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

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

On-board and Ground Visual Pose Estimation Techniques for UAV Control

In this paper, two techniques to control UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), based on visual information are presented. The first one is based on the detection and tracking of planar structures from an on-board camera, while the second one is based on the detection and 3D reconstruction of the position of the UAV based on an external camera system. Both strategies are tested with a VTOL (Vertical take-off and landing) UAV, and results show good behavior of the visual systems (precision in the estimation and frame rate) when estimating the helicopter¿s position and using the extracted information to control the UAV

Relaciones de la inteligencia emocional, burnout y compromiso académico con el rendimiento escolar de estudiantes adolescentes

Objetivo: La finalidad de la presente investigación fue la de analizar las relaciones entre los constructos de la inteligencia emocional, el burnout, el engagement académico y el rendimiento escolar en 1756 estudiantes en etapa Secundaria de 9 centros educativos. Materiales y métodos: los instrumentos utilizados para dicho trabajo fueron las versiones traducidas al castellano del Traid Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24), el Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS) y Utrecht Work Engagement Scale–Student (UWES-S). Por su parte, el rendimiento escolar se midió por medio de la nota media del alumnado. Resultados: los resultados arrojaron relaciones positivas de las variables más autodeterminadas como resultan la inteligencia emocional y el engagement académico con el rendimiento escolar en un claro patrón de conductas más adaptativas. Por otro lado, puntuaciones más bajas en inteligencia emocional y burnout académico correlacionaron con menores puntuaciones de rendimiento escolar. Conclusiones: se desprende la importancia de la promoción de variables emocionales en clase para facilitar comportamientos positivos y autodeterminados que faciliten el rendimiento del alumnado así como la prevención del burnout potenciando el desarrollo educativo de los mismos. Objective: the aim of this research was to analyze the relationship between constructs of emotional intelligence, burnout, academic engagement and school performance in 1756 students in Secondary stage of 9 highschools. Materials and methods: the instruments used for this research were the spanish translated versions of Traid Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student (UWES-S). On the other hand, the school performance was measured by means of the average mark of the students. Results: the results showed positive relationships of the most self-determined variables such as emotional intelligence and academic engagement with school performance in a clear pattern of more adaptive behaviors. On the other hand, lower scores in emotional intelligence and academic burnout correlated with lower school performance scores. Conclusions: the importance of the promotion of emotional variables in class to facilitate positive and self-determined behaviors that facilitate the performance of students as well as the prevention of burnout enhancing their educational development