Electroencephalographic Classification Reveals Atypical Speech Motor Planning in Stuttering Adults.

Purpose: This study explores speech motor planning in adults who stutter (AWS) and adults who do not stutter (ANS) by applying machine learning algorithms to electroencephalographic (EEG) signals. In this study, we developed a technique to holistically examine neural activity differences in speaking and silent reading conditions across the entire cortical surface. This approach allows us to test the hypothesis that AWS will exhibit lower separability of the speech motor planning condition.

Effect of He on the Order-Disorder Transition in Ni_{3}Al under Irradiation.

The order-disorder transition in Ni-Al alloys under irradiation represents an interplay between various reordering processes and disordering due to thermal spikes generated by incident high energy particles. Typically, ordering is enabled by diffusion of thermally generated vacancies, and can only take place at temperatures where they are mobile and in sufficiently high concentration. Here, in situ transmission electron micrographs reveal that the presence of He-usually considered to be a deleterious immiscible atom in this material-promotes reordering in Ni_{3}Al at temperatures where vacancies are not effective ordering agents.

Detection of brain stimuli using Ramanujan periodicity transforms.

Objective: The ability to efficiently match the frequency of the brain's response to repetitive visual stimuli in real time is the basis for reliable SSVEP-based brain-computer-interfacing (BCI).

Approach: The detection of different stimuli is posed as a composite hypothesis test, where SSVEPs are assumed to admit a sparse representation in a Ramanujan periodicity transform (RPT) dictionary. For the binary case, we develop and analyze the performance of an RPT detector based on a derived generalized likelihood ratio test.

A Comparative Evaluation of Carcass Quality, Nutritional Value, and Consumer Preference of from Two Impoundments with Different Pollution Levels in Zimbabwe.

The objective of the study was to determine the quality and consumer preferences of Nile tilapia () from two water bodies with different pollution levels and trophic states. Water quality assessment of the two impoundments was carried out. Fish were sampled from hypereutrophic Lake Chivero and oligomesotrophic Lake Kariba for proximate analysis, carcass quality, and sensory evaluation.

Serum lipid, enzyme, and hematological responses of broilers fed Acacia angustissima leaf meal-based diets.

The objective of the study was to determine serum lipid, enzyme, and hematological responses of broilers to Acacia angustissima leaf meal. Acacia angustissima leaves were harvested at mid maturity, ground into a leaf meal, and included in broiler diets at 0, 5, and 10%. One hundred and fifty-day-old chicks of 41.

Bulk Immiscibility at the Edge of the Nanoscale.

In the quest to identify more effective catalyst nanoparticles for many industrially important applications, the Au-Pt system has gathered considerable attention. Despite considerable effort the interplay between phase equilibrium behavior and surface segregation in Au-Pt nanoparticles is still poorly understood. Here we investigate the phase equilibrium behavior of 20 nm Au-Pt nanoparticles using a combination of high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and a hybrid Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics atomistic simulation technique.

Diffusion-controlled growth rate of stepped interfaces.

For many materials, the structure of crystalline surfaces or solid-solid interphase boundaries is characterized by an array of mobile steps separated by immobile terraces. Despite the prevalence of step-terraced interfaces a theoretical description of the growth rate has not been completely solved. In this work the boundary element method (BEM) has been utilized to numerically compute the concentration profile in a fluid phase in contact with an infinite array of equally spaced surface steps and, under the assumption that step motion is controlled by diffusion through the fluid phase, the growth rate is computed.

Thermoluminescent and Monte Carlo dosimetry of a new 170Tm brachytherapy source.

In this Study characteristics of a new 170Tm brachytherapy seed using thermoluminescent dosimeter and also the Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate between calculated and measured values was determined. Titanium tube contained Tm(NO3)3 powders bombardment at the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) for a period of 7 days at a flux of 2-3 × 10(13) neutrons/cm2 s. To obtain the radial dose function, g(r), and the anisotropy function, F(r, θ), according to the AAPM TG-43U1 recommendations, 30 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm phantoms of Perspex slabs were used.

Detection of Salmonella spp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., and Antimicrobial Residues in Raw and Processed Cow Milk from Selected Smallholder Farms of Zimbabwe.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the presence of Salmonella spp., Candida albicans, Aspergillus spp., and antimicrobial residues in raw milk (n = 120) and processed cow milk (n = 20) from smallholder dairy farms from three sites in Zimbabwe.

Experimental measurements and Monte Carlo calculations for (103)Pd dosimetry of the 12 mm COMS eye plaque.

Monte Carlo simulations and TLD dosimetry have been performed to determine the dose distributions along the central axis of the 12 mm COMS eye plaques loaded with IRA1-(103)Pd seeds. Several simulations and measurements have been employed to investigate the effect of Silastic insert and air in front of the eye on dosimetry results along the central axis of the plaque and at some critical ocular structures. Measurements were performed using TLD-GR200A circular chip dosimeters in a PMMA eye phantom.

Thermoluminescent and Monte Carlo dosimetry of IR06-103Pd brachytherapy source.

This work presents experimental dosimetry results for a new 103Pd brachytherapy seed, in accordance with the AAPM TG-43U1 recommendation that all new low-energy interstitial brachytherapy seeds should undergo one Monte Carlo (MC) and at least one experimental dosimetry characterization. Measurements were performed using TLD-GR200A circular chip dosimeters using standard methods employing thermoluminescent dosimeters in a Perspex phantom. The Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code, version 5 was used to evaluate the dose-rate distributions around this model 103Pd source in water and Perspex phantoms.

Association of Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln polymorphisms in X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 gene and risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Iran.

Background: X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene is a DNA repair gene and its non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) may influence DNA repair capacity which has been considered as a modifying risk factor for cancer development.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted to investigate impact of three frequently studied polymorphisms (Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln) on developing differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Results: Increased risks for DTC were shown in homozygous (odds ratio [OR]: 3.

Aerobic bacterial, coliform, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe.

A cross sectional study was conducted to enumerate total viable bacteria (TBC), coliforms, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in raw (n=120) and processed (n=20) milk from individual farms from three smallholder dairy schemes of Zimbabwe between October, 2009 and February, 2010. Data on management factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. A standard pour plate technique was used to enumerate total viable bacteria, while for coliforms, E.

Dosimetric characteristics of the ¹⁹²Ir high-dose-rate afterloading brachytherapy source.

Purpose: For the treatment of some cancerous tumors using brachytherapy, an American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group No. 43U1 report recommends that the dosimetric parameters of a new brachytherapy source must be determined in two experimental and Monte Carlo theoretical methods before using each new source clinically. This study presents the results of Monte Carlo calculations of the dosimetric parameters for a Ir2.

ROPES eye plaque brachytherapy dosimetry for two models of (103)Pd seeds.

Brachytherapy dose distributions are calculated for 15 mm ROPES eye plaque loaded with model Theragenics200 and IR06-(103)Pd seeds. The effects of stainless steel backing and Acrylic insert on dose distribution along the central axis of the eye plaque and at critical ocular structure are investigated. Monte Carlo simulation was carried out with the Version 5 of the MCNP.

Dosimetric parameters of the new design (103)Pd brachytherapy source based on Monte Carlo study.

In this study version 5 of the MCNP photon transport simulation was used to calculate the dosimetric parameters for new palladium brachytherapy source design following AAPM Task Group No. 43U1 report. The internal source components include four resin beads of 0.

An increased risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Iran with the 677C→T homozygous polymorphism in the MTHFR Gene.

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involves in folic acid metabolism which influences DNA methylation. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) called 677C→T in MTHFR gene causes producing a thermolabile enzyme with reducing function and eventually defects DNA methylation. To determine association between germ-line polymorphism in MTHFR gene with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), this preliminary study was designed.

Monte Carlo calculation of dosimetry parameters for the IR08-103Pd brachytherapy source.

Purpose: For the treatment of some cancerous tumors using brachytherapy methods and low-energy photon sources, such as 125I and 103Pd, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group No. 43U1 report recommends that the dosimetric parameters of a new brachytherapy source must be determined in two experimental and Monte Carlo theoretical methods before using each new source clinically. This study presents the results of Monte Carlo calculations of the dosimetric parameters for IR08-103Pd brachytherapy source design.

Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in adolescents with haemophilia.

Boys with haemophilia are now encouraged to exercise and take part in physical activities, but actual measures of time spent in active participation is lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain an objective measure of daily physical activity in boys with haemophilia as compared with healthy controls. The study also aimed to ascertain the social and cognitive factors associated with exercise in this population.

Deep venous thrombosis caused by inferior vena cava atresia and hereditary thrombophilia.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) atresia is a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in young patients. Although Doppler ultrasound diagnoses DVT, a contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) diagnoses IVC atresia, other congenital IVC anomalies and must be considered in young patients presenting with idiopathic DVT. Patients with IVC atresia associated with hereditary thrombophilia are at increased risk for recurrent DVT and may require long-term anticoagulation.

Laboratory response to intranasal desmopressin in women with menorrhagia and platelet dysfunction.

Intranasal desmopressin (IN-DDAVP) is used for home treatment of menorrhagia in women with inherited bleeding disorders. The effect of IN-DDAVP on laboratory haemostatic parameters in women with menorrhagia related to platelet dysfunction is unknown. We evaluated the effects of IN-DDAVP on haemostatic parameters in women with menorrhagia and platelet dysfunction and correlated them with menstrual flow.

Cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) with symptomatic erythrocytosis.

Secondary erythrocytosis of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) is pathologically different from primary erythrocytosis of polycythemia vera (PV). An association between elevated hematocrit and thrombosis has been established in PV patients, and treatment guidelines recommend maintaining hematocrit <45%. Although an association between elevated hematocrit and thrombosis has not been established in CCHD and secondary erythrocytosis, the current clinical practice is to phlebotomize these patients to hematocrit <65%.

Prophylactic treatment of a small child with severe factor VII deficiency using repeat dosing from a single vial of recombinant activated factor VII.

We report our experience with a small child with severe factor VII deficiency and a history of frequent and spontaneous life-threatening hemorrhage. The patient has received several years of successful prophylactic treatment with an every 3-day infusion program in which she receives recombinant activated factor VII (rVIIa) using multiple doses from a single reconstituted vial over a 72-hr period. Comparison is made to prophylactic treatment in this same patient using plasma-derived factor VII (PDVII) using a prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC).

Screening women with menorrhagia for underlying bleeding disorders: the utility of the platelet function analyser and bleeding time.

Menorrhagia is a very common clinical problem among women of reproductive age and recent studies have suggested that underlying bleeding disorders, particularly von Willebrand's deficiency and platelet function defects, are prevalent in women presenting with menorrhagia. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of the platelet function analyser (PFA-100) and bleeding time (BT) as initial screening tests for underlying bleeding disorders in women with menorrhagia. In this study, 81 women with a physician diagnosis of menorrhagia underwent PFA-100 testing, BT and comprehensive haemostatic testing.