Final Portions Research Articles

Automated Adaptive Absolute Binding Free Energy Calculations.

Alchemical absolute binding free energy (ABFE) calculations have substantial potential in drug discovery, but are often prohibitively computationally expensive. To unlock their potential, efficient automated ABFE workflows are required to reduce both computational cost and human intervention. We present a fully automated ABFE workflow based on the automated selection of λ windows, the ensemble-based detection of equilibration, and the adaptive allocation of sampling time based on inter-replicate statistics. We find that the automated selection of intermediate states with consistent overlap is rapid, robust, and simple to implement. Robust detection of equilibration is achieved with a paired t-test between the free energy estimates at initial and final portions of a an ensemble of runs. We determine reasonable default parameters for all algorithms and show that the full workflow produces equivalent results to a nonadaptive scheme over a variety of test systems, while often accelerating equilibration. Our complete workflow is implemented in the open-source package A3FE (https://github.com/michellab/a3fe).

Blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in apnoea divers.

What is the central question of this study? Does the hyperbaric, hypercapnic, acidotic, hypoxic stress of apnoea diving lead to greater pulmonary vasoreactivity and increased right heart work in apnoea divers? What is the main finding and its importance? Compared with sex- and age-matched control subjects, divers experienced significantly less change in total pulmonary resistance in response to short-duration isocapnic hypoxia. With oral sildenafil (50mg), there were no differences in total pulmonary resistance between groups, suggesting that divers can maintain normal pulmonary artery tone in hypoxic conditions. Blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction might be beneficial during apnoea diving. Competitive apnoea divers dive repetitively to depths >50m. During the final portions of ascent, divers experience significant hypoxaemia. Additionally, hyperbaria during diving increases thoracic blood volume while simultaneously reducing lung volume and increasing pulmonary artery pressure. We hypothesized that divers would have exaggerated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, leading to increased right heart work owing to their repetitive hypoxaemia and hyperbaria, and that the administration of sildenafil would have a greater effect in reducing pulmonary resistance in divers. We recruited 16 divers (Divers) and 16 age- and sex-matched non-diving control subjects (Controls). Using a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, participants were evaluated for normal cardiac and lung function, then their cardiopulmonary responses to 20-30 min of isocapnic hypoxia (end-tidal partial pressure of O2 =50mmHg) were measured 1 h after ingestion of 50mg sildenafil or placebo. Cardiac structure and cardiopulmonary function were similar at baseline. With placebo, Divers had a significantly smaller increase in total pulmonary resistance than Controls after 20-30min isocapnic hypoxia (change -3.85±72.85vs. 73.74±91.06dyns cm-5 , P=0.0222). With sildenafil, Divers and Controls had similar blunted increases in total pulmonary resistance after 20-30 min of hypoxia. Divers also had a significantly lower systemic vascular resistance after sildenafil in normoxia. These data indicate that repetitive apnoea diving leads to a blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. We suggest that this is a beneficial adaption allowing for increased cardiac output with reduced right heart work and thus reducing cardiac oxygen utilization in hypoxaemic conditions.

A comparison of the physicochemical properties of AH Plus Jet with samples taken from the beginning, middle and final portions of the automix syringe system

Aim To evaluate physicochemical properties and semi-quantitative elemental analysis of AH Plus Jet with samples from the beginning, middle and final portions of the automix syringe system. Methodology Three experimental groups based on the source of the material used (beginning, middle and final portion) were established for each of the evaluated properties. Setting time, flow and radiopacity were evaluate following ANSI/ADA n. 57 specification. Set specimens was used in the semi-quantitative elemental analysis in an energy-dispersive X ray spectroscopy and scanning-electron microscopy (EDS/SEM). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test (P<0.05). Results Flow, setting time, solubility and EDS/SEM tests showed no significant differences among the three portions of the automix syringe (P>0.05). Radiopacity test showed significant differences in the beginning of the syringe comparing to the middle and final portions (P<0.05). EDS/SEM analysis identified the presence of C, O, Al, Ca, Zr and W. The element Al, however, was found only in the final portion of the syringe. Conclusions The results of AH Plus Jet suggested an adequate ratio of the components, without segregation between organic and inorganic components, since the results of setting time, flow, solubility and EDS/SEM analysis presented similar values regardless of the portion of the syringe from where the sealer was taken.

Blockchain-based internet of medical things (IoMT) for healthcare management

When it comes to the use of the Internet of Things (IoT), the healthcare sector is set to become the next frontier of the digital revolution thanks to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Due to their weight, importance, and sensitivity, these files must be protected in the strictest manner. Now that blockchain is becoming more widespread, scientists are concentrating on how to use blockchain tactics within healthcare management to improve data security. Nevertheless, owing to the differing needs of these two technologies, such integration is exceptionally complex and demanding. In order to help users, take full control of their data, this study provides an overview of the current state of blockchain platforms for the IoMT by focusing on the difficulties presented by combination systems. This article will examine blockchain's use in healthcare IoT, including supply chain transparency, health data arrangement, smart contracts, and IoT security for remote monitoring. The final portions focus on challenges and potential developments in the future.

Anesthetic agents affect urodynamic parameters and anesthetic depth at doses necessary to facilitate preclinical testing in felines

Urodynamic studies, used to understand bladder function, diagnose bladder disease, and develop treatments for dysfunctions, are ideally performed with awake subjects. However, in small and medium-sized animal models, anesthesia is often required for these procedures and can be a research confounder. This study compared the effects of select survival agents (dexmedetomidine, alfaxalone, and propofol) on urodynamic (Δpressure, bladder capacity, bladder compliance, non-voiding contractions, bladder pressure slopes) and anesthetic (change in heart rate [∆HR], average heart rate [HR], reflexes, induction/recovery times) parameters in repeated cystometrograms across five adult male cats. The urodynamic parameters under isoflurane and α-chloralose were also examined in terminal procedures for four cats. Δpressure was greatest with propofol, bladder capacity was highest with α-chloralose, non-voiding contractions were greatest with α-chloralose. Propofol and dexmedetomidine had the highest bladder pressure slopes during the initial and final portions of the cystometrograms respectively. Cats progressed to a deeper plane of anesthesia (lower HR, smaller ΔHR, decreased reflexes) under dexmedetomidine, compared to propofol and alfaxalone. Time to induction was shortest with propofol, and time to recovery was shortest with dexmedetomidine. These agent-specific differences in urodynamic and anesthetic parameters in cats will facilitate appropriate study-specific anesthetic choices.

Caregiver Issues and Concerns Following TBI: A Review of the Literature and Future Directions

Survival following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has increased following advances in medical care. However, TBI survivors often experience significant deficits in cognitive function, psychological disturbance, and residual physical deficits. The caregivers for these survivors, who are often family members, may have limited capacity to provide the services and care that are required. Limitations in capacity may be attributable to poor preparation, increased burden, lack of appropriate resources, and lack of required support. Likewise, there are resultant consequences for the caregiver and the survivor. The purpose of this paper is to review issues associated with caregiver capacity including preparation, burden, burnout, and consequences. In the latter portion of the paper, assessment of caregiver readiness and understanding and intervention is described (as well as current limitations). The final portions of the paper describe future directions, the call for increased research, and medicolegal implications.

Passive Stiffness and Maximal and Explosive Strength Responses After an Acute Bout of Constant-Tension Stretching.

Constant-tension (CT) stretching has been used to reduce hamstrings passive stiffness; however, the time course of hamstrings stiffness responses during a short bout of this type of stretching and the effects on maximal and explosive strength remain unclear. To examine the time course of hamstrings passive-stiffness responses during a short, practical bout of manual straight-legged-raise (SLR) CT passive stretches and their effects on maximal and explosive strength in healthy young women. Descriptive laboratory study. Research laboratory. Eleven healthy women (age = 24 ± 4 years, height = 167 ± 4 cm, mass = 65 ± 8 kg) participated. Participants underwent four 15-second SLR CT passive stretches of the hamstrings. Hamstrings passive stiffness was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curves generated before and after the stretching intervention and at the beginning of each 15-second stretch. Hamstrings peak torque and rate of torque development were derived from maximal voluntary isometric contractions performed before and after the stretching intervention. The slope coefficients (collapsed across phase) for the third and fourth stretches and the poststretching assessment were lower than the prestretching assessment (P range = .004-.04), but they were not different from each other (P > .99). In addition, no differences in peak torque (t10 = -0.375, P = .72) or rate of torque development (t10 = -0.423, P = .68) were observed between prestretching and poststretching. A short bout of SLR CT passive stretching may effectively reduce hamstrings stiffness without negatively influencing maximal and explosive strength.

TF-7 Zero Waste Emergency Medicine: A Visual Aid for Clinical Decision Rules in Minor Head Trauma Injury Patients

Infographics are a novel educational tool that can bridge the gap between knowledge and translation of clinical decision rules (CDRs). They improve the dissemination of ideas through the practice of short eye-catching graphics that present seemingly complex ideas using easily understandable pictorials. They improve knowledge retention and learning interest. Our proposal is a curriculum designed to train faculty and resident physicians in the Choosing Wisely initiatives and to improve retention and application using infographics. We will focus on the use of computed tomography in minor head injury adult and pediatric patients. This project follows Kern’s approach to curriculum development focused on dissemination of clinical decision rules for head imaging in minor trauma in both adult and pediatric patients. Although these risk stratification tools have been taught in residency training for decades, their use for clinical decisionmaking in the workplace has been limited. This project aims to use industry-standard, well-designed infographics posted in the clinical areas of the ED to try to improve the accessibility and awareness of CDRs regarding head imaging in minor trauma. The goal is to improve risk communication to patients and decrease unnecessary imaging in our trauma patients. We hope to foster collaborative approaches to clinical decisionmaking for patients who are often cared for by an interdisciplinary team represented by surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics, often involving different learner levels. By placing these graphics in areas where clinical decisions are made, we hope to change low yield testing practices that lead to unnecessary use of advanced imaging. An international, multiple disciplinary team developed a designed-centered visual aid for the PECARN Head CT Rule, and the Canadian Head CT Rule. These are both CDRs used to identify patients who can be discharged without imaging in minor head trauma. Faculty and residents in the department of emergency medicine were surveyed to assess familiarity with the Choosing Wisely Campaign, CDRs in minor head trauma, and the frequency of CDR use in clinical practice. The final portions of this survey compare our intervention visual aid to a prior designed graphic disseminated from ACEP. We plan to disseminate these infographics by posting them in the resuscitation rooms and clinical areas of the Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) emergency department in large poster format. When surveyed on use on CDRs in clinical practice, 65.2% of respondents state they “always” or “mostly” use CDRs when risk stratifying adult patients with head trauma compared to 94.2% in pediatric head trauma. In comparing our visual aid to a prior released visual aid from ACEP, 58% of respondents preferred our visual aid when communicating the CDR to another provider, and 73% preferred our visual aid when communicating the CDR to a novice learner. Many emergency medicine residents and attendings use clinical decision rules in daily practice. A simple, industry-standard visual aid for use of computed tomography in minor head injury adult and pediatric patients may improve in education of learners and providers in the team-based clinical setting.

Acute effects of static stretching on passive stiffness and postural balance in healthy, elderly men

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study aimed to examine the acute effects of straight-leg raise (SLR) static stretching on passive stiffness and postural balance in healthy, elderly men. An additional aim of this study was to examine the relationships between stiffness and balance at baseline (prior to stretching) and the relationships between the stretch-induced changes in these variables.Methods: Eleven elderly men (age = 69 ± 6 years; height = 177 ± 7 cm; mass = 83 ± 13 kg) underwent postural balance and passive stiffness assessments before and after: 1) a stretching treatment consisting of four, 15-s SLR static stretches performed by the primary investigator and 2) a control treatment consisting of no static stretching. Passive stiffness was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle–torque curve. Unilateral postural balance was assessed on the right leg using a commercially designed balance testing device, which provides a measurement of static stability based on the overall stability index (OSI).Results: The slope coefficients and OSI values decreased from pre- to post-treatment for the stretching intervention (P = 0.015 and 0.018, respectively); however, there were no changes for the control (P = 0.654 and 0.920). For the stretching intervention, a significant positive relationship was observed between OSI and the slope coefficient of phase 1 at baseline (r = 0.619; P = 0.042). A significant positive relationship was also observed between the stretched-induced changes in OSI and the slope coefficient of phase 1 (r = 0.731; P = 0.011). No relationship was observed between OSI and the slope coefficient of phase 2 at baseline (r = 0.262; P = 0.437) nor was there a relationship between the changes in these variables (r = 0.419; P = 0.200).Conclusion: A short, practical bout of SLR static stretching may be an effective intervention for reducing passive stiffness and improving postural balance in healthy, elderly men.

Influence of age on passive stiffness and size, quality, and strength characteristics.

We examined the effects of aging on passive stiffness, size, quality, and strength characteristics of the posterior hip and thigh muscles. Fifteen young (25 ± 3 years) and 15 old (72 ± 5 years) men participated in this study. Echo intensity (EI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) were determined from ultrasound scans of the hamstrings. Straight-leg raises were used to assess passive stiffness, which was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curve. Peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD) were assessed through maximal voluntary contractions. Phase 2 slope and EI were higher (P ≤ 0.024), and CSA, PT, and RTD were lower (P ≤ 0.011) in the old compared with the young men; however, no difference (P = 0.145) was observed for phase 1 slope. Decreases in muscle quality, as indicated by increases in EI, may contribute to the greater passive stiffness observed in older adults. Muscle Nerve 55: 305-315, 2017.

Penguin lungs and air sacs: implications for baroprotection, oxygen stores and buoyancy.

The anatomy and volume of the penguin respiratory system contribute significantly to pulmonary baroprotection, the body O2 store, buoyancy and hence the overall diving physiology of penguins. Therefore, three-dimensional reconstructions from computerized tomographic (CT) scans of live penguins were utilized to measure lung volumes, air sac volumes, tracheobronchial volumes and total body volumes at different inflation pressures in three species with different dive capacities [Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), king (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and emperor (A. forsteri) penguins]. Lung volumes scaled to body mass according to published avian allometrics. Air sac volumes at 30 cm H2O (2.94 kPa) inflation pressure, the assumed maximum volume possible prior to deep dives, were two to three times allometric air sac predictions and also two to three times previously determined end-of-dive total air volumes. Although it is unknown whether penguins inhale to such high volumes prior to dives, these values were supported by (a) body density/buoyancy calculations, (b) prior air volume measurements in free-diving ducks and (c) previous suggestions that penguins may exhale air prior to the final portions of deep dives. Based upon air capillary volumes, parabronchial volumes and tracheobronchial volumes estimated from the measured lung/airway volumes and the only available morphometry study of a penguin lung, the presumed maximum air sac volumes resulted in air sac volume to air capillary/parabronchial/tracheobronchial volume ratios that were not large enough to prevent barotrauma to the non-collapsing, rigid air capillaries during the deepest dives of all three species, and during many routine dives of king and emperor penguins. We conclude that volume reduction of airways and lung air spaces, via compression, constriction or blood engorgement, must occur to provide pulmonary baroprotection at depth. It is also possible that relative air capillary and parabronchial volumes are smaller in these deeper-diving species than in the spheniscid penguin of the morphometry study. If penguins do inhale to this maximum air sac volume prior to their deepest dives, the magnitude and distribution of the body O2 store would change considerably. In emperor penguins, total body O2 would increase by 75%, and the respiratory fraction would increase from 33% to 61%. We emphasize that the maximum pre-dive respiratory air volume is still unknown in penguins. However, even lesser increases in air sac volume prior to a dive would still significantly increase the O2 store. More refined evaluations of the respiratory O2 store and baroprotective mechanisms in penguins await further investigation of species-specific lung morphometry, start-of-dive air volumes and body buoyancy, and the possibility of air exhalation during dives.

The Influence of Athletic Status on the Passive Properties of the Muscle-Tendon Unit and Traditional Performance Measures in Division I Female Soccer Players and Nonathlete Controls

The purpose of this study was to determine if passive muscle-tendon properties of the posterior muscles of the hip and thigh and lower-body muscle power could discriminate between athletic status in division I female soccer athletes and nonathlete controls. Ten athletes (mean ± SE, age = 18.70 ± 0.34 years; mass = 64.61 ± 2.16 kg; height = 165.99 ± 1.46 cm; thigh muscle cross-sectional area = 94.08 ± 2.58 cm) and 11 nonathletes (mean ± SE, age = 19.64 ± 0.51 years; mass = 62.81 ± 2.60 kg; height = 162.44 ± 2.20 cm; thigh muscle cross-sectional area = 86.33 ± 2.81 cm) performed 2 instrumented straight-leg raise (iSLR) assessments using an isokinetic dynamometer programmed in passive mode to move the foot toward the head at 5°·s. During each iSLR, passive stiffness was calculated from the slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curve, and maximum range of motion (ROM) was determined as the point of discomfort but not pain, as indicated by the participant. Lower-body power characteristics were assessed through a countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) test. The results indicated that phase 1 and 2 slopes, CMJ height, and peak power (Pmax) were significantly higher (p = 0.004-0.036) for the athletes compared with the nonathletes; however, maximum ROM was not different (p = 0.601) between groups. Significant relationships were also observed between phase 1 and 2 slopes, and CMJ height and Pmax (r = 0.483-0.827; p ≤ 0.001-0.027). These findings suggest that in addition to traditional power characteristics, passive stiffness may also be a sensitive and effective measure for discriminating athletes from nonathletes. Coaches and practitioners may use these findings when designing training programs aimed at increasing musculotendinous stiffness of the posterior hip and thigh muscles and to help identify athletes with high overall athletic potential.

Tetris is a foldback transposon that provided the building blocks for an emerging satellite DNA of Drosophila virilis.

Transposable elements (TEs) and satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are abundant components of most eukaryotic genomes studied so far and their impact on evolution has been the focus of several studies. A number of studies linked TEs with satDNAs, but the nature of their evolutionary relationships remains unclear. During in silico analyses of the Drosophila virilis assembled genome, we found a novel DNA transposon we named Tetris based on its modular structure and diversity of rearranged forms. We aimed to characterize Tetris and investigate its role in generating satDNAs. Data mining and sequence analysis showed that Tetris is apparently nonautonomous, with a structure similar to foldback elements, and present in D. virilis and D. americana. Herein, we show that Tetris shares the final portions of its terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) with DAIBAM, a previously described miniature inverted transposable element implicated in the generation of chromosome inversions. Both elements are likely to be mobilized by the same autonomous TE. Tetris TIRs contain approximately 220-bp internal tandem repeats that we have named TIR-220. We also found TIR-220 repeats making up longer (kb-size) satDNA-like arrays. Using bioinformatic, phylogenetic and cytogenomic tools, we demonstrated that Tetris has contributed to shaping the genomes of D. virilis and D. americana, providing internal tandem repeats that served as building blocks for the amplification of satDNA arrays. The β-heterochromatic genomic environment seemed to have favored such amplification. Our results imply for the first time a role for foldback elements in generating satDNAs.

Perceptual contribution of vowel sub-segments to Mandarin tone identification

Recent noise-replacement studies showed that (1) vowels carried more intelligibility information in Mandarin sentence recognition, and (2) a little vowel onset portion could significantly increase the intelligibility when it was added to the consonant-only Mandarin sentences. This study further evaluated the perceptual contribution of vowel sub-segments to Mandarin tone identification. The original duration-normalized vowels (FULL) were modified to produce two types of stimulus, i.e., (1) Left-only [LO (p)], which preserved p = 10% to 50% of the initial vowel portion, and replaced the rest vowel portion with speech-shaped noise (SSN), and (2) center-only [CO (p)], which preserved p = 15% to 60% of the center vowel portion, and replaced the rest initial and final vowel portions with SSN. Tone identification scores were collected from 20 normal-hearing native-Mandarin listeners. Results in the present study showed that (1) Mandarin tone perception at the LO (10%) condition was slightly higher than the chance level (i.e., 25%); (2) tone identification at the CO (60%) condition was not significantly different with that at the FULL condition. These findings suggest that vowel onset portion provides information redundant to vowel centers for Mandarin tone identification, and vowel centers contain sufficient information for reliable Mandarin tone identification.

The relationship between passive stiffness and muscle power output: Influence of muscle cross-sectional area normalization

We examined the relationship between passive stiffness of posterior hip and thigh muscles and muscle power output before and after normalization of passive stiffness to muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to assess the relationships between the normalized and non-normalized slopes of the initial (phase 1) and final (phase 2) portions of the angle-torque curve and peak power output (Pmax). A significant positive relationship was observed between the non-normalized slope of phase 1 and Pmax (r = 0.723; P ≤ 0.001); however, no correlations were observed between the normalized slope of phase 1 and Pmax (r = 0.244; P = 0.299) nor between Pmax and the normalized and non-normalized slopes of phase 2 (r = -0.159-0.418; P = 0.067-0.504). The findings suggest that muscle size, rather than stiffness, accounted for a significant portion of the variance in muscle power output.

“Like I Was a Man”: Chain Gangs, Gender, and the Domestic Carceral Sphere in Jim Crow Georgia

In 1908, Georgia legislators passed a historic prison reform act that eliminated the convict lease system, replacing it with chain gangs. This article examines black women’s exclusion from the category “female” and white women’s protection from Georgia’s prison regime as a condition of possibility for the passage of this law. Criminalized black women were forced to endure torturous conditions on chain gangs, while white women were protected from violent conditions. In 1908 Georgia also implemented a domestic carceral sphere, forcing black women to work as domestic servants while serving the final portions of their sentences on parole. Georgia’s prison regime operated to reinforce the capitalist logic of Jim Crow, as well as to forestall challenges to racial and gender hierarchy from black women and men and from white women. The exclusion of black female subjects from the categories “female” and “woman” during the consolidation of Jim Crow was central to the process of reinforcing white supremacist patriarchal authority. This unexplored history of Southern punishment as a gendered carceral regime reflects both the violence of imprisonment and the violence of gender categorization.

Drying kinetics of plant products: Dependence on chemical composition

Kinetics of drying and soaking of fruits and vegetables (apples, pears, grapes, apricots, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, peas, spinach, pumpkins, mushrooms, oats, perennial ryegrass, and beans) were investigated. The rate constants and the activation energies of drying/soaking were calculated with the use of the initial and final portions of the corresponding kinetic curves. The dependence of the drying kinetics upon the chemical composition of the material was explained with the help of the diffusion model. Within it the plant tissue was modeled by a diffusion membrane and Fick’s law was utilized.

Sclerosing mesenteritis as a rare cause of upper ileus

Sclerosing mesenteritis is a rare pathological entity characterized by non-specific tumor-like expansion in mesentery. Accurate diagnosis of this disease is rarely made preoperatively. Surgery takes place in diagnosis, as well in treatment of the disease. We presented a case of sclerosing mesenteritis that affected the final portions of duodenum and initial part of jejunum with clinical picture of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. A 46-year-old man without previous medical history was presented with vomiting and loss of weight in the last 6 months. Due to suspicion of parapancreatic tumor by CT examination and clinical presentation of the disease, the patient underwent laparotomy. A mass infiltrated mesenteric root, initial part of superior mesenteric artery, the fourth duodenum portion and the ligament of Treitz, while the stomach and duodenum were dilatated. The intraoperative biopsy indicated a benign process. The mass was reduced with desobstruction of the duodenum. Definitively, histopathological finding showed fibromatosis in different phases of activity. Postoperative course passed without complications. The patient continued to receive an immunosuppressive drug therapy. After a 6-month treatment the patient showed no gastrointestinal problems. Sclerosing mesenteritis that affects the duodenum and the proximal part of the jejunum with subacute upper gastrointestinal obstruction is an extremely rare condition. In the presented case a surgical procedure was necessary for marking the diagnosis and treatment as well.

Optical spectroscopy techniques can accurately distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: There is little known about optical spectroscopy techniques ability to evaluate renal tumours. This study shows for the first time the ability of Raman and optical reflectance spectroscopy to distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours in an ex vivo environment. We plan to develop this optical assistance in the operating room in the near future. To evaluate the ability of Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical reflectance spectroscopy (ORS) to distinguish benign and malignant renal tumours at surgery. Between March and October 2011, RS and ORS spectra were prospectively acquired on surgical renal specimens removed for suspicion of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Optical measurements were done immediately after surgery. Optical signals were normalised to ensure comparison between spectra. Initial and final portions of each spectrum were removed to avoid artefacts. A support vector machine (SVM) was built and tested using a leave-one-out cross-validation. Classification scores, including accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated on the entire population and in patients with tumours of <4 cm. In all, 60 nephrectomies were performed for 53 malignant tumours (41 clear-cell, eight papillary and four chromophobe carcinomas) and seven benign tumours (four oncocytomas, two angiomyolipomas and a haemorrhagic cyst). In all, >700 optical spectra were obtained and submitted to SVM classification. The SVM could recognise benign and malignant renal tumours with an accuracy of 96% (RS) and 88% (ORS) in the whole population and with an accuracy of 93% (RS) and 95% (ORS) in the present subset of small renal tumours (<4 cm). Histological subtype could be determined in 80% and 88% of the cases with RS and ORS, respectively. The SVM was able to differentiate chromophobe carcinomas and benign lesions with an accuracy of 96% in RS and 98% in ORS. Benign and malignant renal tumours can be accurately discriminated by a combination of RS and ORS. In vivo experiments are needed to further assess the value of optical spectroscopy techniques.

A study of articulatory kinematics of American English diphthongs.

Diphthongs are acoustically characterized by formant movements between initial and final vocalic segments [cf, Holbook and Fairbanks, J. Speech Hear. Res., (1962); Thomas Gay, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., (1968)]. It has been observed that the initial (onset) and final (offset) portions may not correspond to typical monophthongal vowels and that there exists more acoustic variability in the offset portions than in the onset portions. Spectral transition rates have been found to be different from diphthong to diphthong. In the current study, the articulatory properties of American English diphthongs are investigated in tandem with their acoustic properties. We collected both acoustic and articulatory data of five diphthongs and seven monophthongs in [b-t] context embedded in a carrier sentence using electromagnetic articulography. The data were recorded from two male and one female subjects, and each diphthong was repeated five times. The main analysis focus is on the kinematic characteristics of the three different tongue sensors (tongue tip, tongue dorsum, and tongue rear) in each diphthong production and the comparisons to monophthongs that are close to either the onset portion or the offset portion of the given diphthong. [Work supported by NIH.]