Estimation of short-time cross-correlation between frequency bands of event related EEG

Simultaneous variations of the event-related power changes (ERD/ERS) are often observed in a number of frequency bands. ERD/ERS measures are usually based on the relative changes of power in a given single frequency band. Within such an approach one cannot answer questions concerning the mutual relations between the band-power variations observed in different frequency bands. This paper addresses the problem of estimating and assessing the significance of the average cross-correlation between ERD/ERS phenomena occurring in two frequency bands. The cross-correlation function in a natural way also provides estimation of the delay between ERD/ERS in those bands. The proposed method is based on estimating the short-time cross-correlation function between relative changes of power in two selected frequency bands. The cross-correlation function is estimated in each trial separately and then averaged across trials. The significance of those mean cross-correlation functions is evaluated by means of a nonparametric test. The basic properties of the method are presented on simulated signals, and an example application to real EEG and ECoG signals is given.     

Choroby wątroby i nerek w przebiegu ciliopatii

Ciliopathies constitute a group of disorders characterized by cilia abnormalities and an extremely heterogeneous clinical presentation. The liver and kidneys are the most commonly affected organs and the term hepatorenal fibrocystic disorders is used to describe ciliopathies with combined liver and kidney involvement. Liver disorders in ciliopathies can be grouped into three categories: congenital hepatic fibrosis, Caroli's disease and polycystic liver disease. Kidney disorders related to primary cilia abnormalities include autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney diseases and nephronophthisis.     

The impact of supramolecular nanocarriers to contemporary pharmaceutical and analytical chemistry: a minireview

The paper gives a short review of the most important research results published recently in the field of the applications of supramolecular nanocarriers in modern pharmaceutical and analytical chemistry. The main attention has been paid to the fast developing technology of chemical sensors, ion-selective electrodes and separation methods, in particular to newly designed packing in high-performance liquid chromatography employing supramolecularly aided and membrane mimicking processes.     

Experimental Investigation on the Low Velocity Impact Response of Fibre Foam Metal Laminates

The combination of fibre metal laminates (FML) and sandwich structures can significantly increase the performance under impact of FMLs. The goal of this work was to create a material that will combine the superior properties of FMLs and foam sandwich structures in terms of the impact resistance and simultaneously have lower density and fewer disadvantages related to the manufacturing. An extensive impact testing campaign has been done using conventional fibre metal laminates (carbon- and glass-based) and in the proposed fibre foam metal laminates to assess and compare their behaviour. The main difference was observed in the energy absorption mechanisms. The dominant failure mechanism for fibre foam laminates is the formation of delaminations and matrix cracks while in the conventional fibre metal laminate the main failure mode is fibre cracking due to high local stress concentrations. The reduction in the fibre cracking leads to a better after-impact resistance of this type of structure improving the safety of the structures manufactured with these materials.     

Application of Nanosilicon to the Sintering of Mg-Mg2Si Interpenetrating Phases Composite

The new in situ fabrication process for Mg-Mg₂Si composites composed of interpenetrating metal/intermetallic phases via powder metallurgy was characterized. To obtain the designed composite microstructure, variable nanosilicon ((n)Si) (i.e., 2, 4, and 6 vol.% (n)Si) concentrations were mixed with magnesium powders. The mixture was ordered using a sonic method. The powder mixture morphologies were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and heating and cooling-induced thermal effects were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Composite sinters were fabricated by hot-pressing the powders under a vacuum of 2.8 Pa. Shifts in the sintering temperature resulted in two observable microstructures: (1) the presence of Mg₂Si and MgO intermetallic phases in α-Mg (580 °C); and (2) Mg₂Si intermetallic phases in the α-Mg matrix enriched with bands of refined MgO (640 °C). Materials were characterized by light microscopy (LM) with quantitative metallography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), open porosity measurements, hardness testing, microhardness testing, and nanoindentation. The results revealed that (n)Si in applied sintering conditions ensured the formation of globular and very fine Mg₂Si particles. The particles bonded with each other to form an intermetallic network. The volume fraction of this network increased with (n)Si concentration but was dependent on sintering temperature. Increasing sintering temperature intensified magnesium vaporization, affecting the composite formation mechanism and increasing the volume fraction of silicide.     

A new c.1621 C > G, p.R541G lamin A/C mutation in a family with DCM and regional wall motion abnormalities (akinesis/dyskinesis): genotype-phenotype correlation

Mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) are established causes of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with atrio-ventricular block although relatively little is known about genotype-phenotype correlations. We describe a 23-year-old patient who presented with inferolateral wall thinning and akinesis with evidence of mid-myocardial fibrosis on cardiac magnetic resonance. Molecular analysis driven by clinical similarities with a previously described case harboring the p.R541C LMNA mutation revealed a novel c.1621 C > G, p.R541G substitution whose pathogenicity was confirmed by transfection of mouse myoblasts. Our results emphasize the role of LMNA mutations at position R541 in DCM cases with segmental LV wall motion akinesis/dyskinesis.     

Effect of Temperature on Electrochemically Assisted Deposition and Bioactivity of CaP Coatings on CpTi Grade 4

Calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings are able to improve the osseointegration process due to their chemical composition similar to that of bone tissues. Among the methods of producing CaP coatings, the electrochemically assisted deposition (ECAD) is particularly important due to high repeatability and the possibility of deposition at room temperature and neutral pH, which allows for the co-deposition of inorganic and organic components. In this work, the ECAD of CaP coatings from an acetate bath with a Ca:P ratio of 1.67, was developed. The effect of the ECAD conditions on CaP coatings deposited on commercially pure titanium grade 4 (CpTi G4) subjected to sandblasting and autoclaving was presented. The physicochemical characteristics of the ECAD-derived coatings was carried out using SEM, EDS, FTIR, 2D roughness profiles, and amplitude sensitive eddy current method. It was showed that amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) coatings can be obtained at a potential −1.5 to −10 V for 10 to 60 min at 20 to 70 °C. The thickness and surface roughness of the ACP coatings were an increasing function of potential, time, and temperature. The obtained ACP coatings are a precursor in the process of apatite formation in a simulated body fluid. The optimal ACP coating for use in dentistry was deposited at a potential of −3 V for 30 min at 20 °C.     

Influence of Magnetite Nanoparticles Shape and Spontaneous Surface Oxidation on the Electron Transport Mechanism

The spontaneous oxidation of a magnetite surface and shape design are major aspects of synthesizing various nanostructures with unique magnetic and electrical properties, catalytic activity, and biocompatibility. In this article, the roles of different organic modifiers on the shape and formation of an oxidized layer composed of maghemite were discussed and described in the context of magnetic and electrical properties. It was confirmed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of triphenylphosphine could be characterized by cuboidal shape, a relatively low average particle size (9.6 ± 2.0 nm), and high saturation magnetization equal to 55.2 emu/g. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that low-frequency conductivity and dielectric properties are related to surface disordering and oxidation. The electric energy storage possibility increased for nanoparticles with a disordered and oxidized surface, whereas the dielectric losses in these particles were strongly related to their size. The cuboidal magnetite nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of triphenylphosphine had an ultrahigh electrical conductivity (1.02 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 10 Hz) in comparison to the spherical ones. At higher temperatures, the maghemite content altered the behavior of electrons. The electrical conductivity can be described by correlated barrier hopping or overlapping large polaron tunneling. Interestingly, the activation energies of electrons transport by the surface were similar for all the analyzed nanoparticles in low- and high-temperature ranges.     

Perinatal care needs and expectations of women with low vision or total blindness in Warsaw,Poland

Background

As estimated from the number of published studies, in Poland the research into the perinatal care experiences of women with low vision or total blindness remains limited.

Comparison of the effects of sibutramine and other monoamine reuptake inhibitors on food intake in the rat

1. The effects of the potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, SNRI), sibutramine, on the cumulative food intake of freely-feeding male Sprague-Dawley rats during an 8 h dark period were investigated and compared to those of the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRI), fluoxetine; the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, nisoxetine; the 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine and duloxetine; and the 5-HT releaser and 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, (+)-fenfluramine.
2. Sibutramine (3 and 10 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) and (+)-fenfluramine (1 and 3 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) produced a significant, dose-dependent decrease in food intake over the 8 h dark period. These responses became apparent within the first 2 h following drug administration.
3. Fluoxetine (3, 10 and 30 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.), and nisoxetine (3, 10 and 30 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) had no significant effect on food intake during the 8 h dark period. However, a combination of fluoxetine and nisoxetine (30 mg kg⁻¹, p.o., of each) significantly decreased food intake 2 and 8 h after drug administration.
4. Venlafaxine (100 and 300 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) and duloxetine (30 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) also significantly decreased food intake in the 2 and 8 h following drug administration.
5. The results of this study demonstrate that inhibition of 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake by sibutramine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, or by a combination of fluoxetine and nisoxetine, markedly reduces food intake in freely-feeding rats and suggest that this may be a novel approach for the treatment of obesity.