How can cry acoustics associate newborns' distress levels with neurophysiological and behavioral signals?

Introduction: Even though infant crying is a common phenomenon in humans' early life, it is still a challenge for researchers to properly understand it as a reflection of complex neurophysiological functions. Our study aims to determine the association between neonatal cry acoustics with neurophysiological signals and behavioral features according to different cry distress levels of newborns. Methods: Multimodal data from 25 healthy term newborns were collected simultaneously recording infant cry vocalizations, electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and videos of facial expressions and body movements. Statistical analysis was conducted on this dataset to identify correlations among variables during three different infant conditions (i.e., resting, cry, and distress). A Deep Learning (DL) algorithm was used to objectively and automatically evaluate the level of cry distress in infants. Results: We found correlations between most of the features extracted from the signals depending on the infant's arousal state, among them: fundamental frequency (F0), brain activity (delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands), cerebral and body oxygenation, heart rate, facial tension, and body rigidity. Additionally, these associations reinforce that what is occurring at an acoustic level can be characterized by behavioral and neurophysiological patterns. Finally, the DL audio model developed was able to classify the different levels of distress achieving 93% accuracy. Conclusion: Our findings strengthen the potential of crying as a biomarker evidencing the physical, emotional and health status of the infant becoming a crucial tool for caregivers and clinicians.

Multi-modal analysis of infant cry types characterization: Acoustics, body language and brain signals.

BACKGROUND: Infant crying is the first attempt babies use to communicate during their initial months of life. A misunderstanding of the cry message can compromise infant care and future neurodevelopmental process. METHODS: An exploratory study collecting multimodal data (i.e., crying, electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), facial expressions, and body movements) from 38 healthy full-term newborns was conducted. Cry types were defined based on different conditions (i.e., hunger, sleepiness, fussiness, need to burp, and distress). Statistical analysis, Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) techniques were used to identify relevant features for cry type classification and to evaluate a robust DL algorithm named Acoustic MultiStage Interpreter (AMSI). RESULTS: Significant differences were found across cry types based on acoustics, EEG, NIRS, facial expressions, and body movements. Acoustics and body language were identified as the most relevant ML features to support the cause of crying. The DL AMSI algorithm achieved an accuracy rate of 92%. CONCLUSIONS: This study set a precedent for cry analysis research by highlighting the complexity of newborn cry expression and strengthening the potential use of infant cry analysis as an objective, reliable, accessible, and non-invasive tool for cry interpretation, improving the infant-parent relationship and ensuring family well-being.

Description of sorbing tracers transport in fractured media using the lattice model approach.

The transport of contaminants in fractured media is a complex phenomenon with a great environmental impact. It has been described with several models, most of them based on complex partial differential equations, that are difficult to apply when equilibrium and nonequilibrium dynamics are considered in complex boundaries. With the aim of overcoming this limitation, a combination of two lattice Bathnagar, Gross and Krook (BGK) models, derived from the lattice Boltzmann model, is proposed in this paper. The fractured medium is assumed to be a single fissure in a porous rock matrix. The proposed approach permits us to deal with two processes with different length scales: advection-dispersion in the fissure and diffusion within the rock matrix. In addition to the mentioned phenomena, sorption reactions are also considered. The combined model has been tested using the experimental breakthrough curves obtained by Garnier et al. (Garnier, J.M., Crampon, N., Préaux, C., Porel, G., Vreulx, M., 1985. Traçage par 13C, 2H, I- et uranine dans la nappe de la craie sénonienne en écoulement radial convergent (Béthune, France). J. Hidrol. 78, 379-392.) giving acceptable results. A study on the influence of the lattice BGK models parameters controlling sorption and matrix diffusion on the breakthrough curves shape is included.

Sonographic findings of additional malignant lesions in breast carcinoma seen by second look ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to show ultrasound (US) findings of additional malignant lesions of breast carcinoma visualized on targeted second-look US that were not identified by mammography or US prior to the time of diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind retrospective review of the US results from January 2008 through August 2010 of 228 patients with known breast cancer was conducted by two expert radiologists. The focus of the review was on the second-look US characteristics (following BI-RADS criteria) of 26 documented additional malignant lesions of the 76 with successful sonographic correlation from the 123 lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All of them, before the MRI, had an initial mammography and a US with a histopathological biopsy of the primary lesion. RESULTS: Approximately 60 to 70% of the findings were classified as BI-RADS 2 and BI-RADS 3, while assessing the final US category. The review of the second-look US showed the size of the second malignant additional lesion ranged from 3 to 22 mm, of which 90% were smaller than 10 mm and 66% were smaller than 7 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Most additional malignant lesions, nonpalpable carcinomas, which were previously not detected by mammography and US at first-look diagnosis, were detected by a targeted second-look US examination. These lesions were of category BI-RADS 2 and BI-RADS 3 and smaller than 7 mm.

Bronquitis cronica: clinica y orientaciones sobre su tratamiento homeopatico / Chronic bronquitis: clinic and orientations about its homeopathic treatment

Proceso caracterizado por la presencia de tos productiva tres meses consecutivos de cada ano; el sexo masculino se afecta mas que el femenino siendo el factor predisponente mas importante el tabaquismo. Se presentan estertores roncantes gruesos y sibilancias que cambian de intensidad y localizacion, y signos de Cor pulmonale cronico. La fisiopatologia indica aumento en la resistencia de las vias aereas y disminucion de los indices maximos de flujo respiratorio. Como parte importante del tratamiento se indica dejar el tabaco. El tratamiento racional complementa las medidas generales con la terapeutica homeopatica en cada una de las fases de este padecimiento