S/W Fault-tolerant OFP System for UAVs based on Partition Computing

AbstractPartition computing of the new Integrated Modular Avionics architecture reduces the heavy cabling of traditional federated architecture. On the other hand, fault-tolerant Operational Flight Programs (OFP) for unmanned aerial vehicles have usually been implemented as primary-backup systems based on dual nodes. However, in the case of a small UAV, it is preferred to implement a S/W fault-tolerant system that runs primary and recovery systems together in a single flight control computer to reduce the payload. In this case, because the primary and backup must not interfere with each other in using CPU and memory, it is common to use virtualization-based partitions. In this paper, a new S/W fault-tolerant OFP based on the real-time-object partition, TMO.p, is presented to overcome the large overheads of virtualization approaches

OPTIMAL REGRESSION MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE WINNING GAME AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The purpose of this study was to present the statistical model to predict the winning of ice hockey game and determine the contributing factors for win in the world ice hockey championship. In order to find the optimal regression model for ice hockey, we compared two regression model (logistic and linear model) with the database of all games and the separate databases of top/bottom teams. The logistic regression model using the separate database was most accurately predicted the actual outcome of games. This model and database further revealed that goalkeeping and scoring efficiencies and the number of shots on goal were significantly contributing factors to win. In addition, the results for prediction analysis of winning rate for each team indicated that offensive skills were more important factors than defense power to increase winning rate for teams

Sonographic Detection of Intrathyroidal Branchial Cleft Cyst: A Case Report

We report here on an extremely rare case of an intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst. Intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst is rare disease entity and it has nonspecific findings on sonography, so the diagnosis of the lesion is very difficult. However, during aspiration, if pus-like materials are aspirated from a thyroid cyst, we should consider the possibility of intrathyroidal branchial cleft cyst in the differential diagnosis

15-Keto prostaglandin E2 induces heme oxygenase-1 expression through activation of Nrf2 in human colon epithelial CCD 841 CoN cells

Prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) plays a key role in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) catalyzes the oxidation of the 15(S)-hydroxyl group of PGE(2) to generate 15-keto PGE(2). 15-PGDH has been known as a tumor suppressor in various malignancies including colon cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor-suppressive function of 15-PGDH remain largely unresolved. In this study, we found that 15-keto PGE(2) upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a representative antioxidative and anti-inflammatory enzyme, at both transcriptional and translational levels, in human colon epithelial CCD 841 CoN cells. A redox-sensitive transcription factor, NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) plays a critical role in the regulation of HO-1 and other cytoprotective proteins. 15-Keto PGE(2) induced translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus and antioxidant response element-driven luciferase activity. Furthermore, the silencing of the Nrf2 gene abolished 15-keto PGE(2)-induced HO-1 expression in CCD 841 CoN cells. 15-Keto PGE(2) activated AKT signaling, and the pharmacological AKT inhibitor, LY294002 suppressed the 15-keto PGE(2)-induced HO-1 expression. 15-Keto PGE(2) generates the reactive oxygen species which is suppressed by the general antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment attenuated the 15-keto PGE(2)-induced phosphorylation of GSK3 beta, transcriptional activity of Nrf2, and subsequently HO-1 expression. However, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGE(2) lacking the alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl moiety failed to induce intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, HO-1 expression and nuclear translocation of Nrf2. In conclusion, 15-keto PGE(2) induces HO-1 expression through Nrf2 activation in human colon epithelial cells.

Serial I-123-FP-CIT SPECT Image Findings of Parkinson's Disease Patients With Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

Background: Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a major complication of dopamine replacement drug usage in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Since the mechanism of LID is yet unclear, we analyzed serial [I-123] N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (I-123 FP-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images. We investigated the changes of dopaminergic innervation during the progression of PD in relation to the development of LID.Methods: Data were obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database. Two hundred and ninety PD dopamine replacement drug-naïve patients (age 61.0 ± 9.7, M: F = 195: 95) were enrolled. I-123 FP-CIT SPECT images from baseline, 12, 24, and 48 months were analyzed among with clinical factors. specific binding ratios (SBRs) of the striatal regions from I-123 FP-CIT SPECT images were analyzed. We used independent tests and logistic regression for analysis of LID risk association.Results: Among 290 patients, 36 patients developed LID after 48 months follow-up. Baseline MDS-UPDRS Part II and III scores were significantly higher in the PD patients with LID, compared with the PD patients without LID. Striatal SBRs were significantly lower in the PD patients with LID at baseline, 24 and 48 months (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed MDS-UPDRS Part II and putaminal SBRs at baseline and 24 months to be significantly associated with the development of LID (p < 0.001). Also, patients who developed LID at 48 months had a higher decrease rate of putaminal SBR at the 24 months (p < 0.05), and 48 months (p < 0.01) period.Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated the serial changes of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic innervation in relationship to LID development for the first time. The deterioration rate of dopaminergic innervation was significantly higher in the PD patients who developed LID, compared with the PD patients who did not develop LID. Serial follow up I-123 FP-CIT SPECT acquisition during the course of PD could be helpful in predicting the development of LID

Inflammatory Responses Are Not Sufficient to Cause Delayed Neuronal Death in ATP-Induced Acute Brain Injury

BACKGROUND: Brain inflammation is accompanied by brain injury. However, it is controversial whether inflammatory responses are harmful or beneficial to neurons. Because many studies have been performed using cultured microglia and neurons, it has not been possible to assess the influence of multiple cell types and diverse factors that dynamically and continuously change in vivo. Furthermore, behavior of microglia and other inflammatory cells could have been overlooked since most studies have focused on neuronal death. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the precise roles of microglia and brain inflammation in the injured brain, and determine their contribution to neuronal damage in vivo from the onset of injury. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Acute neuronal damage was induced by stereotaxic injection of ATP into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the cortex of the rat brain. Inflammatory responses and their effects on neuronal damage were investigated by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, quantitative RT-PCR, and stereological counting, etc. ATP acutely caused death of microglia as well as neurons in a similar area within 3 h. We defined as the core region the area where both TH(+) and Iba-1(+) cells acutely died, and as the penumbra the area surrounding the core where Iba-1(+) cells showed activated morphology. In the penumbra region, morphologically activated microglia arranged around the injury sites. Monocytes filled the damaged core after neurons and microglia died. Interestingly, neither activated microglia nor monocytes expressed iNOS, a major neurotoxic inflammatory mediator. Monocytes rather expressed CD68, a marker of phagocytic activity. Importantly, the total number of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc at 3 h (∼80% of that in the contralateral side) did not decrease further at 7 d. Similarly, in the cortex, ATP-induced neuron-damage area detected at 3 h did not increase for up to 7 d. CONCLUSIONS: Different cellular components (microglia, astrocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils) and different factors (proinflammatory and neurotrophic) could be produced in inflammatory processes depending on the nature of the injury. The results in this study suggest that the inflammatory responses of microglia and monocytes in response to ATP-induced acute injury could not be neurotoxic

Nexus between directionality of THz waves and structural parameters in groove-patterned InAs

We have performed terahertz (THz)-time domain spectroscopy in various geometries, for characterizing the directivity of THz waves emitted from groove-patterned InAs structures. First, we have distinguished the THz emission mechanisms as a function of epilayer thickness. The carrier drift was predominant in thin sample group (10-70 nm) which the electronic diffusion motion was overriding the oppositely aligned drifting dipoles in thick sample group (370-900 nm) as revealed via amplitude and phase variations. By combined use of the electron-beam lithography and the inductively coupled plasma etching in 1 {\mu}m-thick InAs epilayers, we have further fabricated either asymmetric V-groove patterns or symmetric parabolic patterns. The THz amplitude was enhanced, particularly along line-of-sight transmissive direction when the groove patterns act as microscale reflective mirrors periodically separated by a scale of diffusion length.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Effects of uncertainty and spousal support on infertility-related quality of life in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of uncertainty and spousal support on infertility-related quality of life (QoL) in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Methods In this correlational survey study, 172 infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies for infertility treatment at M hospital in Seoul participated. Data collection took place at the outpatient department of M hospital using a self-report questionnaire from July to August 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 28.0. Results The mean scores for uncertainty, spousal support, and infertility-related quality of life (QoL) were 28.35 (out of 50), 86.67 (out of 115), and 57.98 (out of 100), respectively. Infertility-related quality of life (QoL) was positively correlated with spousal support and negatively correlated with uncertainty. According to the regression analysis, infertility-related quality of life (QoL) was significantly affected by uncertainty, total number of assisted reproductive technology treatments, marriage duration, subjective health status, the financial burden of infertility testing, and the presence of a burdensome person. These variables had an explanatory power of 35.0% for infertility-related quality of life (QoL). Conclusion Uncertainty was an important factor influencing infertility-related quality of life (QoL) among women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. It is necessary to develop and implement a nursing intervention program focused on reducing various forms of uncertainty during assisted reproductive procedures and to consider other factors affecting infertility-related quality of life (QoL) in the clinical setting

Early postictal electroencephalography and correlation with clinical findings in children with febrile seizures

PurposeElectroencephalography (EEG) is frequently ordered for patients with febrile seizures despite its unclear diagnostic value. We evaluated the prevalence of abnormal EEGs, the association between clinical findings and abnormal EEGs, and the predictive value of EEG for the recurrence of febrile seizures.MethodsData were collected on 230 children who were treated for febrile seizures at Kyung Hee University Medical Center from 2005 to 2009. EEGs were recorded after 1-2 days of hospitalization when children became afebrile. EEG patterns were categorized as normal, epileptiform, or nonspecific relative to abnormalities. The patients' medical records were reviewed, and telephone interviews with the families of the children were conducted to inquire about seizure recurrence. The relationships between clinical variables, including seizure recurrence, and EEG abnormalities were evaluated.ResultsOf the 131 children included, 103 had simple and 28 had complex febrile seizures. EEG abnormalities were found in 41 children (31%). EEG abnormalities were more common in children with complex than simple febrile seizures (43% vs. 28%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Logistical regression analysis showed that having multiple seizures in a 24-hour period was significantly predictive of abnormal EEG (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 88; P=0.048). The frequency of recurrence did not differ significantly in the normal (31%) and abnormal (23%) EEG groups.ConclusionMultiple seizures within 24 hours were predictive of abnormal EEG in children with febrile seizures. Abnormal EEG was not predictive of febrile seizure recurrence

Effects of stress, depression, and spousal and familial support on maternal identity in pregnant women

Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women. Methods Using a descriptive research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 127 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea from January to April 2019. Measurements included maternal identity, stress, depression, spousal and familial support, and demographic and obstetric characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results The mean score for maternal identity was 131.15 out of 160, and the mean scores for stress, depression, and spousal and familial support were 14.59 (out of 40), 6.82 (out of 30), and 109.04 (out of 132), respectively. Stress (r=–.38, p<.001), depression (r=–.37, p<.001), and spousal and familial support (r=.37, p<.001) were significantly correlated with maternal identity. In multiple regression analysis, stress (β=–0.27, p=.005) and spousal and familial support (β=0.23, p=.014) were found to be significant factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women (F=14.19, p<.001). Conclusion It is necessary to develop effective strategies to mitigate stress and to encourage spousal and familial support in pregnant women. Such strategies could further enable pregnant women to enhance their maternal identity