Research (16)
<i>Go-with-the-Flow</i>: Tracking, Analysis and Sonification of Movement and Breathing to Build Confidence in Activity Despite Chronic Pain
Chronic (persistent) pain (CP) affects 1 in 10 adults; clinical resources are insufficient, and anxiety about activity restricts lives. Technological aids monitor activity but lack necessary psychological support. This article proposes a new sonification framework, Go-with-the-Flow, informed by physiotherapists and people with CP. The framework proposes articulation of user-defined sonified exercise spaces (SESs) tailored to psychological needs and physical capabilities that enhance body and mov
Protective Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8246 against Copper Toxicity in Mice
Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8246, which has a relatively strong copper binding capacity and tolerance to copper ions, was obtained by screening from 16 lactic acid bacteria in vitro. The selected strain was then applied to a mouse model to evaluate its protective function against copper intoxication in vivo. The experimental mice were divided into an intervention group and a therapy group; mice in the intervention group received co-administration of CCFM8246 and a copper ion solution by gavage,
Cough event classification by pretrained deep neural network
BACKGROUND: Cough is an essential symptom in respiratory diseases. In the measurement of cough severity, an accurate and objective cough monitor is expected by respiratory disease society. This paper aims to introduce a better performed algorithm, pretrained deep neural network (DNN), to the cough classification problem, which is a key step in the cough monitor. METHOD: The deep neural network models are built from two steps, pretrain and fine-tuning, followed by a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) deco
A technical guide to tDCS, and related non-invasive brain stimulation tools
Causality in Psychiatry: A Hybrid Symptom Network Construct Model
Causality or etiology in psychiatry is marked by standard biomedical, reductionistic models (symptoms reflect the construct involved) that inform approaches to nosology, or classification, such as in the DSM-5 [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; (1)]. However, network approaches to symptom interaction [i.e., symptoms are formative of the construct; e.g., (2), for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] are being developed that speak to bottom-up processes in ment
Selection of Mother Wavelet Functions for Multi-Channel EEG Signal Analysis during a Working Memory Task
We performed a comparative study to select the efficient mother wavelet (MWT) basis functions that optimally represent the signal characteristics of the electrical activity of the human brain during a working memory (WM) task recorded through electro-encephalography (EEG). Nineteen EEG electrodes were placed on the scalp following the 10-20 system. These electrodes were then grouped into five recording regions corresponding to the scalp area of the cerebral cortex. Sixty-second WM task data were
Assessing the attention levels of students by using a novel attention aware system based on brainwave signals
Abstract Rapid progress in information and communication technologies ( ICTs ) has fueled the popularity of e‐learning. However, an e‐learning environment is limited in that online instructors cannot monitor immediately whether students remain focus during online autonomous learning. Therefore, this study tries to develop a novel attention aware system ( AAS ) capable of recognizing students' attention levels accurately based on electroencephalography ( EEG ) signals, thus having high potential
Evidence for surprise minimization over value maximization in choice behavior
Classical economic models are predicated on the idea that the ultimate aim of choice is to maximize utility or reward. In contrast, an alternative perspective highlights the fact that adaptive behavior requires agents' to model their environment and minimize surprise about the states they frequent. We propose that choice behavior can be more accurately accounted for by surprise minimization compared to reward or utility maximization alone. Minimizing surprise makes a prediction at variance with
MicroRNA-21 stimulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and tumorigenesis in clear cell renal cells
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) metastasis may result from epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and mesenchymal stem cells that contribute to the development of the primary tumor. In this study, it was demonstrated that microRNA-21 (miR-21) acts as an oncogenic driver of ccRCC. ccRCC spheres were isolated and it was shown that they exhibited cancer stem cell‑like properties, including the formation of self‑renewing spheres. Spheres showed increased expression of stem cell‑related transcr
Comparative Study of SSVEP- and P300-Based Models for the Telepresence Control of Humanoid Robots
In this paper, we evaluate the control performance of SSVEP (steady-state visual evoked potential)- and P300-based models using Cerebot-a mind-controlled humanoid robot platform. Seven subjects with diverse experience participated in experiments concerning the open-loop and closed-loop control of a humanoid robot via brain signals. The visual stimuli of both the SSVEP- and P300- based models were implemented on a LCD computer monitor with a refresh frequency of 60 Hz. Considering the operation s
“Teach Me–Show Me”—End-User Personalization of a Smart Home and Companion Robot
Care issues and costs associated with an increasing elderly population are becoming a major concern for many countries. The use of assistive robots in “smart-home” environments has been suggested as a possible partial solution to these concerns. A challenge is the personalization of the robot to meet the changing needs of the elderly person over time. One approach is to allow the elderly person, or their carers or relatives, to make the robot learn activities in the smart home and teach it to ca
Biological and immunotoxicity evaluation of antimicrobial peptide-loaded coatings using a layer-by-layer process on titanium
The prevention and control of peri-implantitis is a challenge in dental implant surgery. Dental implants with sustained antimicrobial coating are an ideal way of preventing peri-implantitis. This study reports development of a non- immunotoxicity multilayered coating on a titanium surface that had sustained antimicrobial activity and limited early biofilm formation. In this study, the broad spectrum AMP, Tet213, was linked to collagen IV through sulfo-SMPB and has been renamed as AMPCol. The mul
Tumor Volume Estimation and Quasi-Continuous Administration for Most Effective Bevacizumab Therapy
BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is an exogenous inhibitor which inhibits the biological activity of human VEGF. Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of bevacizumab therapy according to different cancer types but these days there is an intense debate on its utility. We have investigated different methods to find the best tumor volume estimation since it creates the possibility for precise and effective drug administration with a much lower dose than in the protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Surrendering Information through the Looking Glass: Transparency, Trust, and Protection
Trust and transparency influence consumer information exchanges, yet the understanding of how they shape marketing and public policy relating to privacy and security issues is not current with the digital and informational age. People face increasing complexity in online exchanges of information and lack the time, attention, and wherewithal to understand how to protect themselves. Society's reliance on technology results in individuals engaging in continuous partial attention and behaving as cog
A striking reduction of simple loudness adaptation in autism
Reports of sensory disturbance, such as loudness sensitivity or sound intolerance, are ubiquitous in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but a mechanistic explanation for these perceptual differences is lacking. Here we tested adaptation to loudness, a process that regulates incoming sensory input, in adults with ASD and matched controls. Simple loudness adaptation (SLA) is a fundamental adaptive process that reduces the subjective loudness of quiet steady-state sounds in the environment over time, w
Big data: The power of petabytes
Researchers are struggling to analyse the steadily swelling troves of '-omic' data in the quest for patient-centred health care.