Novel Methods for Surface EMG Analysis and Exploration Based on Multi-Modal Gaussian Mixture Models

<div><p>This paper introduces a new method for data analysis of animal muscle activation during locomotion. It is based on fitting Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to surface EMG data (sEMG). This approach enables researchers/users to isolate parts of the overall muscle activation within locomotion EMG data. Furthermore, it provides new opportunities for analysis and exploration of sEMG data by using the resulting Gaussian modes as atomic building blocks for a hierarchical clustering. In our experiments, composite peak models representing the general activation pattern per sensor location (one sensor on the long back muscle, three sensors on the gluteus muscle on each body side) were identified per individual for all 14 horses during walk and trot in the present study. Hereby we show the applicability of the method to identify composite peak models, which describe activation of different muscles throughout cycles of locomotion.</p></div

A new phenomenon - shifted identical bands

From spontaneous fission data in the prompt [gamma]-ray emission of 252Cf, the isotopes 162Gd and 160Sm were identified and the level schemes of 160Gd and 158Sm were extended. From over 700 comparisons of even-even yrast bands from Xe to Os separated by 2n, 2p, [alpha], 4n, 4p, 2[alpha], [alpha]+2n, [alpha]+2p, 2n-2p, and other cases, from the ground state to 8+ and sometimes as high as 18+, 55 ground state shifted identical bands (SIB) and 4 identical bands (IB) were found. After the shift, these SIBs are seen to be more identical than previously known IBs and are not correlated with (NpNn)(NpNn)', [beta]2[beta]'2, E(4+)/E(2+), saturation of collectivity, or with the variation in the ground band - s band interaction strength. They are seen only in well-deformed stable to most neutron rich nuclei from Nd to Hf, and are not seen in [gamma] bands.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TJC-4326C6W-Y/1/0c854f677d50927fac5144e0a8da1bb

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT): recommendations from the Italian College of Breast Radiologists (ICBR) by the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM) and the Italian Group for Mammography Screening (GISMa)

This position paper, issued by ICBR/SIRM and GISMa, summarizes the evidence on DBT and provides recommendations for its use. In the screening setting, DBT in adjunct to digital mammography (DM) increased detection rate by 0.5\u20132.7\u2030 and decreased false positives by 0.8\u20133.6% compared to DM alone in observational and double-testing experimental studies. The reduction in recall rate could be less prominent in those screening programs which already have low recall rates with DM. The increase in radiation exposure associated with DM/DBT protocols has been solved by the introduction of synthetic mammograms (sDM) reconstructed from DBT datasets. Thus, whenever possible, sDM/DBT should be preferred to DM/DBT. However, before introducing DBT as a routine screening tool for average-risk women, we should wait for the results of randomized controlled trials and for a statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in the interval cancer rate, hopefully associated with a reduction in the advanced cancer rate. Otherwise, a potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment cannot be excluded. Studies exploring this issue are ongoing. Screening of women at intermediate risk should follow the same recommendations, with particular protocols for women with previous BC history. In high-risk women, if mammography is performed as an adjunct to MRI or in the case of MRI contraindications, sDM/DBT protocols are suggested. Evidence exists in favor of DBT usage in women with clinical symptoms/signs and asymptomatic women with screen-detected findings recalled for work-up. The possibility to perform needle biopsy or localization under DBT guidance should be offered when DBT-only findings need characterization or surger