A new concept of integrated cardiopulmonary bypass circuit.

OBJECTIVE: Standard cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits with their large surface area and volume contribute to postoperative systemic inflammatory reaction and hemodilution. In order to minimize these problems a new approach has been developed resulting in a single disposable, compact arterio-venous loop, which has integral kinetic-assist pumping, oxygenating, air removal, and gross filtration capabilities (CardioVention Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA). The impact of this system on gas exchange capacity, blood elements and hemolysis is compared to that of a conventional circuit in a model of prolonged perfusion. METHODS: Twelve calves (mean body weight: 72.2+/-3.7 kg) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass for 6 h with a flow of 5 l/min, and randomly assigned to the CardioVention system (n=6) or a standard CPB circuit (n=6). A standard battery of blood samples was taken before bypass and throughout bypass. Analysis of variance was used for comparison. RESULTS: The hematocrit remained stable throughout the experiment in the CardioVention group, whereas it dropped in the standard group in the early phase of perfusion. When normalized for prebypass values, both profiles differed significantly (P<0.01). Both O2 and CO2 transfers were significantly improved in the CardioVention group (P=0.04 and P<0.001, respectively). There was a slightly higher pressure drop in the CardioVention group but no single value exceeded 112 mmHg. No hemolysis could be detected in either group with all free plasma Hb values below 15 mg/l. Thrombocyte count, when corrected by hematocrit and normalized by prebypass values, exhibited an increased drop in the standard group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The CardioVention system with its concept of limited priming volume and exposed foreign surface area, improves gas exchange probably because of the absence of detectable hemodilution, and appears to limit the decrease in the thrombocyte count which may be ascribed to the reduced surface. Despite the volume and surface constraints, no hemolysis could be detected throughout the 6 h full-flow perfusion period.

La ment forma part de la teva vida, aprèn a cuidar-la!

L’objectiu d’aquest estudi és crear un programa de prevenció de la demència a partir d’activitats i ocupacions significatives. S’utilitzarà la metodologia quantitativa i es realitzarà un estudi experimental i seqüencial. L’estudi es realitzarà al medi rural, concretament a Ripoll (Sant Bernabé). Per tal de poder obtenir la els participants per la realització de l’estudi s’utilitzarà el mostreig aleatori estratificat amb el qual s’obtindrà dos grups de 16 persones de 50 a 55 anys. Els instruments que s’utilitzaran per tal de poder obtenir les dades de l’estudi són el “Qüestionari internacional d’activitat física” (2002), la bateria neuropsicològica anomenada “Test de Barcelona abreviat” (1997), “L’escala de qualitat de vida” (2008), i per acabar s’utilitzarà el “Test KIMED” (2004). Una primera limitació pot ser que l’ajuntament no ens faciliti les dades per tal de poder realitzar el mostreig aleatori estratificat per tal de poder aconseguir la mostra. També pot ser que l’ajuntament no cedeixi el lloc per tal de poder realitzar la intervenció. Un altre possible limitació pot ser el temps atmosfèric. I per acabar també ens podem torbar amb l’abandonament del programa per part d’un o més participants.

Electrical stimulation induces propagated colonic contractions in an experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Direct colonic electrical stimulation may prove to be a treatment option for specific motility disorders such as chronic constipation. The aim of this study was to provoke colonic contractions using electrical stimulation delivered from a battery-operated device. METHODS: Electrodes were inserted into the caecal seromuscular layer of eight anaesthetized pigs. Contractions were induced by a neurostimulator (Medtronic 3625). Caecal motility was measured simultaneously by video image analysis, manometry and a technique assessing colonic transit. RESULTS: Caecal contractions were generated using 8-10 V amplitude, 1000 micros pulse width, 120 Hz frequency for 10-30 s, with an intensity of 7-15 mA. The maximal contraction strength was observed after 20-25 s. Electrical stimulation was followed by a relaxation phase of 1.5-2 min during which contractions propagated orally and aborally over at least 10 cm. Spontaneous and stimulated caecal motility values were significantly different for both intraluminal pressure (mean(s.d.) 332(124) and 463(187) mmHg respectively; P < 0.001, 42 experiments) and movement of contents (1.6(0.9) and 3.9(2.8) mm; P < 0.001, 40 experiments). CONCLUSION: Electrical stimulation modulated caecal motility, and provoked localized and propagated colonic contractions.

The effect of n-3 enriched nutrition therapy on post-operative cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs frequently after cardiac surgery. Some data suggest that inflammation plays a key role in the development of POCD. N-3 fatty acids have been shown to have a beneficial effect on inflammation. We hypothesised that perioperative n-3 enriched nutrition therapy would reduce the incidence of POCD in this group of patients. Methods: Randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial in patients aged 65 or older undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. 2x 250 mL placebo (Ensure Plus™, Abbott Nutrition) or n-3 enriched nutrition therapy (ProSure™ Abbott Nutrition) were administered for ten days starting 5 days prior to surgery. Cognition was assessed preoperatively and 7 days after surgery with the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease - Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB) [1]. Results: 16 patients were included. Mean age was 72 } 5.3 for placebo and 75 } 4.8 for ProSure™ respectively. CRP and IL-6 did not differ significantly between groups preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Preoperative CERAD total scores were 86 } 10 and 81 } 9 (p = n.s.) for Placebo and ProSure™, respectively. Postoperative scores were 88 } 12, and 77 } 19 (p = n.s.) The change in score was not different between the two groups (Placebo: +3 } 5; ProSure: -5 } 11). Conclusion: In this very small sample no effect of preoperatively started n-3 enriched nutritional supplements on inflammation or cognitive functions were detected. However, there is a large likelihood of a type II error and more patients need to be included to assess possible beneficial effects of this intervention in elderly patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. 1 Chandler MJ, et al. Neurology. 2005;65:102-6.

Wireless Sensor Networks for Infrastructure Monitoring, TR-611, 2010

A good system of preventive bridge maintenance enhances the ability of engineers to manage and monitor bridge conditions, and take proper action at the right time. Traditionally infrastructure inspection is performed via infrequent periodical visual inspection in the field. Wireless sensor technology provides an alternative cost-effective approach for constant monitoring of infrastructures. Scientific data-acquisition systems make reliable structural measurements, even in inaccessible and harsh environments by using wireless sensors. With advances in sensor technology and availability of low cost integrated circuits, a wireless monitoring sensor network has been considered to be the new generation technology for structural health monitoring. The main goal of this project was to implement a wireless sensor network for monitoring the behavior and integrity of highway bridges. At the core of the system is a low-cost, low power wireless strain sensor node whose hardware design is optimized for structural monitoring applications. The key components of the systems are the control unit, sensors, software and communication capability. The extensive information developed for each of these areas has been used to design the system. The performance and reliability of the proposed wireless monitoring system is validated on a 34 feet span composite beam in slab bridge in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The micro strain data is successfully extracted from output-only response collected by the wireless monitoring system. The energy efficiency of the system was investigated to estimate the battery lifetime of the wireless sensor nodes. This report also documents system design, the method used for data acquisition, and system validation and field testing. Recommendations on further implementation of wireless sensor networks for long term monitoring are provided.

Patterns of protein and carbohydrate accumulation during somatic embryogenesis of Acca sellowiana

The aim of this work was to quantify the protein, starch and total sugars levels during histodifferentiation and development of somatic embryos of Acca sellowiana Berg. For histological observations, the samples were dehydrated in a battery of ethanol, embedded in historesin and stained with toluidine blue (morphology), coomassie blue (protein bodies) and periodic acid-Schiff (starch). Proteins were extracted using a buffer solution, precipitated using ethanol and quantified using the Bradford reagent. Total sugars were extracted using a methanol-chloroform-water (12:5:3) solution and quantified by a reaction with anthrone at 0.2%. Starch was extracted using a 30% perchloric acid solution and quantified by a reaction with anthrone at 0.2%. During the somatic embryogenesis' in vitro morphogenesis and differentiation processes, the total protein levels decreased and the soluble sugars levels increased during the first 30 days in culture and remained stable until the 120th day. On the other hand, total protein levels increased according to the progression in the developmental stages of the somatic embryos. The levels of total sugars and starch increased in the heart and cotyledonary stages, and decreased in the torpedo and pre-cotyledonary stages. These compounds play a central role in the development of somatic embryos of Acca sellowiana.

Prevalence of cognitive disorders in HIV plus patients with long-term suppression of viremia

Background: HAART has contributed to decrease the HIV-related mortality and morbidity. However, the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) seems to have increased. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive complaint and of HAND in a cohort of aviremic HIV_patients in the South-western part of Switzerland. Design/Methods: Two hundred HIV_ patients who had (1) undetectable HIV RNA concentrations in the plasma for_3 months, (2) no history of major opportunistic infection of the CNS in the past three years, (3) no current use of IV drugs and (4) no signs of major depression according to the DSM-IV criteria, answered a questionnaire designed to elicit cognitive complaints. Cognitive functions of a subset of HIV_ patients with or without cognitive complaints were assessed using the HIV Dementia scale (HDS) and a battery of neuropsychological tests evaluating the sub-cortical functions. Cognitive impairment was defined according to the revised diagnostic criteria for HAND. Non-parametric tests were used for statistics and a Bonferroni corrected standard p level of pB0.002 was applied for multiple comparisons. Results: The prevalence of cognitive complaints was 27% (54 patients) among the 200 questioned patients. At the time of writing this abstract, cognitive functions of 50 complaining and 28 noncomplaining aviremic patients had been assessed with the HDS and the full neuropsychological battery. The prevalence of HAND producing at least mild interference in daily functioning (mild neurocognitive disorders [MND] or HIV-associated dementia [HAD]) was 44% (34/78 patients) in the group who underwent neuropsychological testing. Objective evidences of HAND were more frequent in complaining than in non-complaining patients (pB0.001). Using a ROC curve, a cut-off of 13 on the HDS was found to have a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 71% (p_0.001) for the diagnosis of HAND. A trend for lower CNS Penetrating-Effectiveness scores for HAART in patients with MND or HAD as compared to the others was present (1.59 0.6 vs. 1.990.6; p_0.006 [Bonferroni correction]). Conclusions/Relevance: So far, our results suggest that (1) the prevalence of HAND is high in HIV_ patients with a long-term suppression of viremia, and (2) cognitive complaints expressed by aviremic HIV_ patients should be carefully investigated as they correlate with objective evidences of cognitive decline in a neuropsychological testing. HAART with a high CNS penetrating-effectiveness may contribute to prevent HAND. Funding: Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

Persistence of cognitive impairment and its negative impact on psychosocial functioning in lithium-treated, euthymic bipolar patients: a 6-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Previous cross-sectional studies report that cognitive impairment is associated with poor psychosocial functioning in euthymic bipolar patients. There is a lack of long-term studies to determine the course of cognitive impairment and its impact on functional outcome. Method A total of 54 subjects were assessed at baseline and 6 years later; 28 had DSM-IV TR bipolar I or II disorder (recruited, at baseline, from a Lithium Clinic Program) and 26 were healthy matched controls. They were all assessed with a cognitive battery tapping into the main cognitive domains (executive function, attention, processing speed, verbal memory and visual memory) twice over a 6-year follow-up period. All patients were euthymic (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score lower than 8 and Young mania rating scale score lower than 6) for at least 3 months before both evaluations. At the end of follow-up, psychosocial functioning was also evaluated by means of the Functioning Assessment Short Test. RESULTS: Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of covariance showed that there were main effects of group in the executive domain, in the inhibition domain, in the processing speed domain, and in the verbal memory domain (p<0.04). Among the clinical factors, only longer illness duration was significantly related to slow processing (p=0.01), whereas strong relationships were observed between impoverished cognition along time and poorer psychosocial functioning (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Executive functioning, inhibition, processing speed and verbal memory were impaired in euthymic bipolar out-patients. Although cognitive deficits remained stable on average throughout the follow-up, they had enduring negative effects on psychosocial adaptation of patients.

Design of an Embedded Computer Board for Networking Applications

Tämä diplomityö tehtiin Convergens Oy:lle. Convergens on elektroniikan suunnittelutoimisto, joka on erikoistunut sulautettuihin järjestelmiin sekä tietoliikennetekniikkaan. Diplomityön tavoitteena oli suunnitella tietokonekortti tietoliikennesovelluksia varten asiakkaalle, jolta vaatimusmäärittelyt tulivat. Työ on rajattu koskemaan laitteen prototyypin suunnittelua. Työssä suunnitellaan pääasiassa WLAN-tukiaseman tietokone. Tukiasema onasennettavissa toimistoihin, varastoihin, kauppoihin sekä myös liikkuvaan ajoneuvoon. Suunnittelussa on otettu nämä asiat huomioon, ja laitteen akun pystyy lataamaan muun muassa auton akulla. Langattomat tekniikat ovat voimakkaasti yleistymässä, ja tämän työn tukiasema tarjoaakin varteenotettavan vaihtoehdon lukuisilla ominaisuuksillaan. Mukana on mm. GPS, Bluetooth sekä Ethernet-valmius. Langattomien tekniikoiden lisäksi myös sulautetut järjestelmät ovat voimakkaasti yleistymässä, ja nykyään mikroprosessoreita löytääkin lähesmistä vain. Tässä projektissa käytetty prosessori on nopeutensa puolesta kilpailukykyinen, ja siitä löytyy useita eri rajapintoja. Jatkossa tietokonekortille on myös tulossa WiMAX-tuki, joka lisää tukiaseman tulevaisuuden arvoa asiakkaalle. Projektiin valittu Freescalen MPC8321E-prosessori on PowerPC-arkkitehtuuriin perustuva ja juuri markkinoille ilmestynyt. Tämä toi mukanaan lisähaasteen, sillä kyseisestä prosessorista ei ollut vielä kaikkea tietoa saatavilla. Mekaniikka toi omat haasteensa mukanaan, sillä se rajoitti piirilevyn koonniin, että ylimääräistä piirilevytilaa ei juurikaan jäänyt. Tämän takia esimerkiksi DDR-muistit olivat haastavia reitittää, sillä muistivetojen on oltava melko samanpituisia keskenään. Käyttöjärjestelmänä projektissa käytetään Linuxia. Suunnittelu alkoi keväällä 2007 ja toimiva prototyyppi oli valmis alkusyksystä. Prototyypin testaus osoitti, että tietokonekortti kykenee täyttämään kaikki asiakkaan vaatimukset. Prototyypin testauksessa löytyneet viat ja optimoinnit on tarkoitus korjata tuotantomalliin, joten se antaa hyvän pohjan jatkosuunnittelua varten.

Luotettavuuskeskeisen kunnossapidon soveltaminen vaneriteollisuuden koneille

Diplomityön tarkoituksena on tutkia luotettavuuskeskeisen kunnossapidon soveltamista Raute Oyj:n vanerikoneille. Työn tavoitteena on luoda suunnitelma luotettavuuskeskeisen kunnossapidon soveltamiseksi Raute Oyj:llä. Tavoitteena on myös kehittää malli ennakkohuoltosuunnitelmien sekä kriittisten huoltojen ja varaosien määrittelyyn päälinjoille. Kunnossapitoliiketoiminta on Rautella voimakkaasti kasvava liiketoiminta-alue. Voimakkaan kasvun seurauksena on yritykseen syntynyt kunnossapitotoimintojen kehitystarve. Luotettavuuskeskeistä kunnossapitoa hyödyntämällä on tarkoitus kehittää vanerikoneiden kunnossapitoa ja luoda Rautelle kunnossapitotuotteita. Työssä on tutkittu luotettavuuskeskeisen kunnossapidon soveltamista va-neriteollisuuden koneille laitevalmistajan näkökulmasta. Työssä on käsitelty kirjallisuuden pohjalta vanerin valmistusprosessia, vanerikoneita, kunnossapitoa sekä luotettavuuskeskeistä kunnossapitoa. Lisäksi on selvitetty vanerikoneiden kunnossapidon nykytilaa Raute Oyj:llä ja sen asiakkaiden vaneritehtaissa. Työn tuloksena syntyi toimintaehdotus luotettavuuskeskeisen kunnossapidon soveltamiseksi Rauten tuotteille. Ennakkohuoltosuunnitelmien luomiseen ja kehittämiseen työssä syntyi kunnossapitomalli, jonka pohjalta työssä luotiin xy-pöllinkeskittäjälle luotettavuuskeskeiseen kunnossapitoon perustuva ennakkohuoltosuunnitelma sekä määritettiin kriittiset varaosat.

Golfkentän viheriöleikkureiden käytöstä aiheutuvat ympäristövaikutukset

Golfin suosion kasvaessa ja golfkenttien määrän lisääntyessä kenttien ympäristövaikutuksiin on alettu kiinnittää entistä enemmän huomiota. Golfkenttien viheriöiden, esiviheriöiden ja tii-paikkojen ruohon leikkaus on yksi ympäristöön vaikuttava toimenpide kentän hoidossa, koska leikkaus suoritetaan polttomoottorikäyttöisillä viheriöleikkureilla. Tämän diplomityön tilaajana toiminut Actioneco Oy halusi selvittää kehittämänsä uudentyyppisen, akkukäyttöisen viheriöleikkurin käytöstä aiheutuvat ympäristövaikutukset polttomoottorikäyttöiseen leikkuriin verrattuna. Työn tavoitteena oli tuottaa tietoa viheriöleikkureiden ympäristövaikutuksista leikkurivalmistajille ja golfkentille sekä luoda malli, jonka avulla käytöstä syntyviä ympäristövaikutuksia voidaan tarkastella erilaisilla kentillä leikkurityypistä riippuen. Työn tarkoituksena oli myös tuoda esiin hyödyt, joita ympäristöystävällisen leikkurityypin käyttöön liittyy. Viheriöleikkureiden käytön ympäristövaikutukset selvitettiin elinkaariarvioinnin avulla. Merkittävämmäksi ympäristövaikutukseksi osoittautui ilmaston lämpeneminen, joka aiheutui pääasiassa hiilidioksidista. Syntyvien päästöjen määrissä oli kuitenkin huomattava ero tutkittavien leikkurityyppien välillä. Koska akkukäyttöisten leikkureiden käytöstä aiheutuu vähemmän ympäristöön vaikuttavia päästöjä, on niiden käyttö suositeltavampaa polttomoottorikäyttöisten leikkureiden käyttöön verrattuna. Ympäristöystävällisempien leikkureiden käytöllä on mahdollista saavuttaa myösgolfkenttäyhtiön toimintaan positiivisesti vaikuttavia hyötyjä.

Microgrids and their operations

Interconnection of loads and small size generation forms a new type of distribution systems, the Microgrid. The microgrids can be operated together with the utility grid or be operated autonomously in an island. Thesesmall grids present a new paradigm of the construction of the low voltage distribution systems. The microgrids in the distribution systems can become small, controllable units, which immediately react to the system's changes. Along with that the microgrids can realize the special properties, such as increasing the reliability, reducing losses, voltage sag correction, uninterruptible supplying. The goals of the thesis are to explain the principles of the microgrid's functioning, to clarify the main ideas and positive features of the microgrids, to find out and prove their advantages and explain why they are so popular nowadays all over the world. The practical aims of the thesis are to construct and build a test setup of a microgrid based on two inverters from SMA Technologie AG in the laboratory and to test all the main modes and parameters of the microgrid's operating. Also the purpose of the thesis is to test the main component of the microgrid - the battery inverter which controls allthe processes and energy flows inside a microgrid and communicates with the main grid. Based on received data the main contribution of the thesis consists of the estimation of the established microgrid from the reliability, economy and simplicity of operating points of view and evaluation ofthe advisability of its use in different conditions. Moreover, the thesis assumes to give the recommendations and advice for the future investigations of the built system.

Suivi neurodéveloppemental à 5ans des extrêmes prématurés et détection des difficultés sur le plan des fonctions exécutives [Detection of executive function disorders with a standard neurodevelopmental follow-up of premature children].

INTRODUCTION: A significant proportion of prematurely born children encounter behavioral difficulties, such as attention deficit or hyperactivity, which could be due to executive function disorders. AIMS: To examine whether the standard neurodevelopmental assessment offered to premature children in Switzerland recognizes executive function disorders. METHODS: The study population consisted of 49 children born before 29 weeks of gestation who were examined between 5 and 6 years of age with a standard assessment, with additional items to assess executive functioning. Children with severe neurodevelopmental impairment were excluded (mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism). Standard assessment consisted in the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), which comprises three subscales: sequential processes (analysis of sequential information), simultaneous processes (global analysis of visual information), and composite mental processes (CMP) (result of the other two scales), as well as a behavioral evaluation using the standardized Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Executive functioning was assessed with tasks evaluating visual attention, divided attention, and digit memory as well as with a specialized questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Index of Executive Functions (BRIEF), which evaluates several aspects of executive function (regulation, attention, flexibility, working memory, etc). RESULTS: Children were divided according to their results on the three K-ABC scales (< or>85), and the different neuropsychological tasks assessing executive function were compared between the groups. The CMP did not differentiate children with executive difficulties, whereas a score<85 on the sequential processes was significantly associated with worse visual and divided attention. There was a strong correlation between the SDQ and the BRIEF questionnaires. For both questionnaires, children receiving psychotherapy had significantly higher results. Children who presented behavioral problems assessed with the SDQ presented significantly higher scores on the BRIEF. CONCLUSION: A detailed analysis of the standard neurodevelopmental assessment allows the identification of executive function disorders in premature children. Children who performed below 85 on the sequential processes of the K-ABC had significantly more attentional difficulties on the neuropsychological tasks and therefore have to be recognized and carefully followed. Emotional regulation had a strong correlation with behavioral difficulties, which were suitably assessed with the SDQ, recognized by the families, and treated.

Verkkonaapuruston valvontatehtävien siirto mobiililaitteelta kiinteälle laitteelle PeerHood -verkossa

PeerHood -verkon mobiililaitteiden akkutehon säästämiseksi siirretään mobiililaitteen verkkonaapuruston valvontatehtävät kiinteälle laitteelle. Valvontatehtävien siirto on tarkoitus tehdä silloin, kun laite pysyy paikallaan, esimerkiksi toimisto tiloissa. Laitteen pysyessä paikallaan voidaan verkkonaapurustoa seurata kiinteän laitteen resursseilla ja päivittää verkkomuutokset mobiililaitteelle tarvittaessa. Mobiililaitteen ollessa vain kuuntelutilassa laite säästää akkutehoa, koska sen ei tarvitse aktiivisesti lähettää dataa verkkolaitteillaan. Verkkolaitteet pysyvät lepotilassa ja odottavat vain tulevaa dataa. Verkkonaapuruston valvontatehtävien siirto ei kuitenkaan vaikuta käyttäjän palveluiden hyödyntämiseen, joten verkkolaitteen akkutehon säästö riippuu suuresti käyttäjän toimista, käyttäjä voi edelleen käyttää muiden PeerHood laitteiden palveluita tai tarjota omiaan.

Let's share perspectives! Mentalistic skills involved in cooperation = ¿A tu Izquierda o a la Mía? Habilidades Mentalistas Implicadas en la Cooperación

Previous research has found a link between theory of mind and cooperation. The aim of this study is to deepen into this relationship, to identify which theory of mind skills are more related to the cooperative capacity on a referential communication task. A total of 50 children from first and fifth grade completed a battery of theory of mind tasks, and also a cooperative task where children worked in pairs to build block models. Each pair was composed by a builder and a guide, who gave instructions to his partner about how to build a replica of the model. The results show a significant relationship between the theory of mind skills and cooperation. Specifically, we found that the second-order false-belief task was the variable most related to cooperation after controlling the effect of age. In addition, we observed that the mentalist skills were more important for cooperation in the builders than in the guides. Finally, we discuss the findings of this study and make suggestions for the future