Pulse transducer with artifact signal attenuator

An artifact signal attenuator for a pulse rate sensor is described. The circuit for attenuating background noise signals is connected with a pulse rate transducer which has a light source and a detector for light reflected from blood vessels of a living body. The heart signal provided consists of a modulated dc signal voltage indicative of pulse rate. The artifact signal resulting from light reflected from the skin of the body comprises both a constant dc signal voltage and a modulated dc signal voltage. The amplitude of the artifact signal is greater and the frequency less than that of the heart signal. The signal attenuator circuit includes an operational amplifier for canceling the artifact signal from the output signal of the transducer and has the capability of meeting packaging requirements for wrist-watch-size packages

Keyword-Based Delegable Proofs of Storage

Cloud users (clients) with limited storage capacity at their end can outsource bulk data to the cloud storage server. A client can later access her data by downloading the required data files. However, a large fraction of the data files the client outsources to the server is often archival in nature that the client uses for backup purposes and accesses less frequently. An untrusted server can thus delete some of these archival data files in order to save some space (and allocate the same to other clients) without being detected by the client (data owner). Proofs of storage enable the client to audit her data files uploaded to the server in order to ensure the integrity of those files. In this work, we introduce one type of (selective) proofs of storage that we call keyword-based delegable proofs of storage, where the client wants to audit all her data files containing a specific keyword (e.g., "important"). Moreover, it satisfies the notion of public verifiability where the client can delegate the auditing task to a third-party auditor who audits the set of files corresponding to the keyword on behalf of the client. We formally define the security of a keyword-based delegable proof-of-storage protocol. We construct such a protocol based on an existing proof-of-storage scheme and analyze the security of our protocol. We argue that the techniques we use can be applied atop any existing publicly verifiable proof-of-storage scheme for static data. Finally, we discuss the efficiency of our construction.Comment: A preliminary version of this work has been published in International Conference on Information Security Practice and Experience (ISPEC 2018

Cryospray ablation (CSA) in the palliative treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

BACKGROUND: Esophageal carcinoma is the ninth most prevalent cancer worldwide with squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) and adenocarcinoma accounting for the vast majority of new cases (13,900 in 2003). Cure rates in the U.S. are less than 10%, similar to lung cancer. More than 50% of patients with esophageal carcinoma present with unresectable or metastatic disease, are not surgical candidates, or display disease progression despite the addition of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to surgery. Need for improved palliation exits. CASE PRESENTATION: This case describes a 73-year-old African American male who presented with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) of the esophagus who has a achieved complete remission for 24 months via endoscopic cryospray ablation. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic cryo spray ablation warrants further investigation as a palliative treatment modality for esophageal cancer. This is the first reported case in the medical literature

A Suborbital Payload for Soft X-ray Spectroscopy of Extended Sources

We present a suborbital rocket payload capable of performing soft X-ray spectroscopy on extended sources. The payload can reach resolutions of ~100(lambda/dlambda) over sources as large as 3.25 degrees in diameter in the 17-107 angstrom bandpass. This permits analysis of the overall energy balance of nearby supernova remnants and the detailed nature of the diffuse soft X-ray background. The main components of the instrument are: wire grid collimators, off-plane grating arrays and gaseous electron multiplier detectors. This payload is adaptable to longer duration orbital rockets given its comparatively simple pointing and telemetry requirements and an abundance of potential science targets.Comment: Accepted to Experimental Astronomy, 12 pages plus 1 table and 17 figure

Analysis of the Contrasting Pathogenicities Induced by the D222G Mutation in 1918 and 2009 Pandemic Influenza A Viruses.

In 2009, the D222G mutation in the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus was found to correlate with fatal and severe human infections. Previous static structural analysis suggested that, unlike the H1N1 viruses prevalent in 1918, the mutation did not compromise binding to human α2,6-linked glycan receptors, allowing it to transmit efficiently. Here we investigate the interconversion mechanism between two predicted binding modes in both 2009 and 1918 HAs, introducing a highly parallel intermediate network search scheme to construct kinetically relevant pathways efficiently. Accumulated mutations at positions 183 and 224 that alter the size of the binding pocket are identified with the fitness of the 2009 pandemic virus carrying the D222G mutation. This result suggests that the pandemic H1N1 viruses could gain binding affinity to the α2,3-linked glycan receptors in the lungs, usually associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza, without compromising viability.This work was supported by the ERC and the EPSRC.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from ACS via http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ct5010565

Men, Muscles, and Body Image: Comparisons of Competitive Bodybuilders, Weight Trainers, and Athletically Active Controls

Objectives: To investigate body image and psychosocial adjustment among competitive bodybuilders, non-competitive weight trainers, and athletically active men. Methods: Participants were 40 men in each of the three groups who were assessed on body composition and multiple facets of body image evaluation, investment and anxiety, eating attitudes, and social self esteem. Results: Relative to the other two groups, competitive bodybuilders had greater body mass due to fat-free body mass. Although groups did not differ in their situational body image discomfort, competitive bodybuilders and weight trainers had a more positive global appearance evaluation and were more psychologically invested in their physical appearance. Compared with active controls, men in both weightlifting groups were more satisfied with their upper torso and muscle tone. Competitive bodybuilders reported more mid torso satisfaction than the other two groups. Competitive bodybuilders also wished to be significantly heavier than controls did and reported higher social self esteem but greater eating disturbance. Conclusions: The findings suggest that competitive bodybuilders as a group are not more muscle dysmorphic\u27\u27 than either non-competitive weight trainers or physically active men who do not train with weights

"Is it realistic?" the portrayal of pregnancy and childbirth in the media.

BACKGROUND: Considerable debate surrounds the influence media have on first-time pregnant women. Much of the academic literature discusses the influence of (reality) television, which often portrays birth as risky, dramatic and painful and there is evidence that this has a negative effect on childbirth in society, through the increasing anticipation of negative outcomes. It is suggested that women seek out such programmes to help understand what could happen during the birth because there is a cultural void. However the impact that has on normal birth has not been explored. METHODS: A scoping review relating to the representation of childbirth in the mass media, particularly on television. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: (a) medicalisation of childbirth; (b) women using media to learn about childbirth; and (c) birth as a missing everyday life event. CONCLUSION: Media appear to influence how women engage with childbirth. The dramatic television portrayal of birth may perpetuate the medicalisation of childbirth, and last, but not least, portrayals of normal birth are often missing in the popular media. Hence midwives need to engage with television producers to improve the representation of midwifery and maternity in the media

Evolution of the Cluster X-ray Luminosity Function

We report measurements of the cluster X-ray luminosity function out to z=0.8 based on the final sample of 201 galaxy systems from the 160 Square Degree ROSAT Cluster Survey. There is little evidence for any measurable change in cluster abundance out to z~0.6 at luminosities less than a few times 10^44 ergs/s (0.5-2.0 keV). However, between 0.6 < z < 0.8 and at luminosities above 10^44 ergs/s, the observed volume densities are significantly lower than those of the present-day population. We quantify this cluster deficit using integrated number counts and a maximum-likelihood analysis of the observed luminosity-redshift distribution fit with a model luminosity function. The negative evolution signal is >3 sigma regardless of the adopted local luminosity function or cosmological framework. Our results and those from several other surveys independently confirm the presence of evolution. Whereas the bulk of the cluster population does not evolve, the most luminous and presumably most massive structures evolve appreciably between z=0.8 and the present. Interpreted in the context of hierarchical structure formation, we are probing sufficiently large mass aggregations at sufficiently early times in cosmological history where the Universe has yet to assemble these clusters to present-day volume densities.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Detachable force sensor for an ultrasound probe to improve rotator cuff injury diagnosis

Rotator cuff disease, common in elderly persons and athletes, is resultant of repetitive use of shoulder muscles or sudden impact to the area. The spectrum of injury ranges from tendonitis to a complete tear of the rotator cuff tendon which results in a myriad of treatments. Even though ultrasound is one of the most frequently used imaging techniques to diagnose this disease, it lacks contextual information and consistency needed for an accurate treatment plan. We are creating an ultrasound probe attachment using pressure sensing pads to measure force applied during imaging. Using our pads, we measured the change in resistance across the pad which can be used with pre-existing ultrasound imaging data to calculate the Young\u27s Modulus of the tissue. We hope this will provide more consistency in characterizing the rotator cuff. For the clinician, having this additional information may help to determine the extent of the injury and be beneficial in determining the appropriate treatment