Taiwan, patients who had been diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from February 2007 and March 2011 were recruited. Using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire Oesophageal 18 (QLQ-OES18), quality of life scores for 105 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were obtained and assessed. Multivariate analysis was performed on the quality of life scores after stratification by cancer stage. Among early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients, those received only surgery (S-only) performed better in physical and social functioning compared with patients who underwent surgery and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (S+CCRT) (β = 9.0, P = 0.03; β = 12.1, P = 0.04, respectively). For those that received only concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT-only), they performed worse in role and emotional functioning relative to S+CCRT patients (β = -17.2, P = 0.02; β = -15.7, P = 0.05, respectively). Among late-stage patients, CCRT-only treatment gave insignificantly better global health status and functional scale scores and less severe symptoms compared to the S+CCRT option. Better functional scores and less aggravated symptoms are observed in early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who received surgery-only treatment relative to those that underwent both surgery and chemoradiotherapy. For late-stage esophageal cancer patients, the measured difference of quality of life is not significant between CCRT-only and S+CCRT treatments. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Fuzzy cluster analysis of high-field functional MRI data.

PubMed

Windischberger, Christian; Barth, Markus; Lamm, Claus; Schroeder, Lee; Bauer, Herbert; Gur, Ruben C; Moser, Ewald

2003-11-01

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on blood-oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast today is an established brain research method and quickly gains acceptance for complementary clinical diagnosis. However, neither the basic mechanisms like coupling between neuronal activation and haemodynamic response are known exactly, nor can the various artifacts be predicted or controlled. Thus, modeling functional signal changes is non-trivial and exploratory data analysis (EDA) may be rather useful. In particular, identification and separation of artifacts as well as quantification of expected, i.e. stimulus correlated, and novel information on brain activity is important for both, new insights in neuroscience and future developments in functional MRI of the human brain. After an introduction on fuzzy clustering and very high-field fMRI we present several examples where fuzzy cluster analysis (FCA) of fMRI time series helps to identify and locally separate various artifacts. We also present and discuss applications and limitations of fuzzy cluster analysis in very high-field functional MRI: differentiate temporal patterns in MRI using (a) a test object with static and dynamic parts, (b) artifacts due to gross head motion artifacts. Using a synthetic fMRI data set we quantitatively examine the influences of relevant FCA parameters on clustering results in terms of receiver-operator characteristics (ROC) and compare them with a commonly used model-based correlation analysis (CA) approach. The application of FCA in analyzing in vivo fMRI data is shown for (a) a motor paradigm, (b) data from multi-echo imaging, and (c) a fMRI study using mental rotation of three-dimensional cubes. We found that differentiation of true "neural" from false "vascular" activation is possible based on echo time dependence and specific activation levels, as well as based on their signal time-course. Exploratory data analysis methods in general and fuzzy cluster analysis in particular may help to identify artifacts and add novel and unexpected information valuable for interpretation, classification and characterization of functional MRI data which can be used to design new data acquisition schemes, stimulus presentations, neuro(physio)logical paradigms, as well as to improve quantitative biophysical models.

Mental Health Does Not Moderate Compensatory Cognitive Training Efficacy for Veterans With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

PubMed

Pagulayan, Kathleen F; O'Neil, Maya; Williams, Rhonda M; Turner, Aaron P; Golshan, Shahrokh; Roost, Mai S; Laman-Maharg, Benjamin; Huckans, Marilyn; Storzbach, Daniel; Twamley, Elizabeth W

2017-09-01

To examine the potential moderating effects of mental health symptoms on the efficacy of compensatory cognitive training (CCT) for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of CCT. Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance dependence symptom severity were examined as potential moderators of CCT efficacy for subjective cognitive complaints, use of cognitive strategies, and objective neurocognitive performance. Three Veterans Affairs medical centers. Participants included veterans with history of mTBI (N=119): 50 participated in CCT and 69 received usual care (UC). CCT is a 10-week group-based (90 minutes per session) manualized cognitive rehabilitation intervention. Objective (neuropsychological functioning) and subjective (self-report) cognitive functioning and use of cognitive strategies. Baseline mental health symptoms did not moderate CCT efficacy: veterans who received CCT reported significantly greater improvement in cognitive difficulties and use of cognitive strategies compared with the UC group, regardless of baseline mental health symptom severity. The CCT group also demonstrated significant improvements on neuropsychological measures of attention, learning, and executive functioning compared with the UC group, regardless of baseline mental health symptom severity. CCT is efficacious for improving objective cognitive functioning and compensatory strategy use for veterans with a history of mTBI, regardless of the severity of comorbid psychiatric symptoms. Copyright © 2017 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tell me the gossip: the self-evaluative function of receiving gossip about others.

PubMed

Martinescu, Elena; Janssen, Onne; Nijstad, Bernard A

2014-12-01

We investigate the self-evaluative function of competence-related gossip for individuals who receive it. Using the Self-Concept Enhancing Tactician (SCENT) model, we propose that individuals use evaluative information about others (i.e., gossip) to improve, promote, and protect themselves. Results of a critical incident study and an experimental study showed that positive gossip had higher self-improvement value than negative gossip, whereas negative gossip had higher self-promotion value and raised higher self-protection concerns than positive gossip. Self-promotion mediated the relationship between gossip valence and pride, while self-protection mediated the relationship between gossip valence and fear, although the latter mediated relationship emerged for receivers with mastery goals rather than performance goals. These results suggest that gossip serves self-evaluative functions for gossip receivers and triggers self-conscious emotions. © 2014 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

A Population Pharmacokinetic Model for 51Cr EDTA to Estimate Renal Function.

PubMed

Kuan, Isabelle H S; Duffull, Stephen B; Putt, Tracey L; Schollum, John B W; Walker, Robert J; Wright, Daniel F B

2017-06-01

51 Cr EDTA clearance (CL) from plasma is used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We propose that current methods for analysing the raw 51 Cr EDTA measurements over-simplifies the disposition of 51 Cr EDTA and therefore could produce biased GFR estimates. The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for 51 Cr EDTA disposition and to compare model-predicted GFR to other methods of estimating renal function. Data from 40 individuals who received ~7.4 MBq of 51 Cr EDTA, as an intravenous bolus, were available for analysis. Plasma radioactivity (counts/min) was measured from timed collection points at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after the dose. A population analysis was conducted using NONMEM ® version 7.2. Model-predicted GFR was compared with other methods for estimating renal function using mean prediction error (MPE). A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination best fit the data. Compared with the model predictions, creatinine CL from 24 h urine data was unbiased. The commonly used 'slope-intercept' method for estimating isotopic GFR was positively biased compared with the model (MPE 15.5 mL/min/1.73 m 2 [95% confidence interval {CI} 8.9-22.2]. The Cockcroft Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-Epi) equations led to negatively biased GFR estimates (MPE -19.0 [95% CI -25.4 to -12.7], -20.1 [95% CI -27.2 to -13.1] and -16.5 [95% CI -22.2 to -10.1] mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively). The biased GFR estimates were most obvious in patients with relatively normal renal function. This may lead to inaccurate dosing in patients who are receiving drugs with a narrow therapeutic range where dosing is adjusted according to GFR estimates (e.g. carboplatin). The study is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), number: ACTRN 12611000035921.

Assessing the reproducibility of discriminant function analyses

PubMed Central

Andrew, Rose L.; Albert, Arianne Y.K.; Renaut, Sebastien; Rennison, Diana J.; Bock, Dan G.

2015-01-01

Data are the foundation of empirical research, yet all too often the datasets underlying published papers are unavailable, incorrect, or poorly curated. This is a serious issue, because future researchers are then unable to validate published results or reuse data to explore new ideas and hypotheses. Even if data files are securely stored and accessible, they must also be accompanied by accurate labels and identifiers. To assess how often problems with metadata or data curation affect the reproducibility of published results, we attempted to reproduce Discriminant Function Analyses (DFAs) from the field of organismal biology. DFA is a commonly used statistical analysis that has changed little since its inception almost eight decades ago, and therefore provides an opportunity to test reproducibility among datasets of varying ages. Out of 100 papers we initially surveyed, fourteen were excluded because they did not present the common types of quantitative result from their DFA or gave insufficient details of their DFA. Of the remaining 86 datasets, there were 15 cases for which we were unable to confidently relate the dataset we received to the one used in the published analysis. The reasons ranged from incomprehensible or absent variable labels, the DFA being performed on an unspecified subset of the data, or the dataset we received being incomplete. We focused on reproducing three common summary statistics from DFAs: the percent variance explained, the percentage correctly assigned and the largest discriminant function coefficient. The reproducibility of the first two was fairly high (20 of 26, and 44 of 60 datasets, respectively), whereas our success rate with the discriminant function coefficients was lower (15 of 26 datasets). When considering all three summary statistics, we were able to completely reproduce 46 (65%) of 71 datasets. While our results show that a majority of studies are reproducible, they highlight the fact that many studies still are not the carefully curated research that the scientific community and public expects. PMID:26290793

Combination of 24-Hour and 7-Day Relative Neurological Improvement Strongly Predicts 90-Day Functional Outcome of Endovascular Stroke Therapy.

PubMed

Pu, Jie; Wang, Huaiming; Tu, Mingyi; Zi, Wenjie; Hao, Yonggang; Yang, Dong; Liu, Wenhua; Wan, Yue; Geng, Yu; Lin, Min; Jin, Ping; Xiong, Yunyun; Xu, Gelin; Yin, Qin; Liu, Xinfeng

2018-05-01

Early judgment of long-term prognosis is the key to making medical decisions in acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion stroke (LVOS) after endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to investigate the relationship between the combination of 24-hour and 7-day relative neurological improvement (RNI) and 90-day functional outcome. We selected the target population from a multicenter ischemic stroke registry. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at baseline, 24 hours, and 7 days were collected. RNI was calculated by the following equation: (baseline NIHSS - 24-hour/7-day NIHSS)/baseline NIHSS × 100%. A modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 at 90 days was defined as a favorable outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between RNI and 90-day outcome. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify the predictive power and cutoff point of RNI for functional outcome. A total of 568 patients were enrolled. Both 24-hour and 7-day RNI were independent predictors of 90-day outcome. The best cutoff points of 24-hour and 7-day RNI were 28% and 42%, respectively. Compared with those with 24-hour RNI of less than 28% and 7-day RNI of less than 42%, patients with 24-hour RNI of 28% or greater and 7-day RNI of 42% or greater had a 39.595-fold (95% confidence interval 22.388-70.026) increased probability of achieving 90-day favorable outcome. The combination of 24-hour and 7-day RNI very strongly predicts 90-day functional outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation LVOS who received EVT, and it can be used as an early accurate surrogate of long-term outcome. Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Utilization of rehabilitation services for inpatient with cancer in Taiwan: a descriptive analysis from national health insurance database.

PubMed

Lin, Heui-Fen; Wu, Ying-Tai; Tsauo, Jau-Yih

2012-08-16

Cancer is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Since a high prevalence of functional impairments has been observed among cancer patients, rehabilitation has been proposed as a strategy to restore patients' functional independence. The increasing number of cancer patients combined with a growing need for rehabilitation may result in increased utilization of rehabilitation services. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of rehabilitation services among hospitalized cancer patients in Taiwan between 2004 and 2008. Annual admissions and total inpatient expenditures for admissions with a cancer diagnosis were calculated from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Rehabilitation services used by cancer and non-cancer patients, as well as the distributions of rehabilitation service type among the different hospital departments were also analyzed. The percentages of inpatient admissions with a cancer diagnosis increased from 14.01% to 17.1% between 2004 and 2008. During 2004, 5.25% of all inpatient admissions received rehabilitation services; this percentage increased to 5.62% by 2008. Among cancer admissions, 2.26% to 2.62% received rehabilitation services from 2004 to 2008. By comparison, 5.68% to 6.24% of non-cancer admissions received rehabilitation services during this period. Of the admissions who received rehabilitation services, only 6.44% and 7.96% had a cancer diagnosis in 2004 and 2008, respectively. Sixty-one percent of rehabilitation services were delivered in the departments of orthopedics (25.6%), neurology (14.4%), rehabilitation (11.9%), and neurosurgery (9.2%). In Taiwan, the utilization of rehabilitation services during hospitalization increased from 2004 to 2008. Although this trend was noted for cancer and non-cancer admissions, the utilization of rehabilitation services was generally greater by non-cancer admissions. Despite the benefits of rehabilitation, the actual rehabilitation needs of cancer patients remain unmet.

Parecoxib relieves pain and has an opioid-sparing effect following major gastrointestinal surgery.

PubMed

Essex, Margaret Noyes; Xu, Hao; Parsons, Bruce; Xie, Li; Li, Chunming

2017-01-01

Parecoxib provides analgesia following a variety of surgeries, including minor gastrointestinal procedures. To our knowledge, there is no data on parecoxib following major gastrointestinal surgery. This study assessed the efficacy and opioid-sparing effects of parecoxib following major gastrointestinal surgeries. Patients in this analysis were a subset from a large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of parecoxib following noncardiac surgeries and consisted of those undergoing a variety of major gastrointestinal surgeries via laparotomy. Pain, pain interference with function, supplemental opioid utilization, opioid-related symptoms, and Patient/Physician Global Evaluation of Study Medication were compared between placebo and parecoxib groups in the 2-3 days following surgery. Significantly ( p <0.001) lower pain scores were observed in the parecoxib group (n=111), relative to placebo (n=126), on Day 2 (-33%) and Day 3 (-35%). Pain interference with function scores was also significantly ( p <0.001) lower among patients receiving parecoxib compared with placebo on Day 2 (-29%) and Day 3 (-36%). At 24, 48, and 72 hours, the cumulative amount of supplemental morphine consumed was 45%, 41%, and 40% less in patients receiving parecoxib compared with placebo (all p <0.001). The risk of experiencing ≥1 opioid-related symptoms was also significantly lower with parecoxib than with placebo on Day 2 (relative risk=0.75; p <0.001). Specifically, the risks of fatigue and drowsiness were significantly (both p <0.05) lower in patients receiving parecoxib compared to those receiving placebo. Patient and Physician Global Evaluation of Study Medication scores were significantly better in the parecoxib group than in the placebo group ( p <0.001). This study is the first to demonstrate that multiple-dose parecoxib, initiated upon recovery from anesthesia, provides analgesia and opioid-sparing effects following a variety of major gastrointestinal surgeries employing laparotomy.

Adaptive Detector Arrays for Optical Communications Receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vilnrotter, V.; Srinivasan, M.

2000-01-01

The structure of an optimal adaptive array receiver for ground-based optical communications is described and its performance investigated. Kolmogorov phase screen simulations are used to model the sample functions of the focal-plane signal distribution due to turbulence and to generate realistic spatial distributions of the received optical field. This novel array detector concept reduces interference from background radiation by effectively assigning higher confidence levels at each instant of time to those detector elements that contain significant signal energy and suppressing those that do not. A simpler suboptimum structure that replaces the continuous weighting function of the optimal receiver by a hard decision on the selection of the signal detector elements also is described and evaluated. Approximations and bounds to the error probability are derived and compared with the exact calculations and receiver simulation results. It is shown that, for photon-counting receivers observing Poisson-distributed signals, performance improvements of approximately 5 dB can be obtained over conventional single-detector photon-counting receivers, when operating in high background environments.

Theoretical background of retrieving Green's function by cross-correlation: one-dimensional case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakahara, Hisashi

2006-06-01

Recently, an assertion has been verified experimentally and theoretically that Green's function between two receivers can be reproduced by cross-correlating the records at the receivers. In this paper, we have theoretically proved the assertion for 1-D media with the free surface by using the Thomson-Haskell matrix method. Strictly speaking, one side of the cross-correlation between records at two receivers is the convolution between Green's function and the autocorrelation function of the source wavelet. This study extends the geometry considered by Claerbout to two receivers vertically apart, and is a special case of the proof by Wapenaar et al. which dealt with 3-D arbitrary inhomogeneous media. However, a simple geometry in 1-D problems enables us to make the proof without any approximations and to better understand the physical background with more ease. That is the main advantage of this study. Though a 1-D geometry seems far from reality, it may be sufficient if an appropriate combination of receivers and earthquakes is selected. In fact, such a geometry is often seen in seismological observations by a vertical array of seismographs in the shallow subsurface. Therefore, we refer to a possibility that the proof in this paper is applied to the estimation of site amplification factors by using records of a vertical seismographic array.

Peer Influence on Academic Performance: A Social Network Analysis of Social-Emotional Intervention Effects.

PubMed

DeLay, Dawn; Zhang, Linlin; Hanish, Laura D; Miller, Cindy F; Fabes, Richard A; Martin, Carol Lynn; Kochel, Karen P; Updegraff, Kimberly A

2016-11-01

Longitudinal social network analysis (SNA) was used to examine how a social-emotional learning (SEL) intervention may be associated with peer socialization on academic performance. Fifth graders (N = 631; 48 % girls; 9 to 12 years) were recruited from six elementary schools. Intervention classrooms (14) received a relationship building intervention (RBI) and control classrooms (8) received elementary school as usual. At pre- and post-test, students nominated their friends, and teachers completed assessments of students' writing and math performance. The results of longitudinal SNA suggested that the RBI was associated with friend selection and peer influence within the classroom peer network. Friendship choices were significantly more diverse (i.e., less evidence of social segregation as a function of ethnicity and academic ability) in intervention compared to control classrooms, and peer influence on improved writing and math performance was observed in RBI but not control classrooms. The current findings provide initial evidence that SEL interventions may change social processes in a classroom peer network and may break down barriers of social segregation and improve academic performance.

Are there different types of female orgasm?

PubMed

King, Robert; Belsky, Jay; Mah, Kenneth; Binik, Yitzchak

2011-10-01

In attempt to identify and validate different types of orgasms which females have during sex with a partner, data collected by Mah and Binik (2002) on the dimensional phenomenology of female orgasm were subjected to a typological analysis. A total of 503 women provided adjectival descriptions of orgasms experienced either with a partner (n = 276) or while alone (n = 227). Latent-class analysis revealed four orgasm types which varied systematically in terms of pleasure and sensations engendered. Two types, collectively labelled "good-sex orgasms," received higher pleasure and sensation ratings than solitary-masturbatory ones, whereas two other types, collectively labelled "not-as-good-sex orgasms," received lower ratings. These two higher-order groupings differed on a number of psychological, physical and relationship factors examined for purposes of validating the typology. Evolutionary thinking regarding the function of female orgasm informed discussion of the findings. Future research directions were outlined, especially the need to examine whether the same individual experiences different types of orgasms with partners with different characteristics, as evolutionary theorizing predicts should be the case.

Are patients with hormonally functional phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma initially receiving a proper adrenoceptor blockade? A retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Luiz, Henrique Vara; Tanchee, Mary Jane; Pavlatou, Maria G; Yu, Run; Nambuba, Joan; Wolf, Katherine; Prodanov, Tamara; Wesley, Robert; Adams, Karen; Fojo, Tito; Pacak, Karel

2016-07-01

Pharmacological treatment is mandatory in patients with hormonally functional phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PHAEO/PGL). We evaluated if patients initially diagnosed with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL by various medical subspecialties received proper adrenoceptor blockade, and analysed factors predicting the prescription of adequate treatment. In a retrospective cohort study, we reviewed data from patients initially diagnosed with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL outside the National Institutes of Health and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who were referred to these institutions between January 2001 and April 2015. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with proper adrenoceptor blockade. A total of 381 patients were included. Adequate pharmacological treatment was prescribed to 69·3%, of which 93·1% received α-adrenoceptor blockers. Regarding patients who were inappropriately treated, 53% did not receive any medication. Independent predictors of the prescription of a proper blockade were the diagnosis by endocrinologists [odds ratio (OR) 4·14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2·51-6·85; P < 0·001], the presence of high blood pressure (OR 5·94; 95% CI, 3·11-11·33; P < 0·001) and the evidence of metastasis (OR 5·96; 95% CI, 1·93-18·46; P = 0·002). Although most patients received adequate pharmacological treatment, almost one-third were either not treated or received inappropriate medications. The diagnosis by endocrinologists, the presence of high blood pressure and the evidence of metastatic disease were identified as independent predictors of a proper blockade. These results highlight the need to educate physicians about the importance of starting adequate adrenoceptor blockade in all patients with hormonally functional PHAEO/PGL. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A pragmatic implementation of a 6-day physiotherapy service in a mixed inpatient rehabilitation unit.

PubMed

Caruana, Erin L; Kuys, Suzanne S; Clarke, Jane; Bauer, Sandra G

2017-08-01

This study determined the impact of a pragmatic 6-day physiotherapy service on length of stay, functional independence, gait and balance in people undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, compared to a 5-day service. A prospective cohort study with historical comparison was undertaken in a mixed inpatient rehabilitation unit. Intervention period participants (2011) meeting inclusion criteria were eligible for a 6-day physiotherapy service. All other participants, including the historical cohort (2010) received usual care (5-day physiotherapy). Length of stay, functional independence, gait and balance performance were measured. A total of 536 individuals participated in this study; 270 in 2011 (60% received 6-day physiotherapy) and 266 in 2010. Participants in 2011 showed a trend for reduced length of stay (1.7 days, 95%CI -0.53 to 3.92) compared to 2010. Other measures showed no significant differences between cohorts. In 2011, those receiving 6-day physiotherapy were more dependent, but showed significantly improved functional independence and balance compared to those receiving 5-day physiotherapy (p < 0.040) without impacting length of stay. Implementing a 6-day physiotherapy service in a "real-world" rehabilitation setting demonstrated a trend towards reduced length of stay, and improved functional gains. This service could lead to cost-savings for hospitals and improved patient flow. Implications for Rehabilitation "Real-world" implementation of a 6-day physiotherapy service in rehabilitation shows a trend for reducing length of stay. This reduction in length of stay may lead to cost-savings for the hospital system, and improve patient flow into rehabilitation. Patients receiving 6-day physiotherapy made significant gains in balance and functional independence compared to patients receiving 5-day physiotherapy services in the rehabilitation setting.

Detection probability of EBPSK-MODEM system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Yu; Wu, Lenan

2016-07-01

Since the impacting filter-based receiver is able to transform phase modulation into amplitude peak, a simple threshold decision can detect the Extend-Binary Phase Shift Keying (EBPSK) modulated ranging signal in noise environment. In this paper, an analysis of the EBPSK-MODEM system output gives the probability density function for EBPSK modulated signals plus noise. The equation of detection probability (pd) for fluctuating and non-fluctuating targets has been deduced. Also, a comparison of the pd for the EBPSK-MODEM system and pulse radar receiver is made, and some results are plotted. Moreover, the probability curves of such system with several modulation parameters are analysed. When modulation parameter is not smaller than 6, the detection performance of EBPSK-MODEM system is more excellent than traditional radar system. In addition to theoretical considerations, computer simulations are provided for illustrating the performance.

Experiment in Motivating Functional Illiterates To Learn. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tuskegee Inst., AL. School of Applied Sciences.

This research investigated whether low income rural functional illiterates could be motivated to learn by a prorated stipend given on the basis of academic performance. Fifty control subjects received a flat $15 weekly; 50 experimental subjects received the $15 plus stipends. Participants eligible for stipends were those in the upper third of…

An Evaluation of Resurgence during Functional Communication Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wacker, David P.; Harding, Jay W.; Morgan, Theresa A.; Berg, Wendy K.; Schieltz, Kelly M.; Lee, John F.; Padilla, Yaniz C.

2013-01-01

Three children who displayed destructive behavior maintained by negative reinforcement received functional communication training (FCT). During FCT, the children were required to complete a demand and then to mand (touch a card attached to a microswitch, sign, or vocalize) to receive brief play breaks. Prior to and 1 to 3 times following the…

49 CFR 382.303 - Post-accident testing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... functions with respect to the vehicle, if the accident involved the loss of human life; or (2) Who receives... performing safety-sensitive functions with respect to the vehicle, if the accident involved the loss of human life; or (2) Who receives a citation within thirty-two hours of the occurrence under State or local law...

Metallic ureteral stents in malignant ureteral obstruction: clinical factors predicting stent failure.

PubMed

Chow, Po-Ming; Hsu, Jui-Shan; Huang, Chao-Yuan; Wang, Shuo-Meng; Lee, Yuan-Ju; Huang, Kuo-How; Yu, Hong-Jheng; Pu, Yeong-Shiau; Liang, Po-Chin

2014-06-01

To provide clinical outcomes of the Resonance metallic ureteral stent in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction, as well as clinical factors predicting stent failure. Cancer patients who have received Resonance stents from July 2009 to March 2012 for ureteral obstruction were included for chart review. Stent failure was detected by clinical symptoms, image studies, and renal function tests. Survival analysis for stent duration was used to estimate patency rate and factors predicting stent failure. A total of 117 stents were inserted successfully into 94 ureteral units in 79 patients. There were no major complications. These stents underwent survival analysis and proportional hazard regression. The median duration for the stents was 5.77 months. In multivariate analysis, age (P=0.043), preoperative serum creatinine level (P=0.0174), and cancer type (P=0.0494) were significant factors associated with stent failure. Cancer treatment before and after stent insertion had no effect on stent duration. Resonance stents are effective and safe in relieving malignant ureteral obstructions. Old age and high serum creatinine level are predictors for stent failure. Stents in patients with lower gastrointestinal cancers have longer functional duration.

Development and coupling analysis of active skin antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Jinzhu; Huang, Jin; He, Qingqang; Tang, Baofu; Song, Liwei

2017-02-01

An active skin antenna is a multifunctional composite structure that can provide load-bearing structure and steerable beam pointing functions, and is usually installed in the structural surface of aircraft, warships, and armored vehicles. This paper presents an innovative design of the active skin antenna, which consists of a package layer, control and signal processing layer, and RF (radio frequency) layer. The RF layer is fabricated by low temperature co-fired ceramics, with 64 microstrip antenna elements, tile transmitting and receiving modules, microchannel heat sinks, and feeding networks integrated into a functional block 2.8 mm thick. In this paper, a full-sized prototype of an active skin antenna was designed, fabricated, and tested. Moreover, a coupling analysis method was presented to evaluate the mechanical and electromagnetic performance of the active skin antenna subjected to aerodynamic loads. A deformed experimental system was built to validate the effectiveness of the coupling analysis method, which was also implemented to evaluate the performance of the active skin antenna when subjected to aerodynamic pressure. The fabricated specimen demonstrated structural configuration feasibility, and superior environmental load resistance.

Multiscale entropy-based methods for heart rate variability complexity analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, Luiz Eduardo Virgilio; Cabella, Brenno Caetano Troca; Neves, Ubiraci Pereira da Costa; Murta Junior, Luiz Otavio

2015-03-01

Physiologic complexity is an important concept to characterize time series from biological systems, which associated to multiscale analysis can contribute to comprehension of many complex phenomena. Although multiscale entropy has been applied to physiological time series, it measures irregularity as function of scale. In this study we purpose and evaluate a set of three complexity metrics as function of time scales. Complexity metrics are derived from nonadditive entropy supported by generation of surrogate data, i.e. SDiffqmax, qmax and qzero. In order to access accuracy of proposed complexity metrics, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were built and area under the curves was computed for three physiological situations. Heart rate variability (HRV) time series in normal sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure data set were analyzed. Results show that proposed metric for complexity is accurate and robust when compared to classic entropic irregularity metrics. Furthermore, SDiffqmax is the most accurate for lower scales, whereas qmax and qzero are the most accurate when higher time scales are considered. Multiscale complexity analysis described here showed potential to assess complex physiological time series and deserves further investigation in wide context.

Noninvasive prostate cancer screening based on serum surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and support vector machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shaoxin; Zhang, Yanjiao; Xu, Junfa; Li, Linfang; Zeng, Qiuyao; Lin, Lin; Guo, Zhouyi; Liu, Zhiming; Xiong, Honglian; Liu, Songhao

2014-09-01

This study aims to present a noninvasive prostate cancer screening methods using serum surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and support vector machine (SVM) techniques through peripheral blood sample. SERS measurements are performed using serum samples from 93 prostate cancer patients and 68 healthy volunteers by silver nanoparticles. Three types of kernel functions including linear, polynomial, and Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) are employed to build SVM diagnostic models for classifying measured SERS spectra. For comparably evaluating the performance of SVM classification models, the standard multivariate statistic analysis method of principal component analysis (PCA) is also applied to classify the same datasets. The study results show that for the RBF kernel SVM diagnostic model, the diagnostic accuracy of 98.1% is acquired, which is superior to the results of 91.3% obtained from PCA methods. The receiver operating characteristic curve of diagnostic models further confirm above research results. This study demonstrates that label-free serum SERS analysis technique combined with SVM diagnostic algorithm has great potential for noninvasive prostate cancer screening.

One-Lung Ventilation with Additional Ipsilateral Ventilation of Low Tidal Volume and High Frequency in Lung Lobectomy

PubMed Central

Feng, Yong; Wang, Jianyue; Zhang, Yang; Wang, Shiduan

2016-01-01

Background To investigate the protective effects of additional ipsilateral ventilation of low tidal volume and high frequency on lung functions in the patients receiving lobectomy. Material/Methods Sixty patients receiving lung lobectomy were randomized into the conventional one-lung ventilation (CV) group (n=30) and the ipsilateral low tidal volume high frequency ventilation (LV) group (n=30). In the CV group, patients received only contralateral OLV. In the LV group, patients received contralateral ventilation and additional ipsilateral ventilation of low tidal volume of 1–2 ml/kg and high frequency of 40 times/min. Normal lung tissues were biopsied for the analysis of lung injury. Lung injury was scored by evaluating interstitial edema, alveolar edema, neutrophil infiltration, and alveolar congestion. Results At 30 min and 60 min after the initiation of one-lung ventilation and after surgery, patients in the LV group showed significantly higher ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen than those in the CV group (P<0.001). Lung injury was significantly less severe (2.7±0.7) in the LV group than in the CV group (3.1±0.7) (P=0.006). Conclusions Additional ipsilateral ventilation of low tidal volume and high frequency can decrease the risk of hypoxemia and alleviate lung injury in patients receiving lobectomy. PMID:27166086

3D receiver function Kirchhoff depth migration image of Cascadia subduction slab weak zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, C.; Allen, R. M.; Bodin, T.; Tauzin, B.

2016-12-01

We have developed a highly computational efficient algorithm of applying 3D Kirchhoff depth migration to telesismic receiver function data. Combine primary PS arrival with later multiple arrivals we are able to reveal a better knowledge about the earth discontinuity structure (transmission and reflection). This method is highly useful compare with traditional CCP method when dipping structure is met during the imaging process, such as subduction slab. We apply our method to the reginal Cascadia subduction zone receiver function data and get a high resolution 3D migration image, for both primary and multiples. The image showed us a clear slab weak zone (slab hole) in the upper plate boundary under Northern California and the whole Oregon. Compare with previous 2D receiver function image from 2D array(CAFE and CASC93), the position of the weak zone shows interesting conherency. This weak zone is also conherent with local seismicity missing and heat rising, which lead us to think about and compare with the ocean plate stucture and the hydralic fluid process during the formation and migration of the subduction slab.

Application of nomographs for analysis and prediction of receiver spurious response EMI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heather, F. W.

1985-07-01

Spurious response EMI for the front end of a superheterodyne receiver follows a simple mathematic formula; however, the application of the formula to predict test frequencies produces more data than can be evaluated. An analysis technique has been developed to graphically depict all receiver spurious responses usig a nomograph and to permit selection of optimum test frequencies. The discussion includes the math model used to simulate a superheterodyne receiver, the implementation of the model in the computer program, the approach to test frequency selection, interpretation of the nomographs, analysis and prediction of receiver spurious response EMI from the nomographs, and application of the nomographs. In addition, figures are provided of sample applications. This EMI analysis and prediction technique greatly improves the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test engineer's ability to visualize the scope of receiver spurious response EMI testing and optimize test frequency selection.

Towards a Radar/Radiometer Mode on the Dual-Frequency, Dual-Polarized, Doppler Radar (D3R) System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vega, Manuel A.; Chandrasekar, V.

2016-01-01

The dual-­frequency, dual-­polarized, Doppler radar (D3R) system was developed in support of the ground validation segment of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. Although its main purpose is to provide active, Ku/Ka­-band, dual­-polarized measurements of precipitation, the design presents an opportunity to study its operation in an active/passive mode. The opportunity arises from use of solid-­state transmitters employing a multi­-frequency waveform and receiving system. Typically, a sequence of three pulses separated in frequency is transmitted to achieve its radar sensitivity and minimum range. However, one of the three pulses can be disabled with a tolerable decrease in sensitivity and its receive channel can be repurposed to support passive measurements. This work focuses on progress in the characterization of the Ku-­band H polarized passive channel operating simultaneously with two active as a step towards the provision of brightness temperatures along with the other radar derived products. The methodology developed will be applied to the V polarized channel and Ka­-band subsystem in the near future. The study consists on the analysis of the antenna performance, receiver architecture, transfer function and achievable number of independent samples, calibration method and preliminary observation analysis. All within the context of the instrument's current configuration and possible future improvements.

Rapid blood-pressure lowering in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

PubMed

Anderson, Craig S; Heeley, Emma; Huang, Yining; Wang, Jiguang; Stapf, Christian; Delcourt, Candice; Lindley, Richard; Robinson, Thompson; Lavados, Pablo; Neal, Bruce; Hata, Jun; Arima, Hisatomi; Parsons, Mark; Li, Yuechun; Wang, Jinchao; Heritier, Stephane; Li, Qiang; Woodward, Mark; Simes, R John; Davis, Stephen M; Chalmers, John

2013-06-20

Whether rapid lowering of elevated blood pressure would improve the outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage is not known. We randomly assigned 2839 patients who had had a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage within the previous 6 hours and who had elevated systolic blood pressure to receive intensive treatment to lower their blood pressure (with a target systolic level of <140 mm Hg within 1 hour) or guideline-recommended treatment (with a target systolic level of <180 mm Hg) with the use of agents of the physician's choosing. The primary outcome was death or major disability, which was defined as a score of 3 to 6 on the modified Rankin scale (in which a score of 0 indicates no symptoms, a score of 5 indicates severe disability, and a score of 6 indicates death) at 90 days. A prespecified ordinal analysis of the modified Rankin score was also performed. The rate of serious adverse events was compared between the two groups. Among the 2794 participants for whom the primary outcome could be determined, 719 of 1382 participants (52.0%) receiving intensive treatment, as compared with 785 of 1412 (55.6%) receiving guideline-recommended treatment, had a primary outcome event (odds ratio with intensive treatment, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.01; P=0.06). The ordinal analysis showed significantly lower modified Rankin scores with intensive treatment (odds ratio for greater disability, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.00; P=0.04). Mortality was 11.9% in the group receiving intensive treatment and 12.0% in the group receiving guideline-recommended treatment. Nonfatal serious adverse events occurred in 23.3% and 23.6% of the patients in the two groups, respectively. In patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, intensive lowering of blood pressure did not result in a significant reduction in the rate of the primary outcome of death or severe disability. An ordinal analysis of modified Rankin scores indicated improved functional outcomes with intensive lowering of blood pressure. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia; INTERACT2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00716079.).

To Nap, Perchance to DREAM: A Factor Analysis of College Students' Self-Reported Reasons for Napping.

PubMed

Duggan, Katherine A; McDevitt, Elizabeth A; Whitehurst, Lauren N; Mednick, Sara C

2018-01-01

Although napping has received attention because of its associations with health and use as a method to understand the function of sleep, to our knowledge no study has systematically and statistically assessed reasons for napping. Using factor analysis, we determined the underlying structure of reasons for napping in diverse undergraduates (N = 430, 59% female) and examined their relationships with self-reported sleep, psychological health, and physical health. The five reasons for napping can be summarized using the acronym DREAM (Dysregulative, Restorative, Emotional, Appetitive, and Mindful). Only Emotional reasons for napping were uniformly related to lower well-being. The use of factor analysis raises possibilities for future research, including examining the stability, structure, and psychological and physical health processes related to napping throughout the lifespan.

To nap, perchance to DREAM: A factor analysis of college students’ self-reported reasons for napping

PubMed Central

Duggan, Katherine A.; McDevitt, Elizabeth A.; Whitehurst, Lauren N.; Mednick, Sara C.

2017-01-01

Although napping has received attention because of its associations with health and use as a method to understand the function of sleep, to our knowledge no study has systematically and statistically assessed reasons for napping. Using factor analysis, we determined the underlying structure of reasons for napping in diverse undergraduates (N=430, 59% female) and examined their relationships with self-reported sleep, psychological, and physical health. The 5 reasons for napping can be summarized using the acronym DREAM (Dysregulative, Restorative, Emotional, Appetitive, and Mindful). Only Emotional reasons for napping were uniformly related to lower well-being. The use of factor analysis raises possibilities for future research, including examining the stability, structure, and psychological and physical health processes related to napping throughout the lifespan. PMID:27347727

Effect and clinical prediction of worsening renal function in acute decompensated heart failure.

PubMed

Breidthardt, Tobias; Socrates, Thenral; Noveanu, Markus; Klima, Theresia; Heinisch, Corinna; Reichlin, Tobias; Potocki, Mihael; Nowak, Albina; Tschung, Christopher; Arenja, Nisha; Bingisser, Roland; Mueller, Christian

2011-03-01

We aimed to establish the prevalence and effect of worsening renal function (WRF) on survival among patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Furthermore, we sought to establish a risk score for the prediction of WRF and externally validate the previously established Forman risk score. A total of 657 consecutive patients with acute decompensated heart failure presenting to the emergency department and undergoing serial creatinine measurements were enrolled. The potential of the clinical parameters at admission to predict WRF was assessed as the primary end point. The secondary end point was all-cause mortality at 360 days. Of the 657 patients, 136 (21%) developed WRF, and 220 patients had died during the first year. WRF was more common in the nonsurvivors (30% vs 41%, p = 0.03). Multivariate regression analysis found WRF to independently predict mortality (hazard ratio 1.92, p <0.01). In a single parameter model, previously diagnosed chronic kidney disease was the only independent predictor of WRF and achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.60. After the inclusion of the blood gas analysis parameters into the model history of chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio 2.13, p = 0.03), outpatient diuretics (hazard ratio 5.75, p <0.01), and bicarbonate (hazard ratio 0.91, p <0.01) were all predictive of WRF. A risk score was developed using these predictors. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the Forman and Basel prediction rules achieved an area under the curve of 0.65 and 0.71, respectively. In conclusion, WRF was common in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and was linked to significantly worse outcomes. However, the clinical parameters failed to adequately predict its occurrence, making a tailored therapy approach impossible. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cardiac systolic dysfunction in doxorubicin-challenged rats is associated with upregulation of MuRF2 and MuRF3 E3 ligases

PubMed Central

da Silva, Marcia Gracindo; Mattos, Elisabete; Camacho-Pereira, Juliana; Domitrovic, Tatiana; Galina, Antonio; Costa, Mauro W; Kurtenbach, Eleonora

2012-01-01

Doxorubicin (DOXO) is an efficient and low-cost chemotherapeutic agent. The use of DOXO is limited by its side effects, including cardiotoxicity, that may progress to cardiac failure as a result of multifactorial events that have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, the effects of DOXO at two different doses were analyzed to identify early functional and molecular markers of cardiac distress. One group of rats received 7.5 mg/kg of DOXO (low-dose group) and was followed for 20 weeks. A subset of these animals was then subjected to an additional cycle of DOXO treatment, generating a cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg (high-dose group). Physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed in both treatment groups and in a control group that received saline. Systolic dysfunction was observed only in the high-dose group. Mitochondrial function analysis showed a clear reduction in oxidative cellular respiration for animals in both DOXO treatment groups, with evidence of complex I damage being observed. Transcriptional analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed an increase in atrial natriuretic peptide transcript in the high-dose group, which is consistent with cardiac failure. Analysis of transcription levels of key components of the cardiac ubiquitin-proteasome system found that the ubiquitin E3 ligase muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1) was upregulated in both the low- and high-dose DOXO groups. MuRF2 and MuRF3 were also upregulated in the high-dose group but not in the low-dose group. This molecular profile may be useful as an early physiological and energetic cardiac failure indicator for testing therapeutic interventions in animal models. PMID:23620696

Modeling and Analysis of Gated, Pulsed RFI and Its Effect on GPS Receivers: Analysis of Average Cycle Slip Rate and Average Bit Error Probability

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

as a function of the pulse duty cycle PDC is [1]: ∆C/N0 = 20 log(1 − PDC ) (1) PDC , PW × PRF (2) where PW represents the pulse width (sec) and PRF is...corresponding degradation in C/N0 should now be modeled as ∆C/N0 = 20 log(1 − PDCLIM) (3) PDCLIM , PDC τobs TTC . (4) The degradation model of Eqn. 3 and 4...cycle that is the product of the duty cycle of the pulsed waveform ( PDC ) and the duty cycle of the of the gating waveform (τobs/TTC). While such a model

Method and system for pattern analysis using a coarse-coded neural network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spirkovska, Liljana (Inventor); Reid, Max B. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A method and system for performing pattern analysis with a neural network coarse-coding a pattern to be analyzed so as to form a plurality of sub-patterns collectively defined by data. Each of the sub-patterns comprises sets of pattern data. The neural network includes a plurality fields, each field being associated with one of the sub-patterns so as to receive the sub-pattern data therefrom. Training and testing by the neural network then proceeds in the usual way, with one modification: the transfer function thresholds the value obtained from summing the weighted products of each field over all sub-patterns associated with each pattern being analyzed by the system.

Evaluation of a multi-herb supplement for erectile dysfunction: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Shah, Gaurang R; Chaudhari, Manojkumar V; Patankar, Suresh B; Pensalwar, Shrikant V; Sabale, Vilas P; Sonawane, Navneet A

2012-09-15

Evidence is lacking for multi-ingredient herbal supplements claiming therapeutic effect in sexual dysfunction in men. We examined the safety and efficacy of VigRX Plus (VXP) - a proprietary polyherbal preparation for improving male sexual function, in a double blind, randomized placebo-controlled, parallel groups, multi-centre study. 78 men aged 25-50 years of age; suffering from mild to moderate erectile dysfunction (ED), participated in this study. Subjects were randomized to receive VXP or placebo at a dose of two capsules twice daily for 12 weeks. The international index of erectile function (IIEF) was the primary outcome measure of efficacy. Other efficacy measures were: Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS), Serum testosterone, Semen analysis, Investigator's Global assessment and Subjects' opinion. In subjects receiving VXP, the IIEF-Erectile Function (EF) scores improved significantly as compared to placebo. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean (sd) IIEF-EF score at baseline increased from 16.08 (2.87) to 25.08 (4.56) in the VXP group versus 15.86 (3.24) to 16.47 (4.25) in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Similar results were observed in each of the remaining four domains of the IIEF (orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction).There was a significant difference for VXP versus placebo comparison of mean (sd) EDITS scores of patients: 82.31(20.23) vs 36.78(22.53) and partners :(82.75(9.8) vs 18.50(9.44);P < 0.001. Thirty-five out of 39 (90%) subjects from the VXP group and one (3%) from the placebo group wished to continue with the treatment they received. Investigator's global assessment rated VXP therapy as very good to excellent in more than 50% patients and placebo therapy as fair to good in about 25% of patients. Incidence of side effects and subject's rating for tolerability of treatment was similar in both groups. VigRX Plus was well tolerated and more effective than placebo in improving sexual function in men. Clinical Trial Registry India, CTRI/2009/091/000099, 31-03-2009.

Evidence for magmatic underplating and partial melt beneath the Canary Islands derived using teleseismic receiver functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lodge, A.; Nippress, S. E. J.; Rietbrock, A.; García-Yeguas, A.; Ibáñez, J. M.

2012-12-01

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focussed on resolving the internal structure of ocean island volcanoes. Traditionally, active source seismic experiments have been used to image the volcano edifice. Here we present results using the analysis of compressional to shear (P to S) converted seismic phases from teleseismic events, recorded by stations involved in an active source experiment "TOM-TEIDEVS" (Ibáñez et al., 2008), on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands. We supplement this data with receiver function (RF) analysis of seismograms from the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and La Palma, applying the extended-time multitaper frequency domain cross-correlation estimation method (Helffrich, 2006). We use the neighbourhood inversion approach of Sambridge (1999a,b) to model the RFs and our results indicate magmatic underplating exists beneath all three islands, ranging from 2 to 8 km, but showing no clear correlation with the age of the island. Beneath both La Palma and Tenerife, we find localized low velocity zones (LVZs), which we interpret as due to partial melt, supported by their correlation with the location of historical earthquakes (La Palma) and recent earthquakes (Tenerife). For Lanzarote, we do not sample the most recently volcanically active region and find no evidence for a LVZ. Instead, we find a simple gradational velocity structure, with discontinuities at ˜4, 10 and 18 km depth, in line with previous studies.

A digital-receiver for the MurchisonWidefield Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabu, Thiagaraj; Srivani, K. S.; Roshi, D. Anish; Kamini, P. A.; Madhavi, S.; Emrich, David; Crosse, Brian; Williams, Andrew J.; Waterson, Mark; Deshpande, Avinash A.; Shankar, N. Udaya; Subrahmanyan, Ravi; Briggs, Frank H.; Goeke, Robert F.; Tingay, Steven J.; Johnston-Hollitt, Melanie; R, Gopalakrishna M.; Morgan, Edward H.; Pathikulangara, Joseph; Bunton, John D.; Hampson, Grant; Williams, Christopher; Ord, Stephen M.; Wayth, Randall B.; Kumar, Deepak; Morales, Miguel F.; deSouza, Ludi; Kratzenberg, Eric; Pallot, D.; McWhirter, Russell; Hazelton, Bryna J.; Arcus, Wayne; Barnes, David G.; Bernardi, Gianni; Booler, T.; Bowman, Judd D.; Cappallo, Roger J.; Corey, Brian E.; Greenhill, Lincoln J.; Herne, David; Hewitt, Jacqueline N.; Kaplan, David L.; Kasper, Justin C.; Kincaid, Barton B.; Koenig, Ronald; Lonsdale, Colin J.; Lynch, Mervyn J.; Mitchell, Daniel A.; Oberoi, Divya; Remillard, Ronald A.; Rogers, Alan E.; Salah, Joseph E.; Sault, Robert J.; Stevens, Jamie B.; Tremblay, S.; Webster, Rachel L.; Whitney, Alan R.; Wyithe, Stuart B.

2015-03-01

An FPGA-based digital-receiver has been developed for a low-frequency imaging radio interferometer, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The MWA, located at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) in Western Australia, consists of 128 dual-polarized aperture-array elements (tiles) operating between 80 and 300 MHz, with a total processed bandwidth of 30.72 MHz for each polarization. Radio-frequency signals from the tiles are amplified and band limited using analog signal conditioning units; sampled and channelized by digital-receivers. The signals from eight tiles are processed by a single digital-receiver, thus requiring 16 digital-receivers for the MWA. The main function of the digital-receivers is to digitize the broad-band signals from each tile, channelize them to form the sky-band, and transport it through optical fibers to a centrally located correlator for further processing. The digital-receiver firmware also implements functions to measure the signal power, perform power equalization across the band, detect interference-like events, and invoke diagnostic modes. The digital-receiver is controlled by high-level programs running on a single-board-computer. This paper presents the digital-receiver design, implementation, current status, and plans for future enhancements.

UWB communication receiver feedback loop

DOEpatents

Spiridon, Alex; Benzel, Dave; Dowla, Farid U.; Nekoogar, Faranak; Rosenbury, Erwin T.

2007-12-04

A novel technique and structure that maximizes the extraction of information from reference pulses for UWB-TR receivers is introduced. The scheme efficiently processes an incoming signal to suppress different types of UWB as well as non-UWB interference prior to signal detection. Such a method and system adds a feedback loop mechanism to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of reference pulses in a conventional TR receiver. Moreover, sampling the second order statistical function such as, for example, the autocorrelation function (ACF) of the received signal and matching it to the ACF samples of the original pulses for each transmitted bit provides a more robust UWB communications method and system in the presence of channel distortions.

One-Year Linear Trajectories of Symptoms, Physical Functioning, Cognitive Functioning, Emotional Well-being, and Spiritual Well-being Among Patients Receiving Dialysis.

PubMed

Song, Mi-Kyung; Paul, Sudeshna; Ward, Sandra E; Gilet, Constance A; Hladik, Gerald A

2018-01-25

This study evaluated 1-year linear trajectories of patient-reported dimensions of quality of life among patients receiving dialysis. Longitudinal observational study. 227 patients recruited from 12 dialysis centers. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Participants completed an hour-long interview monthly for 12 months. Each interview included patient-reported outcome measures of overall symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), physical functioning (Activities of Daily Living/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), cognitive functioning (Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory), emotional well-being (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and spiritual well-being (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale). For each dimension, linear and generalized linear mixed-effects models were used. Linear trajectories of the 5 dimensions were jointly modeled as a multivariate outcome over time. Although dimension scores fluctuated greatly from month to month, overall symptoms, cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and spiritual well-being improved over time. Older compared with younger participants reported higher scores across all dimensions (all P<0.05). Higher comorbidity scores were associated with worse scores in most dimensions (all P<0.01). Nonwhite participants reported better spiritual well-being compared with their white counterparts (P<0.01). Clustering analysis of dimension scores revealed 2 distinctive clusters. Cluster 1 was characterized by better scores than those of cluster 2 in nearly all dimensions at baseline and by gradual improvement over time. Study was conducted in a single region of the United States and included mostly patients with high levels of function across the dimensions of quality of life studied. Multidimensional patient-reported quality of life varies widely from month to month regardless of whether overall trajectories improve or worsen over time. Additional research is needed to identify the best approaches to incorporate patient-reported outcome measures into dialysis care. Copyright © 2017 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional outcomes of outpatient balance training following total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Liao, Chun-De; Lin, Li-Fong; Huang, Yi-Ching; Huang, Shih-Wei; Chou, Lin-Chuan; Liou, Tsan-Hon

2015-09-01

To evaluate whether balance training after total knee replacement surgery improves functional outcomes and to determine whether postoperative balance is associated with mobility. A prospective intervention study and randomized controlled trial with an intention-to-treat analysis. The rehabilitation center of a university-based teaching hospital. A total of 130 patients with knee osteoarthritis who had undergone total knee replacement surgery were recruited to attend an outpatient rehabilitation program. They were randomly allocated to additional balance rehabilitation and functional rehabilitation groups. During the eight-week outpatient rehabilitation program, both groups received general functional training. Patients in the balance rehabilitation group received an additional balance-based rehabilitation program. The functional reach test, single-leg stance test, 10-m walk test, Timed Up and Go Test, timed chair-stand test, stair-climb test, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index were measured at baseline, eight weeks (T(1)), and 32 weeks (T(2)). The balance rehabilitation group patients demonstrated significant improvement in the results of the functional reach test at T(1) (37.6 ±7.8 cm) and T(2) (39.3 ±9.7 cm) compared with the baseline assessment (11.5 ±2.9 cm) and Timed Up and Go Test at T(1) (8.9 ±1.2 seconds) and T(2) (8.0 ±1.9 seconds) compared with the baseline assessment (12.5 ±1.8 seconds). Moreover, the balance rehabilitation group patients exhibited significantly greater improvements in balance and mobility than did the functional rehabilitation group patients (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, improved balance was significantly associated with improved mobility at T(2). Postoperative outpatient rehabilitation with balance training improves the balance, mobility, and functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee replacement. © The Author(s) 2014.

Better microvascular function on long-term treatment with lisinopril than with nifedipine in renal transplant recipients.

PubMed

Asberg, A; Midtvedt, K; Vassbotn, T; Hartmann, A

2001-07-01

The prevalence of hypertension in renal transplant recipients is high but the pathophysiology is poorly defined. Impaired endothelial function may be a factor of major importance. The present study addresses the effects of long-term treatment with either lisinopril or slow-release nifedipine on microvascular function and plasma endothelin in renal transplant recipients on cyclosporin A (CsA). Seventy-five hypertensive renal transplant recipients were double-blind randomized to receive slow-release nifedipine (NIF, n=40) or lisinopril (LIS, n=35). Ten normotensive, age-matched recipients served as controls. All patients received CsA-based immunosuppressive therapy including prednisolone and azathioprine. Microvascular function was assessed in the forearm skin vasculature, using laser Doppler flowmetry in combination with post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia and endothelial-dependent function during local acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. The analysis of microvascular function (AUC(rh)) showed that nifedipine-treated patients had significantly lower responses compared with lisinopril-treated patients (20+/-17 and 43+/-20 AU x min respectively, P=0.0016). Endothelial function was borderline significantly lower in the NIF group compared with the LIS group (640+/-345 and 817+/-404 AU x min respectively, P=0.056). The responses in the LIS group were comparable with those in non-hypertensive controls (AUC(rh) was 37+/-16 and AUC(ACh) was 994+/-566 AU x min). Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the NIF group compared with the LIS group (0.44+/-0.19 vs. 0.34+/-0.10 fmol/ml respectively, P=0.048), and were 0.29+/-0.09 fmol/ml in the control patients. AUC(ACh) was associated with plasma endothelin-1 (P=0.0053), while AUC(rh) was not (P=0.080). The study indicates that long-term treatment with lisinopril, when compared with nifedipine, yields a more beneficial effect on microvascular function in hypertensive renal transplant recipients on CsA. The beneficial microvascular effect may be mediated in part by an endothelin-1-associated effect on the endothelium.

Brazilian remote sensing receiving, recording and processing ground systems in the 1980's

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parada, N. D. J. (Principal Investigator)

1984-01-01

A ground station was built in Brazil to receive, record, and process TM data from LANDSAT satellites. The receiving/recording subsystem and the processing subsystem are discussed. Functional design specifications for the facility are addressed.