Influence of synaptic depression on memory storage capacity

Synaptic efficacy between neurons is known to change within a short time scale dynamically. Neurophysiological experiments show that high-frequency presynaptic inputs decrease synaptic efficacy between neurons. This phenomenon is called synaptic depression, a short term synaptic plasticity. Many researchers have investigated how the synaptic depression affects the memory storage capacity. However, the noise has not been taken into consideration in their analysis. By introducing "temperature", which controls the level of the noise, into an update rule of neurons, we investigate the effects of synaptic depression on the memory storage capacity in the presence of the noise. We analytically compute the storage capacity by using a statistical mechanics technique called Self Consistent Signal to Noise Analysis (SCSNA). We find that the synaptic depression decreases the storage capacity in the case of finite temperature in contrast to the case of the low temperature limit, where the storage capacity does not change

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) RNA loads in peripheral blood correlates with disease severity in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is usually restricted to the respiratory epithelium. Few studies have documented the presence of RSV in the systemic circulation, however there is no consistent information whether virus detection in the blood correlates with disease severity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Balb/c mice were inoculated with live RSV, heat-inactivated RSV or medium. A subset of RSV-infected mice was treated with anti-RSV antibody 72 h post-inoculation. RSV RNA loads were measured by PCR in peripheral blood from day 1-21 post-inoculation and were correlated with upper and lower respiratory tract viral loads, the systemic cytokine response, lung inflammation and pulmonary function. Immunohistochemical staining was used to define the localization of RSV antigens in the respiratory tract and peripheral blood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RSV RNA loads were detected in peripheral blood from day 1 to 14 post-inoculation, peaked on day 5 and significantly correlated with nasal and lung RSV loads, airway obstruction, and blood CCL2 and CXCL1 expression. Treatment with anti-RSV antibody reduced blood RSV RNA loads and improved airway obstruction. Immunostaining identified RSV antigens in alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>RSV RNA was detected in peripheral blood upon infection with live RSV, followed a time-course parallel to viral loads assessed in the respiratory tract and was significantly correlated with RSV-induced airway disease.</p

Cuidados de enfermería a pacientes con falla multiorgánica que reciben hemoderivados

This study compared the knowledge of nurses at the Dr. Enrique Tejera Adult Emergency City Hospital before and after participating in an educational program on nursing care to patients with organ failure who receive blood products relating to: care nursing before, during and after administration, with a sample of 20 nurse practitioners. The research was performed between 2007 and 2008 in the city of Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela. The research design was quasi-experimental for a single pre-test and post-test group. Data collection was through a questionnaire of 41 multiple choice questions and the results obtained showed that the implementation of the educational program increased significantly (p &lt;0.001) the knowledge of nurses regarding nursing care in the administration of blood products to patients with multiple organ failure in relation to care before, during and after administration of the same. The results conclude that the implementation of the educational program on the administration of blood products in health institutions is beneficial to provide, reaffirm and expand knowledge of nursing staff on duty.La presente investigación comparó el conocimiento que poseen las enfermeras de la Emergencia de Adultos de la Ciudad Hospitalaria Dr. Enrique Tejera antes y después de participar en un programa educativo sobre los cuidados de enfermería a pacientes con falla multiorgánica que reciben hemoderivados referidos a: cuidados de enfermería antes, durante y después de la administración del mismo, a través de una muestra de 20 enfermeras de atención directa. Esta investigación se desarrolló entre el año 2007 y 2008, en la ciudad de Valencia, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. El diseño de la investigación corresponde al tipo cuasi-experimental con un solo grupo pre-test y post-test; la recolección de los datos se realizó mediante un cuestionario de 41 preguntas de opción múltiples; los resultados obtenidos demostraron que la aplicación del programa educativo incrementó significativamente (p &lt; 0,001) el conocimiento de las enfermeras en relación a los cuidados de enfermería en la administración de hemoderivados a pacientes con falla multiorgánica referidos a: cuidados antes, durante y después de la administración de los mismos. Los resultados permiten concluir que la aplicación del programa educativo en las instituciones de salud, sobre la administración de hemoderivados, es beneficioso para proporcionar, reafirmar, y ampliar los conocimientos del personal de enfermería en servicio

Viral Loads and Disease Severity in Children with Rhinovirus-Associated Illnesses

The role of rhinoviruses (RVs) in children with clinical syndromes not classically associated with RV infections is not well understood. We analyzed a cohort of children <= 21 years old who were PCR+ for RV at a large Pediatric Hospital from 2011 to 2013. Using univariate and multivariable logistic regression, we analyzed the associations between demographic, clinical characteristics, microbiology data, and clinical outcomes in children with compatible symptoms and incidental RV detection. Of the 2473 children (inpatients and outpatients) with an RV+ PCR, 2382 (96%) had compatible symptoms, and 91 (4%) did not. The overall median age was 14 months and 78% had underlying comorbidities. No differences in RV viral loads were found according to the presence of compatible symptoms, while in children with classic RV symptoms, RV viral loads were higher in single RV infections versus RV viral co-infections. Bacterial co-infections were more common in RV incidental detection (7.6%) than in children with compatible symptoms (1.9%, p < 0.001). The presence of compatible symptoms independently increased the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) of hospitalization 4.8 (3.1-7.4), prolonged hospital stays 1.9 (1.1-3.1), need for oxygen 12 (5.8-25.0) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission 4.13 (2.0-8.2). Thus, despite comparable RV loads, disease severity was significantly worse in children with compatible symptoms

Analysis of superficial subcutaneous fat Camper\u27s and Scarpa\u27s fascia in a United States cohort

Together, the Camper\u27s and Scarpa\u27s fasciae form the superficial fat layer of the abdominal wall. Though they have clinical and surgical relevance, little is known about their role in body composition across diverse patient populations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between patient characteristics, including sex and body mass index, and the distribution of Camper\u27s and Scarpa\u27s fascial layers in the abdominal wall. A total of 458 patients\u27 abdominal CT examinations were segmented via CoreSlicer 1.0 to determine the surface area of each patient\u27s Camper\u27s, Scarpa\u27s, and visceral fascia layers. The reproducibility of segmentation was corroborated by an inter-rater analysis of segmented data for 20 randomly chosen patients divided between three study investigators. Pearson correlation and Student\u27s t-test analyses were performed to characterize the relationship between fascia distribution and demographic factors. The ratios of Camper\u27s fascia, both as a proportion of superficial fat (r = -0.44 an

Cuidado seguro do recém-nascido premato com tubo endotraqueal uti neonatal

Introduction. Safe Care is the cause or consequence of nursing interventions. Patient safety is a topic of interest in recent years, however, to speak of the preterm newborn (RNPT) with endotracheal tube (ETT), is to confront a vulnerable population due to its biophysiological characteristics. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) represents a complex environment, in these scenarios it is important to know the factors that can contribute to "Safe Care" avoiding an adverse event (AD) and its repercussions for life. Objective: Describe and publicize aspects found around the world on the Safe Care of RNPT with TET. Development: A search was made in different databases: Pubmed, Scielo, VHL, LILACS, Elsevier, using (DeCs) / (MeSH), rescuing national and international articles, Spanish, English and  Portuguese, from 5 years to date , with titles related to the care of the newborn. Three items were explored: body position in the RNPT, nursing care omitted, adverse events (AEs) in the NICU. Conclusions: The respiratory function of RNPT with TET is optimized with the body position factor. The omitted care has been little studied in the neonatal area. The EAs that prevail are: those related to infusion therapy, thermoregulation, associated infections and unscheduled extubation (ENP). Safe Care must be approached in depth in order to issue specific recommendations for this vulnerable group of the population.Introducción. Cuidado seguro se define como causa o consecuencia de las intervenciones de enfermería. La seguridad en el paciente es un tema de interés en los últimos años, no obstante, hablar del recién nacido pretérmino (RNPT) con tuboendotraqueal (TET), es enfrentarse a una población vulnerable por sus características biofisiológicas. La Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal (UCIN) representa un medio ambiente complejo, en estos escenarios es de importancia conocer los factores que pueden contribuir al “Cuidado Seguro” evitando unevento adverso(EA)y sus repercusiones para la vida. Objetivo: Describir y dar a conocer aspectos encontrados a nive mundial sobre el cuidado seguro al RNPT con TET. Desarrollo: Se realizó una búsqueda en distintas bases de datos: Pubmed, Scielo, BVS, LILACS, Elsevier, utilizando (DeCs)/ (MeSH), rescatando artículos nacionales e internacionales, idioma español, inglés y portugués, de 5 años a la fecha, con títulos relacionados al cuidado del neonato. Tres rubros fueron los explorados: posición corporal en el RNPT, cuidado de enfermería omitido, eventos adversos (EAs) en la UCIN. Conclusiones: La función respiratoria del RNPT con TET se optimiza con el factor posición corporal. El cuidado omitido ha sido poco estudiado en el área neonatal. Los EAs que prevalecen son: los relacionados a la terapia de infusión, termorregulación, infecciones asociadas y extubación no programada (ENP). El cuidado seguro debe ser abordado a profundidad a fin de emitirrecomendaciones específicas para este grupo vulnerable de la población.Introdução. Safe Care é a causa ou consequência das intervenções de enfermagem. A segurança do paciente é um tema de interesse nos últimos anos, no entanto, falar do recém-nascido pré-termo (RNPT) com tubo endotraqueal (TET) é confrontar uma população vulnerável devido às suas características biofisiológicas. A Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) representa um ambiente complexo, nesses cenários é importante conhecer os fatores que podem contribuir para o "Cuidado Seguro" evitando um evento adverso (DA) e suas repercussões para a vida. Objetivo: Descrever e divulgar aspectos encontrado em todo o mundo sobre o Cuidado Seguro do RNPT com o TET. Desenvolvimento: Pesquisa realizada em diferentes bases de dados: Pubmed, Scielo, BVS, LILACS, Elsevier, utilizando (DeCs) / (MeSH), resgatando artigos nacionais e internacionais, espanhol, inglês e português, a partir de 5 anos, com títulos relacionados ao cuidado do recém-nascido. Três itens foram explorados: posição corporal no RNPT, cuidados de enfermagem omitidos, eventos adversos (EAs) na UTIN. Conclusões: A função respiratória do RNPT com TET é otimizada com o fator de posição corporal. O cuidado omitido tem sido pouco estudado na área neonatal. Os EAs que prevalecem são: aqueles relacionados à terapia de infusão, termorregulação, infecções associadas e extubação não programada (ENP). Cuidados Seguros devem ser abordados em profundidade, a fim de emitir recomendações específicas para este grupo vulnerável da população

Simulations of Resistivity Recovery curves of electron-irradiated dilute FeCr alloys using an Object Kinetic Monte Carlo Model.

An Object Kinetic Monte Carlo model is being developed for dilute (less than 1% Cr) FeCr alloys. The model includes the effects of Cr on the mobility of radiation effects using information obtained either from density functional theory or effects of Cr on the mobility of radiation effects, using information obtained either from density functional theory or molecular dynamics calculations. The results are compared to experimental measurements of electric resistivity for different Cr concentrations. We analyse the dependence of Cr on the first two observed peaks: ID2 and IE and the influence of parameters such as the interaction radius between Cr and an Fe self-interstiti

Visual 3-D SLAM from UAVs

The aim of the paper is to present, test and discuss the implementation of Visual SLAM techniques to images taken from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) outdoors, in partially structured environments. Every issue of the whole process is discussed in order to obtain more accurate localization and mapping from UAVs flights. Firstly, the issues related to the visual features of objects in the scene, their distance to the UAV, and the related image acquisition system and their calibration are evaluated for improving the whole process. Other important, considered issues are related to the image processing techniques, such as interest point detection, the matching procedure and the scaling factor. The whole system has been tested using the COLIBRI mini UAV in partially structured environments. The results that have been obtained for localization, tested against the GPS information of the flights, show that Visual SLAM delivers reliable localization and mapping that makes it suitable for some outdoors applications when flying UAVs

Resistivity Recovery curves of electron-irradiated FeCr alloys with Object Kinetic Monte Carlo: influence of Cr interctions.

An Object Kinetic Monte Carlo model is being developed for dilute (less than 1% Cr) FeCr alloys. The model includes the effects of Cr on the mobility of radiation effects, using information obtained either from density functional theory or molecular dynamics calculations. The results are compared to experimental measurements of electric resistivity for different Cr concentrations. We analyse the dependence of Cr on the first two observed peaks: ID2 and IE and the influence of parameters such as the interaction radius between Cr and an Fe self-interstitial

Coadministration of Anti-Viral Monoclonal Antibodies With Routine Pediatric Vaccines and Implications for Nirsevimab Use: A White Paper

Routine childhood vaccinations are key for the protection of children from a variety of serious and potentially fatal diseases. Current pediatric vaccine schedules mainly cover active vaccines. Active vaccination in infants is a highly effective approach against several infectious diseases; however, thus far, for some important viral pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), vaccine development and license by healthcare authorities have not been accomplished. Nirsevimab is a human-derived, highly potent monoclonal antibody (mAb) with an extended half-life for RSV prophylaxis in all infants. In this manuscript, we consider the potential implications for the introduction of an anti-viral mAb, such as nirsevimab, into the routine pediatric vaccine schedule, as well as considerations for coadministration. Specifically, we present evidence on the general mechanism of action of anti-viral mAbs and experience with palivizumab, the only approved mAb for the prevention of RSV infection in preterm infants, infants with chronic lung disease of prematurity and certain infants with hemodynamically significant heart disease. Palivizumab has been used for over two decades in infants who also receive routine vaccinations without any alerts concerning the safety and efficacy of coadministration. Immunization guidelines (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, The Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany) support coadministration of palivizumab with routine pediatric vaccines, noting that immunobiologics, such as palivizumab, do not interfere with the immune response to licensed live or inactivated active vaccines. Based on the mechanism of action of the new generation of anti-viral mAbs, such as nirsevimab, which is highly specific targeting viral antigenic sites, it is unlikely that it could interfere with the immune response to other vaccines. Taken together, we anticipate that nirsevimab could be concomitantly administered to infants with routine pediatric vaccines during the same clinic visit