Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eliciting Upper Extremity Purposeful Movements Using Video Games

Background. Video games have become popular in stroke rehabilitation; however, the nature of this intervention is not fully understood. Objectives. To compare the number of (a) purposeful and nonpurposeful repetitions of the weaker upper extremity (UE) and (b) movement accelerations as assessed by accelerometer activity counts of the weaker and stronger UEs of individuals with chronic stroke while playing video games or participating in traditional therapy. Methods. Twenty-nine individuals (mean age 59 years, 1-7 years poststroke) took part in a group intervention of video -games (n = 15) or traditional therapy (n = 14) as part of a randomized controlled trial. During 1 - 2 sessions, participants were video-taped while wearing wrist accelerometers. Assessors counted the number of repetitions and classified movements as purposeful or nonpurposeful using videotapes. The weaker UE motor impairments were correlated to movement accelerations, to determine if participants were using their potential during the sessions. Results. Participants in the video game group performed a median of 271 purposeful movements and 37 970 activity counts compared to 48 purposeful movements and 14 872 activity counts in the traditional group (z = −3.0, P = .001 and z = −1.9, P = .05, respectively). Participants in the traditional group performed a median of 26 nonpurposeful (exercises) compared with 0 in the video game group (z = −4.2, P = .000). Strong significant correlations were found between the motor ability of the weak UE to repetitions of participants in both groups (r = .86, P < .01). Participants with higher motor ability performed more repetitions. Conclusions. Video games elicited more UE purposeful repetitions and higher acceleration of movement compared with traditional therapy in individuals with chronic stroke.
Interplay between Candida albicans and the Mammalian Innate Host Defense

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is both the most common fungal commensal microorganism in healthy individuals and the major fungal pathogen causing high mortality in at-risk populations, especially immunocompromised patients. In this review, we summarize the interplay between the host innate system and C. albicans, ranging from how the host recognizes, responds, and clears C. albicans infection to how C. albicans evades, dampens, and escapes from host innate immunity.
Segmentation and Classification of Gait Cycles

Gait abnormalities can be studied by means of instrumented gait analysis. Foot-switches are useful to study the foot-floor contact and for timing the gait phases in many gait disorders, provided that a reliable foot-switch signal may be collected. Considering long walks allows reducing the intra-subject variability, but requires automatic and user-independent methods to analyze a large number of gait cycles. The aim of this work is to describe and validate an algorithm for the segmentation of the foot-switch signal and the classification of the gait cycles. The performance of the algorithm was assessed comparing its results against the manual segmentation and classification performed by a gait analysis expert on the same signal. The performance was found to be equal to 100% for healthy subjects and over 98% for pathological subjects. The algorithm allows determining the atypical cycles (cycles that do not match the standard sequence of gait phases) for many different kinds of pathological gait, since it is not based on pathology-specific templates.
Demonstration of a Semi-Autonomous Hybrid Brain–Machine Interface Using Human Intracranial EEG, Eye Tracking, and Computer Vision to Control a Robotic Upper Limb Prosthetic

To increase the ability of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to control advanced prostheses such as the modular prosthetic limb (MPL), we are developing a novel system: the Hybrid Augmented Reality Multimodal Operation Neural Integration Environment (HARMONIE). This system utilizes hybrid input, supervisory control, and intelligent robotics to allow users to identify an object (via eye tracking and computer vision) and initiate (via brain-control) a semi-autonomous reach-grasp-and-drop of the object by the MPL. Sequential iterations of HARMONIE were tested in two pilot subjects implanted with electrocortico-graphic (ECoG) and depth electrodes within motor areas. The subjects performed the complex task in 71.4% (20/28) and 67.7% (21/31) of trials after minimal training. Balanced accuracy for detecting movements was 91.1% and 92.9%, significantly greater than chance accuracies (p <; 0.05). After BMI-based initiation, the MPL completed the entire task 100% (one object) and 70% (three objects) of the time. The MPL took approximately 12.2 s for task completion after system improvements implemented for the second subject. Our hybrid-BMI design prevented all but one baseline false positive from initiating the system. The novel approach demonstrated in this proof-of-principle study, using hybrid input, supervisory control, and intelligent robotics, addresses limitations of current BMIs.
The Acid Phosphatase AcpA Is Secreted In Vitro and in Macrophages by Francisella spp

Francisella tularensis is a remarkably infectious facultative intracellular pathogen that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Essential to the pathogenesis of F. tularensis is its ability to escape the destructive phagosomal environment and inhibit the host cell respiratory burst. F. tularensis subspecies encode a series of acid phosphatases, which have been reported to play important roles in Francisella phagosomal escape, inhibition of the respiratory burst, and intracellular survival. However, rigorous demonstration of acid phosphatase secretion by intracellular Francisella has not been shown. Here, we demonstrate that AcpA, which contributes most of the F. tularensis acid phosphatase activity, is secreted into the culture supernatant in vitro by F. novicida and F. tularensis subsp. holarctica LVS. In addition, both F. novicida and the highly virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis Schu S4 strain are able to secrete and also translocate AcpA into the host macrophage cytosol. This is the first evidence of acid phosphatase translocation during macrophage infection, and this knowledge will greatly enhance our understanding of the functions of these enzymes in Francisella pathogenesis.
Infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Results in Rapid Interleukin-1β Release and Macrophage Transepithelial Migration

ABSTRACT Pathogen processing by the intestinal epithelium involves a dynamic innate immune response initiated by pathogen-epithelial cell cross talk. Interactions between epithelium and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis have not been intensively studied, and it is currently unknown how the bacterium-epithelial cell cross talk contributes to the course of infection. We hypothesized that M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis harnesses host responses to recruit macrophages to the site of infection to ensure its survival and dissemination. We investigated macrophage recruitment in response to M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis using a MAC-T bovine macrophage coculture system. We show that M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection led to phagosome acidification within bovine epithelial (MAC-T) cells as early as 10 min, which resulted in upregulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at transcript and protein levels. Within 10 min of infection, macrophages were recruited to the apical side of MAC-T cells. Inhibition of phagosome acidification or IL-1β abrogated this response, while MCP-1/CCL-2 blocking had no effect. IL-1β processing was dependent upon Ca2+ uptake from the extracellular medium and intracellular Ca2+ oscillations, as determined by EGTA and BAPTA-AM [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester)] treatments. Thus, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis is an opportunist that takes advantage of extracellular Ca2+-dependent phagosome acidification and IL-1β processing in order to efficiently transverse the epithelium and enter its niche—the macrophage.
Attitudes towards use of rubber dam in private practices in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction: The benefits of rubber dam in dental practice are well known and it is accepted worldwide as a standard of care. In spite of this, rubber dam use is disregarded by most practicing dentists. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of rubber dam by private practitioners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for operative and endodontic procedures and to assess dentists’ attitude towards the use of rubber dam. Materials and Methods: Three senior dental students of the University of Sharjah distributed 200 “closed” surveys among private clinics in the UAE. A total of 151 questionnaires was filled and returned. Data was entered into an electronic database (Microsoft Excel 2003) and the results were statistically analyzed through SPSS Statistics version 18. Results: 64.5% of dentists agreed that the use of rubber dam provides clearer access during restorative treatment and there was a higher clinical standard achieved. However, the majority of these dentists did not use the rubber dam in actual practice. Furthermore, 57.2% disagreed that they were not taught or had forgotten the use of rubber dam. It was also evident that there is less frequent use of rubber dam in the treatment of anterior root canals or restorations when compared to posterior. Conclusions: Dentists practicing in the UAE were trained in the use of rubber dam but few of them use it in their dental practice. These findings suggest the need to re‑enforce the rubber dam use in various clinical procedures for delivering a better standard of care and obtaining predictable outcomes.
Monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial em indivíduos normotensos submetidos a duas sessões únicas de exercícios: resistido e aeróbio

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of 2 single exercise sessions on blood pressure in sedentary normotensive individuals: one of resistive exercise training (circuit weight training) and the other of aerobic exercise training. METHODS: Using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, this study assessed 25 individuals as follows: in a controlled situation at rest (ABPM 1); after resistive exercise training (ABPM 2); and after aerobic exercise training (ABPM 3). Resistive exercise training was performed as circuit weight training with an intensity of 40% of each individual's maximum strength. The aerobic exercise training was performed on a cycloergometer with intensity between 60% and 70% of the maximum heart rate (HR) reached during previous exercise testing. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values during 24 hours and during subperiods of wakefulness and sleep showed no statistically significant variations when the results obtained at rest were compared with those of ABPM2 and ABPM3, and when the results of ABPM2 were compared with those of ABPM3. The mean heart rate during 24 hours and in the wakefulness period showed significant increases (P<0.05), when ABPM2 was compared with ABPM3. CONCLUSION: A single session of resistive exercise training in normotensive individuals was sufficient to cause significant reductions in blood pressure levels after exercise in the period of sleep. The session of aerobic exercise training in these same individuals was more effective in significantly reducing blood pressure levels.
Practicality of state-machine verification of speed-independent circuits

A state-machine verifier is described for speed-independent control circuits, using as an example an arbiter with reject. User-level behavioral descriptions are given as Petri nets, which are translated into trace structures, which are then automatically compared. The example verifies in two ways: first, the entire implementation is compared with a specification; second, the circuit is verified hierarchically according to the structure of the design. Performance figures are given. <<ETX>>
Efferent Feedback in a Spinal-Like Controller: Reaching With Perturbations

We use simulations of a controller that adopts a spinal-like network topology for goal-oriented reaching and assess its sensitivity to the dynamics of internal elements that allow context-independent performance. Such internal elements are often referred to as inverse or forward models of the periphery dynamics, depending on the proposed controller theory. Here, the “models” are used in a forward implementation, and we evaluate how the controller's performance would be affected by the nature of the model. For each point-to-point reaching motion experiment, we use forms of internal “efference models” (e.g., full mathematical representations of peripheral dynamics, simple spindle feedback, etc.) driven by motor reafference, then compare hand trajectories and hand path speeds in the presence or absence of external perturbations. It is demonstrated that a simple velocity-based model reduced the effects of dynamic perturbations by as much as 66%. In addition, the 2D hand trajectories varied from a biological reference by only 0.05 cm. Thus, the controller facilitated biological like motions while providing response to dynamic events which are omitted in earlier biomimetic controllers. This research suggests that these spinal-like systems are robust and tunable via gain-fields without the need of context dependent pre-planning.
Central Role of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling and Host Defense in Experimental Pneumonia Caused by Gram-Negative Bacteria

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been identified as a receptor for lipopolysaccharide. However, the precise role of TLR4 in regulating gene expression in response to an infection caused by gram-negative bacteria has not been fully elucidated. The role of TLR4 signaling in coordinating gene expression was assessed by gene expression profiling in lung tissue in a mouse model of experimental pneumonia with a low-dose infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae. We analyzed four mouse strains: C57BL/6 mice, which are resistant to bacterial dissemination; 129/SvJ mice, which are susceptible; C3H/HeJ mice, which are susceptible and have defective TLR4 signaling; and their respective control strain, C3H/HeN (intermediate resistance). At 4 h after infection, C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN mice demonstrated the greatest number of genes, with 67 shared induced genes which were TLR4 dependent and highly associated with the resistance phenotype. These genes included cytokine and chemokine genes required for neutrophil activation or recruitment, growth factor receptors, MyD88 (a critical adaptor protein for TLR signaling), and adhesion molecules. TLR4 signaling accounted for over 74% of the gene expression in the C3H background. These data suggest that early TLR4 signaling controls the vast majority of gene expression in the lung in response to an infection caused by gram-negative bacteria and that this subsequent gene expression determines survival of the host.
Induction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific Primary and Secondary T-Cell Responses in Interleukin-15-Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Several studies have provided evidence that interleukin-15 (IL-15) can enhance protective immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. However, the effects of IL-15 deficiency on the functionality of M. tuberculosis-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells are unknown. In this study, we investigated the generation and maintenance of effector and memory T-cell responses following M. tuberculosis infection of IL-15−/− mice. IL-15−/− mice had slightly higher bacterial numbers during chronic infection, which were accompanied by an increase in gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD4 and CD8 T cells. There was no evidence of increased apoptosis or a defect in proliferation of CD8 effector T cells following M. tuberculosis infection. The induction of cytotoxic and IFN-γ CD8 T-cell responses was normal in the absence of IL-15 signaling. The infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T cells into the lungs of “immune” IL-15−/− mice was delayed in response to M. tuberculosis challenge. These findings demonstrate that efficient effector CD4 and CD8 T cells can be developed following M. tuberculosis infection in the absence of IL-15 but that recall T-cell responses may be impaired.
Optogenetic Manipulation of Cyclic Di-GMP (c-di-GMP) Levels Reveals the Role of c-di-GMP in Regulating Aerotaxis Receptor Activity in Azospirillum brasilense

ABSTRACT Bacterial chemotaxis receptors provide the sensory inputs that inform the direction of navigation in changing environments. Recently, we described the bacterial second messenger cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) as a novel regulator of a subclass of chemotaxis receptors. In Azospirillum brasilense, c-di-GMP binds to a chemotaxis receptor, Tlp1, and modulates its signaling function during aerotaxis. Here, we further characterize the role of c-di-GMP in aerotaxis using a novel dichromatic optogenetic system engineered for manipulating intracellular c-di-GMP levels in real time. This system comprises a red/near-infrared-light-regulated diguanylate cyclase and a blue-light-regulated c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase. It allows the generation of transient changes in intracellular c-di-GMP concentrations within seconds of irradiation with appropriate light, which is compatible with the time scale of chemotaxis signaling. We provide experimental evidence that binding of c-di-GMP to the Tlp1 receptor activates its signaling function during aerotaxis, which supports the role of transient changes in c-di-GMP levels as a means of adjusting the response of A. brasilense to oxygen gradients. We also show that intracellular c-di-GMP levels in A. brasilense change with carbon metabolism. Our data support a model whereby c-di-GMP functions to imprint chemotaxis receptors with a record of recent metabolic experience, to adjust their contribution to the signaling output, thus allowing the cells to continually fine-tune chemotaxis sensory perception to their metabolic state. IMPORTANCE Motile bacteria use chemotaxis to change swimming direction in response to changes in environmental conditions. Chemotaxis receptors sense environmental signals and relay sensory information to the chemotaxis machinery, which ultimately controls the swimming pattern of cells. In bacteria studied to date, differential methylation has been known as a mechanism to control the activity of chemotaxis receptors and modulates their contribution to the overall chemotaxis response. Here, we used an optogenetic system to perturb intracellular concentrations of the bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP to show that in some chemotaxis receptors, c-di-GMP functions in a similar feedback loop to connect the metabolic status of the cells to the sensory activity of chemotaxis receptors.
Upper Limb Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury: Involvement of Central and Peripheral Motor Pathways

Background and Objective. The course of central and peripheral motor recovery after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) may be investigated by electrophysiological measures. The goal of this study was to compare the 2 over the first year after injury in relation to motor gains. Methods. Compound motor action potentials (CMAPs), motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and F-waves were recorded from the abductor digiti minimi and CMAP and F-waves from abductor hallucis muscles in 305 patients at about 15 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months following an acute traumatic SCI. Results. The MEP amplitudes and F-wave persistences were lower with more severe sensorimotor impairment. They steadily increased in most subgroups within 6 months after SCI. The amplitude of the CMAPs was low for the first 3 months in the most severely affected participants. This was also found for CMAPs from tibial nerve originating well below the cervical lesion level. Improvement in neurophysiological parameters correlated with improved upper extremity motor scores. Conclusion. The results point to a systematic interrelation of corticospinal transmission, spinal motoneuron excitability, and its axon function, respectively. Electrophysiological correlates of neural excitability show distinct spatial and temporal interrelations within central and peripheral motor pathways following acute cervical SCI. A strong secondary deterioration within the peripheral motor system with incomplete or no recovery depends on anatomical distance caudal to lesion and on lesion severity. Electrophysiological assessments may increase the sensitivity of interventional studies in addition to clinical measures.
Cognitive Training and Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-analysis

Background. Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience cognitive decline. It is not known whether cognitive training or noninvasive brain stimulation are effective at alleviating cognitive deficits in PD. Objective. To examine cognitive training and non-invasive brain stimulation interventions for cognition in PD. Methods. An extensive search was conducted of published and unpublished studies in online databases. Studies were selected if they were controlled trials examining standard (not individualized) or tailored (individualized) cognitive training, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in PD, with outcomes measured by standardized neuropsychological tests. Results. Fourteen controlled trials met inclusion criteria. For executive function, the pooled effect size (Hedges’ g) for cognitive training (standard and tailored combined) was small (g = 0.42) but statistically significant (95% CI 0.15-0.68). The pooled effect for standard cognitive training (alone) was medium (g = 0.51) and significant (95% CI 0.16-0.85). For attention/working memory, small pooled effect sizes were found when combining standard and tailored cognitive training (g = 0.23; 95% CI 0.02-0.44) and for standard cognitive training alone (g = 0.29; 95% CI 0.04-0.53), both significant. For memory, small but significant pooled effect sizes were also found when combining standard and tailored cognitive training and for standard cognitive training alone. Conclusions. The results suggest that standard and tailored cognitive training may improve executive function, attention/working memory, and memory in PD. Future studies must adopt randomized controlled trial designs to explore the therapeutic potential of these interventions.
On determining scan flip-flops in partial-scan designs

A report is presented on procedures investigated to determine flip-flops to be scanned in partial-scan designs for sequential circuits. The main idea pursued is to derive a minimal feedback vertex set of the so-called S-graphs. Results of applying optimal and heuristic procedures on a set of benchmark circuits indicate that heuristic methods give fast and near minimal solutions. <<ETX>>