Marathon runner with acute hyponatremia: a neurological disorder.

We report the case of an athletic 49-year-old female who has run the 2011 Marathon of Paris and was addressed to the hospital for a confusion. The investigations revealed a cerebral edema complicating a severe hyponatremia secondary to an exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH). Using 3% hypertonic saline solution, the evolution the patient rapidly improve allowing discharge after 7 days. We then discuss the importance of EAH in long-term efforts.

SpO2 sensor embedded in a finger ring: design and implementation.

A novel concept of Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) sensor embedded in a finger ring is presented in this paper. Due to the mechanical conception of the probe, the sensor fits any finger topology and assures a constant force applied to the phalanx. Ambient light artifacts are rejected at the analog electronics level. Finally, an innovative distribution of light sources and detectors and a dedicated signal processing procedure resolve the anatomical heterogeneity of different phalanx topologies, compensate low perfusion indexes due to the phalanx anatomy and estimates equivalent pulse oximetry SpO2 indexes. First in-vivo validation results of the novel sensor are discussed at the end of the paper.

Spectroscopic gas analyzers based on indium-phosphide, antimonide and lead-salt diode-lasers.

Currently available semiconductor lasers for spectroscopy in the near- and mid-infrared region based on direct band-to-band transitions as gallium-arsenide, indium-phosphide, antimonides and lead-salt containing compounds will be discussed together with the main features of different tunable diode-laser absorption spectrometers for trace gas analysis. Measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide with a room-temperature 2 microm indium-phosphide laser, applications of antimonide lasers for methane and formaldehyde sensing in the 3-4 microm range and a fast chemical sensor for methane flux measurements based on lead-salt diode-lasers operating near 7.8 microm will be presented.

Application of a multi-laser tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer for atmospheric trace gas measurements at sub-ppbv levels.

We describe the application of a three-laser tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS), called 'tracer in-situ TDLAS for atmospheric research' (TRISTAR), to measure nitrogen dioxide (NO2), formaldehyde (HCHO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), during an intensive measurement campaign on Mt. Cimone (44 degrees 11'N, 10 degrees 42'E, 2165 m asl), Northern Appenines, Italy in June 2000 as part of the EU-project 'mineral dust and tropospheric chemistry' (MINATROC). The TRISTAR instrument was a major component of an instrument package, provided by the Max-Planck-Insitut für Chemie, to investigate free tropospheric gas-phase chemistry over the Appenines. Here we discuss the optical, electronic, gas flow, and calibration setup of the TDLAS used during the campaign. We characterized extensively the instrument's performance during a preparatory phase in the laboratory and compared the laboratory results to the in-field results. Consistency checks with additional trace gas measurements obtained during the campaign create high confidence in the measured concentrations. Correlations between different trace gas species, along with other evaluation tools, allow a full chemical characterization of air masses to meet the goals of the campaign.

Fast chemical sensor for eddy-correlation measurements of methane emissions from rice paddy fields.

A high-frequency-modulation spectrometer with a lead-salt diode laser operating in the nu(4) band of CH(4) at 7.8 mum was used as a fast chemical sensor to measure ambient methane concentrations of 2 ppmv (parts in 10(6) volume-mixing ratio) with a time resolution of 10 Hz for micrometeorological flux measurements. To assess the quality of the data on methane emissions from rice paddy fields, we compared eddy-correlation measurements with simultaneously recorded emission data from the state-of-the-art closed-chamber technique and showed that the closed-chamber measurements were 60%-90% higher than were the eddy-correlation measurements during the campaign. This outcome demonstrates that diode-laser spectroscopy is a valuable tool for quality assurance.

Community-based behavioral training approaches for people with mental retardation and mental illness.

Challenges associated with behavioral training approaches for individuals with mental retardation and mental illness in the community are reviewed in this article. Family and nonfamily facilitated training are considered. Professional practice issues are reviewed, and justification for multifactor behavioral assessment is offered. Future research directions are discussed.