Practical model description of peripheral neural excitation in cochlear implant recipients: 3. ECAP during bursts and loudness as function of burst duration

In this, the third paper of the series, the loudness of low-rate bursts of electrical pulses was measured as a function of the burst duration, in subjects implanted with the Nucleus^® 24 cochlear implant system (three with straight and two with Contour™ electrode arrays). In order to help distinguish between the contributions of peripheral and more central effects, the ECAP was recorded to the individual pulses comprising the bursts, using the Neural Response Telemetry™ (NRT™) system. At a pulse rate of 250 pulses/s, the ECAP amplitude did not decrease greatly during the bursts: the mean reduction factor was 0.89. The time-constant for summation of the loudness contributions from the pulses comprising a burst was found to be larger than that associated with normal hearing. In addition, the first pulse of a pulse train was found to contribute much more to the overall loudness than did the subsequent pulses, although a corresponding difference was not observed in the ECAP recordings. These results establish a necessary connection between the essentially single-pulse model, developed in the fourth and fifth papers of the series, and the psychophysical data for pulse bursts, but they also have broader implications.     

Continuum beliefs and stigmatizing attitudes towards persons with schizophrenia,depression and alcohol dependence

Separation is a central step in the process of stigmatizing persons with mental disorders. We examine whether belief in a continuum of symptoms from mental health to mental illness is associated with less stigmatizing attitudes. In a representative population survey in Germany (n=3642), using case-vignettes of persons suffering from schizophrenia, depression or alcohol dependence, we measured belief in a continuity of symptoms, emotional reactions and desire for social distance related to the person described in the vignette. While 42% of respondents agreed in symptom continuity for depression, this percentage was 26% for schizophrenia and 27% for alcohol dependence. Continuum beliefs were associated in general with more positive emotional reactions and less desire for social distance. This relationship was strongest for schizophrenia, followed by alcohol dependence. Continuum beliefs thus seem to be associated with less stigmatizing attitudes, particularly regarding schizophrenia and alcohol dependence. Educational information on the continuous nature of most psychopathological phenomena could usefully be integrated in anti-stigma messages.     

Holistic processing for faces operates over a wide range of sizes but is strongest at identification rather than conversational distances

How does holistic/configural processing, a key property of face perception, vary with distance from an observed person? Two techniques measured holistic processing in isolation from part-based contributions to face perception: salience bias to upright in transparency displays, and a difficult-to-see Mooney face. Results revealed an asymmetric inverted-U-shaped tuning to simulated observer-target distance (stimulus size and viewer-screen distance combinations). Holistic processing peaked at distances functionally relevant for identification during approach (2-10 m; equivalent head size = 6-1.3°), fell off steeply at closer distances functionally relevant for understanding emotional nuances and speech (.25-2 m), and operated over a very wide range of distances (from .46 to 23 m, 47.5-0.6°).     

Laparoscopic repair of diastasis recti using the ‘Venetian blinds’ technique of plication with prosthetic reinforcement: a retrospective study

Background  Diastasis is a separation of the two recti due to various reasons, and can be measured as the ‘inter-recti distance’ (IRD). Surgery for diastasis is controversial, while laparoscopic repair has rarely been reported. We describe our method of laparoscopic plication—the ‘Venetian blinds’ technique combined with mesh reinforcement for patients with diastasis of the recti. Materials and methods  A total of 18 patients out of 35 that presented to us were operated. The common indications were cosmesis and discomfort while performing normal activities. Laparoscopic plication with the ‘Venetian blinds’ technique of the diastasis with prosthetic reinforcement was performed for all cases. Results  The mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.6 kg/m² (range 25–32.2) and obese patients had a larger IRD. The mean operating time was 113 min (range 72–154). Minor complications were present in five (27.77%) patients. The recurrence rate after 6–48 months follow up was 0% in this series. Discussion  Even though surgery for diastasis is controversial, we advocate repair for cosmesis and restoring function of the recti muscles. Our ‘Venetian blinds’ technique provides a solid repair and reduces the risk of seroma. The use of a prosthesis for the repair is mandatory to prevent recurrence. The adequacy of repair was assessed by measuring the IRD preoperatively and postoperatively with computed tomography (CT) scan. Laparoscopy provides all of the benefits of minimal access surgery.     

FLV流媒体技术在教学中的应用初探

目前在卫生专业的远程教学中,基于视频点播方式的网络教学模式得到了快速地发展。但是视频文件的存储、视频压缩质量、网络传输带宽是制约网络视频教学进一步发展的关键。FLV流媒体技术的出现,较好地解决了这些问题,并能充分利用内容丰富的视频素材资源,文章对此进行了论述。     

基于M-learning的远程自主学习模型建构

随着信息技术的快速发展，人们对知识的渴求更加强烈。为了适应当前终身学习的大趋势，移动学习应运而生。文章阐述了关于移动学习的几种不同概念表述，并根据现有技术条件下移动学习的运行方案，提出了基于M-learning的远程自主学习模型。     

Longitudinal study of very low birthweight infants: Impairments, health and distance growth to 14 years of age

Of 456 consecutive infants born in a tertiary maternity centre in 1966–70 and of birthweight under 1501 g, 171 (37.5%) survived their primary hospitalization. Subsequently three children died and the outcome of 142 (90.5%) of the remaining children presumably still alive were reviewed at a mean age of 14.5 years. Four children had cerebral palsy although only one child was legally blind, 31.6% (48/152) had an existing or corrected visual impairment; visual impairments occurred significantly more frequently in those of birthweight under 1251 g or those born before 29 weeks gestation. Six children required hearing aids and three others were still epileptic. Four children were chronic asthmatics and one had rheumatoid arthritis. None had disabling malformations and there was no delay in pubertal changes. The distributions of weight, height and head circumference percentiles were not significantly different from a standard Australian population. For children in the cohort, weights and heights were under the 10th percentile in 13.4% and 14.1%, respectively. Of the 30 children with birthweights under the 10th percentile and who were reviewed as teenagers, only eight (26.7%) were still in this weight category.     

Correlation between near-infrared Raman spectroscopy and the histopathological analysis of atherosclerosis in human coronary arteries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Modern diagnostic methods such as near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (NIRS) allow quantification and evaluation of human atherosclerotic lesions, which can be useful in diagnosing coronary artery disease. The objective of the present study is to obtain feasible diagnostic information to detect atheromatous plaque using NIRS combined with discriminant analysis. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS: An 830 nm Ti: sapphire laser pumped by an argon laser provides near-infrared excitation. A spectrograph disperses light scattered from arterial tissue and a liquid-nitrogen cooled CCD detects the Raman spectra. A total of 111 arterial fragments were scanned and Raman results were compared with histopathology. Principal components analysis (PCA) and Mahalanobis distance (m-distance) were used to model an algorithm for tissue classification into three categories: non-atherosclerotic (NA), non-calcified (NC), and calcified (C) using Raman spectra. Spectra were randomly separated into training and prospective groups. RESULTS: It has been found that, for the NA tissue, the algorithm has sensitivity of 84 and 78% and specificity of 91 and 93% for training and prospective groups, respectively. For the NC tissue the algorithm has sensitivity of 88 and 90% and specificity of 88 and 83%. For the C tissue both sensitivity and specificity were maximum, 100%. CONCLUSIONS: An algorithm using PCA and discriminant analysis based on m-distance has been developed and successfully applied to diagnose coronary artery disease by NIRS obtaining good sensitivity and specificity for each tissue category.