A methodology and supporting tools for the development of component-based embedded systems

The paper presents a methodology and supporting tools for developing component-based embedded systems running on resource-limited hardware platforms. The methodology combines two complementary component frameworks in an integrated tool chain: BIP and Think. BIP is a framework for model-based development including a language for the description of heterogeneous systems, as well as associated simulation and verification tools. Think is a software component framework for the generation of small-footprint embedded systems. The tool chain allows generation, from system models described in BIP, of a set of functionally equivalent Think components. From these and libraries including OS services for a given hardware platform, a minimal system can be generated. We illustrate the results by modeling and implementing a software MPEG encoder on an iPod

The motor function measure to study limitation of activity in children and adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

AbstractObjectiveTo study the applicability and responsiveness of the motor function measure (total score and sub-scores D1, D2 and D3) in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.Patients and methodsTwo hundred and thirty-three patients aged 4–86 years were included in the descriptive study. Scores and sub-scores were analyzed by age and by disease subtypes. Sensitivity to change (responsiveness) was estimated in patients having had at least two evaluations with at least six months between the first and the second.ResultsMotor function measure scores decrease with age, especially sub-scores D1 and D3. There were no significant differences between the scores according to type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The scores were significantly higher for ambulatory than for non-ambulatory patients. Significant responsiveness was demonstrated only in type 2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.Discussion/conclusionsOur results suggest that, especially for D1 and D3 sub-scores, the motor function measure is a reliable and valid outcome measure that can be usefully applied in longitudinal follow-up. Studies of longer duration could demonstrate its responsiveness in other Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease subtypes

Lack of multiple copies of pfmdr1 gene in Papua New Guinea

We describe here the results of an analysis of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (pfmdr1) gene copy number from 440 field isolates from Papua New Guinea. No multiple copies of the gene were found, which corresponds to the lack of usage of mefloquine. These data extend regional knowledge about the distribution of multidrug-resistant P. falciparu

Promoting the use of Motor Function Measure (MFM) as outcome measure in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) treated by corticosteroids

ObjectivesAssessing muscle function is a key step in measuring changes and evaluating the outcomes of therapeutic interventions in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Regarding the large use of corticosteroids (CS) in this population to delay the loss of function, our goal was to monitor the evolution of motor function in patients with DMD treated by corticosteroids (CS) and to study the responsiveness of Motor Function Measure (MFM) in this population in order to provide an estimation of the number of subject needed for a clinical trial.MethodA total of 76 patients with DMD, aged 5.9 to 11.8 years, with at least 6 months of follow-up and 2 MFM were enrolled, 30 in the CS treated group (8±1.62 y) and 46 in the untreated group (7.91±1.50 y).ResultsThe relationship between MFM scores and age was studied in CS treated patients and untreated patients. The evolution of these scores was compared between groups, on a 6-, 12- and 24-month period by calculating slopes of change and standardized response mean. At 6, 12 and 24 months, significant differences in the mean score change were found, for all MFM scores, between CS treated patients and untreated patients. For D1 subscore specifically, at 6 months, the increase is significant in the treated group (11.3±14%/y; SRM 0.8) while a decrease is observed in the untreated group (–17.8±17.7%/y; SRM 1). At 12 and 24 months, D1 subscore stabilized for treated patients but declined significantly for untreated boys (–15.5±15.1%/y; SRM 1 at 12 mo and–18.8±7.1%/y; SRM 2.6 at 24 mo). 21 patients lost the ability to walk during the study: 6 in the CS treated group (25% at 24 months, mean age: 10.74±1.28 y) and 15 in the untreated group (64.71% at 24 months, mean age: 9.20±1.78 y).Discussion and conclusionPatients with DMD treated by CS present a different course of the disease described in this paper using the MFM. Based on these results, an estimation of the number of patients needed for clinical trial could be done

Automatized assessment of motor function in patients with NMD: MFM-Digital Study

International audienceGiven the progress of research and management in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), validated tools are needed to assess patients’ motor function. The Motor Function Measure assessment (MFM) is known as principal outcome measure of the motor function with an international recognition. It is a validated tool and sensitive to the change applicable in SMA.Clinicians from the Neuromuscular Diseases Department (Hospices Civils de Lyon, France) are developing the MFM-digital, an automated system to assess SMA patients’ motor function based on MFM. By using a Microsoft Kinect and a digital tablet, the objective is to improve reliability and acceptability of the MFM by lowering the measure’s subjectivity linked to heteroevaluation and by creating a hybrid serious-game.The feasibility study assesses the relevance of the system to capture postures and motions during a MFM test. Due to technological limits of capture by the Kinect sensor, 14 on 32 items may be recognized by the Kinect and 3 items by a tablet. In each case, the therapist scores items in live by referring to the MFM manual. Based on digital data coming from Kinect and tablet records, the principal investigator informs a blind score. The good correlation between items scoring by a therapist and items scoring on captured digital data show the possibility to use an algorithm to propose an automatic score.21 records of MFM were collected with Kinect and Tablet sensors. The first results are encouraging, showing a good concordance between the scores with tracks of improvements of the system in particular concerning the capture for weaker patients. The data supplied by the MFM-digital system bring additional data, in particular the duration of the items’ exercises and kinematic parameters.One interest of this work consists in creating an automatic measurement tool, based on the MFM-items, which has already shown its validity

Engineering plant shikimate pathway for production of tocotrienol and improving herbicide resistance

http://www.plantphysiol.org/cgi/doi/10.1104/pp.103.032441International audienc

Use of the Microsoft Kinect during motor function assessments of patients with spinal muscular atrophy children: Kinect-MFM study

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Use of the Microsoft Kinect during motor function assessments of patients with spinal muscular atrophy children: Kinect-MFM study

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