A machine learning approach for detecting cognitive interference based on eye-tracking data

The Stroop test evaluates the ability to inhibit cognitive interference. This interference occurs when the processing of one stimulus characteristic affects the simultaneous processing of another attribute of the same stimulus. Eye movements are an indicator of the individual attention load required for inhibiting cognitive interference. We used an eye tracker to collect eye movements data from more than 60 subjects each performing four different but similar tasks (some with cognitive interference and some without). After the extraction of features related to fixations, saccades and gaze trajectory, we trained different Machine Learning models to recognize tasks performed in the different conditions (i.e., with interference, without interference). The models achieved good classification performances when distinguishing between similar tasks performed with or without cognitive interference. This suggests the presence of characterizing patterns common among subjects, which can be captured by machine learning algorithms despite the individual variability of visual behavior

Human herpesvirus 6A and 6B and NK cells

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) comprises two viral species, HHV-6A and HHV-6B, closely related but differing for pathogenic and biological characteristics. Both viral species are predominantly lymphotropic, infecting T lymphocytes and other lymphoid cells, including natural killer (NK) cells. The interactions between HHV-6 and NK cells have been scarcely studied, but it has become clear that NK cells are not only crucial in immune protection during the early phases of infection, but also that HHV-6 infection can affect NK cell functions. In this report, we shortly summarize the interactions between HHV-6 and NK cells

Hemodynamic benefits of the Toronto stentless valve

AbstractWe report on 254 consecutive patients (170 male, 84 female) undergoing aortic valve replacement with the Toronto SPV Stentless Valve (St. Jude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.). Mean age (± standard deviation) was 62.1 ± 11.6 years. Three patients (1%) received sizes 21 or 22 mm, 24 (9%) received size 23 mm, and 227 patients (89%) received sizes 25, 27, or 29 mm. Serial echocardiography was used to assess valve performance during a 3-year follow-up. Mean gradient decreased by 35.8% ( p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval -39.6%, -31.7%) from postoperative values to the 3- to 6-month follow-up and by 6.1% ( p = 0.004; 95% confidence interval -10.1%, -2%) at each subsequent interval; effective orifice area increased by 17.2% ( p = 0.0001; 95% confidence interval 12.0%, 22.6%) initially and by 4.4% ( p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval 1.8%, 7.0%) thereafter. At 2 years of follow-up, mean gradient was 3.3 ± 2.1 mm Hg and mean effective orifice area was 2.2 ± 0.8 cm 2 . Studies on left ventricular mass were carried out on 84 patients. Left ventricular mass decreased by 14.3% (37.8 ± 57.9 gm; p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval -53.7, -21.9 gm) and left ventricular mass index decreased by 15.2% (21.1 ± 30.5 gm/m 2; p < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval -29.5, -12.7 gm/m 2) from postoperative values to the 3- to 6-month follow-up interval. The reduction in residual gradient and potential regression in left ventricular hypertrophy may have a beneficial prognostic implication. We believe that the unique stentless design of the Toronto SPV Stentless Valve allows this to occur. (J T horac C ardiovasc S urg 1996;112:431-46

A discrete-time localization method for capsule endoscopy based on on-board magnetic sensing

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Múltiples líneas de evidencias aplicadas al estudio de un individuo prehispánico. Sitio Rancho José, Buenos Aires.

En este trabajo presentamos la información osteológica,cronológica, isotópica y de ADN antiguo (ADNa)obtenida a partir del análisis de los restos óseos humanos fragmentadoscorrespondientes a un individuo prehispánico recuperadoen el sitio Rancho José. Dicho sitio está ubicado en lamargen derecha del río Baradero, donde la acción del aguaexpuso y removió diferentes tipos de materiales arqueológicos.De acuerdo con la excavación realizada en seis perfilesubicados en el borde de la barranca, se pudo determinar quelos hallazgos fueron depositados en un evento de ocupación.En el perfil 5 se recuperaron los restos óseos de un individuodatado 1900±20 años AP, representado solo por la porciónsuperior del esqueleto. En primer lugar, se consideraron losagentes tafonómicos que podrían haber actuado modifican-PALABRAS CLAVE bajíos septentrionales; bioarqueología; tafonomía; ADN mitocondrial; isótopos establesdo las condiciones de hallazgo y los materiales asociados. Serealizó la determinación del sexo y la estimación de la edaddel individuo y se examinaron las diferentes patologías óseasy dentales. Esta información se complementó con datos obtenidosa partir del análisis de ADN mitocondrial (ADNmt)antiguo, de isótopos estables (δ13C, δ15N) y el relevamientode micro-restos vegetales en el tártaro dental. Si bien se tratade un individuo altamente fragmentado, conserva su aparatomasticatorio completo y su estudio resulta de interés paracomparar con otros individuos, tanto de sitios coetáneoscomo de tiempos posthispánicos. Con ese fin, también se presentandatos isotópicos de dos individuos del sitio posthispánicoCementerio Indígena.We present osteological, chronological, isotopic, and ancient DNA (aDNA) information obtained from the analysis of the fragmented human remains of a prehispanic individual recovered at Rancho José site. The site is situated on the right bank of the Baradero River, where water action exposed and removed various types of archaeological materials. The excavation carried out on six profiles located on the edge of the rift made it possible to determine that the finds were deposited during a single occupation event. In profile 5 the skeletal remains representing the upper portion of the skeleton of an adult individual dated in 1900±20 years BP were recovered. The taphonomic agents that could have altered the finding conditions and its associated materials were considered first. Bones sex determination and age estimation was performed and various bone and dental pathologies were examined. This information was supplemented with data from ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), and the identification of plant microremains in dental tartar. Although these are highly fragmented remains, the individual has retained its whole masticatory system and its analysis from different research perspectives is of interest for comparison with other individuals, both from contemporaneous sites in the surrounding area of discovery and from posthispanic times. To that end, isotopic data from two individuals from the Cementerio Indigena site are also presented.Fil: Rizzo, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaFil: Cardozo, Dario Gonzalo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: Tapia, Alicia Haydee. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján; Argentin

Diet of a restocked population of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in NW Italy

Recently several projects have been implemented for the conservation of the European turtle Emys orbicularis, but few aspects of the captive-bred animals released into the wild have been described. In this note we report about the trophic habits of a small restocked population of the endemic subspecies E. o. ingauna that is now reproducing in NW Italy. Faecal contents from 25 individuals (10 females, 11 males and 4 juveniles) were obtained in June 2016. Overall, 11 taxonomic categories of invertebrates were identified, together with seeds and plant remains. Plant material was present in 24 out of 25 turtle faecal contents, suggesting that ingestion was deliberate. There were no differences between the dietary habits of females and males, and the trophic strategy of adult individuals was characterised by a relatively high specialization on dragonfly nymphae. These findings suggest that captive bred turtles are adapting well to the wild and that restocked individuals assumed an omnivorous diet, a trophic behaviour typical of other wild turtle populations living in similar habitats

Case report of an atypical early onset X-linked retinoschisis in monozygotic twins

BACKGROUND: X-linked Retinoschisis (XLRS) is one of the most common macular degenerations in young males, with a worldwide prevalence ranging from 1:5000 to 1:20000. Clinical diagnosis of XLRS can be challenging due to the highly variable phenotypic presentation and limited correlation has been identified between mutation type and disease severity or progression. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the atypical early onset of XLRS in 3-month-old monozygotic twins. Fundus examination was characterized by severe bullous retinal schisis with pre-retinal and intraretinal haemorrhages. Molecular genetic analysis of the RS1 was performed and the c.288G > A (p. Trp96Ter) mutation was detected in both patients. CONCLUSIONS: Early onset XLRS is associated with a more progressive form of the disease, characterized by large bullous peripheral schisis involving the posterior pole, vascular abnormalities and haemorrhages. The availability of specific technology permitted detailed imaging of the clinical picture of unusual cases of XLRS. The possible relevance of modifying genes should be taken into consideration for the future development of XLRS gene therapy

Multi-wavelength aerosol light absorption measurements in the Amazon rainforest

The most important light-absorbing aerosol is black carbon (BC), which is emitted by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. BC is considered the second anthropogenic contributor to global warming. Beyond BC, other aerosols like some organics, dust, and primary biological aerosol particles are able to absorb radiation. In contrast to BC, the light absorption coefficient of these aerosols is wavelength dependent. Therefore, multi-wavelength measurements become important in environments where BC is not the predominant light-absorbing aerosol like in the Amazon. The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) site is located in the remote Amazon rainforest, one of the most pristine continental sites in the world during the wet season. In the dry season, winds coming from the southern hemisphere are loaded with biomass burning aerosol particles originated by farming-related deforestation. BC and aerosol number concentration data from the last two years indicate this is the most polluted period. Two different techniques have been implemented to measure the light absorption at different wavelengths; one of them is the 7-wavelengths Aethalometer, model AE30, an instrument that measures the light attenuation on a filter substrate and requires multiple scattering and filter-loading corrections to retrieve the light absorption coefficient. The other method is an offline technique, the Multi-Wavelength Absorbance Analysis (MWAA), which is able to measure reflectance and absorbance by aerosols collected on a filter and, by means of a radiative model, can retrieve the light absorption coefficient. Filters collected during May-September 2014, comprehending wet-to-dry transition and most of the dry season, were analyzed. The results indicate that the Absorption \uc5ngstr\uf6m Exponent (AAE), a parameter that is directly proportional to the wavelength dependence of the aerosol light absorption, is close to 1.0 during the transition period and slightly decreases in the beginning of the dry season. However, during strong biomass burning episodes in the dry season, the AAE increases significantly, and reaches values higher than 1.3, indicating the presence of wavelength dependent light-absorbing aerosols like organics (brown carbon). The present study is a contribution to the understanding of the optical properties of light-absorbing aerosol particles under pristine and biomass-burning conditions