Gaps and roadmap of novel neuromodulation targets for treatment of gait in Parkinson’s disease

Gait issues in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are common and can be highly disabling. Although levodopa and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus internus have been established therapies for addressing the motor symptoms of PD, their effects on gait are less predictable and not well sustained with disease progression. Given the high prevalence of gait impairment in PD and the limitations in currently approved therapies, there has been considerable interest in alternative neuromodulation targets and techniques. These have included DBS of pedunculopontine nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, spinal cord stimulation, non-invasive modulation of cortical regions and, more recently, vagus nerve stimulation. However, successes and failures have also emerged with these approaches. Current gaps and controversies are related to patient selection, optimal electrode placement within the target, placebo effects and the optimal programming parameters. Additionally, recent advances in pathophysiology of oscillation dynamics have driven new models of closed-loop DBS systems that may or may not be applicable to gait issues. Our aim is to describe approaches, especially neuromodulation procedures, and emerging challenges to address PD gait issues beyond subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus internus stimulation.

Application of decision logic trees and game-tree structures in analysis of automatic transmission gearboxes

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The graphs, logic and game-tree structures methods have been used in mechanics. The purpose of modeling an automatic gearbox with graphs can be versatile, namely: determining the transmission ratio of individual gears, analyzing the speed and acceleration of individual rotating elements.The purpose of the study. The article presents the application of decision trees in the analysis of automatic gearboxes modeled with the Hsu graph.Methodology and research methods. The paper presents a method of generating game tree structures that allow to change the values of decision parameters in the issues of decision making and knowledge generation. Specifying the rank of importance, in which order you should change individual items to active, allows you to detect the so-called redundant or temporarily redundant components for a given gear currently under consideration.Scientific novelty and results. At each stage of optimization, a tree is generated, selecting the optimal decisions. Then, vertices can be added to the tree that represent the optimal responses of the system to changes in arithmetic construction parameters.Practical significance. The most important in this regard will be the selection of the optimal programming environment with the possibility of installing the program in laboratory

Body Composition and Power Output In NCAA Division I American Football Linebackers Throughout a Competitive Season

Body composition and power are impactful variables of athletic performance. However, few studies have assessed power and body composition changes from pre-, to mid-, to end-of-season in American Football linebackers. The purpose of this study was to determine how power and body composition respond to a competitive season in Division I Football Championship Series (FCS) American football linebackers. Participants (n=9; Age=19.7 ± 1.5 years; Weight=101.5±11.6 kg; Height=183.3±5.2 cm; [Body Fat percent (BF %) =21.31 ± 6.02%)] performed a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, and power was assessed via three vertical jumps and squat jumps at 40, 60, 80, and 100 kg at three time points: a) 1 week prior to their regular season, b) 2 days after the bye week in the middle of the season, and c) 1 week prior to the completion of the season. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in power or body composition. These results support past research, indicating power and body composition can be maintained throughout a competitive season. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal programming methods to maintain or improve athletic performance via optimization of body composition and power during a competitive season.

Moored Turbulence Measurements using Pulse-Coherent Doppler Sonar

Upper-ocean turbulence is central to the exchanges of heat, momentum, and gasses across the air/sea interface, and therefore plays a large role in weather and climate. Current understanding of upper-ocean mixing is lacking, often leading models to misrepresent mixed-layer depths and sea surface temperature. In part, progress has been limited due to the difficulty of measuring turbulence from fixed moorings which can simultaneously measure surface fluxes and upper-ocean stratification over long time periods. Here we introduce a direct wavenumber method for measuring Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE) dissipation rates, ϵ, from long-enduring moorings using pulse-coherent ADCPs. We discuss optimal programming of the ADCPs, a robust mechanical design for use on a mooring to maximize data return, and data processing techniques including phase-ambiguity unwrapping, spectral analysis, and a correction for instrument response. The method was used in the Salinity Processes Upper-ocean Regional Study (SPURS) to collect two year-long data sets. We find the mooring-derived TKE dissipation rates compare favorably to estimates made nearby from a microstructure shear probe mounted to a glider during its two separate two-week missions for (10−8) ≤ ϵ ≤ (10−5) m2 s−3. Periods of disagreement between turbulence estimates from the two platforms coincide with differences in vertical temperature profiles, which may indicate that barrier layers can substantially modulate upper-ocean turbulence over horizontal scales of 1-10 km. We also find that dissipation estimates from two different moorings at 12.5 m, and at 7 m are in agreement with the surface buoyancy flux during periods of strong nighttime convection, consistent with classic boundary layer theory.

TTE guided synchronization to optimize AV synchronous leadless pacemaker programming

Transvenous pacemakers are associated with major complications [1]. Transcatheter leadless pacemaker has reduced the incidence of these complications and the recent accelerometer based atrial sensing algorithm permits restoration of atrioventricular synchrony [1]. We report utilizing cardiac output measurements using Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) to determine optimal programming for leadless pacemaker.

Programming a Cochlear Implant for Tinnitus Suppression

Background Electrical stimulation of the cochlea to treat tinnitus has been explored for decades. However, few studies have investigated the most salient programming parameters for tinnitus suppression in cochlear implant (CI) patients. Purpose The purpose of this study was to review the available CI programming parameters for tinnitus suppression and to consider possible clinical research designs for selecting the optimal programming parameters for CI patients. Results Across research studies, the optimal parameters vary significantly and are often based on data fromonly a fewparticipants. Electrical stimulation using lowand high rates, different electrode numbers, and low T-levels were helpful in suppressing tinnitus, although more research is needed from a greater number of CI patients. Possible designs for evaluating these parameters in a clinical setting are presented. Conclusions Programming a CI to reduce the prominence of tinnitus is complex, and audiologists should consider adjusting CI parameters systematically for CI patients with bothersome tinnitus.

Application of mathematical programming for optimal programming of Vietnamese fishing fleet

The Vietnamese fishing fleet has been developing spontaneously without programming and control. It has bring about detrimental effect on the operate of fishing fleet, especially with a serious impact on the resources. The programming of the fishing fleet, that has been set up by the our fisheries authority, but so far there is no satisfactory solution for the complexity of the problem. In this paper, we present the research results of the application of mathematical programming to build a mathematical model, algorithms and programming to solve the programing problem for Vietnamese fishing fleet. This is base to determine optimal size and distribution of specific fishing fleet to achieve the highest profit with the economic, technical and fishing ground constrains with the aim of ensuring the fishing sustainable development. This research have been applied to learn the concrete conclusions regarding optimal size and dítribution under power, fishing gear and ground of fishing fleet in Ninh Thuan province. The results show that the mathematical programming model has been well suited to the reality. It is required to decrease the size of small power fishing boat fleet that exploits in coastal areas and increse the size of high power fishing boat fleet that exploits in offshore areas.