Real-time foetal ECG extraction with JADE on floating point DSP

Foetal ECG extraction by means of ICA is a well-known solution, but the quality of on-line algorithms is often inadequate compared to the batch ones. A block-on-line version of the JADE algorithm aimed to follow the variations in the mixing process, avoiding traces permutation in this application domain, is presented jointly with its real-time implementation on a TMS320C6713 floating-point DSP. The results on a common benchmark are comparable with those achievable with the original batch algorithm, opening the possibility to develop a realtime diagnostic device.     

The effects of levcromakalim and pinacidil on the human internal mammary artery

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of pinacidil and levcromakalim, two potassium, channel openers, on human internal mammary artery (HIMA) obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, and to clarify the contribution of different K+ channel subtypes in pinacidil and levcromakalim action in this blood vessel. Pinacidil and levcromakalim induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the precontracted arterial segments (pEC50 = 5.77 +/- 0.05 and 6.89 +/- 0.03, respectively), 4-Aminopyridine (3 mM), a non-selective blocker of K+ channels, induced significant shifts to the right of the concentration-response curves for pinacidil and levcromakalim. Tetraethylammonium (6 mM), charybdotoxin (0.4 microM) and apamin (0.1 microM), blockers of Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channels, had no effect on the pinacidil- and levcromakalim-evoked relaxation. Glibenclamide (0.1-10 microM), a selective blocker of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channels, competitively antagonized the response to levcromakalim (pKB = 7.92 +/- 0.07). In contrast, glibenclamide, in significantly higher concentrations (3-30 microM), non-competitively antagonized the response to pinacidil. High concentrations of pinacidil (> 10 microM) relaxed arterial rings bathed by a medium containing 100 mM K+ with maximum response 83 +/- 6%. Under the same conditions, the maximum levcromakalim-induced relaxation on HIMA was almost abolished (15 +/- 2%). It is concluded that pinacidil and levcromakalim do not relax the HIMA through the same subtype of K+ channel. ATP-sensitive K+ channels are probably involved in levcromakalim- but not in a pinacidil-induced relaxation in the HIMA. In addition, in pinacidil-induced relaxation of the HIMA, K+ channel-independent mechanisms seem to be involved.     

Highly Efficient Ion‐Tagged Catalyst for the Enantioselective Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Nitroalkenes

The ion‐tagged diphenylprolinol silyl ether 6 very efficiently catalyzes the asymmetric Michael addition of aliphatic aldehydes to nitroalkenes with ee of up to>99.5% at low catalyst loadings (0.25–5 mol%) and using only a slight excess of aldehydes (1.2–2 equiv.). This new organocatalyst can be used with the same outstanding efficiency in a wide variety of solvents and reaction conditions.     

Transmission power requirements for novel ZigBee implants in the gastrointestinal tract

In this paper, a novel multinode wireless monitoring platform, based on ZigBee communication standard, is presented and tested in vivo. The transmission power levels needed to establish a reliable connection from the different gastrointestinal districts are reported and compared with safety levels from international guidelines. These findings can be useful to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial and standardized approach to implantable and miniaturized monitoring of physiological parameters.     

Inhibition of the FGF/FGFR System Induces Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells via c-Myc Downregulation and Oxidative Stress

Lung cancer represents an extremely diffused neoplastic disorder with different histological/molecular features. Among the different lung tumors, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most represented histotype, characterized by various molecular markers, including the expression/overexpression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1). Thus, FGF/FGFR blockade by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKi) or FGF-ligand inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic approach in lung cancers. In this study we demonstrate the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting the FGF/FGFR system in FGF-dependent lung tumor cells using FGF trapping (NSC12) or TKi (erdafitinib) approaches. The results show that inhibition of FGF/FGFR by NSC12 or erdafitinib induces apoptosis in FGF-dependent human squamous cell carcinoma NCI-H1581 and NCI-H520 cells. Induction of oxidative stress is the main mechanism responsible for the therapeutic/pro-apoptotic effect exerted by both NSC12 and erdafitinib, with apoptosis being abolished by antioxidant treatments. Finally, reduction of c-Myc protein levels appears to strictly determine the onset of oxidative stress and the therapeutic response to FGF/FGFR inhibition, indicating c-Myc as a key downstream effector of FGF/FGFR signaling in FGF-dependent lung cancers.     

Fabrication of composites from different carbon content ferrous powders adopting thermomechanical processes

In this research, deep consolidation technique is utilized for processing of low and high carbon content ferrous powders to manufacture composite material. High carbon content ferrous powders were used as reinforcing material. The powder particles were allowed to mix with low carbon content ferrous powders in 50:50 weight percent for fabrication of composites. The composites were heat treated at three different temperatures (i.e., 800°C, 900°C, and 1000°C). The changes in microstructure, microhardness, the grain size, and bonding among powder particles were studied. Refinement of grains was observed and this led to improved hardness enabling the processed material to be used as a suitable composite. Abrasive wear tests were carried out using a laboratory tribometer in dry reciprocating sliding contact against Sic abrasive paper. The outcomes demonstrate that the abrasive wear resistance was notably affected by the treatment temperature and hardness of the composites.     

Computer Simulations Then and Now: an Introduction and Historical Reassessment

NTM Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Wissenschaften, Technik und Medizin -     

Indoor air quality and the associated health risk in primary school buildings in Central Europe – The InAirQ study

The indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in sixty-four primary school buildings in five Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia). The concentration of volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, PM_2.5 mass, carbon dioxide, radon, as well as physical parameters were investigated during the heating period of 2017/2018. Significant differences were identified for the majority of the investigated IAQ parameters across the countries. The median indoor/outdoor ratios varied considerably. A comprehensive evaluation of IAQ in terms of potential health effects and comfort perception was performed. Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for non-carcinogenic health effects was either low or the health risk was driven by more substances. The median excess lifetime cancer risk values exceeded the acceptable value of 1 × 10⁻⁶ in the case of radon and formaldehyde. PM_2.5 mass concentration values exceeded the 24 h and annual guideline values set by the World Health Organization in 56 and 85% of the cases, respectively. About 80% of the schools could not manage to comply with the recommended concentration value for carbon dioxide (1000 ppm).     

Evolution of the dopaminergic system and its relationships with the psychopathology of pleasure

This paper summarizes the fundamental steps in the evolution of the dopaminergic system. A rudimentary dopaminergic system is present in primitive creatures, already able to select information processing, modulate "emotional" behaviours and react to perturbations in environmental conditions. Pharmacological manipulations of the dopaminergic transmission are able to modify basic behaviours present in all animals from fishes to lizards to mammals. The ability to put the organism in motion and the hedonic capacity of giving pleasure, would justify the conservation through evolution of such a neuronal system. The fact however that the dopaminergic system has remained identical for the last several centuries, while many external conditions which interfere with its physiology have dramatically changed, may contribute to explain the transition from the original vital advantages of the dopaminergic system to its crucial role in the psychopathology of pleasure.     

A continuous process for the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis synthesis of RuO2/TiO2 particles and their application as a coating of activated titanium anode

Synthesis and subsequent deposition of sub-micron spherical RuO₂/TiO₂ particles onto titanium were performed by continuous process in two connected reactors, exclusively applied for this purpose. Synthesis of particles was achieved by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method in the first reactor. The deposition of thus produced RuO₂/TiO₂ onto an expanded titanium substrate was performed at 500 °C afterwards in the second, specially constructed, reactor equipped by high-voltage electrostatic field. Basic electrochemical properties of the obtained RuO₂/TiO₂ particles were checked in a form of the coating on Ti deposited from the suspension of the material produced in the first reactor. Thus prepared anode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), polarization measurements in O₂ (OER) and Cl₂ (CER) evolution and the accelerated stability test in diluted chloride solution. The morphology and composition of the deposited RuO₂/TiO₂ were checked by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Analysis of the results obtained for OER and CER showed that Tafel slopes for these reactions were in accordance with the values for this kind of material. The CV response was of usual characteristics too. The accelerated stability test revealed acceptable anode stability.