Low power all-digital radio-over-fiber transmission for 28-GHz band using parallel electro-absorption modulators

We present a low-power all-digital radio-over-fiber transmitter for beyond 28-GHz using sigma-delta modulation, a 140mW NRZ driver and parallel electro-absorption modulators. 5.25Gb/s (2.625Gb/s) 64-QAM is transported over 10-km SSMF at 1560nm with 7.6% (5.2%) EVM

A geometrical model of softwood anatomy for fluid mechanics simulations

This paper demonstrates a model of softwood geometry that can be used for multiscale modelling of the longitudinal movement of water through spruce wood. Previous results obtained from a high resolution X-ray CT scan and subsequent image analysis of a large number of Norway spruce tracheids were here used to produce a model that can represent the variability in wood anatomy found within a timber joist or log. A demonstration of that model is given

Effects of Physical Exercise Training on Cerebral Blood Flow Measurements:A Systematic Review of Human Intervention Studies

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of physical exercise training on cerebral blood flow (CBF), which is a physiological marker of cerebrovascular function. Relationships between training-induced effects on CBF with changes in cognitive performance were also discussed. A systematic search was performed up to July 2022. Forty-five intervention studies with experimental, quasi-experimental, or pre-post designs were included. Sixteen studies (median duration: 14 weeks) investigated effects of physical exercise training on CBF markers using magnetic resonance imaging, 20 studies (median duration: 14 weeks) used transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and eight studies (median duration: 8 weeks) used near-infrared spectroscopy. Studies using magnetic resonance imaging observed consistent increases in CBF in the anterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus, but not in whole-brain CBF. Effects on resting CBF-measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy-were variable, while middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity increased in some studies following exercise or hypercapnic stimuli. Interestingly, concomitant changes in physical fitness and regional CBF were observed, while a relation between training-induced effects on CBF and cognitive performance was evident. In conclusion, exercise training improved cerebrovascular function because regional CBF was changed. Studies are however still needed to establish whether exercise-induced improvements in CBF are sustained over longer periods of time and underlie the observed beneficial effects on cognitive performance.</p

Five-year outcome after laparoscopic anterior partial versus Nissen fundoplication: four randomized trials

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.Objective: To compare longer term (5-year) outcomes for reflux control and post-surgery side effects following laparoscopic anterior (90˚ and 180˚) partial vs. Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux. Summary Background Data: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is the most frequently performed surgical procedure for gastroesophageal reflux. It achieves excellent control of reflux, but in some patients is followed by troublesome side effects. To reduce the risk of side effects laparoscopic anterior partial fundoplication variants have been advocated, although some studies suggest poorer reflux control. Methods: From 1995 to 2003, 461 patients with gastroesophageal reflux were enrolled in 4 randomized controlled trials comparing anterior partial vs. Nissen fundoplication. Two trials evaluated anterior 180˚, and 2 anterior 90˚ partial fundoplication. The original trial data were combined and a re-analysis from original data was undertaken to determine outcomes at 5-years follow-up. Reflux symptom control and side effects were evaluated in a blinded fashion using standardized questionnaires, including 0-10 analog scores (0=no symptoms, 10=severe symptoms). Results: At 5 years, patients who underwent an anterior 90˚ or 180˚ partial fundoplication had less side effects compared with Nissen fundoplication and were equally satisfied with the overall outcome. Reflux control, measured by heartburn scores and antisecretory medication use, was similar for anterior 180˚ partial vs. Nissen fundoplication, but inferior after anterior 90˚ partial vs. Nissen fundoplication. Conclusions: Anterior 180˚ partial fundoplication achieves durable control of reflux symptoms and less side effects compared with Nissen fundoplication. Although reflux control following anterior 90˚ partial fundoplication appears less effective than after Nissen fundoplication. This data supports the use of anterior 180˚ partial fundoplication for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux

Testing After Worked Example Study Does Not Enhance Delayed Problem-Solving Performance Compared to Restudy

Four experiments investigated whether the testing effect also applies to the acquisition of problem-solving skills from worked examples. Experiment 1 (n = 120) showed no beneficial effects of testing consisting of isomorphic problem solving or example recall on final test performance, which consisted of isomorphic problem solving, compared to continued study of isomorphic examples. Experiment 2 (n = 124) showed no beneficial effects of testing consisting of identical problem solving compared to restudying an identical example. Interestingly, participants who took both an immediate and a delayed final test outperformed those taking only a delayed test. This finding suggested that testing might become beneficial for retention but only after a certain level of schema acquisition has taken place through restudying several examples. However, experiment 2 had no control condition restudying examples instead of taking the immediate test. Experiment 3 (n = 129) included such a restudy condition, and there was no evidence that testing after studying four examples was more effective for final delayed test performance than restudying, regardless of whether restudied/tested problems were isomorphic or identical. Experiment 4 (n = 75) used a similar design as experiment 3 (i.e., testing/restudy after four examples), but with examples on a different topic and with a different participant population. Again, no evidence of a testing effect was found. Thus, across four experiments, with different types of initial tests, different problem-solving domains, and different participant populations, we found no evidence that testing enhanced delayed test performance compared to restudy. These findings suggest that the testing effect might not apply to acquiring problem-solving skills from worked examples

Improved filtering methods to suppress cardiovascular contamination in electrical impedance tomography recordings

Objective. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) produces clinical useful visualization of the distribution of ventilation inside the lungs. The accuracy of EIT-derived parameters can be compromised by the cardiovascular signal. Removal of these artefacts is challenging due to spectral overlapping of the ventilatory and cardiovascular signal components and their time-varying frequencies. We designed and evaluated advanced filtering techniques and hypothesized that these would outperform traditional low-pass filters. Approach. Three filter techniques were developed and compared against traditional low-pass filtering: multiple digital notch filtering (MDN), empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT). The performance of the filtering techniques was evaluated (1) in the time domain (2) in the frequency domain (3) by visual inspection. We evaluated the performance using simulated contaminated EIT data and data from 15 adult and neonatal intensive care unit patients. Main result. Each filter technique exhibited varying degrees of effectiveness and limitations. Quality measures in the time domain showed the best performance for MDN filtering. The signal to noise ratio was best for DLP, but at the cost of a high relative and removal error. MDN outbalanced the performance resulting in a good SNR with a low relative and removal error. MDN, EMD and MODWT performed similar in the frequency domain and were successful in removing the high frequency components of the data. Significance. Advanced filtering techniques have benefits compared to traditional filters but are not always better. MDN filtering outperformed EMD and MODWT regarding quality measures in the time domain. This study emphasizes the need for careful consideration when choosing a filtering approach, depending on the dataset and the clinical/research question.</p

The effect of long-term Aronia melanocarpa extract supplementation on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function: A randomized controlled trial in healthy, middle-aged individuals

Cognitive decline is associated with lifestyle-related factors such as overweight, blood pressure, and dietary composition. Studies have reported beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins on cognition in older adults and children. However, the effect of anthocyanin-rich Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) on cognition is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of long-term supplementation with AME on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function in healthy, middle-aged, overweight adults. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel study, 101 participants either consumed 90 mg AME, 150 mg AME, or placebo for 24 weeks. The grooved pegboard test, number cross-out test, and Stroop test were performed as measures for psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Mood was evaluated with a visual analogue scale, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was determined, and vascular function was assessed by carotid ultrasounds and blood pressure measurements. AME improved psychomotor speed compared to placebo (90 mg AME: change = -3.37; p = 0.009). Furthermore, 150 mg AME decreased brachial diastolic blood pressure compared to 90 mg AME (change = 2.44; p = 0.011), but not compared to placebo. Attention, cognitive flexibility, BDNF, and other vascular parameters were not affected. In conclusion, AME supplementation showed an indication of beneficial effects on cognitive performance and blood pressure in individuals at risk of cognitive decline

Improved filtering methods to suppress cardiovascular contamination in electrical impedance tomography recordings

Objective. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) produces clinical useful visualization of the distribution of ventilation inside the lungs. The accuracy of EIT-derived parameters can be compromised by the cardiovascular signal. Removal of these artefacts is challenging due to spectral overlapping of the ventilatory and cardiovascular signal components and their time-varying frequencies. We designed and evaluated advanced filtering techniques and hypothesized that these would outperform traditional low-pass filters. Approach. Three filter techniques were developed and compared against traditional low-pass filtering: multiple digital notch filtering (MDN), empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT). The performance of the filtering techniques was evaluated (1) in the time domain (2) in the frequency domain (3) by visual inspection. We evaluated the performance using simulated contaminated EIT data and data from 15 adult and neonatal intensive care unit patients. Main result. Each filter technique exhibited varying degrees of effectiveness and limitations. Quality measures in the time domain showed the best performance for MDN filtering. The signal to noise ratio was best for DLP, but at the cost of a high relative and removal error. MDN outbalanced the performance resulting in a good SNR with a low relative and removal error. MDN, EMD and MODWT performed similar in the frequency domain and were successful in removing the high frequency components of the data. Significance. Advanced filtering techniques have benefits compared to traditional filters but are not always better. MDN filtering outperformed EMD and MODWT regarding quality measures in the time domain. This study emphasizes the need for careful consideration when choosing a filtering approach, depending on the dataset and the clinical/research question.</p

22q11.2 deletion syndrome

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common chromosomal microdeletion disorder, estimated to result mainly from de novo non-homologous meiotic recombination events occurring in approximately 1 in every 1,000 fetuses. The first description in the English language of the constellation of findings now known to be due to this chromosomal difference was made in the 1960s in children with DiGeorge syndrome, who presented with the clinical triad of immunodeficiency, hypoparathyroidism and congenital heart disease. The syndrome is now known to have a heterogeneous presentation that includes multiple additional congenital anomalies and later-onset conditions, such as palatal, gastrointestinal and renal abnormalities, autoimmune disease, variable cognitive delays, behavioural phenotypes and psychiatric illness - all far extending the original description of DiGeorge syndrome. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving paediatrics, general medicine, surgery, psychiatry, psychology, interventional therapies (physical, occupational, speech, language and behavioural) and genetic counselling. Although common, lack of recognition of the condition and/or lack of familiarity with genetic testing methods, together with the wide variability of clinical presentation, delays diagnosis. Early diagnosis, preferably prenatally or neonatally, could improve outcomes, thus stressing the importance of universal screening. Equally important, 22q11.2DS has become a model for understanding rare and frequent congenital anomalies, medical conditions, psychiatric and developmental disorders, and may provide a platform to better understand these disorders while affording opportunities for translational strategies across the lifespan for both patients with 22q11.2DS and those with these associated features in the general population

Testing After Worked Example Study Does Not Enhance Delayed Problem-Solving Performance Compared to Restudy

Four experiments investigated whether the testing effect also applies to the acquisition of problem-solving skills from worked examples. Experiment 1 (n = 120) showed no beneficial effects of testing consisting of isomorphic problem solving or example recall on final test performance, which consisted of isomorphic problem solving, compared to continued study of isomorphic examples. Experiment 2 (n = 124) showed no beneficial effects of testing consisting of identical problem solving compared to restudying an identical example. Interestingly, participants who took both an immediate and a delayed final test outperformed those taking only a delayed test. This finding suggested that testing might become beneficial for retention but only after a certain level of schema acquisition has taken place through restudying several examples. However, experiment 2 had no control condition restudying examples instead of taking the immediate test. Experiment 3 (n = 129) included such a restudy condition, and there was no evidence that testing after studying four examples was more effective for