The sedative and analgesic sparing effect of music

BACKGROUND: To determine whether music influences intraoperative sedative and analgesic requirements, two randomized controlled trials were performed. METHODS: In phase 1, 35 adults undergoing urologic procedures with spinal anesthesia and patient-controlled intravenous propofol sedation were randomly assigned to hear favorable intraoperative music via headset or to have no music. In phase 2, 43 adults undergoing lithotripsy treatment of renal or ureteral calculi and receiving patient-controlled intravenous opioid analgesia were randomly assigned to either a music or no-music group. The effect of music on sedatives and analgesics requirements, recovery room duration, and adverse outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: In phase 1, patients in the music group required significantly less propofol for sedation than patients in the control group (0 [0-150] mg vs. 90 [0-240] mg, median[range]; P < 0.001). These findings persisted after adjusting for duration of surgery (0.3+/-0.1 mg/min vs. 1.6+/-0.4 mg/min; P < 0.001). Similarly, in phase 2, patients who listened to music had a significant reduction in alfentanil requirements (1,600 [0-4,250] microg vs. 3,900 [0-7,200] microg; P = 0.005). This persisted after adjusting for duration of surgery (52+/-9 microg/min vs. 119 +/-16 microg/min, mean +/- SD, P < 0.001). Duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit and the rate of adverse events was similar in both groups (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Use of intraoperative music in awake patients decreases patient-controlled sedative and analgesic requirements. It should be noted, however, that patients in the no-music group did not use a headset during operation. Thus, the decrease in sedative and analgesic requirements could be caused by elimination of ambient operating room noise and not by the effects of music.     

Encryption with keyed random permutations

A method is presented to generate a keyed random permutation (for example when enciphering a block of binary data) using the theoretical minimum number of key bits. The method is especially useful in an environment with limited key supply. An algorithm for implementing the method is given, with an estimate of its complexity.     

The design of complete encryption networks using cryptographically equivalent permutations

A design procedure for complete substitution-permutation encryption networks is presented. The cryptographically important property of completeness is achieved after three iterations, the minimum possible number for all networks of size N = i · n² (i = 1,2,…,n), where n is the size of the substitution function used. The permutation stage is constructed by choosing a single member of a class of cryptographically equivalent permutations for all the network rounds, hence having the advantage of simplifying the network implementation. An algorithm for generating members of the class of cryptographically equivalent permutations is given.     

High-pressure structural phase transitions and mechanical properties of calcite rock

In the present work, a state of the art first principles theory is used to examine the structural and mechanical properties of calcium carbonates CaCO₃. Our calculations allowed full structural relaxation, which permits an appropriate evaluation of material properties at ambient conditions as well as under hydrostatic pressure. Compared to experimental measurements the calculated ground state properties show a suitable agreement. By performing a structural phase stability analysis, we were able to predict both first and second order phase transitions that calcium carbonates minerals undertake under hydrostatic pressure. The first one occurs between the calcite and aragonite phases at 3.3 GPa and the second one between the aragonite and post-aragonite phases at ～40 GPa. The previous value agree very well with experimental one (40 GPa) reported by Ono et al. In order to verify the reliability of such phase transitions, we study the mineral high pressure stability by means of mechanical properties behaviour. Both transversal wave velocity and elastic moduli show an unexpected decrease at phase transition pressure range.     

An Approach for the Microstructure-Sensitive Simulation of Shear-Induced Deformation and Recrystallization in Al–Si Alloys

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Al alloys are known to experience extensive grain refinement during shear-assisted processing techniques, an effect driven by dynamic dislocation...     

An evolutionary multi-hidden Markov model for intelligent threat sensing in industrial internet of things

The Journal of Supercomputing - Threat problem has become more complex in the industrial environment due to the need to secure a large number of devices from attack while maintaining system...     

Flowsheet Modeling and Simulation of Biomass Steam Gasification for Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen production from biomass steam gasification is systematically reviewed. Equilibrium modeling and simulation studies using various techniques for effective hydrogen production are presented. Heat integration, economic analysis of the hydrogen production, and systematic design algorithms research publications are overviewed and discussed for energy-efficient and economic hydrogen production from various biomass feedstocks. Comparison and analysis of the results strongly suggest the viable potential of biomass steam gasification for hydrogen production from small to large scales with applications for thermal heat, power generation, and many other industrial fields.