162 research outputs found
Heartbeat Classification in Wearables Using Multi-layer Perceptron and Time-Frequency Joint Distribution of ECG
Heartbeat classification using electrocardiogram (ECG) data is a vital
assistive technology for wearable health solutions. We propose heartbeat
feature classification based on a novel sparse representation using
time-frequency joint distribution of ECG. Fundamental to this is a multi-layer
perceptron, which incorporates these signatures to detect cardiac arrhythmia.
This approach is validated with ECG data from MIT-BIH arrhythmia database.
Results show that our approach has an average 95.7% accuracy, an improvement of
22% over state-of-the-art approaches. Additionally, ECG sparse distributed
representations generates only 3.7% false negatives, reduction of 89% with
respect to existing ECG signal classification techniques.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, published in IEEE/ACM International Conference on
Connected Health: Applications, Systems and Engineering Technologies (CHASE
Event categories in the EDELWEISS WIMP search experiment
Four categories of events have been identified in the EDELWEISS-I dark matter
experiment using germanium cryogenic detectors measuring simultaneously charge
and heat signals. These categories of events are interpreted as electron and
nuclear interactions occurring in the volume of the detector, and electron and
nuclear interactions occurring close to the surface of the detectors(10-20 mu-m
of the surface). We discuss the hypothesis that low energy surface nuclear
recoils,which seem to have been unnoticed by previous WIMP searches, may
provide an interpretation of the anomalous events recorded by the UKDMC and
Saclay NaI experiments. The present analysis points to the necessity of taking
into account surface nuclear and electron recoil interactions for a reliable
estimate of background rejection factors.Comment: 11 pages, submitted to Phys. Lett.
First Results of the EDELWEISS WIMP Search using a 320 g Heat-and-Ionization Ge Detector
The EDELWEISS collaboration has performed a direct search for WIMP dark
matter using a 320 g heat-and-ionization cryogenic Ge detector operated in a
low-background environment in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. No nuclear
recoils are observed in the fiducial volume in the 30-200 keV energy range
during an effective exposure of 4.53 kg.days. Limits for the cross-section for
the spin-independent interaction of WIMPs and nucleons are set in the framework
of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The central value of the
signal reported by the experiment DAMA is excluded at 90% CL.Comment: 14 pages, Latex, 4 figures. Submitted to Phys. Lett.
Background discrimination capabilities of a heat and ionization germanium cryogenic detector
The discrimination capabilities of a 70 g heat and ionization Ge bolometer
are studied. This first prototype has been used by the EDELWEISS Dark Matter
experiment, installed in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane, for direct
detection of WIMPs. Gamma and neutron calibrations demonstrate that this type
of detector is able to reject more than 99.6% of the background while retaining
95% of the signal, provided that the background events distribution is not
biased towards the surface of the Ge crystal. However, the 1.17 kg.day of data
taken in a relatively important radioactive environment show an extra
population slightly overlapping the signal. This background is likely due to
interactions of low energy photons or electrons near the surface of the
crystal, and is somewhat reduced by applying a higher charge-collecting inverse
bias voltage (-6 V instead of -2 V) to the Ge diode. Despite this
contamination, more than 98% of the background can be rejected while retaining
50% of the signal. This yields a conservative upper limit of 0.7
event.day^{-1}.kg^{-1}.keV^{-1}_{recoil} at 90% confidence level in the 15-45
keV recoil energy interval; the present sensitivity appears to be limited by
the fast ambient neutrons. Upgrades in progress on the installation are
summarized.Comment: Submitted to Astroparticle Physics, 14 page
Identification of backgrounds in the EDELWEISS-I dark matter search experiment
This paper presents our interpretation and understanding of the different
backgrounds in the EDELWEISS-I data sets. We analyze in detail the several
populations observed, which include gammas, alphas, neutrons, thermal sensor
events and surface events, and try to combine all data sets to provide a
coherent picture of the nature and localisation of the background sources. In
light of this interpretation, we draw conclusions regarding the background
suppression scheme for the EDELWEISS-II phase
Interleukinâ1 Blockade Inhibits the Acute Inflammatory Response in Patients With STâSegmentâElevation Myocardial Infarction
Background
STâsegmentâelevation myocardial infarction is associated with an intense acute inflammatory response and risk of heart failure. We tested whether interleukinâ1 blockade with anakinra significantly reduced the area under the curve for hsCRP (high sensitivity Câreactive protein) levels during the first 14 days in patients with STâsegmentâelevation myocardial infarction (VCUART3 [Virginia Commonwealth University Anakinra Remodeling Trial 3]).
Methods and Results
We conducted a randomized, placeboâcontrolled, doubleâblind, clinical trial in 99 patients with STâsegmentâelevation myocardial infarction in which patients were assigned to 2 weeks treatment with anakinra once daily (N=33), anakinra twice daily (N=31), or placebo (N=35). hsCRP area under the curve was significantly lower in patients receiving anakinra versus placebo (median, 67 [interquartile range, 39â120] versus 214 [interquartile range, 131â394] mg·day/L; P\u3c0.001), without significant differences between the anakinra arms. No significant differences were found between anakinra and placebo groups in the interval changes in left ventricular endâsystolic volume (median, 1.4 [interquartile range, â9.8 to 9.8] versus â3.9 [interquartile range, â15.4 to 1.4] mL; P=0.21) or left ventricular ejection fraction (median, 3.9% [interquartile range, â1.6% to 10.2%] versus 2.7% [interquartile range, â1.8% to 9.3%]; P=0.61) at 12 months. The incidence of death or newâonset heart failure or of death and hospitalization for heart failure was significantly lower with anakinra versus placebo (9.4% versus 25.7% [P=0.046] and 0% versus 11.4% [P=0.011], respectively), without difference between the anakinra arms. The incidence of serious infection was not different between anakinra and placebo groups (14% versus 14%; P=0.98). Injection site reactions occurred more frequently in patients receiving anakinra (22%) versus placebo (3%; P=0.016).
Conclusions
In patients presenting with STâsegmentâelevation myocardial infarction, interleukinâ1 blockade with anakinra significantly reduces the systemic inflammatory response compared with placebo.
Clinical Trial Registration
URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01950299
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