In this experiment, 97 patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome were divided into three groups （mild, moderate, severe） according to minimum oxygen saturation, and 35 healthy subjects were examined as...In this experiment, 97 patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome were divided into three groups （mild, moderate, severe） according to minimum oxygen saturation, and 35 healthy subjects were examined as controls. Cognitive function was determined using the mismatch negativity paradigm and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The results revealed that as the disease worsened, the mismatch negativity latency was gradually extended, and the amplitude gradually declined in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Importantly, mismatch negativity latency in severe patients with a persistent time of minimum oxygen saturation 〈 60 seconds was significantly shorter than that with a persistent time of minimum oxygen saturation 〉 60 seconds. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between minimum oxygen saturation latency and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. These findings indicate that intermittent night-time hypoxemia affects mismatch negativity waveforms and Montrea Cognitive Assessment scores. As indicators for detecting the cognitive functional status of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients, the sensitivity of mismatch negativity is 82.93%, the specificity is 73.33%, the accuracy rate is 81.52%, the positive predictive value is 85.00%, the negative predictive value is 70.21%, the positive likelihood ratio is 3, and the negative likelihood ratio is 0.23. These results indicate that mismatch negativity can be used as an effective tool for diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients.展开更多
We studied quantum correlation and quantum entanglement of a quantum system in which a coherent state light field interacts with two qubits that are initially prepared in a separable and mixed state.The influence of m...We studied quantum correlation and quantum entanglement of a quantum system in which a coherent state light field interacts with two qubits that are initially prepared in a separable and mixed state.The influence of mean photon number of the coherent field and distribution probability of the atom on the geometrical quantum discord and the negativity are discussed.Our results show that the mean photon number of light field and distribution function of the atom can regulate and control the quantum correlation and quantum entanglement.展开更多
Rapid and accurate perception of threat information is a critical ability and a prerequisite to survive natural selection for humans.To investigate whether threatening stimuli,especially phylogenetic and ontogenetic t...Rapid and accurate perception of threat information is a critical ability and a prerequisite to survive natural selection for humans.To investigate whether threatening stimuli,especially phylogenetic and ontogenetic threats,are processed automatically,we analyzed the visual mismatch negativity(vMMN,an event-related potential component reflecting automatic processing)elicited by the threats with a cross-modal oddball paradigm,where participants were required to focus on the auditory stimuli and ignore the visual stimuli in each block.In this study,neutral(non-threatening)images served as standard stimuli(80%),and phylogenetic(10%)and ontogenetic(10%)threat stimuli served as deviant stimuli when testing a large sample(N=96)of healthy volunteers.Threat-related visual mismatch negativity(threat-vMMN)was obtained by subtracting the event-related potential(ERP)elicited by standard stimuli from that elicited by deviant stimuli.The results indicated that the vMMN can be elicited by threat information.More importantly,the phylogenetic threat information elicited larger threat-vMMN than ontogenetic threat information.These findings suggest that perception of threat information was automatic,providing an evidential basis for the attentional advantages of survival processing.That is,automatic perception of phylogenetic threats has a particular evolutionary origin.展开更多
We detected the event-related potential mismatch negativity （MMN） of 30 depression patients and compared to 30 age,gender,and education-matched healthy controls.Results showed that amplitudes of frequency and durati...We detected the event-related potential mismatch negativity （MMN） of 30 depression patients and compared to 30 age,gender,and education-matched healthy controls.Results showed that amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were lower in depression patients compared with control patients,indicating abnormality in auditory processing （i.e.,cognitive impairment）.Following escitalopram treatment for 8 weeks,the amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were significantly increased and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores were significantly decreased in depression patients.These data suggest that escitalopram can improve cognitive function of patients with depression.Further,MMN may be a useful tool for evaluating cognitive function and treatment effects.展开更多
Using Majorana representation of symmetric N-qubit pure states, we have examined the monogamous nature of the family of states with two-distinct spinors, the W class of states. We have evaluated the N-concurrence tang...Using Majorana representation of symmetric N-qubit pure states, we have examined the monogamous nature of the family of states with two-distinct spinors, the W class of states. We have evaluated the N-concurrence tangle and showed that all the states in this family have vanishing concurrence tangle. The negativity tangle for the W class of states is shown to be non-zero, illustrating the fact that the concurrence tangle is always lesser than or equal to the negativity tangle in a pure N-qubit state.展开更多
The realization of double negative electromagnetic wave media, sometimes called left-handed materials (LHMs) or metamaterials, have drawn considerable attention in the past few years. We will examine the possibility o...The realization of double negative electromagnetic wave media, sometimes called left-handed materials (LHMs) or metamaterials, have drawn considerable attention in the past few years. We will examine the possibility of extending the concept to acoustic waves. We will see that acoustic metamaterials require both the effective density and bulk modulus to be simultaneously negative in the sense of an effective medium. If we can find a double negative (negative density and bulk modulus) acoustic medium, it will be an acoustic analogue of Veselago’s medium in electromagnetism, and share many novel consequences such as negative refractive index and backward wave characteristics. We will give one example of such a medium.展开更多
We give a study result to analyze a rather different, semi-analytical numerical algorithms based on splitting-step methods with their applications to mathematical finance. As certain subsistent numerical schemes may f...We give a study result to analyze a rather different, semi-analytical numerical algorithms based on splitting-step methods with their applications to mathematical finance. As certain subsistent numerical schemes may fail due to producing negative values for financial variables which require non-negativity preserving. These algorithms which we are analyzing preserve not only the non-negativity, but also the character of boundaries (natural, reflecting, absorbing, etc.). The derivatives of the CIR process and the Heston model are being extensively studied. Beyond plain vanilla European options, we creatively apply our splitting-step methods to a path-dependent option valuation. We compare our algorithms to a class of numerical schemes based on Euler discretization which are prevalent currently. The comparisons are given with respect to both accuracy and computational time for the European call option under the CIR model whereas with respect to convergence rate for the path-dependent option under the CIR model and the European call option under the Heston model.展开更多
Context: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps restore the health status of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Likewise, it increases the risk of overweight/obesity and related comorbidities among the recipients. In countri...Context: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps restore the health status of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Likewise, it increases the risk of overweight/obesity and related comorbidities among the recipients. In countries like Botswana where ±84% of PLHIV is on ART, the paucity of data comparing overweight/obesity between HIV-positive on ART and HIV-negative patients may impede clinical and policy decision-making. This study sought to estimate and compare: i) the prevalence of overweight/obesity between HIV-positive on ART and HIV-negative patients;ii) the prevalence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM)/coronary heart disease (CHD) between HIV-positive patients on ART and HIV-negative patients attending same outpatient departments of general clinics in Gaborone, Botswana. Patients and Methods: Five hundred eighty-one (581) outpatients were recruited in four major clinics of Gaborone, Botswana, between June and July 2019;294 or 51% of them were HIV-negative and 287 or 49% were HIV-positive on ART. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and of HTN and DM/CHD were calculated and examined using stratified analysis. Subgroups were compared using Chi-square analysis with Yates correction or Fisher exact test and t-student test for continuous data. Results: Major findings after stratification of the study population by HIV status were: i) the prevalence of all categories of (BMI), including overweight/obesity, were comparable between HIV-negative-patients and HIV-positive. In fact, there were 24 (8.0%) cases of underweight among HIV-negative-Patients and 15(5%) cases among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.2;145 (49%) HIV-negative-patients and 128 (45%) HIV-positive, p = 0.07 cases of normal weight;72 (25%) HIV-negative-patients and 87 (30%) HIV-positive, p = 0.08, were overweight;53 (18%) HIV-negative-patients and 57 (20%) HIV-positive, p = 0.12, were obese;125 (43%) HIV-negative patients and 144 (50%) HIV-positive, p=0.06 were overweight/obese;ii) the prevalence of HTN and DM/CHD among HIV-positive-patients were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to HIV-negative patients: There were 32 (10.9%) cases of HTN among HIV-negative patients compared to 18 (6.3%) cases of HTN among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.001;32 (11%) cases of DM/CHD HIV-negative patients compared to 4 (1.4%) cases of DM/CHD among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.001. Conclusion: the prevalence of overweight/obesity observed between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients may suggest that the two groups shared the same exposure factors. That HTN and DM/CHD prevalence was lower among HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative patients, is possibly due to interplay factors of ART, HIV or the host population. Further studies are, however, recommended for clarifications.展开更多
Introduction: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are currently recognized as genuine pathogens. However, little is known about the resistance and virulence genes that explain their pathogenicity in hospitals in C...Introduction: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are currently recognized as genuine pathogens. However, little is known about the resistance and virulence genes that explain their pathogenicity in hospitals in Cte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to contribute to the genotypic identification of resistance and virulence genes in CoNS isolated from blood cultures at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) of Bouak, in order to improve patient management. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted from September to December 2023. The CoNS isolates studied came from the collection of strains isolated from blood cultures of febrile patients hospitalized or attending consultations at the CHU of Bouak. The strains were analyzed using conventional simplex PCR. Results: Of the 45 isolates analyzed, 46.7% carried both the aacA-aphD and tetK genes and 40% carried the mecA gene. With regard to virulence genes, only the LukS-PV gene was observed in S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus isolates. Conclusion: The high prevalence of CoNS isolates carrying the mecA gene and the presence of virulence genes observed in this study give cause for concern in hospitals. It is important to develop comprehensive surveillance strategies against nosocomial and multi-resistant infections at the CHU of Bouak.展开更多
Introduction: Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a cause of frequent inpatient and outpatient care visits whose causative agents are associated with a high antimicrobial resistance burden. For insig...Introduction: Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a cause of frequent inpatient and outpatient care visits whose causative agents are associated with a high antimicrobial resistance burden. For insights on antimicrobial susceptibilities in a rural setting, we examined specimens from suspected SSTIs from two public health facilities in Kenya. We additionally assessed antibiotic use, appropriateness of empiric therapy and risk factors for SSTI. Methodology: Between 2021 and 2023, 265 patients at Kisii and Nyamira County Referral hospitals were enrolled. Wound swabs/aspirates were collected and processed following standard microbiological procedures. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 Compact platform. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were analyzed with R Statistical software. Results: S. aureus was isolated in 16.2% (43/265) of patients with a methicillin resistance (MRSA) proportion of 14% (6/43). While 13/15 drugs elicited susceptibilities ranging from 84% - 100%, penicillin (16%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [TMP-SXT] (23%) yielded the lowest susceptibilities. Escherichia coli (n = 33), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 8), and Citrobacter species (n = 4) were the most commonly isolated gram-negative species. Gram-negative strains showed high susceptibilities to most of the tested drugs (71% - 100%) with the exception of ampicillin (18%), TMP-SXT (33%), and first and second generation cephalosporins. Conclusions: The low MRSA prevalence and generally high antibiotic susceptibilities for S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria present opportunities for antibiotic stewardship in the study setting. Diminished susceptibilities against penicillin/ampicillin and TMP-SXT accord with prevailing local data and add a layer of evidence for their cautious empiric use.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30973309
文摘In this experiment, 97 patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome were divided into three groups （mild, moderate, severe） according to minimum oxygen saturation, and 35 healthy subjects were examined as controls. Cognitive function was determined using the mismatch negativity paradigm and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The results revealed that as the disease worsened, the mismatch negativity latency was gradually extended, and the amplitude gradually declined in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. Importantly, mismatch negativity latency in severe patients with a persistent time of minimum oxygen saturation 〈 60 seconds was significantly shorter than that with a persistent time of minimum oxygen saturation 〉 60 seconds. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between minimum oxygen saturation latency and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. These findings indicate that intermittent night-time hypoxemia affects mismatch negativity waveforms and Montrea Cognitive Assessment scores. As indicators for detecting the cognitive functional status of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients, the sensitivity of mismatch negativity is 82.93%, the specificity is 73.33%, the accuracy rate is 81.52%, the positive predictive value is 85.00%, the negative predictive value is 70.21%, the positive likelihood ratio is 3, and the negative likelihood ratio is 0.23. These results indicate that mismatch negativity can be used as an effective tool for diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11604090)
文摘We studied quantum correlation and quantum entanglement of a quantum system in which a coherent state light field interacts with two qubits that are initially prepared in a separable and mixed state.The influence of mean photon number of the coherent field and distribution probability of the atom on the geometrical quantum discord and the negativity are discussed.Our results show that the mean photon number of light field and distribution function of the atom can regulate and control the quantum correlation and quantum entanglement.
文摘Rapid and accurate perception of threat information is a critical ability and a prerequisite to survive natural selection for humans.To investigate whether threatening stimuli,especially phylogenetic and ontogenetic threats,are processed automatically,we analyzed the visual mismatch negativity(vMMN,an event-related potential component reflecting automatic processing)elicited by the threats with a cross-modal oddball paradigm,where participants were required to focus on the auditory stimuli and ignore the visual stimuli in each block.In this study,neutral(non-threatening)images served as standard stimuli(80%),and phylogenetic(10%)and ontogenetic(10%)threat stimuli served as deviant stimuli when testing a large sample(N=96)of healthy volunteers.Threat-related visual mismatch negativity(threat-vMMN)was obtained by subtracting the event-related potential(ERP)elicited by standard stimuli from that elicited by deviant stimuli.The results indicated that the vMMN can be elicited by threat information.More importantly,the phylogenetic threat information elicited larger threat-vMMN than ontogenetic threat information.These findings suggest that perception of threat information was automatic,providing an evidential basis for the attentional advantages of survival processing.That is,automatic perception of phylogenetic threats has a particular evolutionary origin.
基金the Medical Research Foundation of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Public Health,No.H201043
文摘We detected the event-related potential mismatch negativity （MMN） of 30 depression patients and compared to 30 age,gender,and education-matched healthy controls.Results showed that amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were lower in depression patients compared with control patients,indicating abnormality in auditory processing （i.e.,cognitive impairment）.Following escitalopram treatment for 8 weeks,the amplitudes of frequency and duration MMN were significantly increased and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores were significantly decreased in depression patients.These data suggest that escitalopram can improve cognitive function of patients with depression.Further,MMN may be a useful tool for evaluating cognitive function and treatment effects.
基金supported by Department of Science and Technology,Government of India through the award of INSPIRE fellowship
文摘Using Majorana representation of symmetric N-qubit pure states, we have examined the monogamous nature of the family of states with two-distinct spinors, the W class of states. We have evaluated the N-concurrence tangle and showed that all the states in this family have vanishing concurrence tangle. The negativity tangle for the W class of states is shown to be non-zero, illustrating the fact that the concurrence tangle is always lesser than or equal to the negativity tangle in a pure N-qubit state.
基金Project (No. CA02/03.SC01) supported by Research Grant Council(RGC) Hong Kong, China
文摘The realization of double negative electromagnetic wave media, sometimes called left-handed materials (LHMs) or metamaterials, have drawn considerable attention in the past few years. We will examine the possibility of extending the concept to acoustic waves. We will see that acoustic metamaterials require both the effective density and bulk modulus to be simultaneously negative in the sense of an effective medium. If we can find a double negative (negative density and bulk modulus) acoustic medium, it will be an acoustic analogue of Veselago’s medium in electromagnetism, and share many novel consequences such as negative refractive index and backward wave characteristics. We will give one example of such a medium.
文摘We give a study result to analyze a rather different, semi-analytical numerical algorithms based on splitting-step methods with their applications to mathematical finance. As certain subsistent numerical schemes may fail due to producing negative values for financial variables which require non-negativity preserving. These algorithms which we are analyzing preserve not only the non-negativity, but also the character of boundaries (natural, reflecting, absorbing, etc.). The derivatives of the CIR process and the Heston model are being extensively studied. Beyond plain vanilla European options, we creatively apply our splitting-step methods to a path-dependent option valuation. We compare our algorithms to a class of numerical schemes based on Euler discretization which are prevalent currently. The comparisons are given with respect to both accuracy and computational time for the European call option under the CIR model whereas with respect to convergence rate for the path-dependent option under the CIR model and the European call option under the Heston model.
文摘Context: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps restore the health status of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Likewise, it increases the risk of overweight/obesity and related comorbidities among the recipients. In countries like Botswana where ±84% of PLHIV is on ART, the paucity of data comparing overweight/obesity between HIV-positive on ART and HIV-negative patients may impede clinical and policy decision-making. This study sought to estimate and compare: i) the prevalence of overweight/obesity between HIV-positive on ART and HIV-negative patients;ii) the prevalence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM)/coronary heart disease (CHD) between HIV-positive patients on ART and HIV-negative patients attending same outpatient departments of general clinics in Gaborone, Botswana. Patients and Methods: Five hundred eighty-one (581) outpatients were recruited in four major clinics of Gaborone, Botswana, between June and July 2019;294 or 51% of them were HIV-negative and 287 or 49% were HIV-positive on ART. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and of HTN and DM/CHD were calculated and examined using stratified analysis. Subgroups were compared using Chi-square analysis with Yates correction or Fisher exact test and t-student test for continuous data. Results: Major findings after stratification of the study population by HIV status were: i) the prevalence of all categories of (BMI), including overweight/obesity, were comparable between HIV-negative-patients and HIV-positive. In fact, there were 24 (8.0%) cases of underweight among HIV-negative-Patients and 15(5%) cases among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.2;145 (49%) HIV-negative-patients and 128 (45%) HIV-positive, p = 0.07 cases of normal weight;72 (25%) HIV-negative-patients and 87 (30%) HIV-positive, p = 0.08, were overweight;53 (18%) HIV-negative-patients and 57 (20%) HIV-positive, p = 0.12, were obese;125 (43%) HIV-negative patients and 144 (50%) HIV-positive, p=0.06 were overweight/obese;ii) the prevalence of HTN and DM/CHD among HIV-positive-patients were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to HIV-negative patients: There were 32 (10.9%) cases of HTN among HIV-negative patients compared to 18 (6.3%) cases of HTN among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.001;32 (11%) cases of DM/CHD HIV-negative patients compared to 4 (1.4%) cases of DM/CHD among HIV-positive patients, p = 0.001. Conclusion: the prevalence of overweight/obesity observed between HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients may suggest that the two groups shared the same exposure factors. That HTN and DM/CHD prevalence was lower among HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative patients, is possibly due to interplay factors of ART, HIV or the host population. Further studies are, however, recommended for clarifications.
文摘Introduction: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are currently recognized as genuine pathogens. However, little is known about the resistance and virulence genes that explain their pathogenicity in hospitals in Cte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to contribute to the genotypic identification of resistance and virulence genes in CoNS isolated from blood cultures at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) of Bouak, in order to improve patient management. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted from September to December 2023. The CoNS isolates studied came from the collection of strains isolated from blood cultures of febrile patients hospitalized or attending consultations at the CHU of Bouak. The strains were analyzed using conventional simplex PCR. Results: Of the 45 isolates analyzed, 46.7% carried both the aacA-aphD and tetK genes and 40% carried the mecA gene. With regard to virulence genes, only the LukS-PV gene was observed in S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus isolates. Conclusion: The high prevalence of CoNS isolates carrying the mecA gene and the presence of virulence genes observed in this study give cause for concern in hospitals. It is important to develop comprehensive surveillance strategies against nosocomial and multi-resistant infections at the CHU of Bouak.
文摘Introduction: Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a cause of frequent inpatient and outpatient care visits whose causative agents are associated with a high antimicrobial resistance burden. For insights on antimicrobial susceptibilities in a rural setting, we examined specimens from suspected SSTIs from two public health facilities in Kenya. We additionally assessed antibiotic use, appropriateness of empiric therapy and risk factors for SSTI. Methodology: Between 2021 and 2023, 265 patients at Kisii and Nyamira County Referral hospitals were enrolled. Wound swabs/aspirates were collected and processed following standard microbiological procedures. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility were performed using the VITEK 2 Compact platform. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were analyzed with R Statistical software. Results: S. aureus was isolated in 16.2% (43/265) of patients with a methicillin resistance (MRSA) proportion of 14% (6/43). While 13/15 drugs elicited susceptibilities ranging from 84% - 100%, penicillin (16%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [TMP-SXT] (23%) yielded the lowest susceptibilities. Escherichia coli (n = 33), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 8), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 8), and Citrobacter species (n = 4) were the most commonly isolated gram-negative species. Gram-negative strains showed high susceptibilities to most of the tested drugs (71% - 100%) with the exception of ampicillin (18%), TMP-SXT (33%), and first and second generation cephalosporins. Conclusions: The low MRSA prevalence and generally high antibiotic susceptibilities for S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria present opportunities for antibiotic stewardship in the study setting. Diminished susceptibilities against penicillin/ampicillin and TMP-SXT accord with prevailing local data and add a layer of evidence for their cautious empiric use.
