Low Power Personalized ECG Based System Design Methodology for Remote Cardiac Health Monitoring

This paper describes a mixed-signal ECG system for personalized and remote cardiac health monitoring. The novelty of this work is four-fold. Firstly, a low power analog front end with an efficient automatic gain control mechanism, maintaining the input of the ADC to a level rendering optimum SNR and the enhanced recyclic folded cascode opamp used as an integrator for ADC. Secondly, a novel on-the-fly PQRST Boundary Detection (BD) methodology is formulated for finding the boundaries in continuous ECG signal. Thirdly, a novel low-complexity ECG feature extraction architecture is designed by reusing the same module present in the proposed BD methodology. Fourthly, the system is having the capability to reconfigure the proposed Low power ADC for low (8 bits) and high (12 bits) resolution with the use of the feedback signal obtained from the digital block when it is in processing. The proposed system has been tested and validated on patient’s data from PTBDB, CSEDB and in-house IIT Hyderabad DB (IITHDB) and we have achieved an accuracy of 99% upon testing on various normal and abnormal ECG signals. The whole system is implemented in 180 nm technology resulting in 9.47W (@ 1 MHz) power consumption and occupying 1.74mm2 silicon area

A randomised controlled trial of the Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) for childhood Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An abundance of literature is dedicated to research for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Most, is in the area of pharmacological therapies with less emphasis in psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions and even less in the area of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).</p> <p>The use of CAM has increased over the years, especially for developmental and behavioral disorders, such as ADHD. 60–65% of parents with children with ADHD have used CAM. Medical evidence supports a multidisciplinary approach (i.e. pharmacological and psychosocial) for the best clinical outcomes. The Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), a branch of Chiropractic, was designed to address the biopsychosocial aspects of acute and chronic conditions including non-musculoskeletal conditions. Anecdotally, it has been suggested that ADHD may be managed effectively by NET.</p> <p>Design/methods</p> <p>A placebo controlled, double blind randomised clinical trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of NET on a cohort of children with medically diagnosed ADHD.</p> <p>Children aged 5–12 years who met the inclusion criteria were randomised to one of three groups. The control group continued on their existing medical regimen and the intervention and placebo groups had the addition of the NET and sham NET protocols added to their regimen respectively. These two groups attended a clinical facility twice a week for the first month and then once a month for six months.</p> <p>The Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales (CRS) were used at the start of the study to establish baseline data and then in one month and in seven months time, at the conclusion of the study. The primary outcome measures chosen were the Conners' ADHD Index and Conners' Global Index. The secondary outcome measures chosen were the DSM-IV: Inattentive, the DSM-IV:Hyperactive-Impulsive, and the DSM-IV:Total subscales from the Conners' Rating Scales, monitoring changes in inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.</p> <p>Calculations for the sample size were set with a significance level of 0.05 and the power of 80%, yielding a sample size of 93.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The present study should provide information as to whether the addition of NET to an existing medical regimen can improve outcomes for children with ADHD.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number: ANZCTRN 012606000332527</p

Germline MC1R status influences somatic mutation burden in melanoma

The major genetic determinants of cutaneous melanoma risk in the general population are disruptive variants (R alleles) in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene. These alleles are also linked to red hair, freckling, and sun sensitivity, all of which are known melanoma phenotypic risk factors. Here we report that in melanomas and for somatic C>T mutations, a signature linked to sun exposure, the expected single-nucleotide variant count associated with the presence of an R allele is estimated to be 42% (95% CI, 15-76%) higher than that among persons without an R allele. This figure is comparable to the expected mutational burden associated with an additional 21 years of age. We also find significant and similar enrichment of non-C>T mutation classes supporting a role for additional mutagenic processes in melanoma development in individuals carrying R alleles

Overexpression of cathepsin K during silica-induced lung fibrosis and control by TGF-β

BACKGROUND: Lung fibrosis is characterized by tissue remodeling resulting from an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular organic matrices. To examine whether cathepsin(s) (Cat) are important in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, we assessed the expression of four Cat known for their collagenolytic activity in a model of silica-induced lung fibrosis. METHODS: Different strains of mice were transorally instilled with 2.5 mg crystalline silica or other particles. Cat expression (Cat K, S, L and B) was quantified in lung tissue and isolated pulmonary cells by quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro, we assessed the effect of different cytokines, involved in lung inflammatory and fibrotic responses, on the expression of Cat K by alveolar macrophages and fibroblasts. RESULTS: In lung tissue, Cat K transcript was the most strongly upregulated in response to silica, and this upregulation was intimately related to the fibrotic process. In mouse strains known for their differential response to silica, we showed that the level of Cat K expression following silica treatment was inversely related to the level of TGF-β expression and the susceptibility of these strains to develop fibrosis. Pulmonary macrophages and fibroblasts were identified as Cat K overproducing cells in the lung of silicotic mice. In vitro, Cat K was downregulated in mouse and human lung fibroblasts by the profibrotic growth factor TGF-β1. CONCLUSION: Altogether, these data suggest that while Cat K may contribute to control lung fibrosis, TGF-β appears to limit its overexpression in response to silica particles

Digestive ripening: a synthetic method par excellence for core-shell, alloy, and composite nanostructured materials

The solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) method has been used for the synthesis of colloids of metal nanoparticles. It is a top-down approach involving condensation of metal atoms in low temperature solvent matrices in a SMAD reactor maintained at 77 K. Warming of the matrix results in a slurry of metal atoms that interact with one another to form particles that grow in size. The organic solvent solvates the particles and acts as a weak capping agent to halt/slow down the growth process to a certain extent. This as-prepared colloid consists of metal nanoparticles that are quite polydisperse. In a process termed as digestive ripening, addition of a capping agent to the as-prepared colloid which is polydisperse renders it highly monodisperse either under ambient or thermal conditions. In this, as yet not well-understood process, smaller particles grow and the larger ones diminish in size until the system attains uniformity in size and a dynamic equilibrium is established. Using the SMAD method in combination with digestive ripening process, highly monodisperse metal, core-shell, alloy, and composite nanoparticles have been synthesized. This article is a review of our contributions together with some literature reports on this methodology to realize various nanostructured materials

A journey from bulk brass to nanobrass: A comprehensive study showing structural evolution of various Cu/Zn bimetallic nanophases from the vaporization of brass

This paper presents the structural and morphological analysis of various Cu/Zn based nanoparticles evolved from bulk brass under different experimental conditions. Vaporization of bulk brass in a solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) method results in dealloying of brass into Zn and Cu atoms. Subsequent in situ nucleation and growth of dealloyed components yields Cu/Zn@Cu core-shell nanocomposites. The behavior of these nanocomposites under different heating conditions is studied in detail. Solid state annealing generates brass nanoparticles going through several phases of Cu-Zn phase diagram such as eta-CuZn5, gamma-Cu5Zn8, beta-CuZn (observed as martensite) and alpha-CuZn in sequence. Whereas, a digestive ripening process which involves refluxing of nanocomposites prepared with capping agents imparts spherical morphology and significantly brings down the size and size distribution of the particles. A detailed characterization of refluxed nanocomposites demonstrates certain processes such as diffusion of Zn atoms and segregation of Cu and Zn phases. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Size modulation of colloidal Au nanoparticles via digestive ripening in conjunction with a solvated metal atom dispersion method: an insight into mechanism

Digestive ripening, a postsynthetic treatment of colloidal nanoparticles, is a versatile method to produce monodisperse nanoparticles and to prepare various bimetallic nanostructures. The mechanism of this process is largely unknown. Herein, we present a systematic study conducted using Au nanoparticles prepared by a solvated metal atom dispersion method to probe the mechanistic aspects of digestive ripening. In our study, experimental conditions such as concentration of capping agent, reaction time, and temperature, were found to influence the course of the digestive ripening process. Here it is shown that, during digestive ripening under reflux, nanoparticles within an optimum size window are conserved, and surface etching facilitated mass transfer resulted in monodisperse nanoparticles. Overall, digestive ripening can be considered as a kinetically controlled thermodynamic process

A homobimetallic complex of chromium(0) with a σ-borane component

The synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of a chromium(0) complex bearing an amine–borane moiety (η⁶-C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂·BH₃)Cr(CO)₃ (2) is reported. Photolysis of complex 2 results in the elimination of a CO ligand followed by the formation of an intramolecular σ-borane complex (η¹-(η>⁶-C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂·BH₂–H))Cr(CO)₂ (3). This species was characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy. Reaction of complex 2 with photochemically generated (OC)₅Cr(THF) affords a novel homobimetallic σ-borane complex (OC)₃Cr(η⁶-C₆H₅CH₂NMe₂·BH₂–H–Cr(CO)₅) (4), wherein one of the BH moieties is bound to the chromium center in an η¹-fashion. The σ-borane complex 4 was isolated in moderate to good yield (72%). The BH₃ fragment in the complexes 3 and 4 are highly dynamic involving exchange of the BH hydrogen bound to the metal with the terminal BH hydrogen atoms. The dynamics has been studied using variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. Complexes 2 and 4 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography

Temperature-dependent elongation of the H-H bond in dihydrogen complexes of Ru(II) bearing an NHC ligand: Effect of the NHC and trans ligands

Ruthenium hydride complexes bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand RuHCl(CO)(IMes)(PPh3)(L/L')] (L = py, 2; 4Mepy, 3; L' = MeCN, 4; Me3CCN, 5) have been synthesized in high-yields via reaction of RuHCl(CO)(IMes)(PPh3)] (1) with pyridyl ligands L (L = py and 4Mepy) or nitrile ligands L' (L' = MeCN and Me3CCN). The ligands L/L' are labile in all the ruthenium hydride complexes; they can be easily replaced by Lewis bases. The X-ray structures of complexes 2 and 3 show intramolecular pi-pi interactions between the aromatic ring of PPh3, IMes, and pyridyl ligands. The protonation reaction of 2-5 gives the corresponding dihydrogen complexes of the type RuCl(eta(2)-H-2)(CO)(IMes)(PPh3)(L/L')]OTf] complexes (L = py, 6; 4Mepy, 7; L' = MeCN, 8; Me3CCN, 9). In all the dihydrogen complexes, H-H bond distances of eta(2)-H-2 ligand is temperature-dependent 0.98 angstrom to 0.93 angstrom in the temperature range of 183-233 K. Attempts to synthesize analogous ruthenium hydride complexes bearing phosphine ligands resulted in a mixture of cis and trans- RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)(2)(L)] L = py, 10/11 (trans(HCl)/cis(HCl)); 4Mepy, 12/13 (trans(HCl)/cis(HCl))] complexes. A comparative study has been done to get an insight into the temperature-dependent H-H bond distances in complexes 6-8 by synthesizing analogous ruthenium dihydrogen complexes, RuCl(eta(2)-H-2)(CO)(PPh3)(2) (L)](OTf) (L = py, 15; 4Mepy, 17). All the complexes have been characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 2, 3, and 12 have also been determined