Embolic Doppler ultrasound signal detection using discrete wavelet transform

Asymptomatic circulating emboli can be detected by Doppler ultrasound. Embolic Doppler ultrasound signals are short duration transient like signals. The wavelet transform is an ideal method for analysis and detection of such signals by optimizing time-frequency resolution. We propose a detection system based on the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and study some parameters, which might be useful for describing embolic signals (ES). We used a fast DWT algorithm based on the Daubechies eighth-order wavelet filters with eight scales. In order to evaluate feasibility of the DWT of ES, two independent data sets, each comprising of short segments containing an ES (N=100), artifact (N=100) or Doppler speckle (DS) (N=100), were used. After applying the DWT to the data, several parameters were evaluated. The threshold values used for both data sets were optimized using the first data set. While the DWT coefficients resulting from artifacts dominantly appear at the higher scales (five, six, seven, and eight), the DWT coefficients at the lower scales (one, two, three, and four) are mainly dominated by ES and DS. The DWT is able to filter out most of the artifacts inherently during the transform process. For the first data set, 98 out of 100 ES were detected as ES. For the second data set, 95 out of 100 ES were detected as ES when the same threshold values were used. The algorithm was also tested with a third data set comprising 202 normal ES; 198 signals were detected as ES.     

On some path-related measures for nonlinear structural F. E. problems

In the paper, the solution of a non-linear structural mechanical problem is seen as a set of points along a curve in the displacement space, resulting from a continuous variation of a load parameter. The state of the structure at a specified point on the path is described by a tangent vector describing the response to a small load factor increment. For a completed, finite step, the deviation from this tangent response is described by a suggested measure. From this measure, some conclusions can be drawn concerning the iteration behaviour, guiding the iteration strategy in coming steps. Two path-related stiffness measures are derived, giving information concerning the behaviour of the structure. Some conclusions concerning limit load points, bifurcations, etc. can be drawn from these measures.     

Sequence and functional analysis of a 7·2 kb DNA fragment containing four open reading frames located between RPB5 and CDC28 on the right arm of chromosome II

In a coordinated approach, several laboratories sequenced Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome II during the European BRIDGE project. Here we report on the sequence and functional analysis of a 7217 bp fragment located on the right arm of chromosome II between RPB5 and CDC28. The fragment contains four open reading frames probably encoding proteins of 79·2 kDa (corresponding gene YBR156c), 12·1 kDa (YBR157c), 62·7 kDa (YBR158w) and 38·7 kDa (YBR159w). All four open reading frames encode new proteins, as concluded from data base searches. The respective genes were destroyed by gene replacement in one allele of diploid cells. After sporulation and tetrad analysis, the resulting mutant haploid strains were investigated. No phenotype with respect to spore germination, viability, carbohydrate utilization, and growth was found for YBR157c, encoding the smallest open reading frame investigated. Gene replacement within the YBR156c gene encoding a highly basic and possibly nuclear located protein was lethal. Ybr158 revealed similarities to the Grr1 (Cat80) protein with respect to the leucine-rich region. Cells harboring a mutation in the YBR158w gene showed strongly reduced growth as compared to the wild-type cells. The protein predicted from YBR159w shared 33% identical amino acid residues with the human estradiol 17-beta-hydroxysterol dehydrogenase 3. Haploid ybr159c mutants were only able to grow at reduced temperatures, but even under these conditions the mutants grew slower than wild-type strains. The DNA sequence was deposited at the EMBL data base with accession numbers Z36025 (YBR156c), Z36026 (YBR157c), Z36027 (YBR158w) and Z36028 (YBR159w).     

SC filter circuit with decimation of sampling frequency

Realisation of a switched-capacitor filter circuit with decimation of the input sampling frequency is proposed. The circuit, which is compensated for the influence of parasitic capacitances, is useful as an input stage of an SC filter. It can also be used for the realisation of an integrator, based on Simpson's rule.     

Combined instrumental variable and subspace fitting approach toparameter estimation of noisy input-output systems

The paper considers the problem of estimating the parameters of linear discrete-time systems from noise-corrupted input-output measurements, under fairly general conditions: the output and input noises may be auto-correlated and they may be cross-correlated as well. By using the instrumental-variable (IV) principle a covariance matrix is obtained, the singular vectors of which bear complete information on the parameters of the system under study. A weighted subspace fitting (WSF) procedure is then employed on the sample singular vectors to derive estimates of the parameters of the system. The combined IV-WSF method proposed in the present paper is noniterative and simple to use. Its large-sample statistical performance is analyzed in detail and the theoretical results so obtained are used to predict the behavior of the method in samples with practical lengths. Several numerical examples are included to show the agreement between the theoretically predicted and the empirically observed performances     

Pediatric ECMO for pulmonary support: experience from 12 cases

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which can be described as treatment with a modified heart-lung machine over a prolonged period of time, is used to support patients with life-threatening but potentially reversible lung failure. ECMO by itself does not cure the patient but gives the lungs a chance to rest while awaiting spontaneous or therapeutic healing. The method is well documented in the neonatal age group. In the non-neonatal age group, however, experience is less extensive. This report of the initial result from our hospital with 12 non-neonatal pediatric cases shows high survival and low morbidity. Nine of the 12 patients were able to be weaned from ECMO (75% survival) and 8 of these 9 patients were long-term survivors. Medium time on the ventilator after discontinuation of ECMO was 4 days. At follow-up, all long-term survivors had no signs of neurological or pulmonary sequelae. These encouraging results point to the fact that ECMO should be considered more often in cases of life-threatening but potentially reversible pulmonary failure.