OBJECTIVE: The recently developed software (CONQUISTADOR), capable of computing all intralaboratory and interlaboratory quality control (QC) indicators, was used to evaluate the diagnostic agreement among 4 cytology laboratories participating in the LAMS Study. STUDY DESIGN: (more…)
Deserranno,D; Kassemi,M; Thomas,JD
Abstract The success and usefulness of lumped cardiovascular models are directlydependent on the physiological fidelity of their formulation. In most existing lumped formulationsfor the heart, the compliance of the chamber is modeled based on its electrical analog, thecapacitor. This has traditionally resulted in the use of a pre-described time-varying stiffnessmodulus for simulating the cardiac contractions. Unfortunately, such a time-varying stiffness doesnot include any physiological contractile machinery and thus no dependency on fiber sarcomere lengthand intracellular calcium concentrations, key mechanisms responsible for proper cardiac function.In this paper a lumped cardiovascular model is presented that is based on the incorporation ofdetailed myofilament activation for simulating the ventricular calcium binding and cross-bridgingmechanism. Upon validation against experimental data, it is shown that the new myofilamentactivation-based model considerably increases the physiological validity andinternal consistency ofthe cardiovascular simulations in comparison to the traditional variable compliance-based models. Itis also shown, through specific case studies, that the present model can serve as a quick responsetool for testing various hypotheses concerning the impact of the calcium binding and crossbridgekinetics on the overall performance of the cardiovascular system.
Keywords Actins; Heart; Microfilaments; Models, Biological
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
0090-6964, Volume 35, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 3-336
Maner,WL; Garfield,RE
Abstract OBJECTIVE: To use artificial neural networks (ANNs) on uterineelectromyography (EMG) data to classify term/preterm labor/non-labor pregnant patients. MATERIALSAND METHODS: A total of 134 term and 51 preterm women (all ultimately delivered spontaneously) wereincluded. Uterine EMG was measured trans-abdominally using surface electrodes. (more…)
Dixon,JB; Gashev,AA; Zawieja,DC; Moore-JE,Jr; Cote,GL
Abstract Efforts have recently been made to estimate wall shear stress throughout thecontractile cycle of mesenteric rat lymphatics with a high speed video microscopy system. This wasprompted by reports in the literature that lymphatic pumping is related to wall shear stress. Whileone can estimate wall shear stress by tracking lymphocyte velocity, it is prohibitively tedious tomanually track particles over a reasonable time frame for a good number of experiments. (more…)
Abstract This paper focuses on the role of human service staff when supporting individuals with severe disabilities who use speech-generating devices (SGDs) for functional communication. Following a brief overview of research that demonstrates the efficacy of SGDs within this group, a summary is provided of skills staff require to help ensure that individuals with severe disabilities have opportunities to use SGDs in effective ways. (more…)
Abstract Many individuals with cerebral palsy use natural speech as one mode of communication. Recent research suggests that, for these individuals, speech supplementation strategies, such as topic cues, alphabet cues, and combined cues, can have a significant impact on intelligibility; however, the impact of these strategies when speakers actually implement them while producing connected speech is largely unknown. In the present study, the effects of speaker-implemented topic cues, alphabet cues, and combined cues (compared with a no cues control condition) were studied for three individuals with profound dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy. (more…)
