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Extracting frequency-derived parameters allows for the identification and characterization of acoustic events, such as those obtained in passive acoustic monitoring applications. Situations where it is difficult to achieve the desired frequency resolution to distinguish between similar events occur, for example, in short time oscillating events. One feasible approach to make discrimination among such events is by measuring the complexity or the presence of non-linearities in a time series. Available techniques include the delay vector variance (DVV) and recurrence plot (RP) analysis, which have been used independently for statistical testing, however, the similarities between these two techniques have so far been overlooked. This work suggests a method that combines the DVV method with the recurrence quantification analysis parameters of the RP graphs for the characterization of short oscillating events. In order to establish the confidence intervals, a variant of the pseudo-periodic surrogate algorithm is proposed. This allows one to eliminate the fine details that may indicate the presence of non-linear dynamics, without having to add a large amount of noise, while preserving more efficiently the phase-space shape. The algorithm is verified on both synthetic and real world time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To ascertain whether admission to a geriatric day hospital (GDH) modifies health self-perception and quality-of-life (QOL) dimensions using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) instrument, and to evaluate possible sex differences in these health dimensions. Methods: Longitudinal study including all patients admitted to and discharged from GDH. Evaluated parameters at admission and discharge were: Barthel and Lawton indexes, Folstein's Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Charlson index, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Timed Up&Go test, Tinetti walking test and NHP. Results: One hundred and ten of a total of 183 patients were included in the study (21 were excluded for different reasons and NHP was not registered at the time of discharge in 52); Barthel index, MMSE, GDS, Timed Up&Go and Tinetti walking test all improved significantly after the GDH intervention. A significant improvement was found in NHP scores (admission: 36.3±22.7 vs. discharge: 31.3±20.8, P =0.044), physical mobility (49.5±31.1 vs. 39.8±28.5, P =0.002) and emotional dimensions (36.4±29.1 vs. 29.4±25.7, P =0.042). Among women, NHP analysis revealed an improvement in physical mobility (48.7±32.9 vs. 37.2±27.1, P =0.008) and emotional dimensions (44.5±29.8 vs. 33.3±2.58, P =0.02), while only an improvement in pain dimension was observed (25.7±23.7 vs. 16.7±18.8, P =0.03) among men. Conclusions: Global health perception and QOL improved after admission to a GDH, particularly physical mobility and emotional dimensions. Women improved in physical mobility and emotion whereas men only improved in pain perception. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study compares the effect of tooth clenching and grinding on supra- and infrahyoid electromyographic (EMG) activity during different laterotrusive jaw posture tasks. The study included 30 healthy subjects with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, 15 with bilateral canine guidance and 15 with bilateral group function. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the left and right supra- and infrahyoid muscles. EMG activity was recorded during the following tasks: A. eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the right lateral edge-to-edge contact position; B. clenching in right edge-to-edge lateral contact position; C. concentric grinding from right lateral edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position. EMG activity was not significantly different between tasks on the working side, nonworking side, or between both sides, in subjects with canine guidance or group function (Wilcoxon rank-sum test). When comparing EMG activity by occlusal scheme, no significant differences were found either on the working side or the non-working side (Mann-Whitney U test). This result suggests that supra- and infrahyoid EMG activity in its predominant stabilizing role of the hyoid bone is not significantly modified by the type of laterotrusive occlusal scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the effect of tooth clenching and grinding on sternocleidomastoid electromyographic (EMG) activity during different laterotrusive jaw posture tasks. The study included 28 healthy subjects with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, 14 with bilateral canine guidance and 14 with bilateral group function. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles. EMG activity was recorded during the following tasks: (A) eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the right lateral edge-to-edge contact position; (B) clenching in right edge-to-edge lateral contact position; (C) concentric grinding from right lateral edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position. On the working side, activity in the task C was significantly higher than in tasks A and B in subjects with canine guidance, whereas no significant differences were observed between tasks in subjects with group function. On the nonworking side, activity was significantly lower during task A than in tasks B and C, in both occlusal schemes (mixed model with unstructured covariance matrix). When comparing by side, EMG activity was significantly lower during task B on the working side than on the nonworking side. However, there were no significant differences during tasks A and C. The EMG activity was significantly lower with canine guidance than group function on the working side during tasks A, B, and C, and on the nonworking side during tasks B and C. These results could explain muscular symptoms in the sternocleidomastoid muscles if the subject is experiencing parafunctional habits while awake and/or during sleep that exceed the individual's adaptation capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of tooth clenching and grinding on anterior temporalis electromyographic (EMG) activity. The sample included 30 healthy subjects with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, 15 with bilateral canine guidance and 15 with bilateral group function. An inclusion criterion was that subjects have to be free of signs and symptoms of any dysfunction of the masticatory system. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the left and right anterior temporalis muscles. EMG activity was recorded during the following conditions: A. eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the right lateral edge-to-edge contact position; B. clenching in right edge-to-edge lateral contact position; and C. concentric grinding from right lateral edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position. On the working side, EMG activity was not significantly different between conditions in both occlusal schemes. On the nonworking side, EMG activity was significantly higher during condition C than condition B in both occlusal schemes (mixed model with unstructured covariance matrix). When comparing by side, EMG activity was significantly higher during conditions A and B on the working side than on the nonworking side. However, there was no significant difference during condition C. EMG activity was significantly lower with canine guidance than group function on the working side (in all conditions) as well as during concentric grinding on the nonworking side. These results could explain muscular symptoms in the anterior temporalis muscles if the subject is experiencing parafunctional habits either while awake and/or sleep that exceed the individual's adaptation capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of canine guidance and group function on supra- and infrahyoid electromyographic (EMG) activity. The sample included 40 healthy subjects, 20 with bilateral canine guidance and 20 with bilateral group function. Surface electrodes were used to record the integrated EMG (IEMG) activity of the left supra- and infrahyoid muscles during (1) grinding from intercuspal position to lateral edge-to-edge contact position (with canine guidance or group function), (2) static clenching in edge-to-edge lateral contact position with canine guidance or group function, and (3) grinding from lateral edge-to-edge contact position (with canine guidance or group function) to intercuspal position. IEMG activity in the suprahyoid or infrahyoid muscles was not significantly different with canine guidance or group function. Supra- and infrahyoid IEMG activity in condition 2 was significantly higher than in condition 3, which was significantly higher than in condition 1. Supra- and infrahyoid IEMG activity was not significantly different with canine guidance and group function. Supra- and infrahyoid IEMG activity during the static recording (clenching) was significantly higher than during the dynamic recordings (grinding). Activity during grinding from the lateral edge-to-edge contact position to the intercuspal position was higher than vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In spite of improved neonatal care, chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in extremely preterm infants. Our current understanding is that antenatal infection can trigger intra-uterine inflammation which then promotes preterm labour. Recent studies suggest that antenatal infection and inflammation can also increase the preterm infant's susceptibility to develop CLD. It may be that exposure of the fetal lung to high concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines is the cause of this increased susceptibility. One candidate for initiating intra-uterine inflammation is ascending infection by the vaginal commensal Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu). Antibiotics administered to mothers prior to delivery appear to improve the neonatal outcome in cases of preterm prolonged rupture of membranes, but not in cases of preterm labour with intact membranes. Uu can be transmitted vertically to the airways of the preterm infant, but the role of Uu in causing CLD remains uncertain. Small trials of antibiotics given to preterm infants after delivery have not shown any consistent benefit in reducing CLD. Although CLD remains a significant problem for the extremely preterm infant, it is likely that molecular biology techniques, such as the polymerase chain reaction, will enhance the detection of antenatal infection and further our understanding of the pathogenesis of CLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the effects of multiple infection dynamics on the fitness of RNA viruses. Generation of complex mixtures of genomes after infection; Selection of generic variants within an infected host through the differences in growth and competition rates; Method employing the Lotka-Volterra competition equations.

An analysis of integrated electromyographic (IEMG) activity of masseter and anterior temporal muscles was undertaken in fifteen patients with complete dentures and eight adult subjects with natural dentition. Bipolar surface electrodes were used for IEMG recordings during maximal voluntary clenching and saliva swallowing in the inter-cuspal position. The IEMG activity of both muscles during maximal voluntary clenching was significantly lower in patients with complete dentures than in subjects with natural dentition. During saliva swallowing the activity in both muscles was similar in both groups. This may have a great clinical significance in the maintenance of the functional state of the different structures of the stomatognathic system in complete denture wearers, since the process of swallowing is a 24-h function repeated about 600-2400 times each day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]