Variable-bit-rate speech transmission using punctured convolutionalcodes

Rate (n-1)/n punctured convolutional codes are very effective in conjunction with embedded differential pulse code modulation (EDPCM) in variable-bit-rate speech transmission. The authors investigate the performance of this variable-bit-rate EDPCM system in terms of probability of bit error and audio signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) versus channel SNR in an additive white Gaussian noise and Rayleigh fading channel using soft-decision decoding for specific sets of code generators of punctured convolutional codes. The results show that different sets of code generators affect the performance in terms of both the probability of bit error and the audio SNR. Improvements were obtained in the cases of Gaussian nonfading and Rayleigh fading channels using soft-decision decoding     

Optical measurements of thermal diffusivity of a material

The measurement of thermal diffusivity of a material (in particular, a thin film) is important for various reasons, e.g., to predict the heat transfer in the solid subjected to a thermal process, to monitor surface composition or morphology, or to detect invisible subsurface defects like delaminations. This measurement can be done in a noncontact manner using various photothermal methods. Such methods typically involve pulsed heating of the surface by small amounts using a laser source; the decay of the surface temperature after this pulsed photothermal heating is then probed to provide the thermal diffusivity. Various probing methods have been developed in the literature, including the probing of reflection, refraction, and diffraction from the pulsed heated area, infrared thermal radiometry, and surface deformation. This paper provides an overview of such techniques and some examples of their applications.     

Controversy and consensus regarding the use of cognitive ability testing in organizations.

Seven hundred three members of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology indicated agreement or disagreement with 49 propositions regarding cognitive ability tests in organizations. There was consensus that cognitive ability tests are valid and fair, that they provide good but incomplete measures, that different abilities are necessary for different jobs, and that diversity is valuable. Items dealing with the unique status of cognitive ability were most likely to generate polarized opinions. A 2-factor model, classifying items as those reflecting societal concerns over the consequences of ability testing and those reflecting an emphasis on the unique status of "g," fit the data well, and these factors proved especially important for predicting responses to the more controversial items. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tuberculosis associated haemophagocytic syndrome: two cases with a favourable outcome

Haemophagocytic syndrome is a heterogenous disease characterized by disordered macrophage activation associated with viral, bacterial or parasitic infection. The few reports of haemophagocytosis occurring in the presence of mycobacterial infection show a high mortality rate and we present two further cases notable for their favourable issue. Rapidity of diagnosis and immediate treatment could explain the avoidance of a fatal outcome.     

Late effects of radiotherapy in children

PURPOSE: To examine benzoporphyrin derivative angiography as a modality for studying photosensitizer biodistribution in experimental choroidal melanomas. METHODS: A liposomal preparation of benzoporphyrin derivative was used in this study. Digital benzoporphyrin derivative angiograms were performed in 10 rabbits (six for experimental choroidal melanomas, two for normal choroids, and two for irides) using a Topcon ImageNet H1024 digital imaging system, a Kodak Megaplus video camera, and a Topcon TRC-50-VT fundus camera. Only one eye from each rabbit was used. Filters specifically designed for benzoporphyrin derivative (peak absorption at 580 nm and peak emission at 695 nm) were used. Benzoporphyrin derivative (1 mg/kg) was injected into an ear vein while images of tumor, normal choroid, or iris were being obtained. Follow-up images were obtained during the first 3 hours and at 24 hours after injection. Fluorescence microscopy was performed in all 10 rabbits using 1 mg/kg of benzoporphyrin derivative. Tumor-bearing eyes were enucleated at the same time points that angiograms were performed, and the two sets of results were compared for maximum dye accumulation. RESULTS: Digital angiography demonstrated that maximal benzoporphyrin derivative fluorescence occurred in tumors 15 to 45 minutes after injection. Fluorescence photometry corroborated these results. CONCLUSION: Photosensitizer angiography is a valid modality for determining the optimum treatment time for photodynamic therapy.     

Neurotoxicity following the ingestion of a Chinese medicinal plant, Alocasia macrorrhiza

1. A case of poisoning due to the raw root tuber of a Chinese medicinal plant, Alocasia macrorrhiza is presented. 2. The patient developed neurological (severe pain and numbness in the perioral area and throat) and gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) symptoms immediately after eating the root tuber. 3. A macrorrhiza has properties and morphology very similar to another medical plant. A. odora. The root tuber of the latter is known to contain a neurotoxin sapotoxin.     

In utero exchange transfusion in homozygous alpha-thalassaemia: a case report

We report a case of homozygous alpha-thalassaemia with hydrops fetalis presenting at 22 weeks of gestation. In utero exchange transfusion was performed with maternal blood at 23 weeks. 25 weeks and 29 weeks of gestation. The fetus was delivered at 29 weeks of gestation without significant neonatal complication. Post-transfusion haemoglobin pattern after transfusion suggested that a total haematocrit of 0.52 may be the desired post-exchange transfusion haematocrit to aim for and the total haematocrit of haemoglobin A and haemoglobin Portland dropped approximately one percent per day.     

Matrix metalloproteinase expression in rat pancreatic islets

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the type of prosthetic material and technique of placement influenced long-term complications after repair of incisional hernias. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analytic study. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Two hundred patients undergoing open repair of abdominal incisional hernias with prosthetic material between 1985 and 1994. INTERVENTIONS: Four types of prosthetic material were used and placed either as an onlay, underlay, sandwich, or finger interdigitation technique. The materials were monofilamented polypropylene mesh (Marlex, Davol Inc, Cranston, RI), double-filamented mesh (Prolene, Ethicon Inc, Somerville, NJ), expanded polytetrafluroethylene patch (Gore-Tex, WL Gore & Associates, Phoenix, Ariz) or multifilamented polyester mesh (Mersilene, Ethicon Inc). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of recurrence and complications such as enterocutaneous fistula, bowel obstruction, and infection with each type of material and technique of repair were compared with univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, multifilamented polyester mesh had a significantly higher mean number of complications per patient (4.7 vs 1.4-2.3; P<.002), a higher incidence of fistula formation (16% vs 0%-2%; P<.001), a greater number of infections (16% vs 0%-6%; P<.05), and more recurrent hernias (34% vs 10%-14%; P<.05) than the other materials used. The additional mean length of stay to treat complications was also significantly longer (30 vs 3-7 days; P<.001) when polyester mesh was used. The deleterious effect of polyester mesh on long-term complications was confirmed on multiple logistic regression (P=.002). The technique of placement had no influence on outcome. CONCLUSION: Polyester mesh should no longer be used for incisional hernia repair.     

Effect of mild acid treatment on the survival, enteropathogenicity, and protein production in vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important food-borne enteropathogen that encounters various adverse conditions in its native environment or during infection. Effects of mild acid treatment on survival under stress conditions, enteropathogenicity, and protein production in this pathogen were investigated. Logarithmically grown cells, at pH 7.5 shifted to pH 5.0 for 30 min, were more resistant to subsequent acid challenge at pH 4.4. A two-phase adaptive procedure (pH 5.8 for 30 min; pH 5.0 for 30 min) was better than a single-phase procedure for enhancing the acid tolerance of this pathogen. The acid-adapted cells were cross-protected against the challenges of low salinity and thermal inactivation. One-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that proteins with molecular masses of 6.4, 9.0, 13.6, 16.3, 18.9, 22.9, 24.4, 28.3, 33. 9, 36.9, 41.2, 47.6, 58.1, 65.6, 80.5, 88.2, and 96.9 kDa were induced or significantly enhanced, while proteins of 25.3, 30.1, 30. 7, and 91.7 kDa were significantly inhibited. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that 20 species of proteins were induced or significantly enhanced, while 26 species were inhibited. In assays conducted using the suckling mouse model, enteropathogenicity of the acid-adapted cells was significantly enhanced in terms of intestine/body weight ratio and in vivo recovery of infected cells.