Sample entropy analysis of EEG signals via artificial neural networks to model patients' consciousness level based on anesthesiologists experience.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, as it can express the human brain's activities and reflect awareness, have been widely used in many research and medical equipment to build a noninvasive monitoring index to the depth of anesthesia (DOA). Bispectral (BIS) index monitor is one of the famous and important indicators for anesthesiologists primarily using EEG signals when assessing the DOA. In this study, an attempt is made to build a new indicator using EEG signals to provide a more valuable reference to the DOA for clinical researchers. The EEG signals are collected from patients under anesthetic surgery which are filtered using multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) method and analyzed using sample entropy (SampEn) analysis. The calculated signals from SampEn are utilized to train an artificial neural network (ANN) model through using expert assessment of consciousness level (EACL) which is assessed by experienced anesthesiologists as the target to train, validate, and test the ANN. The results that are achieved using the proposed system are compared to BIS index. The proposed system results show that it is not only having similar characteristic to BIS index but also more close to experienced anesthesiologists which illustrates the consciousness level and reflects the DOA successfully.This research is supported by the Center forDynamical Biomarkers and Translational Medicine, National Central University, Taiwan, which is sponsored by Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant no. MOST103-2911-I-008-001). Also, it is supported by National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology in Taiwan (Grant nos. CSIST-095-V301 and CSIST-095-V302)

Plasma Renal Functions amongst 'Petrol Station' Attendants in Owerri, South-East Nigeria

This study assesses the renal function of individuals who are occupationally exposed to ‘petrol’ vapour. It is a cohortstudy of 100 individuals comprising 50 ‘petrol station’ attendants (test) in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, and 50 apparently healthy individuals who are ‘non-petrol station’ attendants (control). Information on demographic and health profiles were obtained, and venous blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma creatinine, Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3 using standard laboratory procedures. Results showed that plasma creatinine (1.17±0.30), K+ (3.77 ± 0.55) and HCO3 - (28.52±2.72) concentrations amongst ‘petrol station’ attendants to be significantly higher  (P<0.05) compared to those of the control (0.87±0.18; 3.64±0.21 and 26.92±2.46 respectively). On the other hand,  plasma Na+ (131.70±4.16) and Cl- (97.43±3.48) amongst ‘petrol station’ attendants were significantly lower compared to the control subjects (136.70±4.86 and 100.28±2.24 respectively). There was also a significant increase   (p<0.05) in plasma creatinine, K+ and HCO3 - , and a significantly lower Na+ and Cl- amongst ‘petrol station’ with 3– 6 years exposure when compared with those exposed for <1-2 years. These findings therefore, suggests that renal function impairment and nephrotoxicity, are associated with exposure to ‘petroleum’ vapours and its impact is time dependent.Keywords: Renal/Kidney failure, Nephrotoxicity, Petroleum vapour, Owerri

The d* dibaryon in the extended quark-delocalization, color-screening model

The quark-delocalization, color-screening model, extended by inclusion of a one-pion-exchange (OPE) tail, is applied to the study of the deuteron and the d* dibaryon. The results show that the properties of the deuteron (an extended object) are well reproduced, greatly improving the agreement with experimental data as compared to our previous study (without OPE). At the same time, the mass and decay width of the d* (a compact object) are, as expected, not altered significantly.Comment: 9 pages, no figures, LaTeX, subm. to Phys. Rev.

The d' dibaryon in the quark-delocalization, color-screening model

We study the questions of the existence and mass of the proposed $d' (IJ^P=00^-)$ dibaryon in the quark-delocalization, color-screening model (QDCSM). The transformation between physical and symmetry bases has been extended to the cases beyond the SU(2) orbital symmetry. Using parameters fixed by baryon properties and $NN$ scattering, we find a mild attraction in the $IJ^P=00^-$ channel, but it is not strong enough to form a deeply bound state as proposed for the $d'$ state. Nor does the (isospin) I=2 N$\Delta$ configuration have a deeply bound state. These results show that if a narrow dibaryon $d'$ state does exist, it must have a more complicated structure.Comment: 12 pp. latex, no figs., 2 tables, additional refs., Report-no was adde

An Extension of the Fractional Parentage Expansion to Nonrelativistic and Relativistic SU(3)fSU(3)_{f} Dibaryon Calculations

The fractional parentage expansion method is extended from $SU(2)_{f}$ nonrelativistic to $SU(3)_{f}$ and relativistic dibaryon calculations. A transformation table between physical bases and symmetry bases for the $SU(3)_{f}$ dibaryon is provided. A program package has been written for dibaryon calculation based on the fractional parentage expansion method.Comment: 15 pages text plus 18 pages tables, latex, no figure

Transition of plasmodium sporozoites into liver stage-like forms is regulated by the RNA binding protein pumilio

Many eukaryotic developmental and cell fate decisions that are effected post-transcriptionally involve RNA binding proteins as regulators of translation of key mRNAs. In malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.), the development of round, non-motile and replicating exo-erythrocytic liver stage forms from slender, motile and cell-cycle arrested sporozoites is believed to depend on environmental changes experienced during the transmission of the parasite from the mosquito vector to the vertebrate host. Here we identify a Plasmodium member of the RNA binding protein family PUF as a key regulator of this transformation. In the absence of Pumilio-2 (Puf2) sporozoites initiate EEF development inside mosquito salivary glands independently of the normal transmission-associated environmental cues. Puf2- sporozoites exhibit genome-wide transcriptional changes that result in loss of gliding motility, cell traversal ability and reduction in infectivity, and, moreover, trigger metamorphosis typical of early Plasmodium intra-hepatic development. These data demonstrate that Puf2 is a key player in regulating sporozoite developmental control, and imply that transformation of salivary gland-resident sporozoites into liver stage-like parasites is regulated by a post-transcriptional mechanism

Quark Delocalization, Color Screening and Dibaryons

The quark delocalization and color screening model, a quark potential model, is used for a systematic search of dibaryon candidates in the $u,d$ and $s$ three flavor world. Color screening which appears in unquenched lattice gauge calculations and quark delocalization (which is similar to electron delocalization in molecular physics) are both included. Flavor symmetry breaking and channel coupling effects are studied. The model is constrained not only by baryon ground state properties but also by the $N$-$N$ scattering phase shifts. The deuteron and zero energy di-nucleon resonance are both reproduced qualitatively. The model predicts two extreme types of dibaryonic systems: ``molecular'' like the deuteron, and highly delocalized six-quark systems among which only a few narrow dibaryon resonances occur in the $u,d$ and $s$ three flavor world. Possible high spin dibaryon resonances are emphasized.Comment: 20 pages, latex, no figure

Photocatalytic activity of nanostructured anatase coatings obtained by cold gas spray

This article describes a photocatalytic nanostructured anatase coating deposited by cold gas spray (CGS)supported on titanium sub-oxide (TiO22x) coatings obtained by atmospheric plasma spray (APS) onto stainless steel cylinders. The photocatalytic coating was homogeneous and preserved the composition and nanostructure of the starting powder. The inner titanium sub-oxide coating favored the deposition of anatase particles in the solid state. Agglomerated nano-TiO2 particles fragmented when impacting onto the hard surface of the APS TiO22x bond coat. The rough surface provided by APS provided an ideal scenario for entrapping the nanostructured particles, which may be adhered onto the bond coat due to chemical bonding; a possible bonding mechanism is described. Photocatalytic experiments showed that CGS nano-TiO2 coating was active for photodegrading phenol and formic acid under aqueous conditions. The results were similar to the performance obtained by competitor technologies and materials such as dip-coating P25 photocatalysts. Disparity in the final performance of the photoactive materials may have been caused by differences in grain size and the crystalline composition of titanium dioxide

Hypoxia and hypoxia inducible factor-1α are required for normal endometrial repair during menstruation

About a quarter of pre-menopausal women will suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding in their lives. Here, Maybin and colleagues show hypoxia and subsequent activation of HIF-1α during menses are required for normal endometrial repair, and identify pharmacological stabilisation of HIF-1α as a potential therapeutic strategy for this debilitating condition