The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cybersecurity potential of the giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect. To fulfill this objective, it was mandatory to develop the narrowest and the most ...sensitive GMI element together with an uncommon polarization method that consists in injecting an internal dc bias current in the GMI film to generate a transversal magnetic field in the structure. The impedance of a Ni 80 Fe 20 /Al/Ni 80 Fe 20 tri-layer was characterized for different thicknesses, widths, and anisotropy orientations. Each combination of these parameters offers an original outcome of the film that may be used as a specific sensor for cybersecurity purposes. This sensor can be used as an active shield that can be put over a device or included in the package in order to protect it against physical attacks, such as fault injection or invasive attacks. If one of these attacks occurs, any modification of the GMI sensing element induces a change in the impedance response allowing the detection of tampering of the secured packaging. Once the detection is confirmed, various actions can be taken, such as erasing sensitive data or resetting the device.
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using video analysis software on the interrater reliability of visual assessments of gait videos in children with cerebral palsy. Two ...clinicians viewed the same random selection of 20 sagittal and frontal video recordings of 12 children with cerebral palsy routinely acquired during outpatient rehabilitation clinics. Both observers rated these videos in a random sequence for each lower limb using the Observational Gait Scale, once with standard video software and another with video analysis software (Dartfish® ) which can perform angle and timing measurements. The video analysis software improved interrater agreement, measured by weighted Cohen's kappas, for the total score ( κ 0.778 → 0.809) and all of the items that required angle and/or timing measurements (knee position mid-stance κ 0.344 → 0.591; hindfoot position mid-stance κ 0.160 → 0.346; foot contact mid-stance κ 0.700 → 0.854; timing of heel rise κ 0.769 → 0.835). The use of video analysis software is an efficient approach to improve the reliability of visual video assessments.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a wild canid new to Switzerland. It is an officially monitored species and all deceased individuals are submitted for post-mortem examination to collect baseline ...health data. This includes parasitological examinations, with an emphasis on zoonotic, reportable infections, such as those caused by Trichinella spp. or Echinococcus spp. From 2016 to 2021, five golden jackals originating from four Swiss cantons were submitted for full post-mortem examination. In one case only organ samples were available, and therefore parasitological examination was not possible. Parasite stages recovered during necropsy, as well as by routine coproscopical techniques, were morphologically identified. Taeniid eggs and adult tapeworms were processed for molecular species identification. Additionally, tongue and diaphragm were analysed for Trichinella spp. by the artificial digestion technique followed by multiplex-PCR in positive cases. Of the four jackals investigated for parasites, hookworm eggs were detected in one animal, both adult worms and eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis were present in another case, and one animal was free of parasites. Eggs of E. multilocularis as well as eggs of Toxocara canis and sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. were detected in the intestinal content, and Trichinella britovi larvae were found in the muscle samples of the last case. The health monitoring programme in place for protected carnivores in Switzerland allowed us to add the golden jackal to the list of hosts for the endemic zoonotic parasites E. multilocularis and T. britovi in this country. Hunters, farmers, and other persons who could come in contact with golden jackals should be aware of the associated health risk and handle faeces and carcasses with caution.
Recent applications require vertical chip stacking to increase the performance of many devices without the need of advanced node components. Image sensors and vision systems will embed more and more ...smart functions, for instance, image processing, object recognition, and movement detection. In this perspective, the combination of Cu-to-Cu direct hybrid bonding technology with Through-Silicon-Via (TSV) will allow 3D interconnection between pixels and the associated computing and memory structures, each function fabricated on a separate wafer. Wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding was achieved with multi-pitch design—1–4 μm—of single levels of Cu damascene patterned on 300 mm silicon substrates. Defect-free bonding, as far as the extreme edge of the wafer, was demonstrated on a stack with three wafers. Middle wafers thinning was done with grinding only and with a thickness uniformity (TTV) <2 μm to an ultimate thinning as low as 3 μm. Alignment performance was characterized by post-bonding for two superposed hybrid bonding interfaces. In our set of wafers, modeling the alignment with translation, rotation, and scaling components enables us to optimize the residuals down to 3σ < 100 nm. A process flow of thin TSV with a fine pitch of 2 μm for high-density vertical interconnect through a three-wafer stack was developed. Via-last TSV architecture was adopted with 1 μm TSV diameter and 10 μm thickness. Lithography, etching solutions, Ti/TiN barrier deposition, and void-free Cu filling solutions were demonstrated. TSV cross sections after CMP and connections with top and bottom Cu damascene lines show good profile control. Process developments are matured and can be reliably used in the fabrication of an electrical test vehicle including vertical interconnects associating multi-wafers stacking with a hybrid bonding process and high-density thin TSV applicable to low pitches (<5 μm).
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Telephone use correlates with quality of life, and is one of the most important expectations of cochlear implant candidates. The aim of the present study was to assess the benefit of a progressive ...intensive 18-session training program, conducted by telephone in cochlear implant recipients.
Nine cochlear-implanted adults underwent telerehabilitation focused on telephone use, with before-and-after assessment of: auditory performance, on Lafon monosyllabic words and MBAA sentences in quiet, cocktail-party noise and by phone; telephone use, on ad-hoc surveys and number of calls per week; and quality of life on ERSA and APHAB questionnaires.
Before training, monosyllabic word comprehension was poorer by telephone than by direct voice (64±5.7% vs. 26±5.3%; P<0.05). After the 6-week training, there was improvement in the “note taking” telephone message task (85.0±3.7 vs. 50.0±9.0 out of 100; P<0.001), daily phone use (57.0±4.3 vs. 29±5.4 out of 100; P<0.0001), and number of calls in the week before assessment (0.0±0.0 vs. 11.0±3.0; P<0.0001).
A progressive intensive training program by telephone improved phone use in the daily life of cochlear-implanted adults.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This document presents the fundamentals of speech audiometry in noise, general requirements for implementation and criteria for choice among the tests available in French according to the ...health-professional's needs.
The recommendations are based on a systematic analysis of the literature carried out by a multidisciplinary group of doctors, audiologists and audioprosthetists from all over France. They are graded A, B, C or expert opinion according to decreasing level of scientific evidence.
Eight tests of speech audiometry in noise can be used in France.
To be complete, evaluation of hearing status requires testing understanding of speech in noise. The examination must begin with a minimum of two measurements familiarizing the subject with the test procedure. For initial diagnosis, adaptive procedures establishing the 50% speech reception threshold (SRT50) in noise are to be preferred in order to obtain a rapid and standardized measurement of perception of speech in noise. When the aim is to measure real-life speech comprehension, tests based on sentences, cocktail-party noise and free-field stimulation are to be preferred. Prosthetic gain is evaluated exclusively in free field. This is the only way to evaluate the contribution of binaurality and to measure perception in noise in an environment as close as possible to real life. In order to avoid acoustic interference in free field, at least five loudspeakers should be used, in particular for evaluating the effectiveness of directional microphones, CROS devices enabling sounds picked up in the damaged ear to be rerouted to the functional ear, or bimodal fitting (i.e., when hearing is enabled by two modalities: for example, hearing aid for one ear, cochlear implant for the other).
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The authors present the guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (Société française d’oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie de la face et du cou – SFORL) on ...the indications for cochlear implantation in children.
A multidisciplinary work group was entrusted with a review of the scientific literature on the above topic. Guidelines were drawn up, based on the articles retrieved and the group members’ individual experience. They were then read over by an editorial group independent of the work group. The guidelines were graded as A, B, C or expert opinion, by decreasing level of evidence.
The SFORL recommends that children with bilateral severe/profound hearing loss be offered bilateral cochlear implantation, with surgery before 12months of age. In sequential bilateral cochlear implantation in children with severe/profound hearing loss, it is recommended to reduce the interval between the two implants, preferably to less than 18months. The SFORL recommends encouraging children with unilateral cochlear implants to wear contralateral hearing aids when residual hearing is present, and recommends assessing perception with hearing-in-noise tests. It is recommended that the surgical technique should try to preserve the residual functional structures of the inner ear as much as possible.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The impact of hearing loss and of auditory rehabilitation (hearing aid, cochlear implant) on quality of life is a crucial issue. Commonly used questionnaires to assess quality of life in these ...patients (Nijmegen, APHAB, GBI) are time-consuming, difficult for patients to fill out, and show poor sensitivity to small improvements or deterioration. The objective of the present study was to validate a dedicated quality of life scale for hearing-impaired adults with or without auditory rehabilitation.
ERSA (Évaluation du Retentissement de la Surdité chez l’Adulte: Evaluation of the Impact of Hearing Loss in Adults) is a self-administered questionnaire. It is divided into 4 domains, each comprising 5 questions graded from 1 to 10. The questions are simple, and formulated so patients will answer according to how they feel at the actual time of the session. Test-retest reliability was measured in 38 patients. Internal coherence and validity against the APHAB questionnaire as gold standard and in relation to hearing performance were measured in 122 patients at auditory assessment. Sensitivity to change in hearing was measured in 36 cochlear implant patients, before and 6 or 12 months after implantation.
Test-retest reliability was very satisfactory (ρ=0.88). Internal coherence was good for all questions. External validity, comparing ERSA to APHAB scores in the same non-implanted hearing-impaired patients, was good (ρ=0.52). Additionally, ERSA scores correlated with hearing performance in adverse conditions (monosyllabic words: ρ=0.22; sentences in noise: ρ=0.19). In patients tested before and after cochlear implantation, improvement in hearing performance in silence and in noise correlated with an improvement in ERSA score (ρ=0.37 to 0.59, depending on the test), but not to GBI score.
The ERSA questionnaire is easy and quick to use, reliable, and sensitive to change in hearing performance after cochlear implantation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Raman microspectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate statistical analysis is a powerful technique for label-free classification of live cells based on their molecular composition, which can be ...correlated to variations in protein, DNA/RNA, and lipid macromolecules. We apply this technique
in vitro
, to discriminate between normal mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cells and spontaneously-transformed ovarian surface epithelial (STOSE) cells, which are derived from the MOSE cells and are a model for high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The Raman spectra collected from individual cells undergo initial preprocessing (background subtraction, normalization and noise reduction) to yield true Raman spectra representative of the cells for subsequent statistical analysis. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) yields a separation of the cells into the two groups (MOSE and STOSE). This classification model has a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 85%, respectively, after treatment of the cells to bring them into cell cycle synchrony. The main source of this separation is correlated with the increased nucleic acid content in the malignant OSE cells. As expected, a lower accuracy of 72% is obtained with asynchronous MOSE and STOSE cell populations. These results are expected to have a positive impact on the future development of improved strategies for early detection and therapeutics related to ovarian cancer.
Raman microspectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate statistical analysis is a powerful technique for label-free classification of live cells based on their molecular composition, which can be correlated to variations in protein, DNA/RNA, and lipid macromolecules.
The authors present the guidelines of the French Society of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) regarding indications for cochlear implantation in adults. After a literature review by a ...multidisciplinary workgroup, guidelines were drawn up based on retrieved articles and group-members’ experience, then read over by an independent reading group to edit the final version. Guidelines were graded A, B, C or “expert opinion” according to decreasing level of evidence. There is no upper age limit to cochlear implantation in the absence of proven dementia and if autonomy is at least partial. Bilateral implantation may be proposed if unilateral implantation fails to provide sufficiently good spatial localization, speech perception in noise and quality of life, and should be preceded by binaural hearing assessment. Rehabilitation by acoustic and electrical stimulation may be proposed when low-frequency hearing persists. Quality of life should be assessed before and after implantation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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