Brain computer interface (BCI) systems are used in a wide range of applications such as communication, neuro-prosthetic and environmental control for disabled persons using robots and manipulators. A ...typical BCI system uses different types of inputs; however, Electroencephalography (EEG) signals are most widely used due to their non-invasive EEG electrodes, portability, and cost efficiency. The signals generated by the brain while performing or imagining a motor related task motor imagery (MI) signals are one of the important inputs for BCI applications. EEG data is usually recorded from more than 100 locations across the brain, so efficient channel selection algorithms are of great importance to identify optimal channels related to a particular application. The main purpose of applying channel selection is to reduce computational complexity while analysing EEG signals, improve classification accuracy by reducing over-fitting, and decrease setup time. Different channel selection evaluation algorithms such as filtering, wrapper, and hybrid methods have been used for extracting optimal channel subsets by using predefined criteria. After extensively reviewing the literature in the field of EEG channel selection, we can conclude that channel selection algorithms provide a possibility to work with fewer channels without affecting the classification accuracy. In some cases, channel selection increases the system performance by removing the noisy channels. The research in the literature shows that the same performance can be achieved using a smaller channel set, with 10–30 channels in most cases. In this paper, we present a survey of recent development in filtering channel selection techniques along with their feature extraction and classification methods for MI-based EEG applications.
Prime editing is a recent genome editing technology using fusion proteins of Cas9-nickase and reverse transcriptase, that holds promise to correct the vast majority of genetic defects. Here, we ...develop prime editing for primary adult stem cells grown in organoid culture models. First, we generate precise in-frame deletions in the gene encoding β-catenin (CTNNB1) that result in proliferation independent of Wnt-stimuli, mimicking a mechanism of the development of liver cancer. Moreover, prime editing functionally recovers disease-causing mutations in intestinal organoids from patients with DGAT1-deficiency and liver organoids from a patient with Wilson disease (ATP7B). Prime editing is as efficient in 3D grown organoids as in 2D grown cell lines and offers greater precision than Cas9-mediated homology directed repair (HDR). Base editing remains more reliable than prime editing but is restricted to a subgroup of pathogenic mutations. Whole-genome sequencing of four prime-edited clonal organoid lines reveals absence of genome-wide off-target effects underscoring therapeutic potential of this versatile and precise gene editing strategy.
Unsafe water supplies continue to raise public health concerns, especially in urban areas in low resource countries. To understand the extent of public health risk attributed to supply water in Dhaka ...city, Bangladesh, Escherichia coli isolated from tap water samples collected from different locations of the city were characterized for their antibiotic resistance, pathogenic properties and genetic diversity.
A total of 233 E. coli isolates obtained from 175 tap water samples were analysed for susceptibility to 16 different antibiotics and for the presence of genes associated with virulence and antibiotic resistance. Nearly 36% (n = 84) of the isolates were multi-drug(≥ 3 classes of antibiotics) resistant (MDR) and 26% (n = 22) of these were positive for extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Of the 22 ESBL-producers, 20 were positive for bla CTX-M-15, 7 for bla OXA-1-group (all had bla OXA-47) and 2 for bla CMY-2. Quinolone resistance genes, qnrS and qnrB were detected in 6 and 2 isolates, respectively. Around 7% (n = 16) of the isolates carried virulence gene(s) characteristic of pathogenic E. coli; 11 of these contained lt and/or st and thus belonged to enterotoxigenic E. coli and 5 contained bfp and eae and thus belonged to enteropathogenic E. coli. All MDR isolates carried multiple plasmids (2 to 8) of varying sizes ranging from 1.2 to >120 MDa. Ampicillin and ceftriaxone resistance were co-transferred in conjugative plasmids of 70 to 100 MDa in size, while ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline resistance were co-transferred in conjugative plasmids of 50 to 90 MDa. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed diverse genetic fingerprints of pathogenic isolates.
Multi-drug resistant E. coli are wide spread in public water supply in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Transmission of resistant bacteria and plasmids through supply water pose serious threats to public health in urban areas.
Resin flow into dry reinforcement regions is the main microstructural change during the processing of out-of-autoclave prepregs and influences air evacuation and void suppression. Such impregnation ...flow was investigated experimentally during the processing of a second-generation out-of-autoclave prepreg. First, laminates were partially processed to different stages of a simple cure cycle. Then, samples from each laminate were scanned using X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) to obtain 3D microstructural data. This data was used to investigate the initial microstructure of the material and measure the extent of impregnation at each processing stage, the rate of impregnation, and the evolution of macro-porosity within the material.
To perform a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of exogenous melatonin in advancing sleep-wake rhythm in patients with delayed sleep phase disorder.
Meta analysis of papers indexed for PubMed, ...Embase, and the abstracts of sleep and chronobiologic societies (1990-2009).
Individuals with delayed sleep phase disorder.
Administration of melatonin.
A meta-analysis of data of randomized controlled trials involving individuals with delayed sleep phase disorder that were published in English, compared melatonin with placebo, and reported 1 or more of the following: endogenous melatonin onset, clock hour of sleep onset, wake-up time, sleep-onset latency, and total sleep time. The 5 trials including 91 adults and 4 trials including 226 children showed that melatonin treatment advanced mean endogenous melatonin onset by 1.18 hours (95% confidence interval CI: 0.89-1.48 h) and clock hour of sleep onset by 0.67 hours (95% CI: 0.45-0.89 h). Melatonin decreased sleep-onset latency by 23.27 minutes (95% CI: 4.83 -41.72 min). The wake-up time and total sleep time did not change significantly.
Melatonin is effective in advancing sleep-wake rhythm and endogenous melatonin rhythm in delayed sleep phase disorder.
Computed tomography (CT)‐derived body metrics such as skeletal muscle index (SMI), psoas muscle index (PMI), and subcutaneous fat area index (ScFI) are measurable components of sarcopenia, frailty, ...and nutrition. While these body metrics are advocated in adults for predicting postoperative outcomes after liver transplantation (LT), little is known about their value in pediatric populations. This study assessed the relation between preoperative CT‐based body metrics and postoperative short‐term outcomes in pediatric LT recipients. Patients aged 0‐18 years who underwent a primary LT were retrospectively included (n = 101; median age 0.5 years; range 0.2‐17.1). SMI, PMI, and ScFI were derived from preoperative axial CT slices. Postoperative outcomes and complications within 90 days were correlated with the CT‐based body metrics. To classify postoperative infections, the Clavien‐Dindo (CD) classification was used. Subgroup analyses were performed for age groups (<1, 1‐10, and >10 years old). An optimal threshold for test performance was defined using Youden’s J‐statistic and receiver operating characteristic curve as appropriate. ScFI was significantly (P = 0.001) correlated with moderate to severe postoperative infections (CD grade 3‐5) in children aged <1 year, with the optimal ScFI threshold being ≤27.1 cm2/m2 (sensitivity 80.4% and specificity 77.8%). A weak negative correlation between SMI and the total duration of hospital stay (R = −0.3; P = 0.01) and intensive care unit (ICU) stay (R = −0.3; P = 0.01) was observed in children aged <1 year. No other associations between CT‐based body metrics and postoperative outcomes were shown. In children aged <1 year with cirrhotic liver disease undergoing LT, preoperative CT‐based body metrics were correlated with moderate to severe postoperative infections (ScFI) and with longer duration of hospital and ICU stay (SMI), and thus can be considered important tools for pre‐LT risk assessment.
Evaluating potential musculoskeletal disorders risks in real workstations is challenging as the environment is cluttered, which makes it difficult to accurately assess workers' postures. Being ...marker-free and calibration-free, Microsoft Kinect is a promising device although it may be sensitive to occlusions. We propose and evaluate a RULA ergonomic assessment in real work conditions using recently published occlusion-resistant Kinect skeleton data correction. First, we compared postures estimated with this method to ground-truth data, in standardized laboratory conditions. Second, we compared RULA scores to those provided by two professional experts, in a non-laboratory cluttered workplace condition. The results show that the corrected Kinect data can provide more accurate RULA grand scores, even under sub-optimal conditions induced by the workplace environment. This study opens new perspectives in musculoskeletal risk assessment as it provides the ergonomists with 30 Hz continuous information that could be analyzed offline and in a real-time framework.
•This paper proposes a RULA ergonomic assessment based on correct Kinect skeleton data.•RULA scores provided by this method are evaluated in laboratory and real work conditions.•In laboratory condition, Kinect-based joint angles were similar to grand truth data.•In real work conditions, Kinect-based RULA assessment were in agreement with those of experts.•Toward new continuous postural assessment thanks to 30 Hz Kinect measurements.
Despite the enormous amount of research dedicated to this topic in the last 20 years or so, there is still a need for a general, cost-effective methodology allowing the synthesis of mesoporous mixed ...oxide catalysts. This review deals with the synthesis and catalytic applications of mixed oxides prepared by the non-hydrolytic sol-gel (NHSG) process based on the reaction of chloride precursors with ether or alkoxide oxygen donors. This NHSG process offers simple, one-step syntheses of mixed oxides with well-controlled compositions and non-ordered mesoporous textures, avoiding the use of supercritical drying or templates. Over the last decade, this process has been used to prepare various mesoporous mixed oxide catalysts, which showed real potential in major reactions such as partial and total oxidation, reduction of NOx, alkene metathesis, or alkylation. The main reactions involved in this NHSG process and the characteristics of the resulting mixed oxides are described in the first part of this review, underlining the decisive advantages in terms of simplicity and of control (in terms of composition, homogeneity or texture) offered by this process. In a second part, the literature dealing with mixed oxide catalysts prepared by this NHSG method is exhaustively reviewed and the catalytic performance of NHSG catalysts is compared, whenever possible, to that of catalysts with similar compositions prepared by other methods. The excellent catalytic performances of NHSG-catalysts (notably SiTi, TiV and SiAlMo catalysts) compared to state-of-the art aerogels or ordered mesoporous materials evidences the potential of this sol-gel method, which should open the door to the synthesis of improved catalysts and to the discovery of new catalysts.
Oxides and mixed oxides have a tremendous importance in the field of heterogeneous catalysis, serving either as catalysts or as supports for active species. The performance of a catalyst depends ...directly on its composition, texture, structure and surface properties, which have to be precisely controlled and adapted to each application. In this context, the sol-gel process is a unique tool for the preparation and understanding of catalytic materials, owing to its exceptional versatility. In the last 10 years, the non-hydrolytic sol-gel (NHSG) or non-aqueous sol-gel process based on nonhydrolytic condensations in nonaqueous media has established itself as a simple and powerful method for the design of a wide range of oxide, mixed oxide and hybrid materials with controlled composition, morphology, texture and structure. NHSG proved particularly interesting for the preparation of catalytic materials, notably mesoporous xerogels, single site catalysts and highly crystalline nanoparticles. This critical review addresses the application of NHSG to the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, emphasizing the specificities of this process, and giving a comprehensive overview of the literature (251 references).
Being marker-free and calibration free, Microsoft Kinect is nowadays widely used in many motion-based applications, such as user training for complex industrial tasks and ergonomics pose evaluation. ...The major problem of Kinect is the placement requirement to obtain accurate poses, as well as its weakness against occlusions. To improve the robustness of Kinect in interactive motion-based applications, real-time data-driven pose reconstruction has been proposed. The idea is to utilize a database of accurately captured human poses as a prior to optimize the Kinect recognized ones, in order to estimate the true poses performed by the user. The key research problem is to identify the most relevant poses in the database for accurate and efficient reconstruction. In this paper, we propose a new pose reconstruction method based on modelling the pose database with a structure called Filtered Pose Graph, which indicates the intrinsic correspondence between poses. Such a graph not only speeds up the database poses selection process, but also improves the relevance of the selected poses for higher quality reconstruction. We apply the proposed method in a challenging environment of industrial context that involves sub-optimal Kinect placement and a large amount of occlusion. Experimental results show that our real-time system reconstructs Kinect poses more accurately than existing methods.
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