On-Line Learning of Write Strategy for Ultra-Speed CD-RW Optical Recorder.

An on-line machine learning approach integrating the genetic algorithm (GA) and jitter measurements is proposed to learn the write strategy for the infrared diode of ultra-speed CD-RW recorders. The recording performance differs significantly for the CD-RW discs recorded for the first, second, or third time above. It is difficult to learn one set of write strategy parameters for the infrared diode of ultra-speed CD-RW recorder that satisfies the recording specifications for three different types of discs. The GA is applied to the on-line learning of write strategy. However, the convergence of GA stagnates at the final stage of the learning process due to the fact that the write strategy parameters learned by the GA need to satisfy the recording specifications for discs recorded for the first time, second time and third time within one recording trial. To overcome this difficulty, a scheme called dynamic parameter encoding is proposed. This scheme improves the GA convergence and explores the search space much better than the conventional GA.

Systematic review and meta-analysis on outcomes for endoscopic versus external dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is commonly performed for epiphora, dacryocystitis and during tumor surgery. External (EXT-DCR) and endoscopic DCR (END-DCR) are both practiced. END-DCR was initially performed with laser (EL-DCR) but has shifted to careful bone removal with mechanical drills (EM-DCR). High level evidence from comparative cohorts was sought to compare outcomes. METHOD: Medline (1966 - January 28th, 2013) and Embase (1980 - January 28(th), 2013) were searched for comparative studies (RCT/cohorts) of END-DCR to EXT-DCR for acquired nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. Primary outcome was DCR success, defined as resolution of symptoms and/or patent NLD on irrigation or dacroscintography. Secondary outcomes were scarring, infection and post-operative bleeding. Meta-analysis was performed with the Mantel-Haenszel Method and presented as Risk Ratios (RR) with Confidence Intervals (CI). RESULTS: The search identified 3582 studies and 355 were reviewed after screening. Full text review yielded 19 studies (4 RCTs and 15 cohorts). Overall, EXT-DCR had slightly better success rates than END-DCR (RR 0.96, CI 0.93-1.00). However, EM-DCR outcomes were comparable to EXT-DCR (RR 1.02, CI 0.98-1.06), whereas EL-DCR had poorer outcomes (RR 0.85, CI 0.79-0.91) when compared separately. The RR for scarring, bleeding and infection with END-DCR versus EXT-DCR was 0.07 (CI 0.02-0.22), 0.72 (CI 0.46-1.13) and 0.24 (CI 0.11- 0.54), respectively. The rates of reported revision surgery were similar. CONCLUSION: DCR is a procedure with high success rates. Endoscopic procedures differ greatly by technique with EM-DCR offering comparable results to EXT-DCR, without the risk of cosmetically unacceptable scars.

2-Amino-4,6-dimethyl-pyrimidine-benzoic acid (1/1).

The crystal of the title compound, C(6)H(9)N(3)·C(7)H(6)O(2), contains tetra-meric hydrogen-bonded units comprising a central pair of 2-amino-pyrimidine mol-ecules linked across a centre of inversion by N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and two pendant benzoic acid mol-ecules attached through N-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen-bonded units are arranged into layers in (002).

Avoiding blindness in managing epistaxis for a child with Duane's Retraction Syndrome.

Duane's Retraction Syndrome (DRS), a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder, accounts for 5% of all strabismus. A vascular anomaly in DRS, which became clinically relevant in the context of significant epistaxis, is presented. A 15-year-old girl with DRS underwent a rhinological procedure for traumatic nasal deformity and suffered large volume epistaxis. Using angiography, an anatomical variation was identified, noting the ophthalmic artery was supplied by branches from the sphenopalatine artery, facial artery, and middle meningeal artery; not from the internal carotid artery. Hence epistaxis control was achieved via alternative methods, and unilateral blindness was avoided.

4-Methyl-6-phenyl-pyrimidin-2-amine.

The title compound, C(11)H(11)N(3), was synthesized as part of our research into functionalized pyrimidines. It crystallizes with two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit that differ only in the twist between the two aromatic rings; the torsion angles between the rings are 29.9 (2) and 45.1 (2)°. The crystal packing is dominated by inter-molecular N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds between independent and equivalent mol-ecules, forming an infinite three-dimensional network.

AHI Outcomes Are Superior after Upper Airway Reconstructive Surgery in Adult CPAP Failure Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) outcomes of upper airway adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) reconstructive surgery, as compared with outcomes of suboptimal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, in response to reviews claiming unreliable surgical AHI reduction. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single-surgeon series at medical centers within Wollongong, Australia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Adult patients with OSA who were partial device users or who refused CPAP were considered candidates for upper airway surgery (N = 48). Subjects underwent physical examination and polysomnography before and after surgery. Three groups were delineated on the nature of their suboptimal CPAP therapy: group 1, partially using CPAP or refusing long-term CPAP despite adherence (with available download data); group 2, unable or refusing to use CPAP with 2 sleep studies over time; group 3, unable or refusing to use CPAP with 1 sleep study over time. Collected data included demographics and AHI outcomes. RESULTS: Average AHI across all 3 groups with suboptimal CPAP therapy before surgery was 30.24 ± 17.17 events per hour sleep, as compared with the average postoperative AHI of 7.65 ± 6.59 events per hour sleep. This decrease was shown to be statistically significant with Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: AHI outcomes are superior with surgery in untreated or suboptimally treated adult OSA patients prescribed CPAP.

The negative attribution processes of mothers of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The objective of this study was to investigate the attribution processes of mothers regarding children's prosocial behaviors, inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity (symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD) using two paradigms. The first paradigm involved multidimensional attributions. The second paradigm concerned making attributions of children's identical behaviors based on information such as consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency. The participants were 64 mothers of children with ADHD (7-13 years old) and 64 mothers with typical/normal children (7-12 years old). The results showed that mothers of typical children exhibited positive attribution styles or person attributions whereas mothers of children with ADHD exhibited negative attribution styles. Mothers of children with ADHD tended to make personal attributions of children's negative behaviors (e.g., inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity; HI) but made situational attributions of prosocial behaviors. The results of this study can be used in future studies of the effects of intervention on children with ADHD or in studies related to neurophysiology.

A cadaveric study of the endoscopic endonasal transclival approach to the basilar artery.

The anterior transclival route to basilar artery aneurysms is not widely performed. The objective of this study was to carry out a feasibility assessment of the transclival approach to basilar aneurysms with advanced endonasal techniques on 11 cadaver heads. Clival dura was exposed from the sella to the foramen magnum between the paraclival segments of the internal carotid arteries (ICA) laterally. An inverted dural "U" flap was reflected inferiorly to expose the basilar artery. The maximal dimensions from operative measurements were recorded. Surgical manoeuvrability of multiple instruments and the proficiency to place proximal and distal vascular clips were evaluated. The mean operative depth (± standard deviation), measured from the anterior choanae to the basilar artery, was 110±6mm. The lateral corridors were limited distally by the medial pterygoids (mean width 21±2mm) and paraclival ICA (mean width 20±2mm). The mean transclival craniectomy dimensions were 19±2mm (width) and 23±4mm (height). Exposure of the basilar-anterior inferior cerebellar artery junction, superior cerebellar artery, and the basilar caput were possible in 100%, 91%, and 64% of instances, respectively. Placements of proximal and distal aneurysm clips were achieved in all instances. Based on our findings, the transclival endoscopic endonasal surgery approach provides excellent visualisation of the basilar artery. Clip application and manoeuvrability of instruments was considered adequate for basilar aneurysm surgery. Surgical skills and instrumentation to control significant haemorrhage can potentially limit the clinical applicability of this technique.

Inattention and development of toddlers born in preterm and with low birth weight.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of low birth weight and preterm birth on a toddler's inattention and development, including cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional and adaptive behaviors. A total of 105 toddlers enrolled for the study; they were divided into four groups: 40 full-term and normal birth weight (NBW, birth weight greater than 2500 g) toddlers, 24 moderate birth weight (MLBW, birth weight between 2499 and 1500 g) toddlers, 20 very to extremely low birth weight (V-ELBW, 12 between 1000 and 1499 g and 8 lower than 1000 g) toddlers, and 21 term toddlers who were recruited from a clinic of developmental delay as the developmental delay at risk (DDR) group. The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (BSID-III) and Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale-Toddler were used. The findings were as follows: (1) DDR group performed worst in BSID-III; (2) although there were no statistical differences among the NBW, MLBW, and V-ELBW groups in BSID-III, the lower the birth weight, the lower the average performance, especially in language, adaptive social behavior, and adaptive practical behavior; and (3) comparing the inattention score, the DDR group was the poorest, normal and V-ELBW groups were the best, and MLBW group was in the middle. In conclusion, low birth weight and preterm delivery affected children's inattention and development of language, adaptive social behavior, and adaptive practical behavior.