Advanced C and D techniques and application study

A study was conducted to identify a broad base of payload control and display requirements for space missions. The subjects discussed are: (1) functional requirements and allocation analysis, (2) control and display generic device matrix, (3) control functional requirements, and (4) display functional requirements. Specific applications of payload control and display requirements for various disciplines are defined

On the 3D steady flow of a second grade fluid past an obstacle

We study steady flow of a second grade fluid past an obstacle in three space dimensions. We prove existence of solution in weighted Lebesgue spaces with anisotropic weights and thus existence of the wake region behind the obstacle. We use properties of the fundamental Oseen tensor together with results achieved in \cite{Koch} and properties of solutions to steady transport equation to get up to arbitrarily small \ep the same decay as the Oseen fundamental solution

EMG Based Body-Machine Interface for Adaptive and Personalized Robotic Training of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological disease that results in motor impairment associated with muscle weakness and lack of motor coordination. Indeed, previous studies showed that, while activities in isolated arm muscles appeared generally similar to those of unimpaired subjects, shoulder muscle coordination with arm motions was affected by MS and there was a marked co-activation of the biceps and triceps in the extension movements. This inability to activate muscles independently has a significant impact in motor function therefore reducing the co-contraction could improve the overall arm function. In this pilot study, we developed a body-machine interface based on muscle activities with the goal of ‘breaking’ the abnormal triceps-biceps co-activation during planar flexion-extension movements of people with multiple sclerosis during a robot-based task. The task consisted in 2D center-out reaching movements with the assistance of a robotic manipulandum. When the subject was not exhibiting the abnormal triceps-biceps co-activation for three consecutive movements the robot was decreasing the assistance. Subjects trained for up to six 1-hour sessions in three weeks. Results showed that the assistance from the robot decreased within each session for most of the subjects, while the movement became faster and straighter. The comparison between muscle activity before and after the training with this body-machine interface demonstrated that subjects learned how to reduce the tricepsbiceps co-activation

Impact of immune parameters and immune dysfunctions on the prognosis of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), immune alterations—affecting both the innate and adaptive immunity—are very common. As a clinical consequence, patients with CLL frequently present with autoimmune phenomena, increased risk of infections and second malignancies. The aim of this review article is to present available data on CLL-associated alterations of immune parameters that correlate with known prognostic markers and with clinical outcome. Also, data on the impact of immune-related clinical manifestations on the prognosis of patients with CLL will be discussed. ABSTRACT: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a wide spectrum of immune alterations, affecting both the innate and adaptive immunity. These immune dysfunctions strongly impact the immune surveillance, facilitate tumor progression and eventually affect the disease course. Quantitative and functional alterations involving conventional T cells, γδ T cells, regulatory T cells, NK and NKT cells, and myeloid cells, together with hypogammaglobulinemia, aberrations in the complement pathways and altered cytokine signature have been reported in patients with CLL. Some of these immune parameters have been shown to associate with other CLL-related characteristics with a known prognostic relevance or to correlate with disease prognosis. Also, in CLL, the complex immune response dysfunctions eventually translate in clinical manifestations, including autoimmune phenomena, increased risk of infections and second malignancies. These clinical issues are overall the most common complications that affect the course and management of CLL, and they also may impact overall disease prognosis