Computationally-efficient realtime interpolation algorithm for non-uniform sampled biosignals

This Letter presents a novel, computationally efficient interpolation method that has been optimised for use in electrocardiogram baseline drift removal. In the authors previous Letter three isoelectric baseline points per heartbeat are detected, and here utilised as interpolation points. As an extension from linear interpolation, their algorithm segments the interpolation interval and utilises different piecewise linear equations. Thus, the algorithm produces a linear curvature that is computationally efficient while interpolating non-uniform samples. The proposed algorithm is tested using sinusoids with different fundamental frequencies from 0.05 to 0.7 Hz and also validated with real baseline wander data acquired from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology University and Bostons Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) Noise Stress Database. The synthetic data results show an root mean square (RMS) error of 0.9 μV (mean), 0.63 μV (median) and 0.6 μV (standard deviation) per heartbeat on a 1 mVp-p 0.1 Hz sinusoid. On real data, they obtain an RMS error of 10.9 μV (mean), 8.5 μV (median) and 9.0 μV (standard deviation) per heartbeat. Cubic spline interpolation and linear interpolation on the other hand shows 10.7 μV, 11.6 μV (mean), 7.8 μV, 8.9 μV (median) and 9.8 μV, 9.3 μV (standard deviation) per heartbeat

Rapid analytical methods for the microalgal and cyanobacterial biorefinery: application on strains of industrial importance.

To realise the potential of microalgae in the biorefinery context, exploitation of multiple products is necessary for profitability and for bioproduct valorisation. Appropriate analytical tools are required for growth optimisation, culture monitoring and quality control purposes, with safe, low-tech and low-cost solutions favourable. Rapid, high-throughput and user-friendly methodologies were devised for a) determination phycobiliproteins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids and b) qualitative and quantitative carotenoid profiling using UPLC-PDA-MSE. The complimentary methods were applied on 11 commercially important microalgal strains including Prasinophytes, Haptophytes and cyanobacteria, highlighting the suitability of some strains for coproduct exploitation and the methods utility for research and industrial biotechnology applications. The UPLC method allowed separation of 41 different carotenoid compounds in < 15 minutes. Simple techniques are described for further quantification and comparison of pigment profiles, allowing for easy strain selection and optimisation for pigment production, with suitability for biotechnological or biomedical applications

Efficacy of imagery rescripting and imaginal exposure for nightmares:A randomized wait-list controlled trial

Nightmares can be effectively treated with cognitive-behavioral therapies. Though it remains elusive which therapeutic elements are responsible for the beneficial effects on nightmare symptoms, imagery rescripting (IR) and imaginal exposure (IE) are commonly identified as active treatment components of nightmare therapies. With this randomized controlled trial, we compared IR and IE as individual treatments to a wait-list (WL) condition to determine whether these particular therapeutic elements ameliorate nightmare symptoms. For this purpose, 104 patients with a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of nightmare disorder were randomly assigned to three weekly individual sessions of either IR or IE, or WL. Results showed that compared to WL, both interventions effectively reduced nightmare frequency (ΔdIR-WL = 0.74; ΔdIE-WL = 0.70) and distress (ΔdIR-WL = 0.98; ΔdIE-WL = 1.35) in a sample that predominantly consisted of idiopathic nightmare sufferers. The effects of IR and IE were comparable to those observed for other psychological nightmare treatments. Initial effects at post-treatment were sustained at 3- and 6-months follow-up, indicating that IR and IE both seem to be efficacious treatment components of nightmare therapies. Additional research is needed to directly compare IR and IE among both idiographic and posttraumatic nightmare sufferers with respect to treatment expectancy, acceptability, and effectiveness

Rotator cuff repair: an analysis of failure mechanisms and predictors of structural and clinical repair outcomes

Post-operative Re-Rupturen stellen die wohl grösste Herausforderung bei der chirurgischen Versorgung von Rotatorenmanschettenrupturen dar. Inwieweit diese Re-Defekte klinische Relevanz haben, wird derzeit kontrovers diskutiert. Diese Dissertation untersucht mögliche Mechanismen, welche zur Entstehung von Re-Defekten führen. Um die klinische Relevanz dieser Mechanismen zu bewerten, das Verhältnis von strukuturellem und klinischem Operationsergebnis zu untersuchen und mögliche Ergebnisprediktoren zu identifzieren, wurde eine Meta-Analyse von 31 klinischen Studien durchgeführt. Die Daten dieser Analyse bewiesen, dass auch in Patienten mit post-operativer Re-Ruptur, eine signifikante Verbesserung klinischer Symptome erzielt wird. Jedoch zeigte der Vergleich der Daten re-rupturierter und intakter Sehnen, einen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied zu Gunsten post-operativ intakter Manschetten. Hinsichtlich predominanter Fehlermechanismen konnte die Analyse klinischer Studien nur begrenzt Aufschluss geben. Nach Zusammenfassung der klinischen Daten, sowie den Ergebnissen einer generellen Literaturrecherche, konnten bestimmte Problemzonen heutiger Behandlungstechniken identifiziert werden. Abschliessend wird ein ovines Manschettenmodel präsentiert, welches in erster Linie die Untersuchung einer post-operativen Lückenbildung zwischen der re-inserierten Sehne und ihrem knöchernen Ursprung ermöglicht. Zudem erlaubt es die Untersuchung genereller Aspekte der Heilung reparierter Manschetten. Post-operative re-tearing represents a major challenge in the surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears. Whether or not re-torn cuffs inevitably cause inferior clinical outcomes is temporarily a subject of controversial debate. This thesis investigates the occurrence of rotator cuff re-tearing by analyzing the repair components of current surgical concepts and discussing potential failure mechanisms. In order to evaluate the clinical relevance of these mechanisms, investigate the relation of structural repair failure and clinical outcome and furthermore identify predictors of structural and clinical outcomes, a meta-analysis of 31 studies (3611 shoulders in total) was performed. The data showed significant relief of clinical symptoms and an increase in shoulder function in both, patients with intact repairs and those showing cuff re-tears. However, it also confirmed a correlation between re-torn cuffs and generally lower clinical results. The meta-analysis of patient, surgical, imaging and clinical follow-up data could only very limitedly provide information about the underlying mechanisms of failure. When synthesizing results from the clinical study meta-analysis and general research including animal and ex-vivo studies, several hot spots in current concepts were identified. Finally, an ovine model is presented that allows further investigation of repair site gap formation and assessment of general aspects and timing of rotator cuff healing