Brain‐computer interfaces (BCIs) can provide sensory feedback of ongoing brain oscillations, enabling stroke survivors to modulate their sensorimotor rhythms purposefully. A number of recent clinical ...studies indicate that repeated use of such BCIs might trigger neurological recovery and hence improvement in motor function. Here, we provide a first meta‐analysis evaluating the clinical effectiveness of BCI‐based post‐stroke motor rehabilitation. Trials were identified using MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PEDro and by inspection of references in several review articles. We selected randomized controlled trials that used BCIs for post‐stroke motor rehabilitation and provided motor impairment scores before and after the intervention. A random‐effects inverse variance method was used to calculate the summary effect size. We initially identified 524 articles and, after removing duplicates, we screened titles and s of 473 articles. We found 26 articles corresponding to BCI clinical trials, of these, there were nine studies that involved a total of 235 post‐stroke survivors that fulfilled the inclusion criterion (randomized controlled trials that examined motor performance as an outcome measure) for the meta‐analysis. Motor improvements, mostly quantified by the upper limb Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA‐UE), exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID=5.25) in six BCI studies, while such improvement was reached only in three control groups. Overall, the BCI training was associated with a standardized mean difference of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.37 to 1.20) in FMA‐UE compared to control conditions, which is in the range of medium to large summary effect size. In addition, several studies indicated BCI‐induced functional and structural neuroplasticity at a subclinical level. This suggests that BCI technology could be an effective intervention for post‐stroke upper limb rehabilitation. However, more studies with larger sample size are required to increase the reliability of these results.
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has initiated an experimental program, Spatial Ionospheric Correlation Experiment, utilizing state‐of‐the‐art DSTO‐designed high frequency ...digital receivers. This program seeks to understand ionospheric disturbances at scales < 150 km and temporal resolutions under 1 min through the simultaneous observation and recording of multiple quasi‐vertical ionograms (QVI) with closely spaced ionospheric control points. A detailed description of and results from the first campaign conducted in February 2008 were presented by Harris et al. (2012). In this paper we employ a 3‐D magnetoionic Hamiltonian ray tracing engine, developed by DSTO, to (1) model the various disturbance features observed on both the O and X polarization modes in our QVI data and (2) understand how they are produced. The ionospheric disturbances which produce the observed features were modeled by perturbing the ionosphere with atmospheric gravity waves.
Key Points
Modelling effect of TIDs on ionograms
Generation of TIDs by gravity waves
Raytracing HF radio waves in the ionosphere
Current demand of consumers for healthy and sustainable food products has led the industry to search for different sources of plant protein isolates and concentrates. Legumes represent an excellent ...nonanimal protein source with high‐protein content. Legume species are distributed in a wide range of ecological conditions, including regions with drought conditions, making them a sustainable crop in a context of global warming. However, their use as human food is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors, such as protease inhibitors, lectins, phytates, and alkaloids, which have adverse nutritional effects. Antitechnological factors, such as fiber, tannins, and lipids, can affect the purity and protein extraction yield. Although most are removed or reduced during alkaline solubilization and isoelectric precipitation processes, some remain in the resulting protein isolates. Selection of appropriate legume genotypes and different emerging and sustainable facilitating technologies, such as high‐power ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, high hydrostatic pressure, microwave, and supercritical fluids, can be applied to increase the removal of unwanted compounds. Some technologies can be used to increase protein yield. The technologies can also modify protein structure to improve digestibility, reduce allergenicity, and tune technological properties. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the use of emerging technologies to obtain high‐purity protein isolates and the effects on techno‐functional properties and health.
In this paper we analyse the phenomenon of the slow passage through a transcritical bifurcation with special emphasis in the maximal delay zd(λ,ɛ) as a function of the bifurcation parameter λ and the ...singular parameter ɛ. We quantify the maximal delay by constructing a piecewise linear (PWL) transcritical minimal model and studying the dynamics near the slow-manifolds. Our findings encompass all potential maximum delay behaviours within the range of parameters, allowing us to identify: (i) the trivial scenario where the maximal delay tends to zero with the singular parameter; (ii) the singular scenario where zd(λ,ɛ) is not bounded, and also (iii) the transitional scenario where the maximal delay tends to a positive finite value as the singular parameter goes to zero. Moreover, building upon the concepts by Vidal and Françoise (2012), we construct a PWL system combining symmetrically two transcritical minimal models in such a way it shows periodic behaviour. As the parameter λ changes, the system presents a non-bounded canard explosion leading to an enhanced delay phenomenon at the critical value. Our understanding of the maximal delay zd(λ,ɛ) of a single normal form, allows us to determine both, the amplitude of the canard cycles and, in the enhanced delay case, the increase of the amplitude for each passage.
•Exploration of the slow passage phenomenon in transcritical bifurcations through piecewise linear (PWL) differential systems.•Identification of qualitatively different maximal delay behaviours as a function of the parameters.•Construction of a suitable PWL system exhibiting an unbounded canard explosion and enhanced delay.
This paper presents an experimental analysis of a vapor compression system using R1234yf as a drop-in replacement for R134a. In this work, we compare the energy performance of both refrigerants, ...R134a and R1234yf, in a monitored vapor compression system under a wide range of working conditions. So, the experimental tests are carried out varying the condensing temperature, the evaporating temperature, the superheating degree, the compressor speed, and the internal heat exchanger use. Comparisons are made taking refrigerant R134a as baseline, and the results show that the cooling capacity obtained with R1234yf in a R134a vapor compression system is about 9% lower than that obtained with R134a in the studied range. Also, when using R1234yf, the system shows values of COP about 19% lower than those obtained using R134a, being the minor difference for higher condensing temperatures. Finally, using an internal heat exchanger these differences in the energy performance are significantly reduced.
► We present an experimental analysis of R1234yf as a drop-in replacement for R134a. ► Comparisons are carried out using the energy performance parameters. ► Cooling capacity obtained using R1234yf is about 9% lower than that using R134a. ► Volumetric efficiency obtained using R1234yf is 5% lower than that using R134a. ► Similar energy performance obtained using an IHX with high condensing temperatures.
Background
Achalasia is an autoimmune disease whose probable causal agent is a neurotropic virus that chronically infects the myenteric plexus of the esophagus and induces the disease in a ...genetically susceptible host. The association between achalasia and coronaviruses has not been reported.
Aims
To evaluate the presence of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, the ACE2 expression, the tissue architecture, and immune response in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LESm) of achalasia patients who posteriorly had SARS‐CoV‐2 (achalasia‐COVID‐19) infection before laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and compare the findings with type II achalasia patients and transplant donors (controls) without COVID‐19.
Methods
The LESm of 7 achalasia‐COVID‐19 patients (diagnosed by PCR), ten achalasia patients, and ten controls without COVID‐19 were included. The presence of the virus was evaluated by in situ PCR and immunohistochemistry. ACE2 receptor expression and effector CD4 T cell and regulatory subsets were determined by immunohistochemistry.
Key Results
Coronavirus was detected in 6/7 patients‐COVID‐19. The SARS‐CoV‐2 was undetectable in the LESm of the achalasia patients and controls. ACE2 receptor was expressed in all the patients and controls. One patient developed achalasia type II post‐COVID‐19. The percentage of Th22/Th17/Th1/pDCreg was higher in achalasia and achalasia‐COVID‐19 pre‐HLM vs. controls. The Th2/Treg/Breg cell percentages were higher only in achalasia vs. controls.
Conclusion & Inferences
SARS‐CoV2 and its receptor expression in the LESm of achalasia patients who posteriorly had COVID‐19 but not in the controls suggests that it could affect the myenteric plexus. Unlike achalasia, patients‐COVID‐19 have an imbalance between effector CD4 T cells and the regulatory mechanisms.
SARS‐CoV‐2 and its receptor are expressed in the lower esophageal sphincter of achalasia patients who posteriorly had COVID‐19. It suggests that SARS‐CoV‐2 could be a trigger agent for the development of achalasia through the imbalance between effector CD4 T cells and the regulatory mechanisms.
The shoots of Asparagus L. are consumed worldwide, although most species belonging to this genus have a restricted range, and several taxa remain unstudied. In this work, a total of four taxa from ...different locations were scrutinized and compared with cultivated A. officinalis. All shoots were screened for saponins via LC-MS, and in vitro antiproliferative activities against the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line were assessed via the MTT assay. The total saponins (TS) contained in the crude extracts ranged from 710.0 (A. officinalis) to 1258.6 mg/100 g dw (A. acutifolius). The richness of the compounds detected in this work stands out; a total of 47 saponins have been detected and quantified in the edible parts (shoots) of five taxa of Asparagus. The structure of all the saponins found present skeletons of the furostane and spirostane type. In turn, the structures with a furostane skeleton are divided into unsaturated and dioxygenated types, both in the 20–22 position. The sum of dioscin and derivatives varied largely among the studied taxa, reaching the following percentages of TS: 27.11 (A. officinalis), 18.96 (A. aphyllus), 5.37 (A. acutifolius), and 0.59 (A. albus); while in A. horridus, this compound remains undetected. Aspachiosde A, D, and M varied largely among samples, while a total of seven aspaspirostanosides were characterized in the analyzed species. The hierarchical cluster analysis of the saponin profiles clearly separated the various taxa and demonstrated that the taxonomic position is more important than the place from which the samples were acquired. Thus, saponin profiles have chemotaxonomic significance in Asparagus taxa. The MTT assay showed dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of all saponins extracts on HT-29 cancer cells, and the strongest cell growth inhibition was exercised by A. albus and A. acutifolius (GI50 of 125 and 175 µg/mL). This work constitutes a whole approach to evaluating the saponins from the shoots of different Asparagus taxa and provides arguments for using them as functional foods.
Abstract Nursing preceptors play a crucial role in supporting and educating clinical students. Understanding the perceptions and needs of nurse preceptors is essential to enhance their role as ...preceptors and to improve their teaching practices. This study aimed to explore preceptorship in diverse settings and specific contexts. Content analysis was performed to analyze open‐ended responses from a questionnaire based on nurses' perceptions of preceptorship with undergraduate nursing students. Data were collected from two university hospitals, with different healthcare provision levels. Of the 370 responses, 295 (96%) were those of women, and 34.5% were in the age group of 41‐50 years. Three main themes were identified: (1) the role of preceptorship as a key component in learning, (2) challenges in student preceptorship, and (3) personal recognition and compensation for teaching work. This study highlights the positive experiences and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by nurse preceptors in their teaching roles, and emphasizes the need for institutional support and educational programs to enhance their teaching responsibilities. Improving communication and collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for improving learning outcomes and satisfaction.
Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) develops in acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis and shows high mortality. In critically ill patients, early diagnosis of ACLF could be important for ...therapeutic decisions (eg, renal replacement, artificial liver support, liver transplantation). This study evaluated fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) as a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of ACLF. The study included 154 individuals (112 critically patients and 42 healthy controls) divided into a training and a validation cohort. In the training cohort of 42 healthy controls and 34 critically ill patients (of whom 24 were patients with cirrhosis), levels of FGF21, interleukin (IL) 6, and IL8 were measured. In the validation cohort of 78 patients with cirrhosis, 17 patients were admitted with or developed ACLF during follow‐up and underwent daily clinical and nutritional assessment. Levels of FGF21 were higher in critically ill patients, especially in patients with cirrhosis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Moreover, FGF21 as well as IL6 and IL8 levels were higher in patients with ACLF, but they did not increase with the severity of ACLF. Interestingly, in the validation cohort, FGF21 was also elevated in the patients who developed ACLF in the next 7 days. In these patients, FGF21 levels were an independent predictor of ACLF presence and development in multivariate analysis together with Child‐Pugh score. FGF21 levels had no impact on the survival of critically ill patients with cirrhosis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FGF21 levels are of specific diagnostic value regarding the presence and development of ACLF in patients admitted to ICU for AD of liver cirrhosis. Further studies are warranted to address pathophysiological and possible therapeutic implications. Liver Transplantation 24 595–605 2018 AASLD.
Wild
shoots are consumed worldwide, although most species remain understudied. In this work, a total of four wild
species were collected from different locations and analyzed compared with farmed
. ...Shoots were screened for (i) phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS; (ii) total phenolic acids and total flavonoid content by the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods; (iii) vitamin C by HPLC-DAD; (iv) antioxidant activity by the DPPH and ABTS
methods; and (v) the in vitro antiproliferative activities against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells by the MTT assay. Phenolics ranged from 107.5 (
) to 605.4 mg/100 g dry weight (dw) (
). Vitamin C ranged from 15.8 (
) to 22.7 mg/100 g fresh weight (fw) (
). The antioxidant activity was similar in all species, standing out in
with 5.94 (DPPH) and 4.64 (ABTS) mmol TE/100 g dw. Among phenolics, rutin reached the highest values (574 mg/100 g dw in
), followed by quercetin, nicotiflorin, asterin, and narcissin. The MTT assay revealed the inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts against HT-29 cancer cells, highlighting the cell growth inhibition exercised by
(300 µg/mL after 72 h exposure to cells). This work improves knowledge on the phytochemicals and bioactivities of the shoots of wild
species and confirms their suitability for use as functional foods.
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