Correlation between P-wave morphology and origin of atrial focal tachycardia--insights from realistic models of the human atria and torso

Atrial arrhythmias resulting from abnormally rapid focal activity in the atria may be reflected in an altered P-wave morphology (PWM) in the ECG. Although clinically important, detailed relationships between PWM and origins of atrial focal excitations have not been established. To study such relationships, we developed computational models of the human atria and torso. The model simulation results were used to evaluate an extant clinical algorithm for locating the origin of atrial focal points from the ECG. The simulations showed that the algorithm was practical and could predict the atrial focal locations with 85% accuracy. We proposed a further refinement of the algorithm to distinguish between focal locations within the large atrial bundles.     

Performance Evaluation of Generalized Selection Combiners Over Slow Fading with Estimation Errors

In this paper we derive closed-form expressions for the single-user adaptive capacity of generalized selection combining (GSC) system, taking into account the effect of imperfect channel estimation at the receiver. The channel considered is a slowly varying spatially independent flat Rayleigh fading channel. The complex channel estimate and the actual channel are modelled as jointly Gaussian random variables with a correlation that depends on the estimation quality. Three adaptive transmission schemes are analyzed: (1) optimal power and rate adaptation; and (2) constant power with optimal rate adaptation, and (3) channel inversion with fixed rate. In addition to deriving an exact expression for the capacity of the aforementioned adaptive schemes, we analyze the impact of channel estimation error on the capacity statistics and the symbol error rate for GSC systems. The capacity statistics derived in this paper are the moment generating function, complementary cumulative distribution function and probability density function for arbitrary number of receive antennas. Moreover, exact closed-form expressions for M-PAM/PSK/QAM employing GSC are derived. As expected, the channel estimation error has a significant impact on the system performance.     

Krill herd algorithm based on cuckoo search for solving engineering optimization problems

This paper presents a hybrid krill herd (CSKH) approach to solve structural optimization problems. CSKH improved the Krill herd algorithm (KH) by combining KU/KA operator originated from cuckoo search algorithm (CS) with KH. In CSKH, a greedy selection scheme is used and often overtakes the original KH and CS. In addition, in order to further enhance the assessment of CSKH, a fraction of the worst krill is thrown away and substituted with newly randomly generated ones by KA operator at the end of each generation. The CSKH is applied to five real engineering problems to verify its performance. The experimental results have proven that CSKH algorithm is well capable of solving constrained engineering design problems more efficiently and effectively than the basic CS and KH algorithm.

     

Leber Congenital Amaurosis Due to GUCY2D Mutations: Longitudinal Analysis of Retinal Structure and Visual Function

Gene augmentation therapy is being planned for GUCY2D-associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). To increase our understanding of the natural history of GUCY2D-LCA, patients were evaluated twice with an interval of 4 to 7 years between visits using safety and efficacy outcome measures previously determined to be useful for monitoring this disorder. In this group of molecularly-identified LCA patients (n = 10; ages 7–37 years at first visit), optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure foveal cone outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and rod ONL at a superior retinal locus. Full-field stimulus testing (FST) with chromatic stimuli in dark- and light-adapted states was used to assay rod and cone vision. Changes in OCT and FST over the interval were mostly attributable to inter-visit variability. There were no major negative changes in structure or function across the cohort and over the intervals studied. Variation in severity of disease expression between patients occurs; however, despite difficulties in quantifying structure and function in such seriously visually impaired individuals with nystagmus, the present work supports the use of OCT as a safety outcome and FST as an efficacy outcome in a clinical trial of GUCY2D-LCA. A wide age spectrum for therapy was confirmed, and there was relative stability of structure and function during a typical time interval for clinical trials.     

Evaluation of biohydrogen production potential of fragmented sugar industry biosludge using ultrasonication coupled with egtazic acid

In this study, the influence of ultrasonication (USN) combined with egtazic acid fragmentation method on sugar industry waste (SWS) sludge was studied for improving biohydrogen production. Initially, USN method was proceeded by varying power and fragmentation time. At an optimal power (115 W) and fragmentation time (30 min), USN method demanded 23,000 kJ/kg TS specific energy for achieving 15.2% complex organics solubilization rate (COR). To further upsurge of SWS sludge solubilization, USN assisted with egtazic acid (USNEG) method was performed by varying fragmentation time and egtazic acid dosage at an optimal power (115 W). USNEG method has achieved more COR (23%) at minimum specific energy of 11,500 kJ/kg TS (fragmentation time: 15 min and EGTA dosage: 0.03 g/g TS). Then, biohydrogen potential (BHP) assay was investigated in which USNEG method has obtained higher biohydrogen production. Also, energy analysis revealed that USNEG method exhibited an energy ratio of 1.78.     

The relative importance of drought and other water-related constraints for major food crops in South Asian farming systems

Variation in water availability is a major source of risk for agricultural productivity and food security in South Asia. Three hundred and thirty expert informants were surveyed during 2008-09 to determine the relative importance of drought and water-related constraints compared with other constraints limiting the production of four major food crops (wheat, rice, sorghum, chickpea) in five broad-based South Asian farming systems. Respondents considered drought an important constraint to crop yield in those farming systems that are predominantly rainfed, but associated it with low yield losses (well below 10% of all reported losses) for crops in farming systems with well-developed irrigation. In these systems, other water-related constraints (including difficult access to sufficient irrigation water, the high cost of irrigation, poor water management, waterlogging and flooding of low-lying fields) were more important. While confirming the importance of drought and water constraints for major food crops and farming systems in South Asia, this study also indicated they may contribute to no more than 20–30% of current yield gaps. Other types of constraint, particularly soil infertility and the poor management of fertilizer and weeds for the cereals, and pests and diseases for chickpea, contributed most yield losses in the systems. Respondents proposed a wide range of interventions to address these constraints. Continued investments in crop-based genetic solutions to alleviate drought may be justified for food crops grown in those South Asian farming systems that are predominantly rainfed. However, to provide the substantial production, sustainability and food security benefits that the region will need in coming decades, the study proposed that these be complemented by other water interventions, and by improvements to soil fertility for the cereals and plant protection with chickpea.