A wavelet-based ECG delineation algorithm for 32-bit integer online processing

Background  

Since the first well-known electrocardiogram (ECG) delineator based on Wavelet Transform (WT) presented by Li et al. in 1995, a significant research effort has been devoted to the exploitation of this promising method. Its ability to reliably delineate the major waveform components (mono- or bi-phasic P wave, QRS, and mono- or bi-phasic T wave) would make it a suitable candidate for efficient online processing of ambulatory ECG signals. Unfortunately, previous implementations of this method adopt non-linear operators such as root mean square (RMS) or floating point algebra, which are computationally demanding.     

Intraspecific trait variability and genetic diversity in the adaptive strategies of serpentine and non-serpentine populations of Silene paradoxa L.

Plant and Soil - We investigated whether individuals of Silene paradoxa L., grown in serpentine and non-serpentine soils, displayed variation in functional traits and adaptive strategies...     

Seasonal Predictability of the East Atlantic Pattern from Sea Surface Temperatures

This study analyzes the influence of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on the second mode of atmospheric variability in the north Atlantic/European sector, namely the East-Atlantic (EA) pattern, for the period 1950–2012. For this purpose, lead-lag relationships between SSTs and the EA pattern, ranging from 0 to 3 seasons, were assessed. As a main result, anomalies of the EA pattern in boreal summer and autumn are significantly related to SST anomalies in the Indo-Pacific Ocean during the preceding seasons. A statistical forecasting scheme based on multiple linear regression was used to hindcast the EA-anomalies with a lead-time of 1 to 2 months. The results of a one-year-out cross-validation approach indicate that the phases of the EA in summer and autumn can be properly hindcast.     

Human endothelin converting enzyme-2 (ECE2): characterization of mRNA species and chromosomal localization.

Generation of the functionally pleiotropic members of the endothelin vasoactive peptide family is critically catalyzed by unique type II metalloproteases, termed endothelin converting enzymes (ECE). Isolation of human ECE-2 (EC 3.4.24.71) cDNAs revealed deduced open reading frames of 787 and 765 amino acids with approximately 60% identity with human ECE-1. Characterization of mRNA variants revealed mRNA structural diversity at the 5'-terminus. Two mRNA species exist containing distinct first and second exons. Furthermore, in one of these species, an in-frame deletion of the intracytoplasmic domain removed 29 amino acids. Because of the previously reported human genetic diseases ascribed to germline mutations of member genes of the endothelin family, ECE2 was localized in human chromosomes with fluorescence in situ hybridization and radiation hybrid mapping to 3q28-q29 and SHGC-20171/D3S1571, respectively.     

Comparison between paper and electronic sleep diary

This study aimed to test the concurrent validity of an electronic version (to run on tablet) of a sleep diary derived from the core Consensus Sleep Diary compared with the traditional paper and pencil version. To this end, 15 healthy volunteers (6 males; mean age 37.20 ± 17.55 years) every morning, for at least 7 consecutive days, filled both paper and electronic sleep diary. Furthermore, sleep was objectively assessed through actigraphy. With reference to all sleep parameters examined, no significant differences were observed between paper and electronic sleep diary. As expected, paper and electronic sleep diary showed the same poor agreement with actigraphic estimates of sleep quantity and sleep quality. On the basis of the present data, we can conclude that electronic sleep diary performs like paper sleep diary. Bearing in mind that electronic sleep diary presents several benefits in comparison to the paper sleep diary (e.g. avoiding of the “parking lot syndrome”, in which patient retrospectively completes more days at the same time; reducing the time for data entry and scoring), we suggest that, if the present findings will be confirmed also in clinical populations, electronic sleep diary should replace paper sleep diary in both research and clinical settings.     

Anatomical and physiological changes of in vitro-propagated Vriesea imperialis (Bromeliaceae) in the function of sucrose and ventilated containers

Abstract

Under in vitro culture conditions, plants may present physiological and anatomical disorders, which can interfere negatively after ex vitro transfer. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the impacts of natural ventilation and sucrose supply on the anatomy and physiology of Vriesea imperialis. Plants previously grown in vitro were transferred to culture medium containing 0, 15, 30 or 45?g L^?1 sucrose. Three different culture container sealing systems were tested: lids with a green filter (81.35 gas exchanges per day), yellow filter (13.09 gas exchanges per day) or lids with a yellow filter covered with three layers of transparent polyvinylchloride (PVC) film (blocking fluent gas exchange). Sucrose concentrations influenced thickness, lignin and suberin deposition of exodermis cell wall. The modifications verified in leaves, such as higher density of stomata and trichome scales, showed that sucrose can induce osmotic stress in the plants. Photomixotrophic conditions, using containers with intermediate rate of gas exchange (yellow filter) and with 15–30?g L^?1 sucrose, produced an improvement in the growth traits and did not induce anatomical and physiological disturbances.     

Diterpenes from Araucaria bidwilli

Eight diterpent acids of the labdane or clerodane type were obtained from the oleoresin of Araucaria bidwilli and characterized as their methyl esters.     

Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline

Chronic airway infection is a hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In the present study, sputum samples from CF patients were collected and characterized by 16S rRNA gene-targeted approach, to assess how lung microbiota composition changes following a severe decline in lung function. In particular, we compared the airway microbiota of two groups of patients with CF, i.e. patients with a substantial decline in their lung function (SD) and patients with a stable lung function (S). The two groups showed a different bacterial composition, with SD patients reporting a more heterogeneous community than the S ones. Pseudomonas was the dominant genus in both S and SD patients followed by Staphylococcus and Prevotella. Other than the classical CF pathogens and the most commonly identified non-classical genera in CF, we found the presence of the unusual anaerobic genus Sneathia. Moreover, the oligotyping analysis revealed the presence of other minor genera described in CF, highlighting the polymicrobial nature of CF infection. Finally, the analysis of correlation and anti-correlation networks showed the presence of antagonism and ecological independence between members of Pseudomonas genus and the rest of CF airways microbiota, with S patients showing a more interconnected community in S patients than in SD ones. This population structure suggests a higher resilience of S microbiota with respect to SD, which in turn may hinder the potential adverse impact of aggressive pathogens (e.g. Pseudomonas). In conclusion, our findings shed a new light on CF airway microbiota ecology, improving current knowledge about its composition and polymicrobial interactions in patients with CF.