EEG-Based Communication:A Time Series Prediction Approach

Recently, a new technology known as the braincomputer interface (BCI) has received a substantial amount of interest among various research groups worldwide. The human brain can be represented by self-organising and complex biochemical states. Due to continuous neuronal activity in the brain, chaotic electric potential waves are observed in Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings of the brain. A BCI involves extracting information from the highly complex EEG. This is achieved by obtaining the dominant discriminating features from different EEG signals recorded during specific thought processes. A class of features is usually obtained from each thought process and subsequently a classifier is trained to learn which feature belongs to which class. This ultimately leads to a system that can determine which thoughts belong to which set of EEG signals. This work outlines a novel method which utilises cybernetic intelligence in the form of Neural Networks (NN). Three NNs are coalesced to perform simplified simulations of a number of the characteristic and complex processes that are sub-consciously performed in the human brain. These include prediction, feature extraction and classification. These processes are combined in this system to produce a pattern recognition system which distinguishes between similar complex patterns from a noisy environment with classification accuracy which compares satisfactorily to current reported results. The classification accuracy is achieved by increasing the separability between the features extracted from two EEG signals recorded from subjects during imagination of left and right arm movement

The Brain Computer Interface: A Review and Some New Concepts

Over the past decade, many laboratories have begun to explore brain computer interface (BCI) technology as a new communication option for those with neuromuscular impairments that prevent them from using conventional augmentative communication methods. This work outlines the potential benefits of BCI, summarises a number of developments which have been made in recent years and provides an overview of the fundamental requirements which must be acknowledged for the successful progression of BCI technology. A novel proposal for a unique BCI system is also detailed

EFFECT OF STRESS ON HISTOPATHOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN RATS

Background: Although relatively little is known about factors affecting fertility. Latest literature suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors play an important role. Recently, oxidative stress has become the focus of interest as potential cause of male infertility. Oxidative stress may play a role in a number of conditions known to be detrimental to male fertility Method: Adult male albino rats weighing 200 - 220 g and aged 12-15 weeks male rats were selected for the study. The rats were randomly analyzed into 3 groups Group 1: Control rat, Group 2: Swimming stress without treatment, Group 3: Treated with vitamin C 30mg/kg/day doses. All rats were subjected to swimming stress daily between 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM until 50 days. Drugs were administered orally for 50 days half an hour before subjecting to stress. At end of the study the reproductive organs testes, seminal vesicles, Vas deferens and prostate were dissected and the samples were used for the histo-pathological evaluation. Result: In stress group section of testis shows seminiferous tubules showed focial poor spermatogenesis with reduction in number of sperm containing seminiferous tubules and absence of spermatozoa was clearly recognized in some seminiferous tubules. Treatment with antioxidant showed recovery but still some of the seminiferous tubules showed decreased spermatozoa. Stress changes in seminal vesicle: the hyperplasia of epithelial lining, histological features of mucosa severely affected and reduced number of gland. Stress induced changes in vas deferens: produced desquamated ling epithelium with atrophic changes and mild exploited epithelium, degenerated basement membrane of vas deferens. Stress induced changes in prostate: Prostatic acini with many papillary folds, desquamated epithelial cells, epithelial proliferation was seen. Conclusion: Oxidative stress produced deleterious effects on male reproductive system and supplementation of antioxidants such as vitamin C have been shown to be protecting effect against the histological changes produced by the oxidative stress on male reproductive system in rats.KEYWORDS:  Stress; Male reproductive organs; Histopathology; Rat

EFFECT OF STRESS ON HISTOPATHOLOGY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN RATS

Background: Although relatively little is known about factors affecting fertility. Latest literature suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors play an important role. Recently, oxidative stress has become the focus of interest as potential cause of male infertility. Oxidative stress may play a role in a number of conditions known to be detrimental to male fertility Method: Adult male albino rats weighing 200 - 220 g and aged 12-15 weeks male rats were selected for the study. The rats were randomly analyzed into 3 groups Group 1: Control rat, Group 2: Swimming stress without treatment, Group 3: Treated with vitamin C 30mg/kg/day doses. All rats were subjected to swimming stress daily between 9.00 AM to 10.00 AM until 50 days. Drugs were administered orally for 50 days half an hour before subjecting to stress. At end of the study the reproductive organs testes, seminal vesicles, Vas deferens and prostate were dissected and the samples were used for the histo-pathological evaluation. Result: In stress group section of testis shows seminiferous tubules showed focial poor spermatogenesis with reduction in number of sperm containing seminiferous tubules and absence of spermatozoa was clearly recognized in some seminiferous tubules. Treatment with antioxidant showed recovery but still some of the seminiferous tubules showed decreased spermatozoa. Stress changes in seminal vesicle: the hyperplasia of epithelial lining, histological features of mucosa severely affected and reduced number of gland. Stress induced changes in vas deferens: produced desquamated ling epithelium with atrophic changes and mild exploited epithelium, degenerated basement membrane of vas deferens. Stress induced changes in prostate: Prostatic acini with many papillary folds, desquamated epithelial cells, epithelial proliferation was seen. Conclusion: Oxidative stress produced deleterious effects on male reproductive system and supplementation of antioxidants such as vitamin C have been shown to be protecting effect against the histological changes produced by the oxidative stress on male reproductive system in rats.KEYWORDS:  Stress; Male reproductive organs; Histopathology; Rat

Surgical trial in traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage (STITCH) : A randomised controlled trial of early surgery compared with Initial conservative treatment

Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The correlates of urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) in a high risk Australian Aboriginal community

Background: Albuminuria marks renal disease and cardiovascular risk. It was estimated to contribute 75% of the risk of all-cause natural death in one Aboriginal group. The urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) is commonly used as an index of albuminuria. This study aims to examine the associations between demographic factors, anthropometric index, blood pressure, lipid-protein measurements and other biomarkers and albuminuria in a cross-sectional study in a high-risk Australian Aboriginal population. The models will be evaluated for albuminuria at or above the microalbuminuria threshold, and at or above the "overt albuminuria" threshold with the potential to distinguish associations they have in common and those that differ