bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of ultra wide band antennas with minimized sizes for wireless communications, transceivers and radars implementations
Authors: Kenari Mohammad Alibakhshi
Published: December 2019

In this framework, novel ultra wideband (UWB) small antennas based on the composite right/left-handed transmission lines structures are proposed and designed. The antennas are presented with best in size, bandwidth and radiation patterns. The physical size and the operational frequency of the antennas depend on the unit cell size and the equivalent transmission line model parameters of the CRLH-TL. To realize specifications of the proposed antennas, Q-shaped gaps, which are incised into rectangular radiation patches, are used. The first CRLH antenna is composed of two unit cells, each of which occupies only 10.8 mm × 8.6 mm. This antenna covers the bandwidth from about 2.7–9.3 GHz for VSWR <2. The antenna radiation gains and efficiencies, obtained by ADS, HFSS and CST Microwave Studio simulators, are more than 4 dBi and 25%, respectively. Moreover, second CRLH antenna with same in size and enhancement in bandwidth, gains and efficiencies than the first antenna with similar design procedure is designed. This antenna is constructed of four unit cells. The length, width and height of the antenna are 21.6 mm, 8.6 mm and 1.6 mm, respectively, and this antenna covers bandwidth from almost 4–11.7 GHz for VSWR <2, also radiation gains and efficiencies, achieved with mentioned simulators, are more than 6 dBi and 45%, respectively.
Use of RFID technology for intelligent cross-border handling of transit goods
Authors: Siror Joseph K. , Kibet Paul K.
Published: December 2019

Demands for a more efficient clearance of human traffic and goods while addressing the ever increasing risks of terrorist, criminal and other illegal activities has become critical for government administrations especially in handling cross-border cargo and goods. Manual based methods are increasingly becoming overwhelming, ineffective and often lead to considerable delays. Thorough scrutiny in order to detect all violations often results in slower cargo clearance and pile-up of cargo. A compromise on the level of scrutiny has to be adopted so as to allow acceptable flow of cargo. Research therefore needs to be undertaken on solutions capable of addressing the twin problems of security and facilitation of faster flow of cargo. This paper proposes an intelligent border where RFID based cargo tracking solutions are used for transit cargo from port of entry to exit in order to facilitate passage without stoppage, checks or delays where no violations are observed during the trip. The business logic, design components and the requisite RFID infrastructure are discussed. Details of the simulations and simulation results that were used to test the design, business logic and work flow are provided.
Life cycle assessment of RFID implementation in the fresh food supply chain
Authors: Bottani Eleonora , Manfredi Michele , Vignali Giuseppe , Volpi Andrea
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this paper is to assess the environmental performance and burdens of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The RFID application involves additional environmental impacts to the life cycle of the product to which it is applied. Environmental burdens are caused, for instance, by the emissions and energy requirements that occur during the tag production, transportation and disposal. At the same time, when RFID technology is applied to tag fresh food products, some environmental benefits can be achieved. As an example, food waste can be reduced by optimizing the supply chain processes; therefore, the related environmental impacts can be avoided. The environmental sustainability of the RFID technology is evaluated through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, considering its application to a fresh product, namely fresh milk. The assessment was made exploiting the midpoint indicators recommended in the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook, edited by the Joint Research Centre of European Commission. Results show that the RFID application reduces the environmental impacts in all the categories considered, and that, overall, the environmental benefits resulting from the food waste reduction significantly overcome the tag impacts (more than 5 times). Given the lack of studies focusing on the environmental impact of RFID technology, this work might represent an important addition to the literature.
Mobile self-checkout systems in the FMCG retail sector: A comparison analysis
Authors: Andriulo S. , Elia V. , Gnoni M.G.
Published: December 2019

New business models are emerging in the FMCG retail sector due to the wide diffusion of digital technologies; innovative tools - such as Pervasive Retailing Information Systems - are wide spreading all over the world aiming to increase customer loyalty and retailer performance. Furthermore, the recent mass diffusion of mobile technologies is also contributing to modify customer satisfaction towards the shopping process. In this context, new generations of self-service systems – i.e. mobile Self-Checkout Systems (mSCSs)- are becoming widely adopted by FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) retail companies: the aim is to both speed up the customer-shopping trip and increase customer satisfaction. A mSCS is a self-checkout system based on mobile technology. Traditionally, self-checkout systems have been applied to speed up the customer purchase process; impacts on retailer performance could also be evaluated in order to optimize labor force at store level. The paper proposes a comparison analysis about the application of different types of mSCSs at FMCG retail stores: the study will focus on analyzing quantitatively impacts on time based metrics both from the customer and the retailer points of view. The study will be helpful for practitioners in designing their own mSCS; furthermore, a structured model for evaluating potential impacts of innovative technologies at the retail sector as a result. Finally, a discrete-event simulation model has been developed to quantitatively compare different mSCSs in a case study.
Design and implementation of a passive UHF RFID tag with a temperature and process compensation oscillator
Authors: Xie Liangbo , Liu Jiaxin , Wang Yao , Yin Chuan , Wen Guangjun
Published: December 2019

A fully integrated passive UHF RFID tag chip compatible with ISO18000-6B protocol is presented. In order to save die area, an all CMOS transistor regulator is adopted. An NMOS based traditional Dickson rectifier is employed with the advantage of circuit simplicity. An ultra-low power ring oscillator with temperature and process compensation is designed to guarantee the accuracy of the clock, which has a direct impact on the accuracy of backscatter link frequency (BLF). By utilizing several low power design approaches, a low power baseband processor is achieved. The whole tag chip is fabricated in TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology and the chip size is 730 μm × 605 μm. Measurement results show that the total power consumption of the tag is about 7 μW with a sensitivity of −13.1 dBm and an operational range of about 7.5 m under 4 W effective isotropic radiated (EIRP) power, and the accuracy of BLF is within ±10%. With the long operational range, the tag is suitable for many commercial applications, such as supply-chain and logistics managements as well as location sensing system.
A scenario analysis for evaluating RFID investments in pallet management
Authors: Gnoni Maria G. , Rollo Alessandra
Published: December 2019

Pallet management, which involves direct and reverse logistic models, may represent a critical activity for logistics provider firms. Pallets are needed in order to ship products from the producers/distributors to the retailers. Recently, pilot projects have demonstrated that performances of pallet management system could be improved by an advance tracking system based on Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID). RFID systems can increase effectiveness in acquiring data about properties of any entity – such as pallet – that can be physically identified and traced. In this paper, an effective model, based on the well known Activity Based Costing (ABC) technique, is proposed to evaluate economic feasibility of different design decisions regarding the whole pallet management system of a logistics provider. The model has been applied to different operational scenarios in a real case study: The scenario analysis aims to compare different configurations of pallet management systems based on RFID applications. Results obtained highlight how an RFID application is economically sustainable to reduce the overall cost of pallet management activities in different operational conditions. Finally, based on cost structure previously evaluated by the ABC model, an investment evaluation based on traditional indexes (e.g. ROI, Net Present Value, etc.) has been carried out. Therefore, the integration of the ABC model with traditional investment analysis has improved the effectiveness and the reliability of the feasibility study for evaluating RFID investments in pallet management.
Analysis of Tag Loss Ratio in dynamic RFID systems
Authors: Vales-Alonso J. , Egea-López E. , Bueno Delgado M.V. , Alcaraz-Espín J.J.
Published: December 2019

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems promise a revolution in logistics and inventory applications. By means of wireless communication, a master device can detect and identify nearby electronic tags. Traditionally, the performance of RFID systems and their identification protocols has been analyzed for static configurations, that is, without considering incoming or outgoing tags,but just a fixed number of initially unidentified tags. However, many real scenarios cannot be consistently modeled that way. In this work we introduce a Markov model which allows us to study a dynamic RFID tag scenario, where a flow of tags is considered. This model can be used to compute the Tag Loss Ratio, which measures the ratio of outgoing unidentified tags to the incoming tags in the system, which is a critical metric in dynamic configurations. The analysis is carried out for two families of protocols used as medium access control in RFID, Framed Slotted Aloha and non-persistent CSMA. With the aim of validating the analysis predictions, we get simulation results, by means of a simulator. We evaluate a scenario similar to a real application, i.e. a mail control system based on RFID.
A quantitative evaluation of the impact of the RFID technology on shelf availability
Authors: Bertolini Massimo , Ferretti Gino , Montanari Roberto , Rizzi Antonio , Vignali Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we aim at analyzing and punctually quantifying the benefits of the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for a better management of shop floor operations and reduction of out of stocks (OOS). To this extent, we first selected a panel of about 100 products belonging to different consumer packaged goods categories (i.e. dry foods, fresh foods, frozen products, health and beauty care) and then we identified 30 retail stores to be monitored, including both hypermarkets and supermarkets. We audited availabilities by daily mapping the number of items on the shelves at store level. In the case an OOS occurred, a store associate promptly provided the OOS root causes, chosing among 8 possible options. By combining pieces of information related to OOS magnitude, RFID impact on each root cause and customer behaviour in response to OOS, we quantified the potential benefits which could be generated by RFID adoptions, in terms of turnover increase for the retailer as well as for the manufacturer. Results obtained indicate that RFID technologies could be sustainable from an economical point of view for both the retailer and the manufacturer, when they are exploited not only for improving accuracy or efficiency of logistics processes but also for increasing sales through OOS reduction.
Evaluation of potential effects of RFID-based item-level tracing systems on the integrity of biological pharmaceutical products
Authors: Maffia Michele , Mainetti Luca , Patrono Luigi , Urso Emanuela
Published: December 2019

The application of RFID technologies along the pharmaceutical supply chain represents a guarantee of transparency in the drug flow, against the growing counterfeiting problem. Unfortunately, the large-scale deployment of these solutions is still limited because of concerns over potential deteriorating effects of RF emissions on traced pharmaceuticals. This work aims at delineating an experimental framework to evaluate potential exposure risks and get new insight into poorly explored safety issues. Heterogeneous skills (engineering, chemistry and physiology) have been recruited to draw up a suitable experimental protocol, consisting of three main steps: (i) simulation of drug exposure to electromagnetic fields generated by RFID devices in a test environment reproducing the pharmaceutical supply chain; (ii) investigation of potential drug structural changes by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques; (iii) analysis of performance by in vitro functional assays. An example of application of this protocol on a commercial FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) preparation has been reported, showing no alterations of the hormone integrity following RF exposure. Conclusively, a wide adoption of “trace and track” RFID technologies passes through the assessment of related safety issues. The varying nature of drugs as well as their different biological targets make it a hard challenge, that can be successfully overcome by multidisciplinary approaches.
Evaluation of operational factors affecting the RFID performance in cargo sorting operations
Authors: Kabadurmus Ozgur , Kilinc Mehmet Serdar , Ustundag Alp
Published: December 2019

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) has been taking great attention of industry for its various advantages. This technology enables to monitor and track items in production facilities, warehouse operations and distribution; however, RFID system performance is dramatically affected by the operational factors (controllable factors affecting the system performance) of the system. In particular, identification of appropriate levels for each operational factor is not trivial. In this paper, a six-step testing methodology is used to determine the optimized levels (specific values) of operational factors for an RFID applied conveyor system of cargo sorting operations. Here, a statistical analysis is performed on three RFID operational factors called product type, tag position, and conveyor speed.
Neuroprotective effects of bacopaside I in ischemic brain injury
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Yue Rongcai , Zhang Jigang , Shan Lei , Wang Rui , Zhang Weidong
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Bacopa monnieri (L.) WETTST. is extensively used in traditional Indian medicine as a nerve tonic. The neuropharmacological properties of bacopaside I, an important component from B. monnieri, have not been studied so far. The present study investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of bacopaside I in a rat model of transient focal ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: sham-operated group, ischemia group, and three bacopaside I-treated groups (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) respectively. Bacopaside I or vehicle (0.5% CMC-Na) was administered orally once a day for 6 days. On the third day, the rats were subjected to 2 h right MCAO via the intraluminal filament technique and 70 h reperfusion. Assessment of behavioral deficits both at 22 and 70 h, and measurement of cerebral infarct volume, edema, cerebral energy metabolism, relative enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, nitric oxide (NO) level, and antioxidant enzyme activities at 70 h, performed after MCAO reperfusion. Results: Bacopaside I (10 and 30 mg/kg) treatment produced significant reduction in neurological deficits at 22 and 70 h, and significantly reduced cerebral infarct volume and edema at 70 h, when compared with the ischemia group. Animal, that were orally treated with bacopaside I (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) showed increased the brain ATP content, energy charge (EC), total adenine nucleotides (TAN), nitric oxide (NO) level, Na+K+ATPase and Ca2+Mg2+ATPase activity. Bacopaside I (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) treatment also improved antioxidant enzyme activities including brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in varying degrees, compared with the ischemia group. In addition, three doses of bacopaside I (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) markedly inhibited the increase in MDA content of the brain. Conclusions: These findings indicated that bacopaside I possess a neuroprotective effect against injury caused by cerebral ischemia. The protective mechanism might be related to improving cerebral energy metabolism and increasing antioxidant levels.
A contralesional EEG power increase mediated by interhemispheric disconnection provides negative prognosis in acute stroke
Authors: Assenza G. , Zappasodi F. , Pasqualetti P. , Vernieri F. , Tecchio F.
Published: December 2019

Background and purpose: Despite similar clinical onset, recovery from stroke can be largely variable. We searched for electrophysiological prognostic indices, believing that they can guide future neuromodulation treatments boosting clinical recovery. Methods: 19-channels resting electroencephalogram (EEG) was collected in 42 patients after 4–10 days (t0) from a unilateral ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory and 20 controls. National Health Institute Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was collected at t0 and 6 months later (t1). Standard spectral band powers and interhemispheric coherences between homologous MCA regions were calculated in both hemispheres. Results: Total spectral, delta and theta band powers were higher bilaterally in patients than in controls and directly correlated with NIHSSt0 in both hemispheres. A linear regression model including each EEG patient's variable differing from those of controls and correlating with effective recovery [ER = (NIHSSt0–NIHSSt1)/(NIHSSt0–NIHSS in healthy conditions)] showed contralesional delta power as the only valid predictor of ER. A further regression model including also NIHSSt0 confirmed that contralesional delta power can add prognostic information to acute clinical impairment. Contralesional delta activity increase was best explained, in addition to the increasing ipsilesional delta activity, by a reduction of interhemispheric functional coupling - which did not explain a significantly portion of effective recovery variability by itself. Conclusions: Contralesional EEG delta activity retains relevant negative prognostic information in acute stroke patients. Present results point to the interhemispheric interplay as a decisive target in setting up enriched rehabilitations.
Homeostatic mechanisms and treatment of tinnitus
Authors: Yang Sungchil , Bao Shaowen
Published: December 2019

Tinnitus, the phantom percept of sound, is a potentially debilitating disorder affecting up to ten percent of the general population. After decades of effort, we still lack an effective treatment for tinnitus, partly because of its diverse underlying etiology. Recent studies have yielded hypotheses for central mechanisms underlying hearing loss-induced tinnitus, the most common form of tinnitus. Here we review recent evidence that homeostatic down-regulation of phasic and tonic inhibition is a mechanism underlying hearing loss-induced tinnitus. We propose to treat tinnitus through novel strategies of sensory training and targeted pharmacological intervention to reverse the homeostatic changes induced by hearing loss.
A sensorimotor stimulation program for rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients
Authors: de Diego Cristina , Puig Silvia , Navarro Xavier
Published: December 2019

Purpose: The hypothesis of this study is that intensive therapy by means of a sensory and motor stimulation program of the upper limb in patients with chronic hemiparesis and severe disability due to stroke increases mobility and sensibility, and improves the use of the affected limb in activities of daily living (ADL). Methods: The program consists of 16 sessions of sensory stimulation and functional activity training in the rehabilitation center, and daily sessions of tactile stimulation, mental imaginery and practice of ADL at home, during 8 weeks. An experimental group (EG) of 12 patients followed this program, compared with a control group (CG) of 9 patients under standard rehabilitation. The efficacy of the program was evaluated by Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Motor Activity Log (MAL) and Stroke Impact Scale-16 (SIS-16) scores, and a battery of sensory tests. Results: The results show that in both groups, the motor FMA and the SIS-16 improved during the 8 weeks, this improvement being higher in the EG. Significant improvements were observed for the sensory tests in the EG. Conclusion: The intensive sensorimotor stimulation program for the upper extremity may be an efficacious method for improving function and use of the affected limb in ADL in chronic stroke patients.
Education protects against cognitive changes associated with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Scarpazza C. , Braghittoni D. , Casale B. , Malagú S. , Mattioli F. , di Pellegrino G. , Ladavas E.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Although neuropsychological impairments are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the manifestation of cognitive deficits may vary greatly across MS patients. Here, we explored the influence of cognitive reserve proxy indices (education and occupation) and perceived fatigue on cognitive performance. Methods: Fifty relapsing-remitting MS patients were evaluated. Cognitive performance was measured using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), in which information processing speed can be manipulated by varying the presentation speed of stimuli. Results: MS patients with low education performed worse than healthy controls at faster PASAT speeds. By contrast, no difference was observed between MS patients with high education and matched healthy controls, regardless of PASAT speed. Moreover, we found that neither occupational attainment nor perceived fatigue has an influence on MS patients' cognitive performance. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that higher education could be protective against MS-associated cognitive deficits and that high speed PASAT versions are more suitable for identifying compensatory capacities compared to low speed PASAT versions.
Recovered vs. not-recovered from post-stroke aphasia: The contributions from the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres
Authors: Szaflarski Jerzy P. , Allendorfer Jane B. , Banks Christi , Vannest Jennifer , Holland Scott K.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Several adult studies have documented the importance of the peri-stroke areas to aphasia recovery. But, studies examining the differences in patterns of cortical participation in language comprehension in patients who have (LMCA-R) or have not recovered (LMCA-NR) from left middle cerebral artery infarction have not been performed up to date. Methods: In this study, we compare cortical correlates of language comprehension using fMRI and semantic decision/tone decision task in 9 LMCA-R and 18 LMCA-NR patients matched at the time of stroke for age and handedness. We examine the cortical correlates of language performance by correlating intra- and extra-scanner measures of linguistic performance with fMRI activation and stroke volumes. Results: Our analyses show that LMCA-R at least 1 year after stroke show a return to typical fMRI language activation patterns and that there is a compensatory reorganization of language function in LMCA-NR patients with shifts to the right hemispheric brain regions. Further, with increasing strength of the left-hemispheric fMRI signal shift there are associated improvements in performance as tested with standardized linguistic measures. A negative correlation between the size of the stroke and performance on some of the linguistic tests is also observed. Conclusions: This right-hemispheric shift as a mechanism of post-stroke recovery in adults appears to be an ineffective mode of language function recovery with increasing right-hemispheric shift associated with lower language performance. Thus, normalization of the post-stroke language activation patterns is needed for better language performance while shifts of the activation patterns to the non-dominant (right) hemisphere and/or large stroke size are associated with decreased linguistic abilities after stroke.
Perceptual effects of the mirror box training in normal subjects
Authors: Romano Daniele , Bottini Gabriella , Maravita Angelo
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose: The mirror box (MB) was developed in the early 1990 s to relieve phantom limb sensations and chronic pain. Although its efficacy has been shown in several clinical populations, the mechanisms underpinning effects still have to be fully understood. Methods: 48 healthy subjects participated in 4 behavioral experiments where kinesthetic sensitivity of the hand inside the MB was tested during the observation of mirror-reflected finger movements, executed with the hand outside the MB. Results: We identified two effects on the hand hidden inside the MB: diminished kinesthetic sensitivity for passive movements, and the occurrence of unconscious, involuntary movements with the finger inside the box, suggesting reduced motor awareness. Such sensory-motor effects were somatotopically specific to the finger moved, were influenced by the contextual presence of the whole hand in the mirror, and occurred for both active and passive movements of the hand outside the MB. Conclusions: The present results suggest that the MB induce a somatotopically and contextually specific overriding of kinesthetic control by vision, compatible with a process of embodiment of the mirror-reflected hand image and provide novel clues to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying MB effects.
Plastic changes in lumbar segments after thoracic spinal cord injuries in adult rats: An integrative view of spinal nociceptive dysfunctions
Authors: Redondo-Castro Elena , García-Alías Guillermo , Navarro Xavier
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) cause motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions as well as neuropathic pain. We investigated plastic changes occurring in cord segments caudal to the lesion to assess their potential contribution to pain states after SCI. Methods: Different thoracic SCIs were performed in adult rats. Functional and algesimetry tests were performed along 3 months. Several elements of the spinal nociceptive circuitry were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses of lumbar segments. Results: Injured animals manifested mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Wind-up responses and spinal reflexes were enhanced, indicating spinal hyperexcitability. We found an increase in density of nociceptive sensory afferences and in GABA inhibitory activity in dorsal horns, and increased glial reactivity. Serotoninergic descending fibers and contacts on ventral horn motoneurons were reduced. Motoneurons presented more abundant inhibitory inputs, identified by gephyrin. Not all the changes kept direct relationship to the severity of the injury. Conclusion: The existence of hyperalgesia despite the boost of inhibitory elements in the spinal cord confirms the dysbalance between excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms, leading to a general disinhibition. Widespread dysfunctions in remote segments after central injuries contribute to the appearance of pain, and they may be new targets for therapies aimed to modulate spinal dysfunctions after injury.
Necrostatin-1 inhibits the degeneration of neural cells induced by aluminum exposure
Authors: Qinli Zhang , Meiqing Li , Xia Jiao , Li Xu , Weili Guo , Xiuliang Ji , Junwei Ji , Hailan Yang , Ce Zhang , Qiao Niu
Published: December 2019

Purpose: There are many in vivo and in vitro studies suggested the involvement of apoptosis in neurodegenerative processes. There is considerable evidence that various complex events may contribute to neural cell death. The present study focuses on the underlined neurodegenerative mechanism and the preventive effect of necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) on neural cell death induced by aluminum (Al). Methods: Al-exposed primary cultures of newborn mice cortical cells were separately treated with 3-methylamphetamine (3-MA), benzyloxycarbonylvalyl-alanyl–aspartic acid (O-methyl)–fluoro-methylketone (zVAD-fmk), and Nec-1, the cell viability analysis was used to evaluate cell damage from apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy. Morphology of neural cells treated with 2 mM Al, and 2 mM Al plus 60 μM Nec-1 were examined by fluorescent microscope, and the cell death rates were quantified by cytometry. For the in vivo experiments, male ICR mice were microinjected with normal saline, 2 mM Al, and 2 mM Al plus Nec-1 at the concentrations of 2 mM, 4 mM and 8 mM into the lateral cerebral ventricles. The Morris water maze task was performed in 20 days after intracerebroventricular injection, Nissl staining was used to demonstrate the loss of Nissl substance and the number of neural cells, and western blot was used to analyze the expressing of cell death and Alzheimer's disease related proteins. Results: The cell viabilities inhibited by Al could be enhanced by 3-MA, zVAD-fmk and Nec-1, of which Nec-1 improved the cell viability most significantly. Furthermore, the cell viability of neural cells treated with Nec-1 increased concentration-dependently, and the expressions of cell death-related proteins were decreased also in a concentration-dependent manner. The in vivo experiments indicated that administration of Nec-1 on Al-treated mice significantly improved learning and memory retention in the Morris water maze task, decreased the neural cells death and inhibited the expression of Alzheimer's disease related proteins in the mice brain. Conclusions: The present study provides the first direct evidence of a connection between necroptosis and neurodegeneration, which indicates that necroptosis is involved in neurodegenerative cell death. Furthermore, Nec-1 may be useful for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Brain ischemia induces regeneration of interneurons but not projection neurons
Authors: Sun Chong-ran , Chen Zheng-he , Yin Si-yuan , Chen Sheng , Hong Yuan , Yan Wei , Zhang Jian-min
Published: December 2019

Purpose: How injured long-distance neural tracts are reestablished following ischemic brain injury remains unclear. Theories surrounding reconnection include the growth of newly formed axons from newborn neurons, modification of local circuits and a beneficial influence from neurotrophic factors. This research aimed to find the developing new born neurons and the neurotrophic factors they secreted in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model to explain the roles of neural progenitor cells in post-ischemic neurogenesis. Methods: Fifty-three male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent the MCAO procedure or sham operation. Double labeling of specific neuron markers (calbindin and N-200) and a dividing cell marker (BrdU) were used to identify newly formed neurons. Neurotrophic factors were examined in the cerebrospinal fluid in post-ischemic rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Ischemic injury induced activation of neurogenesis. The newborn neurons differentiated into calbindin-positive interneurons, but not N-200 positive projection neurons. The concentration of neurotrophic factors was elevated and was in accordance with the neurogenesis seen in ischemic animal models. Conclusion: Our research indicates that the recovery of neural function is not ascribed to the reestablishment of damaged projection tracts, but to the modulation of local circuits and beneficial effects of neurotrophins produced by neural progenitor cells.
Combination treatment with progesterone and rehabilitation training further promotes behavioral recovery after acute ischemic stroke in mice
Authors: Wang Jiangbi , Feng Xiang , Du Yi , Wang Lei , Zhang Shengxiang
Published: December 2019

Purpose: The present study was aimed to investigate whether combination treatment with progesterone and rehabilitation training would be more effective than monotherapy after cerebral ischemia. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to focal ischemia by photothrombosis and were treated with progesterone (2 mg/kg), rehabilitation training or their combination. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Nissl staining were used to measure infarct size at day 3 and day 7 after surgery, and rotarod test and grip strength test were conducted to evaluate behavioral outcomes. Results: TTC staining indicated that progesterone, rehabilitation training and their combination produced a different degree of reduction in infarct volume compared with vehicle control at day 3 after ischemia (progesterone: 16.70 ± 0.93 mm3, p < 0.01, rehabilitation training: 22.19 ± 0.93 mm3, p < 0.05, progesterone + rehabilitation training: 14.76 ± 0.92 mm3, p < 0.01, vehicle control: 28.73 ± 1.05 mm3). Nissl staining revealed that prolonged treatment of progesterone, rehabilitation training and their combination led to a significant decrease in infarct volume at day 7 after ischemia (progesterone: 18.64 ± 1.83 mm3, p < 0.01, rehabilitation training: 25.07 ± 1.70 mm3, p < 0.05, progesterone + rehabilitation training: 17.09 ± 0.92 mm3, p < 0.01, vehicle control: 30.31 ± 1.36 mm3). No accumulative effect in the reduction of infarct volume was observed in combination therapy at both day 3 and day 7 after ischemia. However, combination therapy significantly improved behavioral performances in the first week after photothrombosis. Combination treatment significantly enhanced rotarod performance and forelimb grip strength at all time points within 7 days after ischemia compared with rehabilitation alone, and significantly improved rotarod performance and forelimb grip strength from day 2 after ischemia compared with progesterone alone. Conclusion: Our results suggested that combination treatment with progesterone and rehabilitation training had no additive effect in reducing infarct volume, but combination therapy exhibited enhanced efficacy in promoting functional recovery after ischemic stroke, suggesting progesterone and rehabilitation training may exert their effects via different mechanisms.
Effective method of combining rTMS and motor training in stroke patients
Authors: Kwon Tae Gun , Kim Yun-Hee , Chang Won Hyuk , Bang Oh Young , Shin Yong-Il
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Enhanced therapeutic effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the motor function of stroke patients when provided in combination with motor training have been reported. The objective of this study was to determine the most effective method for combining rTMS and motor training in stroke patients. Methods: Fourteen stroke patients were enrolled. All patients participated in two randomly arranged intervention sessions, each of which incorporated a differently combined rTMS and motor training method. With an interleaved combination method (ICM), an rTMS train and a short period of motor training were interleaved and repeated. With a preconditioning combination method (PCM), rTMS trains were applied as preconditioning, followed by repeated blocks of motor training. The total rTMS pulses and total duration of motor training were the same in both sessions. Results: Performance of a sequential finger motor task improved significantly after both the ICM and PCM interventions: movement accuracy increased and movement time decreased. The PCM-associated improvements were significantly greater than the ICM-associated improvements. Performance in the Purdue Pegboard Test and Nine-Hole Peg Test also improved significantly after both interventions but without a significant difference between the two interventions. Cortical excitability improved after both the ICM and PCM interventions but without a significant difference between the two. Conclusions: In combining rTMS and motor training, preconditioning with rTMS followed by motor training is more effective than interleaving the rTMS and motor training to facilitate the motor performance of stroke patients.
Clinical neurotransplantation protocol for Huntington's and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lopez William Omar Contreras , Nikkhah Guido , Kahlert Ulf D. , Maciaczyk Donata , Bogiel Tomasz , Moellers Sven , Schültke Elisabeth , Döbrössy Máté , Maciaczyk Jaroslaw
Published: December 2019

Purpose: The concept of transplantation of neuronal cells to treat Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases is based on the proven principle that dopaminergic and GABA-ergic progenitor neurons (from the human developing ventral mesencephalon and whole ganglionic eminence) can survive, differentiate and functionally integrate into an allogenic host brain. However, several donor and host-specific variables play a major role in the safety and outcome of this procedure. In this paper, we seek to summarize an updated neural transplantation protocol, based on our institutional experience and many years of collaboration with other neurotransplantation centers. Methods: We present a detailed clinical neurotransplantation protocol for Parkinson's (PD) and Huntington's (HD) diseases with special emphasis in understanding the anatomical relationships of the human fetal tissue that are relevant for selection of the desired cell populations. Results: Two detailed step-wise neurotransplantation protocols are presented, outlining strategies facilitating the avoidance of possible procedure-related complications. Conclusions: In this paper we delineated some crucial technical factors enabling the execution of a safe and effective neural transplantation. The protocols presented here might contribute to further development of the experimental clinical neurotransplantation towards a routine therapeutic procedure.
Bihemispheric tDCS enhances language recovery but does not alter BDNF levels in chronic aphasic patients
Authors: Marangolo Paola , Fiori Valentina , Gelfo Francesca , Shofany Jacob , Razzano Carmelina , Caltagirone Carlo , Angelucci Francesco
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Several studies have shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful tool to enhance language recovery in aphasia. It has also been suggested that modulation of the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) might be part of the mechanisms involved in tDCS effects on synaptic connectivity. However, all language studies have previously investigated the effects using unihemispheric stimulation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of bihemispheric tDCS on language recovery and BDNF serum levels. Methods: Seven aphasic persons underwent an intensive language therapy in two different conditions: real bihemispheric stimulation over the left and right Broca's areas and a sham condition. Results: After the stimulation, patients exibited a significant recovery in three language tasks (picture description, noun and verb naming) compared to the sham condition which persisted in the follow-up session. No significant differences were found in BDNF serum levels after tDCS stimulation and in the follow-up session. However, a significant positive correlation was present for the real stimulation condition between percent changes in BDNF levels and in the verb naming task. Conclusions: The data suggest that this novel approach may potentiate the recovery of language in chronic aphasia. They also emphasize the importance to further investigate the role of possible biomarkers associated with tDCS treatment response in language recovery.
EyeMusic: Introducing a “visual” colorful experience for the blind using auditory sensory substitution
Authors: Abboud Sami , Hanassy Shlomi , Levy-Tzedek Shelly , Maidenbaum Shachar , Amedi Amir
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Sensory-substitution devices (SSDs) provide auditory or tactile representations of visual information. These devices often generate unpleasant sensations and mostly lack color information. We present here a novel SSD aimed at addressing these issues. Methods: We developed the EyeMusic, a novel visual-to-auditory SSD for the blind, providing both shape and color information. Our design uses musical notes on a pentatonic scale generated by natural instruments to convey the visual information in a pleasant manner. A short behavioral protocol was utilized to train the blind to extract shape and color information, and test their acquired abilities. Finally, we conducted a survey and a comparison task to assess the pleasantness of the generated auditory stimuli. Results: We show that basic shape and color information can be decoded from the generated auditory stimuli. High performance levels were achieved by all participants following as little as 2–3 hours of training. Furthermore, we show that users indeed found the stimuli pleasant and potentially tolerable for prolonged use. Conclusions: The novel EyeMusic algorithm provides an intuitive and relatively pleasant way for the blind to extract shape and color information. We suggest that this might help facilitating visual rehabilitation because of the added functionality and enhanced pleasantness.
Does an intraneural interface short-term implant for robotic hand control modulate sensorimotor cortical integration? An EEG-TMS co-registration study on a human amputee
Authors: Ferreri F. , Ponzo D. , Vollero L. , Guerra A. , Di Pino G. , Petrichella S. , Benvenuto A. , Tombini M. , Rossini L. , Denaro L. , Micera S. , Iannello G. , Guglielmelli E. , Denaro V. , Rossini P.M.
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Following limb amputation, central and peripheral nervous system relays partially maintain their functions and can be exploited for interfacing prostheses. The aim of this study is to investigate, for the first time by means of an EEG-TMS co-registration study, whether and how direct bidirectional connection between brain and hand prosthesis impacts on sensorimotor cortical topography. Methods: Within an experimental protocol for robotic hand control, a 26 years-old, left-hand amputated male was selected to have implanted four intrafascicular electrodes (tf-LIFEs-4) in the median and ulnar nerves of the stump for 4 weeks. Before tf-LIFE-4s implant (T0) and after the training period, once electrodes have been removed (T1), experimental subject's cortico-cortical excitability, connectivity and plasticity were tested via a neuronavigated EEG–TMS experiment. Results: The statistical analysis clearly demonstrated a significant modulation (with t-test p < 0.0001) of EEG activity between 30 and 100 ms post-stimulus for the stimulation of the right hemisphere. When studying individual latencies in that time range, a global amplitude modulation was found in most of the TMS-evoked potentials; particularly, the GEE analysis showed significant differences between T0 and T1 condition at 30 ms (p < 0.0404), 46 ms (p < 0.0001) and 60 ms (p < 0.007) latencies. Finally, also a clear local decrement in N46 amplitude over C4 was evident. No differences between conditions were observed for the stimulation of the left hemisphere. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the hypothesis that bidirectional neural interface could redirect cortical areas -deprived of their original input/output functions- toward restorative neuroplasticity. This reorganization strongly involves bi-hemispheric networks and intracortical and transcortical modulation of GABAergic inhibition.
A single session of 1 mA anodal tDCS-supported motor training does not improve motor performance in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Meesen Raf L.J. , Thijs Herbert , Leenus Daphnie J.F. , Cuypers Koen
Published: December 2019

Purpose: To assess the effects of atDCS on motor performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Previously, anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) has been shown to improve motor performance in healthy subjects and neurodegenerative populations. However, the effect of atDCS on motor performance is not examined in MS. Methods: In the current study, a sham controlled double-blind crossover design was used to evaluate the effect of 20 minutes of 1 mA atDCS or sham tDCS (stDCS) on a unimanual motor sequence-training task, consisting of sequential finger presses on a computer keyboard with the most impaired hand. Patients received stimulation (atDCS or stDCS) during motor training. tDCS was applied over the primary motor cortex contralateral to the most impaired hand. Motor performance was assessed immediately before, during and 30 minutes after stimulation. Results: Although we need to be careful with the interpretation of the data due to lack of power, our results showed no significant effect of atDCS on motor performance. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that atDCS-supported motor training was not able to improve motor performance more than sham-supported motor training. Possibly, the effects of atDCS are mediated by specific MS-related characteristics. Furthermore, increasing atDCS intensity and offering multiple stimulation sessions might be necessary to optimize motor performance resulting from atDCS-supported motor training.
The “EyeCane”, a new electronic travel aid for the blind: Technology, behavior & swift learning
Authors: Maidenbaum Shachar , Hanassy Shlomi , Abboud Sami , Buchs Galit , Chebat Daniel-Robert , Levy-Tzedek Shelly , Amedi Amir
Published: December 2019

Purpose: Independent mobility is one of the most pressing problems facing people who are blind. We present the EyeCane, a new mobility aid aimed at increasing perception of environment beyond what is provided by the traditional White Cane for tasks such as distance estimation, navigation and obstacle detection. Methods: The “EyeCane” enhances the traditional White Cane by using tactile and auditory output to increase detectable distance and angles. It circumvents the technical pitfalls of other devices, such as weight, short battery life, complex interface schemes, and slow learning curve. It implements multiple beams to enables detection of obstacles at different heights, and narrow beams to provide active sensing that can potentially increase the user's spatial perception of the environment. Participants were tasked with using the EyeCane for several basic tasks with minimal training. Results: Blind and blindfolded-sighted participants were able to use the EyeCane successfully for distance estimation, simple navigation and simple obstacle detection after only several minutes of training. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the EyeCane's potential for mobility rehabilitation. The short training time is especially important since available mobility training resources are limited, not always available, and can be quite expensive and/or entail long waiting periods.