Broadband characterisation of in-duct acoustic sources using an equivalent source approach

This paper is concerned with the development of an experimental method capable of independently characterising low Mach number, in-duct fluid machines, such as pumps, fans, etc. The aim is to propose and test a source characterisation method that is suitable for acoustic simulation and the construction Virtual Acoustic Prototypes. Such a requirement demands that the source characterisation be (a) independent, so that components can be virtually (re)combined within different assemblies and (b) valid over a wide frequency range so as to enable the output of a virtual assembly to be auralised. In this regard, standard methods based on sound power are not suitable. An equivalent source approach is proposed, based on a two-stage measurement procedure in which source strengths are obtained by solving an inverse problem. The experimental application of the procedure is illustrated as part of a case study where a high speed compressor unit is independently characterised and the resulting source data used to predict the operational response in a new assembly. Three frequency ranges are identified based on plane wave, modal and statistical behavior within the duct. The same measured data is used within each regime but subject to different processing according to different assumptions. Predictions are shown to be in good agreement with the directly measured response over a broad frequency range (100 Hz–10 kHz)

A performance edition of thirty instructive and melodic exercises for French horn by Vincenz Ranieri

"The primary purpose of this study was to edit and publish a performance edition of Thirty Instructive and Melodic Exercises for French Horn by Vincenz Ranieri. Corrections were made of typographical note errors and rhythms, unification of parallel stylistic markings, and modernization in the appearance and notation of the etude book. Each etude was compared to a list of inconsistencies found throughout the etude book and corrected to unify compositional style. Range of the rudimental exercises preceding each etude was corrected to encompass the corresponding etude range. Phrases markings, slurs, articulation markings, dynamic markings, and ornamentations were standardized. Typographical errors including notes, rhythms, and stylistic markings were corrected. Aesthetic changes and additions were made to note beaming, courtesy accidentals, excessive articulation markings, and overall layout and format. The secondary purpose was to discover biographical information about the composer and historical information about the etude book. Biographical information about the composer and history about the etude book was researched through general literature survey and inquiries made to horn historians, performers, and teachers. Specific information about Vincenz Ranieri including birth and death dates, life, and profession were sought, as well as purpose, inspiration, and date of composition for his etude book. The outcome of this project is to publish the performance edition in the United States in hopes that the etude book will become an accessible, reputable, and valuable addition to horn literature."--Abstract from author supplied metadata

Production thesis : Ernest in love

The purpose of this thesis was to compile a practical manuscript for directing a production of the musical Ernest In Love by Anne Croswell and Lee Pockriss. This specific purpose was achieved by studying the script, producing the play, and evaluating the production after a series of public performances. Part One includes the following: (1) brief biographies of the authors, (2) history of previous performances, (3) a synopsis of the script, (4) character descriptions and analyses, (5) a discussion of the function and mood of the sets, lights and costumes, and (6) justification for the director's choice of the script. Part Two is the director's prompt book for the production of Ernest In Love which was performed on July 7, 8, and 9, 1969, on the main stage of the W. Raymond Taylor Speech and Drama Building at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to the production plates and photographs, this chapter includes notation on (1) blocking, (2) composition, (3) details of characterizations, (4) stage business, and (5) timing

The effect of iron on hematocrit levels in tropical fish

Although the amount of iron present in the body is small (in humans about 45 milligrams/kilogram of body weight), it is an essential constituent of hemoglobin and of the cytochrome respiratory enzyme system, and thus an element of fundamental importance. The absorption of iron is different from that of other elements; most minerals are absorbed freely and the excess excreted. Once iron is absorbed, however, most of it is retained within the body. Only minute amounts are excreted, and that present in the body is almost completely reutilized after metabolic breakdown of the iron containing compounds, e.g., hemoglobin. Thus if the excess iron is not excreted, there appears to be a mechanism for absorption control. (Granick, 1946)

Reduced Amygdala and Ventral Striatal Activity to Happy Faces in PTSD Is Associated with Emotional Numbing

There has been a growing recognition of the importance of reward processing in PTSD, yet little is known of the underlying neural networks. This study tested the predictions that (1) individuals with PTSD would display reduced responses to happy facial expressions in ventral striatal reward networks, and (2) that this reduction would be associated with emotional numbing symptoms. 23 treatment-seeking patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder were recruited from the treatment clinic at the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, Westmead Hospital, and 20 trauma-exposed controls were recruited from a community sample. We examined functional magnetic resonance imaging responses during the presentation of happy and neutral facial expressions in a passive viewing task. PTSD participants rated happy facial expression as less intense than trauma-exposed controls. Relative to controls, PTSD participants revealed lower activation to happy (-neutral) faces in ventral striatum and and a trend for reduced activation in left amygdala. A significant negative correlation was found between emotional numbing symptoms in PTSD and right ventral striatal regions after controlling for depression, anxiety and PTSD severity. This study provides initial evidence that individuals with PTSD have lower reactivity to happy facial expressions, and that lower activation in ventral striatal-limbic reward networks may be associated with symptoms of emotional numbing

The future of medical diagnostics: Review paper

While histopathology of excised tissue remains the gold standard for diagnosis, several new, non-invasive diagnostic techniques are being developed. They rely on physical and biochemical changes that precede and mirror malignant change within tissue. The basic principle involves simple optical techniques of tissue interrogation. Their accuracy, expressed as sensitivity and specificity, are reported in a number of studies suggests that they have a potential for cost effective, real-time, in situ diagnosis. We review the Third Scientific Meeting of the Head and Neck Optical Diagnostics Society held in Congress Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria on the 11th May 2011. For the first time the HNODS Annual Scientific Meeting was held in association with the International Photodynamic Association (IPA) and the European Platform for Photodynamic Medicine (EPPM). The aim was to enhance the interdisciplinary aspects of optical diagnostics and other photodynamic applications. The meeting included 2 sections: oral communication sessions running in parallel to the IPA programme and poster presentation sessions combined with the IPA and EPPM posters sessions. © 2011 Jerjes et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

A Review of Surgical Informed Consent: Past, Present, and Future. A Quest to Help Patients Make Better Decisions

Contains fulltext : 87422.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Informed consent (IC) is a process requiring a competent doctor, adequate transfer of information, and consent of the patient. It is not just a signature on a piece of paper. Current consent processes in surgery are probably outdated and may require major changes to adjust them to modern day legislation. A literature search may provide an opportunity for enhancing the quality of the surgical IC (SIC) process. METHODS: Relevant English literature obtained from PubMed, Picarta, PsycINFO, and Google between 1993 and 2009 was reviewed. RESULTS: The body of literature with respect to SIC is slim and of moderate quality. The SIC process is an underestimated part of surgery and neither surgeons nor patients sufficiently realize its importance. Surgeons are not specifically trained and lack the competence to guide patients through a legally correct SIC process. Computerized programs can support the SIC process significantly but are rarely used for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: IC should be integrated into our surgical practice. Unfortunately, a big gap exists between the theoretical/legal best practice and the daily practice of IC. An optimally informed patient will have more realistic expectations regarding a surgical procedure and its associated risks. Well-informed patients will be more satisfied and file fewer legal claims. The use of interactive computer-based programs provides opportunities to improve the SIC process.1 juli 201

Multi-Modality Therapeutics with Potent Anti-Tumor Effects: Photochemical Internalization Enhances Delivery of the Fusion Toxin scFvMEL/rGel

BACKGROUND: There is a need for drug delivery systems (DDS) that can enhance cytosolic delivery of anti-cancer drugs trapped in the endo-lysosomal compartments. Exposure of cells to specific photosensitizers followed by light exposure (photochemical internalization, PCI) results in transfer of agents from the endocytic compartment into the cytosol. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The recombinant single-chain fusion construct scFvMEL/rGel is composed of an antibody targeting the progenitor marker HMW-MAA/NG2/MGP/gp240 and the highly effective toxin gelonin (rGel). Here we demonstrate enhanced tumor cell selectivity, cytosolic delivery and anti-tumor activity by applying PCI of scFvMEL/rGel. PCI performed by light activation of cells co-incubated with scFvMEL/rGel and the endo-lysosomal targeting photosensitizers AlPcS(2a) or TPPS(2a) resulted in enhanced cytotoxic effects against antigen-positive cell lines, while no differences in cytotoxicity between the scFvMEL/rGel and rGel were observed in antigen-negative cells. Mice bearing well-developed melanoma (A-375) xenografts (50-100 mm(3)) were treated with PCI of scFvMEL/rGel. By 30 days after injection, approximately 100% of mice in the control groups had tumors>800 mm(3). In contrast, by day 40, 50% of mice in the PCI of scFvMEL/rGel combination group had tumors<800 mm(3) with no increase in tumor size up to 110 days. PCI of scFvMEL/rGel resulted in a synergistic effect (p<0.05) and complete regression (CR) in 33% of tumor-bearing mice (n = 12). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is a unique demonstration that a non-invasive multi-modality approach combining a recombinant, targeted therapeutic such as scFvMEL/rGel and PCI act in concert to provide potent in vivo efficacy without sacrificing selectivity or enhancing toxicity. The present DDS warrants further evaluation of its clinical potential

The Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Unique Resting-State Functional Connectivity of Basolateral and Centromedial Amygdala Complexes.

Previous studies point towards differential connectivity patterns among basolateral (BLA) and centromedial (CMA) amygdala regions in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as compared to controls. Here, we describe the first study to compare directly connectivity patterns of the BLA and CMA complexes between PTSD patients with and without the dissociative subtype (PTSD+DS and PTSD-DS, respectively). Amygdala connectivity to regulatory prefrontal regions and parietal regions involved in consciousness and proprioception were expected to differ between these two groups based on differential limbic regulation and behavioural symptoms. PTSD patients (n=49), with (n=13) and without (n=36) the dissociative subtype, and age-matched healthy controls (n=40) underwent resting-state fMRI. Bilateral BLA and CMA connectivity patterns were compared using a seed-based approach via SPM Anatomy Toolbox. Among patients with PTSD, the PTSD+DS group exhibited greater amygdala functional connectivity to prefrontal regions involved in emotion regulation (bilateral BLA and left CMA to the middle frontal gyrus and bilateral CMA to the medial frontal gyrus) as compared to the PTSD-DS group. In addition, the PTSD+DS group showed greater amygdala connectivity to regions involved in consciousness, awareness, and proprioception -implicated in depersonalization and derealization (left BLA to superior parietal lobe and cerebellar culmen; left CMA to dorsal posterior cingulate and precuneus). Differences in amygdala complex connectivity to specific brain regions parallel the unique symptom profiles of the PTSD subgroups and point towards unique biological markers of the dissociative subtype of PTSD.Neuropsychopharmacology accepted article preview online, 19 March 2015. doi:10.1038/npp.2015.79