Consecutive Sets Research Articles

The Infralimbic, but not the Prelimbic Cortex is needed for a Complex Olfactory Memory Task.

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a key role in memory and behavioral flexibility, and a growing body of evidence suggests that the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) subregions contribute differently to these processes. Studies of fear conditioning and goal-directed learning suggest that the PL promotes behavioral responses and memory retrieval, while the IL inhibits them. Other studies have shown that the mPFC is engaged under conditions of high interference. This raises the possibility that the PL and IL play differing roles in resolving interference. To examine this, we first used chemogenetics (DREADDs) to suppress mPFC neuronal activity and tested subjects on a conditional discrimination task known to be sensitive to muscimol inactivation. After confirming the effectiveness of the DREADD procedures, we conducted a second experiment to examine the PL and IL roles in a high interference memory task. We trained rats on two consecutive sets of conflicting odor discrimination problems, A and B, followed by test sessions involving a mid-session switch between the problem sets. Controls repeatedly performed worse on Set A, suggesting that learning Set B inhibited the rats' ability to retrieve Set A memories (i.e. retroactive interference). PL inactivation rats performed similarly to controls. However, IL inactivation rats did not show this effect, suggesting that the IL plays a critical role in suppressing the retrieval of previously acquired memories that may interfere with retrieval of more recent memories. These results suggest that the IL plays a critical role in memory control processes needed for resolving interference.

Time under tension and mechanical variables in the bench press exercise at different rest intervals

Purpose: To analyze the behavior of time under tension (TUT), total work (TW), power (PW), mean velocity (MV), and number of repetitions (NR) during the bench press exercise with distinct rest intervals. Methods: Twenty-one wrestling athletes (body mass: 81.27 ± 14.25kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.07m) completed 5 sets, each consisting of a maximum of 10 repetitions, with either a 1-minute rest interval (RI1) or a 3-minute rest interval (RI3). Results: TUT was higher in RI3 when compared to RI1 in set 5 (p<0.001). NR was higher in RI3 compared to RI1 in set 3 (p=0.016), set 4 (p=0.021), and set 5 (p<0.001). TW was higher in RI3 compared to RI1 in set 3 (p=0.005), set 4 (p=0.007), and set 5 (p<0.001). MV was higher in RI3 compared to RI1 in set 4 (p=0.029) and set 5 (p<0.001). PW was higher in RI3 compared to RI1 in set 4 (p=0.044) and set 5 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The behavior of consecutive sets with a similar number of repetitions but with an increase in TUT or sets with a similar TUT but with a lower number of repetitions were found. Third set appears to be a point of performance reduction worth considering depending on the exercise's goal. Keywords: time under tension; number of repetitions; bench press; rest interval between sets; mechanical variables.

Confidence maps for reliable estimation of proton density fat fraction and in the liver.

The objective was to develop a fully automated algorithm that generates confidence maps to identify regions valid for analysis of quantitative proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and maps of the liver, generated with chemical shift-encoded MRI (CSE-MRI). Confidence maps are urgently needed for automated quality assurance, particularly with the emergence of automated segmentation and analysis algorithms. Confidence maps for both PDFF and maps are generated based on goodness of fit, measured by normalized RMS error between measured complex signals and the CSE-MRI signal model. Based on Cramér-Rao lower bound and Monte-Carlo simulations, normalized RMS error threshold criteria were developed to identify unreliable regions in quantitative maps. Simulation, phantom, and in vivo clinical studies were included. To analyze the clinical data, a board-certified radiologist delineated regions of interest (ROIs) in each of the nine liver segments for PDFF and analysis in consecutive clinical CSE-MRI data sets. The percent area of ROIs in areas deemed unreliable by confidence maps was calculated to assess the impact of confidence maps on real-world clinical PDFF and measurements. Simulations and phantom studies demonstrated that the proposed algorithm successfully excluded regions with unreliable PDFF and measurements. ROI analysis by the radiologist revealed that 2.6% and 15% of the ROIs were placed in unreliable areas of PDFF and maps, as identified by confidence maps. A proposed confidence map algorithm that identifies reliable areas of PDFF and measurements from CSE-MRI acquisitions was successfully developed. It demonstrated technical and clinical feasibility.

On a many-sided matching problem with mixed preferences

Motivated by recent results on lexicographic and cyclic preferences, we present new sufficient conditions for the existence of stable matching in many-sided matching problems. Here, our focus shifted towards integrating the two-sided matching problem, characterized by reciprocal preferences, with the many-sided matching problem, which involves cyclic preferences. In particular, we show that one of the configurations presented recently by Zhang and Zhong for three-sided matching problems can be generalized to more dimensions. In our setting, the preferences are cyclic and, in the case of all but two pairs of consecutive sets of agents, also reciprocal, which generalizes the three-set setting of Zhang and Zhong. Our approach can be also applied to generalize the problems with any system of cyclic preferences for which the existence of a stable matching is guaranteed.

Experimental investigation of a thermochemical energy storage system based on MgSO4-silica gel for building heating: adsorption/desorption performance testing and system optimization

To address the gap between the thermochemical energy storage (TCES) performance of MgSO4-porous matrix composites in small-scale prototypes and their practical application, a TCES system with an output power of 50 kW was designed and constructed to investigate the feasibility of using MgSO4-silica gel composites in large-scale storage systems for long-term heating applications. Thirty consecutive sets of experiments were performed on both the reactor and the system. Aiming at energy storage system for space heating and hot water supply, four parameters (energy consumption, energy storage density, energy storage efficiency, and specific energy storage capacity) were investigated as the key performance evaluation indicators. The experiment results indicated the energy consumption of the heater and humidifier account for approximately 80 % of total energy consumption. The findings also demonstrated the potential to increase the ESD from 0.47 GJ/m3 to 0.76 GJ/m3 by exploiting the heat generated from the additional circulation water in the reactor’s shell. The optimized system achieved an efficiency increase of ∼ 11 %, reaching over 60 %, and the specific energy storage capacity can reach up to 198.15 Wh/kg. In addition, the supply water temperature can stay above 50 °C for roughly 4 h, with a maximum value from 70.1 °C to 82.4 °C, and the water temperature lift was found to as high as 57.4 °C. Additionally, the adsorption heat accounted for approximately 44 % of the total energy storage.

Performance evaluation of 4-day versus 5-day blood cultures using the BD BACTEC FX system

Background: Blood culture (BC) systems have evolved to increase sensitivity and reduce turnaround times. This study compared the performance of a 4-day versus a 5-day BC incubation period using the BD BACTEC™ FX (Becton, Dickinson and Company, USA). Methods: A total of 37,379 consecutive sets of BC were evaluated over a 3-month period in a 2,700-bed tertiary care hospital. Positive BC results were reviewed to assess time-to-positivity (TTP) and species identification of the isolates. The BCs were performed in pairs of vials, utilizing either BD BACTEC Plus Aerobic/F or Peds Plus/F with BD BACTEC Lytic Anaerobic media. Results: A total of 14,899 episodes, averaging 2.51 sets per episode, were analyzed. Of these, 1,398 (9.38%) were positive, yielding 1,465 isolates. TTP (hours) were < 12 in 48.87%, 12-24 in 31.40%, 24-48 in 13.38%, 48-72 in 3.28%, 72-96 in 1.43%, and >96 in 1.64%. The two most prevalent organisms, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. were detected within 12 hours in 88.75% and 78.90%, respectively. The respective median TTP (T50) values for E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus faecalis/E. faecium, and Staphylococcus aureus were 9.24, 9.60, 13.75, and 14.20. T50 values for these species were significantly shorter in anaerobic bottles than in aerobic bottles. Of 24 BCs with TTP > 96, only 4 containing anaerobic bacteria or molds were f irst detected after 96 hours. Conclusion: A 4-day incubation has demonstrated excellent sensitivity. However, a 5-day incubation may be beneficial for hospitals caring for patients at high risk for infections with slow-growing fungi or fastidious bacteria.

Light and Ethephon Overcoming Seed Dormancy in Friar's Crown (Melocactus zehntneri, Cactaceae), a Brazilian Cactus.

Seed germination in Melocactus and other cactus species is hampered by dormancy. However, most studies failed to achieve high seed-germination rates, suggesting a complex mechanism of dormancy in Cactaceae. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate whether factors such as light and phytoregulators overcome the dormancy in the seeds of the friar's crown cactus (Melocactus zehntneri). Two consecutive experimental sets were designed: one with seed germination under filter paper conditions and different wavelengths and Photosynthetically Photon Flux Densities (PPFDs); and one in vitro experiment using a culture medium to evaluate the influence of different phytoregulators, such as gibberellic acid (GA3), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and ethephon (ET), both in the germination of seeds of M. zehntneri. Seeds of M. zehntneri are positive photoblastic. Red light and gradual increases in PPFD resulted in the highest germination rates (60.8-61.7%) and germination speed index (4.4-4.5). In vitro seeding in culture media increased the germination percentage to 76% in control without phytoregulators. Ethephon showed a major effect in releasing the germination of dormant seeds of M. zehntneri, totaling 98% of seeds germinated under in vitro conditions, while GA3 and BAP showed minor or no effect on germination. The present study resulted in an efficient in vitro technique for germination and a better understanding of cacti seed dormancy.

Accuracy of Icare Rebound Tonometer and Its Comparison with Goldman Applanation Tonometer

Purpose: To determine accuracy of iCare rebound tonometer (IRT) in terms of agreement with Goldman Applanation Tonometer (GAT) and effect of Central corneal thickness (CCT) on its accuracy. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department of Ittefaq Hospital Lahore from September 2022 to May 2023. Methods: Participants of the study were recruited through non-probability convenient sampling. With Icare PRO® rebound tonometer (IRT), two consecutive sets of measurements with 6 measurements for each set were made, and the averaged values were used for the statistical analyses. After 5 minutes GAT measurement was taken for intraocular pressure (IOP). CCT was measured by ultrasound pachymetry from mean of 2 measurements noted. Data was analyzed by Bland-Altman plots for determining agreement of GAT-IOP and IRT-IOP. Pearson correlation coefficient determined the correlation of GAT-IOP and IRT-IOP with CCT. Results: Out of 200 participants there were 76 (38%) males and 124 (62%) females. Mean age of participants was 27.84 ± 6.1 years. Mean IOP with IRT was 16.24 ± 2.02 (range 12.1 – 20.3 mmHg). Mean IOP with GAT was 14.40 ± 1.98 (range 11.00 – 19 mmHg). Mean IOP with adjusted CCT using GAT was 14.40 ± 1.64 (range 11 – 18 mmHg). Mean CCT was 544.81 ± 42.04 (range 615 – 471 um). Mean IOP-GAT & IOP-IRT with adjusted CCT showed normal distribution. Mean difference of IOP-GAT and IOP-IRT with t test was 1.83 ± 1.12 (p = .079). Conclusion: There is a strong agreement between IOP-GAT and IOP-IRT. CCT had a strong impact on IOP measurements with both tonometers. However, CCT affected IOP reading of GAT more than IRT.

Pre-test probability for coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain based on machine learning techniques

Abstract Background A correct and prompt diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a crucial component of disease management to reduce the risk of death and improve the quality of life in patients with CAD. Currently, the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend selecting an appropriate pre-diagnosis test for an individual patient according to the CAD probability. The purpose of this study was to develop a practical pre-test probability (PTP) for obstructive CAD in patients with chest pain using machine learning (ML); also, the performance of ML-PTP for CAD is compared to the final result of coronary angiography (CAG). Methods We used a database from a single-center, prospective, all-comer registry designed to reflect real-world practice since 2004. All subjects underwent invasive CAG at our hospital in South Korea. We used logistic regression algorithms, random forest (RF), supporting vector machine, and K-nearest neighbor classification for the ML models. The dataset was divided into two consecutive sets according to the registration period to validate the ML models. ML training for PTP and internal validation used the first dataset registered between 2004 and 2012 (8,631 patients). The second dataset registered between 2013 and 2014 (1,546 patients) was used for external validation. The primary endpoint was obstructive CAD. Obstructive CAD was defined as having a stenosis diameter of greater than 70% on the quantitative CAG of the main epicardial coronary artery. Results We derived an ML-based model consisting of three different models according to the subject used to obtain the information, such as the patient himself (dataset 1), the community's first medical center (dataset 2), and doctors (dataset 3). The performance range of the ML-PTP models as the non-invasive test had C-statistics of 0.795 to 0.984 compared to the result of invasive testing via CAG in patients with chest pain. The training ML-PTP models were adjusted to have 99% sensitivity for CAD so as not to miss actual CAD patients. In the testing dataset, the best accuracy of the ML-PTP model was 45.7% using dataset 1, 47.2% using dataset 2, and 92.8% using dataset 3 and the RF algorithm. The CAD prediction sensitivity was 99.0%, 99.0%, and 98.0%, respectively. Conclusion We successfully developed a high-performance model of ML-PTP for CAD which is expected to reduce the need for non-invasive tests in chest pain. However, since this PTP model is derived from data of a single medical center, multicenter verification is required to use it as a PTP recommended by the major American societies and the ESC.

Agreement of continuous non-invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring (CNAP) and pulmonary artery catheter thermodilution method in estimating the hemodynamic parameters of post CABG patients

Abstract Background The use of hemodynamic parameters in monitoring patients after coronary artery bypass surgery is an essential element of clinical practice. It helps intensivist and physicians to properly manage patients after surgery where hemodynamic parameters are usually dynamic and complicated. Pulmonary artery guided thermodilution (PACT) has been the gold standard in assessing the adequacy of cardiac output, however, its invasive nature is also associated with more complex procedures and the risk of complications, including infections. With the emergence of new non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring devices such as the CNAP (continuous non-invasive arterial pressure), alternative methods for hemodynamic monitoring is now possible. Compared to invasive methods, it is easier to use with an error-free application, safer, less risk of infection and more cost effective. Purpose To determine the agreement of Continuous non-invasive arterial pressure (CNAP) and pulmonary artery guided thermodilution in monitoring the hemodynamic parameters of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit and included 63 patients with Coronary artery disease who underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Cardiac output, Cardiac Index, Stroke volume and Systemic vascular resistance were simultaneously obtained using both the CNAP and PACT. Three consecutive sets of measurements were recorded for each patient with a 3 hour interval; during arrival at the ICU, 3 hours post op, and 6 hours post op. Results The mean difference between PACT-CO and CNAP-CO was -0.81 L/min (SD -1.18 to -0.44) with a 95% limits of agreement of -3.74 to 2.11 L/min on the 0 hour, -0.81L/min (SD -1.22 to -0.41) with a 95% limits of agreement of -1.98 to 1.18 L/min on the 3rd hour, and -0.77L/min (SD -1.08 to -0.46) with a 95% limits of agreement of -3.22 to 1.68 L/min on the 6th hour post op. The results showed a significant difference between the PACT and CNAP. However, a positive correlation was noted between PACT-CO and CNAP-CO, the correlation coefficient on the 0, 3rd and 6th hour were 0.5384, 0.5158, and 0.6265 respectively. Conclusion CNAP derived hemodynamic parameters had a high mean difference compared to the PACT and there was no agreement between the two methods. However, it was able to have a positive correlation with the PACT, making it possible for the CNAP to track the hemodynamic changes during the post operative course.

Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels

Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-λ1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-λ1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-λ1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-λ1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-λ1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn’t detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-λ1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-λ1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon.

Beurling densities of regular maximal orthogonal sets of self-similar spectral measure with consecutive digit sets

Abstract Beurling density plays a key role in the study of frame-spectrality of normalized Lebesgue measure restricted to a set. Accordingly, in this paper, the authors study the s-Beurling densities of regular maximal orthogonal sets of a class of self-similar spectral measures, where s is the Hausdorff dimension of its support and obtain their exact upper bound of the densities.

Persistence and pleasure in VR: Enhancing Exercise Endurance and Enjoyment through Virtual Environments

Virtual Reality (VR) provides an enjoyable addition to stationary physical exercise and can improve performance while exercising. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of three interactive virtual environments (i.e., social, relaxing, stressful) on enjoyment and persistence during strength-based exercises. In a within-subjects experiment, 97 healthy young adults completed four consecutive sets of two strength-based exercises. Participants completed one set as baseline and then each participant completed three more sets in three different interactive environments, experienced through a VR headset. Results showed that both the stressful virtual environment, where participants were hanging suspended over a city, and the social virtual environment where participants were audibly encouraged in a stadium, increased participants’ persistence in both exercises, when compared to the relaxing virtual environment. Specifically, the relaxing sunny beach environment caused poorer performances in a dead hang exercise among men (n = 30), and poorer performances in a core exercise among women (n = 66). Somewhat paradoxically, this relaxing virtual beach environment was considered the most enjoyable environment among both male and female participants. The potential of VR in exercise lies in its ability to provide pleasurable and performance-enhancing immersive environments that may be too expensive or dangerous in reality.

Evaluation and control of data relevance in information systems of the transport industry management

Purpose. Analysis of data coming to the information systems (IS) of the transport area (TA) and development of proposals for verification of their relevance to ensure reliability and efficiency of management. Development of the evaluation and control method of data relevance in information systems of the TA. Methodology. Special and general methods of scientific knowledge are used: critical analysis to establish scenarios of the impact of data relevance on the level of effective interaction of the elements of the system and its management; content analysis for stratification of requirements for data from IS and management decisions at the stage of analysis; mathematical formalization for the development of the data evaluation method and control of their relevance, which is proposed as the mathematical base of the algorithm; method of sequential selection for automatic detection of functional dependence, which describes data with a smaller value of standard error. Findings. Proposals to ensure data relevance have been developed. Data and management decision stratification has been proposed which will allow avoiding common errors due to non-normalization of data presentation. The scenarios of the impact of data relevance on the level of effective interaction of the elements of the transport system and its management have been established. For permanent data control, an algorithm for detecting deviations in consecutive data sets, automatic analysis of specified deviations, and detection of univariate and multivariate nonlinear patterns that cause deviations has been proposed. In case of inconsistencies of data with the identified non-linear patterns, the information is checked by the method of evolutionary programming. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated using the example of analysis of the cargo turnover of seaports whose trends are characterized by significant changes over time and across ports. These trends may even have opposite characteristics. Originality. The method of data evaluation and control of their relevance, which is based on the methods of evolutionary (“genetic”) programming, is developed. Practical value. Proposals for evaluation and control of data relevance in information systems of the TA will increase the efficiency of management activities.

Pre-test probability for coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain based on machine learning techniques

A correct and prompt diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is a crucial component of disease management to reduce the risk of death and improve the quality of life in patients with CAD. Currently, the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend selecting an appropriate pre-diagnosis test for an individual patient according to the CAD probability. The purpose of this study was to develop a practical pre-test probability (PTP) for obstructive CAD in patients with chest pain using machine learning (ML); also, the performance of ML-PTP for CAD is compared to the final result of coronary angiography (CAG). We used a database from a single-center, prospective, all-comer registry designed to reflect real-world practice since 2004. All subjects underwent invasive CAG at Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. We used logistic regression algorithms, random forest (RF), supporting vector machine, and K-nearest neighbor classification for the ML models. The dataset was divided into two consecutive sets according to the registration period to validate the ML models. ML training for PTP and internal validation used the first dataset registered between 2004 and 2012 (8631 patients). The second dataset registered between 2013 and 2014 (1546 patients) was used for external validation. The primary endpoint was obstructive CAD. Obstructive CAD was defined as having a stenosis diameter of >70% on the quantitative CAG of the main epicardial coronary artery. We derived an ML-based model consisting of three different models according to the subject used to obtain the information, such as the patient himself (dataset 1), the community's first medical center (dataset 2), and doctors (dataset 3). The performance range of the ML-PTP models as the non-invasive test had C-statistics of 0.795 to 0.984 compared to the result of invasive testing via CAG in patients with chest pain. The training ML-PTP models were adjusted to have 99% sensitivity for CAD so as not to miss actual CAD patients. In the testing dataset, the best accuracy of the ML-PTP model was 45.7% using dataset 1, 47.2% using dataset 2, and 92.8% using dataset 3 and the RF algorithm. The CAD prediction sensitivity was 99.0%, 99.0%, and 98.0%, respectively. We successfully developed a high-performance model of ML-PTP for CAD which is expected to reduce the need for non-invasive tests in chest pain. However, since this PTP model is derived from data of a single medical center, multicenter verification is required to use it as a PTP recommended by the major American societies and the ESC.

Echo State Network-Enabled Intelligent Smart Sensor Design for Creating a Robotic Nervous System

Introduction: The echo states that networks in the Internet of Things (IoT) are currently being implemented in the widest sense. Echo state networks are fast and efficient recurrent neural networks. This consists of an input layer, a reservoir with many sparsely connected neurons, and an output layer. Issues: In the existing wireless sensor networks, strong mobility may disrupt an existing link between two communicating nodes. There is an inconvenience in data communication, and then it searches for a new node to build a better connection. Methods: To overcome these issues, the recently introduced echo state network (ESN) model opened the way to an extremely efficient approach for designing neural networks for temporal data. The study focuses on the ESN-enabled Intelligent Smart Sensor Design (IS2D) for creating the robotic nervous system with a smart healthcare Digital Nervous System (DNS) using the techniques of IoT, DNS, and Smart Sensor Design and Strain Sensor Fabrication (SSF). Results: Experimental results demonstrate the training set testing against the IS2D, the confusion matrix for ESN outcome, the real-time healthcare monitoring for the DNS, the IS2D sensor accuracy, and the DNS intensity calculation. Discussion: The performance analysis of the proposed model in realistic environments attests to the benefits of energy-centric metrics such as energy consumption, network lifetime, delay, and throughput. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities by summarizing the study and proposing possible future works. The training set testing against the IS2D is based on time count, and the voltage result is estimated. The first portion of the data set should be 11.46% at the initial level. Further, this will increase from 1% to 5%, from 6% to 10%, and from 16% to 28% at the consecutive data set. The confusion matrix for ESN outcome is based on accuracy 28.45% higher than the existing strategies. In this part, the initial accuracy is 8.45% while accessing the initial stage. This value should increase with consecutive data sets from 18.45% to 28.45%.

A Case of Mycobacterium abscessus Identified by Suspicious Gram Staining in the Blood Culture of a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure

Mycobacterium abscessus (M.abscessus), which is from the group of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and is widely found in the natural environment, has been reported with increasing frequency as the causative agent of various infections; especially in the lower respiratory tract and in immuncompromised people. In this report, a case of M.abscessus, which developed tubular adenoma, pancytopenia and sepsis on the basis of chronic renal failure (CRF) was diagnosed by suspecting the causative agent in the Gram stain examination prepared from blood culture, was presented. A 49-year-old patient with CRF, who had complaints of weight loss, weakness, and loss of appetite for the last six months, admitted to the emergency department with a 7-8-day history of severe diarrhea and fever. Besides other tests, as the white blood cell count was 1.6 x 103/µl, neutrophil count was 80.6%, hemoglobin was 9.3 g/ dl and the platelet value was 36 x 103/µl in the blood samples, the patient was first taken into internal medicine service and then to the intensive care unit with a preliminary diagnosis of hypotension and sepsis. Meropenem and teicoplanin were started with the preliminary diagnosis of peritonitis in the internal medicine service. In addition to other tests, on the fifth day of antibiotic treatment, two consecutive sets of blood cultures were taken and sent to the microbiology laboratory. A positive signal was obtained from two aerobic blood culture samples at 42 and 45 hours of incubation in the BacT/Alert device. No bacteria were observed in the Gram staining of these samples and Erhlich Ziehl Neelsen (EZN) staining was performed because the structures considered as dye residues were noted as a result of the examination. Acid-fast bacteria were observed in the EZN-stained slide examination, and a panic report was given to the clinician. The patient died shortly after the notification was made in the evening hours. On culture plates inoculated after a positive signal, at the end of two days of aerobic incubation at 37 °C, small smooth S colonies grew on chocolate and sheep blood agar. Growing bacteria were detected as positive by EZN staining and identified as M.abscessus with 99.9% confidence by MALDI-TOF MS. After the bacterium was named as M.abscessus, the isolates were sent to the tuberculosis central laboratory of Süreyyapaşa Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Hospital for molecular typing. After DNA extraction from the growing colonies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), they were typed using the GenoType NTM-DR (Hain Lifescience GmbH, Germany) kit and identified as M.abscessus, consistent with the MALDITOF MS result. After the species level identification, the erm, rrl (clarithromycin, azithromycin), and rrs (kanamycin, amikacin, and gentamicin) genes were investigated in the isolate, and it was determined that the bacteria were resistant to macrolides and sensitive to aminoglycosides. In the clinic, it should be noted that, non-tuberculous mycobacteria may play a role as an agent in immunocompromised people. On the other hand, it should be considered that non-tuberculosis bacteria may be the causative agent, with gram-positive bacilli appearing as stain residues or pale staining in Gram stains made from samples of such patients. As in this case, if the agent is seen as dye residue in blood culture Gram staining samples, it may be life-saving to suspect the agent and to report the result to the clinician accurately and quickly after EZN staining.

Fingerprints, barcode sequences and quasi-phylogenies-Tools for analysing polyphonic music.

A data flow is presented for visualising the evolution of elementary structures of polyphonic music from early Baroque to late Romantic, using quasi-phylogenies based on fingerprint diagrams and barcode sequence data of 2-tuples of consecutive vertical pitch class sets (pcs). The present methodological study, which sees itself as a proof of concept for a data-driven approach, uses examples of music from the Baroque, the Viennese School and the Romantic era to show that such quasi-phylogenies can be generated from multi-track MIDI (v. 1) files that largely correspond to the eras and the chronology of compositions and composers. The method presented is considered to have the potential to support the analysis of a wide range of musicological questions. In the context of collaborative work on quasi-phylogenies of polyphonic music, a public data archive could be established that provides multi-track MIDI files with contextual data.

The Effects of Two Different Rest Intervals on the Repeated Skating Ability of Ice Hockey Forwards and Defensemen.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different rest intervals (2 min and 3 min), between two consecutive sets of repeated sprint skating ability (RSSA) tests, on the repeated sprint ability of ice hockey Forwards and Defensemen. Two protocols of RSSA tests, RSSA-2 and RSSA-3, were completed by 16 ice hockey Forwards and 8 Defensemen. Defensemen were heavier (p < 0.05) than Forwards, although their % body fat did not differ significantly. In RSSA-2, athletes performed six sets of 3×80 m sprint skating with 2 min passive recovery between two consecutive sets. In RSSA-3, the rest interval between the sets was 3 min. Average speed, average heart rate (HRaver), blood lactate concentration ([BLa]), and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured in both RSSA-2 and RSSA-3 tests. Both Forwards and Defensemen skated faster in RSSA-3 than in the corresponding set of RSSA-2. Forwards were faster than Defensemen in both the tests, however, the difference was significant (p < 0.05) only in RSSA-2. In Forwards and Defensemen, HRaver increased gradually from set 1 through set 6 in RSSA-2 and RSSA-3. In most of the sets, RPE was higher in RSSA-2 than in RSSA-3, and Defensemen perceived higher exertion than Forwards. No difference in [BLa] was noted between Forwards and Defensemen, although players of both positions showed higher [BLa] in RSSA-3 than in RSSA-2. This study concludes that (1) Forwards skate faster than Defensemen, (2) average heart rate and [BLa] do not vary between Forwards and Defensemen, and (3) a higher perceived exertion is observed in Defensemen than Forwards during repeated sprint skating tests.

Mechanical performance of shotcrete shell accompanied with steel sets

The appropriate support system for tunnels in squeezing conditions is the hybrid supporting system consisting of steel sets and a shotcrete layer. The stiffness of this hybrid supporting system is variable between two consecutive steel sets, i.e., a greater value in the vicinity of the steel sets than in other locations. This is because, the contribution of steel sets to confine tunnel convergence is not uniform, but depends upon the distance to each steel frame. Accordingly, the tunnel convergence becomes non-uniform between two consecutive steel sets, and a bending moment is developed on the shotcrete layer, which may influence its design.In this paper, an analytical model is presented to simulate the shotcrete performance between two consecutive steel sets. For this purpose, the shotcrete layer is considered a shell fastened by consecutive steel rings. Using the principles of the theory of shells in the axisymmetric condition, it is assumed that the shotcrete is composed of longitudinal elements glued together from their sides. Therefore, the problem is simplified to analyzing continuous beams leaned on consecutive supports but subjected to loading from the radial and tangential directions. By employing the convergence confinement method, the non-uniform displacements are found.The results obtained with this theoretical simulation well agree with those of numerical modeling by FLAC3D. Therefore, the presented theoretical solution can provide a tool for the preliminary design of the shotcrete layer and an initial estimate of its performance to be used in more complicated numerical models. The results show that the non-uniform radial displacement and bending moment enhance by increasing the tunnel depth and decreasing the rock mass quality. As well, as the thickness of the shotcrete increases, the bending moment reduces.