Biosignals as an Advanced Man-Machine Interface

As is known for centuries, humans exhibit an electrical profile. This profile is altered through various physiological processes, which can be measured through biosignals; e.g., electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA). These biosignals can reveal our emotions and, as such, can serve as an advanced man-machine interface (MMI) for empathic consumer products. However, such an MMI requires the correct classification of biosignals to emotion classes. This paper explores the use of EDA and three facial EMG signals to determine neutral, positive, negative, and mixed emotions, using recordings of 24 people. A range of techniques is tested, which resulted in a generic framework for automated emotion classification with up to 61.31% correct classification of the four emotion classes, without the need of personal profiles. Among various other directives for future research, the results emphasize the need for both personalized biosignal-profiles and the recording of multiple biosignals in parallel

Infrared Spectra and Ab Initio Calculations for the F-−(CH4)n (n = 1−8) Anion Clusters

Infrared spectra of mass-selected F-−(CH4)n (n = 1−8) clusters are recorded in the CH stretching region (2500−3100 cm-1). Spectra for the n = 1−3 clusters are interpreted with the aid of ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2df 2p) level, which suggest that the CH4ligands bind to F- by equivalent, linear hydrogen bonds. Anharmonic frequencies for CH4 and F-−CH4 are determined using the vibrational self-consistent field method with second-order perturbation theory correction. The n = 1 complex is predicted to have a C3v structure with a single CH group hydrogen bonded to F-. Its spectrum exhibits a parallel band associated with a stretching vibration of the hydrogen-bonded CH group that is red-shifted by 380 cm-1 from the ν1 band of free CH4 and a perpendicular band associated with the asymmetric stretching motion of the nonbonded CH groups, slightly red-shifted from the ν3 band of free CH4. As nincreases, additional vibrational bands appear as a result of Fermi resonances between the hydrogen-bonded CH stretching vibrational mode and the 2ν4 overtone and ν2 + ν4combination levels of the methane solvent molecules. For clusters with n ≤ 8, it appears that the CH4 molecules are accommodated in the first solvation shell, each being attached to the F- anion by equivalent hydrogen bonds

Diffusing-wave spectroscopy of nonergodic media

We introduce an elegant method which allows the application of diffusing-wave spectroscopy (DWS) to nonergodic, solid-like samples. The method is based on the idea that light transmitted through a sandwich of two turbid cells can be considered ergodic even though only the second cell is ergodic. If absorption and/or leakage of light take place at the interface between the cells, we establish a so-called "multiplication rule", which relates the intensity autocorrelation function of light transmitted through the double-cell sandwich to the autocorrelation functions of individual cells by a simple multiplication. To test the proposed method, we perform a series of DWS experiments using colloidal gels as model nonergodic media. Our experimental data are consistent with the theoretical predictions, allowing quantitative characterization of nonergodic media and demonstrating the validity of the proposed technique.Comment: RevTeX, 12 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Myocardial Hypertrophy Overrides the Angiogenic Response to Hypoxia

Background: Cyanosis and myocardial hypertrophy frequently occur in combination. Hypoxia or cyanosis can be potent inducers of angiogenesis, regulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and VEGF receptors (VEGFR-1 and 2); in contrast, pressure overload hypertrophy is often associated with impaired pro-angiogenic signaling and decreased myocardial capillary density. We hypothesized that the physiological pro-angiogenic response to cyanosis in the hypertrophied myocardium is blunted through differential HIF and VEGF-associated signaling. Methods and Results: Newborn rabbits underwent aortic banding and, together with sham-operated littermates, were transferred into a hypoxic chamber (FiO2 = 0.12) at 3 weeks of age. Control banded or sham-operated rabbits were housed in normoxia. Systemic cyanosis was confirmed (hematocrit, arterial oxygen saturation, and serum erythropoietin). Myocardial tissue was assayed for low oxygen concentrations using a pimonidazole adduct. At 4 weeks of age, HIF-1α and HIF-2α protein levels, HIF-1α DNA-binding activity, and expression of VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGF were determined in hypoxic and normoxic rabbits. At 6 weeks of age, left-ventricular capillary density was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Under normoxia, capillary density was decreased in the banded rabbits compared to non-banded littermates. As expected, non-hypertrophied hearts responded to hypoxia with increased capillary density; however, banded hypoxic rabbits demonstrated no increase in angiogenesis. This blunted pro-angiogenic response to hypoxia in the hypertrophied myocardium was associated with lower HIF-2α and VEGFR-2 levels and increased HIF-1α activity and VEGFR-1 expression. In contrast, non-hypertrophied hearts responded to hypoxia with increased HIF-2α and VEGFR-2 expression with lower VEGFR-1 expression. Conclusion: The participation of HIF-2α and VEGFR-2 appear to be required for hypoxia-stimulated myocardial angiogenesis. In infant rabbit hearts with pressure overload hypertrophy, this pro-angiogenic response to hypoxia is effectively uncoupled, apparently in part due to altered HIF-mediated signaling and VEGFR subtype expression

The effect of methionine on the uptake, distribution, and binding of the convulsant methionine sulfoximine in the rat

The effect of methionine on the uptake, distribution, and binding of the convulsant methionine sulfoximine (MSO) in 7 rat brain regions, the spinal cord, the liver, and the kidney was investigated. The administration of methionine decreased the uptake of MSO in all brain regions. The uptake of MSO by and its distribution in the nervous tissue was uniform and failed to result in any preferential accumulation of the drug. Methionine decreased the amount of MSO bound to cerebral structures and to the spinal cord. MSO bound to the spinal cord was less susceptible to release by Triton X-100 than was brain-bound MSO.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45398/1/11064_2004_Article_BF00965631.pd

Experience of parents who have suffered a perinatal death in two Spanish hospitals: a qualitative study

Background: Perinatal grief is a process that affects families in biological, psychological, social and spiritual terms. It is estimated that every year there are 2.7 million perinatal deaths worldwide and 4.43 deaths for every 1000 births in Spain. The aim of this study is to describe and understand the experiences and perceptions of parents who have suffered a perinatal death. Methods: A qualitative study based on Gadamer’s hermeneutic phenomenology. The study was conducted in two hospitals in the South of Spain. Thirteen mothers and eight fathers who had suffered a perinatal death in the 5 years prior to the study participated in this study. In-depth interviews were carried out for data collection. Inductive analysis was used to find themes based on the data. Results: Eight sub-themes emerged, and they were grouped into three main themes: ‘Perceiving the threat and anticipating the baby’s death: “Something is going wrong in my pregnancy”’; ‘Emotional outpouring: the shock of losing a baby and the pain of giving birth to a stillborn baby’; “We have had a baby”: The need to give an identity to the baby and legitimise grief’. Conclusion: The grief suffered after a perinatal death begins with the anticipation of the death, which relates to the mother’s medical history, symptoms and premonitions. The confirmation of the death leads to emotional shock, characterised by pain and suffering. The chance to take part in mourning rituals and give the baby the identity of a deceased baby may help in the grieving and bereavement process. Having empathy for the parents and notifying them of the death straightaway can help ease the pain. Midwives can help in the grieving process by facilitating the farewell rituals, accompanying the family, helping in honouring the memory of the baby, and supporting parents in giving the deceased infant an identity that makes them a family member