Machine Learning Based Fall Detector with a Sensorized Tip

Fall detection has become an area of interest in recent years, as quick response to these events is critical to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate. In order to ensure proper fall detection, several technologies have been developed, including vision system, environmental detection systems, and wearable sensor based systems. However, in elderly or impaired people, it has been shown that the implementation of sensors in Assistive Devices for Walking, such as crutches or canes, can also be a promising alternative. In this work, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based Fall Detection system is proposed, which uses the data provided by a Sensorized Tip which can be attached to different Assistive Devices for Walking (ADW). Unlike other approaches, the developed one is able to differentiate the fall of the ADW from the fall of the user. For that purpose, the developed Fall Detector uses two modules connected in series. The first one detects all falls, while the second differentiates between user and ADW falls. The proposed approach is validated in a set of experimental tests carried out by healthy volunteers that have simulated different falls. In addition, a comparative analysis is carried out by comparing the performance of the Sensorized Tip based Fall Detector and a state-of-the-art commercial accelerometer system. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach provides high Fall Detection Ratios (over 90%), similar or higher to wearable-sensor based approaches

Topological entropy and renormalization group flow in 3-dimensional spherical spaces

We analyze the renormalization group (RG) flow of the temperature independent term of the entropy in the high temperature limit ß/a « 1 of a massive field theory in 3-dimensional spherical spaces, M 3, with constant curvature 6/a 2. For masses lower than 2p/ß , this term can be identified with the free energy of the same theory on M 3 considered as a 3-dimensional Euclidean space-time. The non-extensive part of this free energy, S hol, is generated by the holonomy of the spatial metric connection. We show that for homogeneous spherical spaces the holonomy entropy S hol decreases monotonically when the RG scale flows to the infrared. At the conformal fixed points the values of the holonomy entropy do coincide with the genuine topological entropies recently introduced. The monotonic behavior of the RG flow leads to an inequality between the topological entropies of the conformal field theories connected by such flow, i.e. S top UV¿>¿S top IR . From a 3-dimensional viewpoint the same term arises in the 3-dimensional Euclidean effective action and has the same monotonic behavior under the RG group flow. We conjecture that such monotonic behavior is generic, which would give rise to a 3-dimensional generalization of the c-theorem, along the lines of the 2-dimensional c-theorem and the 4-dimensional a-theorem. The conjecture is related to recent formulations of the F-theorem. In particular, the holonomy entropy on lens spaces is directly related to the topological Rényi entanglement entropy on disks of 2-dimensional flat spaces

Searching for a C-function on the three-dimensional sphere

We present a detailed analytic study on the three-dimensional sphere of the most popular candidates for C-functions, both for Dirac and scalar free massive fields. We discuss to which extent the effective action, the Rényi entanglement entropy and the renormalized entanglement entropy fulfill the conditions expected from C-functions. In view of the absence of a good candidate in the case of the scalar field, we introduce a new candidate, which we call the modified effective action, and analyze its pros and cons.Instituto de Física La Plat

Ketogenic diet and epilepsy: a narrative review of the literature

Vários estudos têm explorado o papel dos corpos cetónicos nos processos fisiológicos envolvidos no despontar de convulsões sendo a dieta cetogénica uma opção de tratamento usual na epilepsia fármaco-resistente, quer em crianças, adolescentes ou adultos. A presente revisão narrativa procura resumir a evidência disponível sobre os possíveis mecanismos de ação e eficácia da dieta cetogénica e suas variantes no tratamento da epilepsia de crianças a adultos. Apesar da forte plausibilidade biológica e da existência de estudos mecanicistas e ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatorizados que suportam a dieta cetogénica como uma abordagem válida para reduzir a probabilidade de convulsões na epilepsia fármaco-resistente em crianças, o nível de evidência não é tão forte para a sua utilização no tratamento de adultos.Several studies have already explored the role of ketone bodies on the physiological processes involved in the onset of seizures and ketogenic diet is a common treatment option in drug-resistant epilepsy either in children, adolescents or adults. This narrative review aims to summarize the available evidence on the possible mechanisms of action, and on the efficacy of the ketogenic diet and its variants on the treatment of epilepsy from infants to adults. Even though there is a robust biologic plausibility and either mechanistic studies and randomized controlled trials supporting ketogenic diet as a valid approach to reduce seizures in drug-resistant childhood epilepsy, the level of evidence is not as strong for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in adults.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Topological entropy and renormalization group flow in 3-dimensional spherical spaces

Abstract: We analyze the renormalization group (RG) flow of the temperature independent term of the entropy in the high temperature limit β/a ≪ 1 of a massive field theory in 3-dimensional spherical spaces, M3, with constant curvature 6/a2. For masses lower than 2π/β, this term can be identified with the free energy of the same theory on M3 considered as a 3-dimensional Euclidean space-time. The non-extensive part of this free energy, Shol, is generated by the holonomy of the spatial metric connection. We show that for homogeneous spherical spaces the holonomy entropy Shol decreases monotonically when the RG scale flows to the infrared. At the conformal fixed points the values of the holonomy entropy do coincide with the genuine topological entropies recently introduced. The monotonic behavior of the RG flow leads to an inequality between the topological entropies of the conformal field theories connected by such flow, i.e. SUVtop > SIRtop. From a 3-dimensional viewpoint the same term arises in the 3-dimensional Euclidean effective action and has the same monotonic behavior under the RG group flow. We conjecture that such monotonic behavior is generic, which would give rise to a 3-dimensional generalization of the c-theorem, along the lines of the 2-dimensional c-theorem and the 4-dimensional a-theorem. The conjecture is related to recent formulations of the F -theorem. In particular, the holonomy entropy on lens spaces is directly related to the topological Rényi entanglement entropy on disks of 2-dimensional flat spaces.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasInstituto de Física La Plat

Single-Center-Single-Blinded Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Containing Boswellia Serrata, Bromelain, Zinc, Magnesium, Honey, Tyndallized Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Casei to Fight Upper Respiratory Tract Infection and Otitis Media

Some nutraceuticals have been studied as supportive treatment for fighting upper respiratory tract infection and middle ear disease. Our study aims at evaluating the effect of a specific oral supplementation in the treatment of pediatric otits media. The subjects were randomly assigned by the physician (single-blinded study) to one of three groups: Control Group (CG), Treatment Group 1 (TG1), or Treatment Group 2 (TG2). Both TG were treated with Flogostop Duo (for 20 days—TG1 or 30 days—TG2) in combination with the standard treatment, while CG underwent standard treatment only. The standard treatment was nasal aerosol with Fluticasone and Mucolytic, and nasal washing with hypertonic solution. All patients were analyzed by otoscopy, impedance, fibroscopy, and pure auditory test at the baseline (T0), after 20 days (T1) and 35 days (T2). 120 children were included in the study, 40 in the CG, 40 in the TG1, and 40 in the TG2. Both TG1 and TG2 presented statistically significant differences with respect to controls in otoscopy, impedance, fibroscopy, and PTA at T2. The otoscopy improved at T2 with statistically significant value only in TG2. The impedance and fibroscopy improved at T1 both in TG1 and TG2 compared to CG. A statistically significant improvement was observed in TG2 at T2 in comparison to both CG and TG1. Statistically significant differences were observed in PTA at T2 only compared with controls. This study confirmed the efficacy of nutraceutical as supporting therapy in the upper respiratory tract infection in children. In particular, the supplement containing Boswellia serrata and Bromelain, which are molecules with strong anti-inflammatory and pain-control capacities, could add the benefit without the adverse effects which are related to NSAID us

A virus-like particle vaccine candidate for influenza A virus based on multiple conserved antigens presented on hepatitis B tandem core particles

Existing Influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines target variable parts of the virus that may change between seasons. Vaccine design relies on predicting the predominant circulating influenza strains but when there is a mismatch between vaccine and circulating strains, efficacy is sub-optimal. Furthermore, current approaches provide limited protection against emerging influenza strains that may cause pandemics. One solution is to design vaccines that target conserved protein domains of influenza, which remain largely unchanged over time and are likely to be found in emergent variants. We present a virus-like particle (VLP), built using the hepatitis B virus tandem core platform, as an IAV vaccine candidate containing multiple conserved antigens. Hepatitis B core protein spontaneously assembles into a VLP that is immunogenic and confers immunogenicity to proteins incorporated into the major insertion region (MIR) of core monomers. However, insertion of antigen sequences may disrupt particle assembly preventing VLP formation or result in unstable particles. We have overcome these problems by genetically manipulating the hepatitis B core to express core monomers in tandem, ligated with a flexible linker, incorporating different antigens at each of the MIRs. Immunisation with this VLP, named Tandiflu1, containing 4 conserved antigens from matrix protein 2 ectodomain and hemagglutinin stalk, leads to production of cross-reactive and protective antibodies. The polyclonal antibodies induced by Tandiflu1 can bind IAV Group 1 hemagglutinin types H1, H5, H11, H9, H16 and a conserved epitope on matrix protein 2 expressed by most strains of IAV. Vaccination with Tandiflu1 results in 100% protection from a lethal influenza challenge with H1N1 IAV. Serum transfer from vaccinated animals is sufficient to confer protection from influenza-associated illness in naïve mice. These data suggest that a Tandem Core based IAV vaccine might provide broad protection against common and emergent H1 IAV strains responsible for seasonal and pandemic influenza in man

The path from trigeminal asymmetry to cognitive impairment: a behavioral and molecular study

Trigeminal input exerts acute and chronic effects on the brain, modulating cognitive functions. Here, new data from humans and animals suggest that these effects are caused by trigeminal influences on the Locus Coeruleus (LC). In humans subjects clenching with masseter asymmetric activity, occlusal correction improved cognition, alongside with reductions in pupil size and anisocoria, proxies of LC activity and asymmetry, respectively. Notably, reductions in pupil size at rest on the hypertonic side predicted cognitive improvements. In adult rats, a distal unilateral section of the trigeminal mandibular branch reduced, on the contralateral side, the expression of c-Fos (brainstem) and BDNF (brainstem, hippocampus, frontal cortex). This counterintuitive finding can be explained by the following model: teeth contact perception loss on the lesioned side results in an increased occlusal effort, which enhances afferent inputs from muscle spindles and posterior periodontal receptors, spared by the distal lesion. Such effort leads to a reduced engagement of the intact side, with a corresponding reduction in the afferent inputs to the LC and in c-Fos and BDNF gene expression. In conclusion, acute effects of malocclusion on performance seem mediated by the LC, which could also contribute to the chronic trophic dysfunction induced by loss of trigeminal input

Gene signature and immune cell profiling by high-dimensional, single-cell analysis in COVID-19 patients, presenting Low T3 syndrome and coexistent hematological malignancies

BACKGROUND: Low T3 syndrome is frequent in patients admitted to intensive care units for critical illness and pneumonia. It has been reported also in patients with COVID-19, Hodgkin disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We analyzed the clinical relevance of Low T3 syndrome in COVID-19 patients and, in particular, in those with associated hematological malignancies.METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients, hospitalized during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Sant'Andrea University Hospital in Rome, were subdivided in 38 patients (Group A), showing low levels of FT3, and in 24 patients (Group B), with normal FT3 serum values. During the acute phase of the disease, we measured serum, radiologic and clinical disease severity markers and scores, in search of possible correlations with FT3 serum values. In addition, in 6 COVID-19 patients, 4 with Low T3 syndrome, including 2 with a hematological malignancy, and 2 with normal FT3 values, we performed, high-dimensional single-cell analysis by mass cytometry, multiplex cytokine assay and gene expression profiling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).RESULTS: Low FT3 serum values were correlated with increased Absolute Neutrophil Count, NLR and dNLR ratios and with reduced total count of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Low FT3 values correlated also with increased levels of inflammation, tissue damage and coagulation serum markers as well as with SOFA, LIPI and TSS scores. The CyTOF analysis demonstrated reduction of the effector memory and terminal effector subtypes of the CD4+ T lymphocytes. Multiplex cytokine assay indicates that mainly IL-6, IP-10 and MCAF changes are associated with FT3 serum levels, particularly in patients with coexistent hematological malignancies. Gene expression analysis using Nanostring identified four genes differently expressed involved in host immune response, namely CD38, CD79B, IFIT3 and NLRP3.CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that low FT3 serum levels are associated with severe COVID-19. Our multi-omics approach suggests that T3 is involved in the immune response in COVID-19 and coexistent hematological malignancy and new possible T3 target genes in these patients have been identified

Correction to: Assessing real-world gait with digital technology? Validation, insights and recommendations from the Mobilise-D consortium (<em>Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation</em>, (2023), 20, 1, (78), 10.1186/s12984-023-01198-5)

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.Following publication of the original article [1], the author noticed the errors in Table 1, and in Discussion section. In Table 1 under Metric (Gait sequence detection) column, the algorithms GSDB was updated with wrong description, input, output, language and citation and GSDc with wrong description has been corrected as shown below: (Table presented.) Description of algorithms for each metric: gait sequence detection (GSD), initial contact event detection (ICD), cadence estimation (CAD) and stride length estimation (SL) Metric Name Description Input Output Language References GSDA Based on a frequency-based approach, this algorithm is implemented on the vertical and anterior–posterior acceleration signals. First, these are band pass filtered to keep frequencies between 0.5 and 3 Hz. Next, a convolution of a 2 Hz sinewave (representing a template for a gait cycle) is performed, from which local maxima will be detected to define the regions of gait acc_v: vertical acceleration acc_ap: anterior–posterior acceleration WinS = 3 s; window size for convolution OL = 1.5 s; overlap of windows Activity_thresh = 0.01; Motion threshold Fs: sampling frequency Start: beginning of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector End: termination of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector Matlab\uae Iluz, Gazit [40] GSDB This algorithm, based on a time domain-approach, detects the gait periods based on identified steps. First, the norm of triaxial acceleration signal is low-pass filtered (FIR, fc = 3.2 Hz), then a peak detection procedure using a threshold of 0.1 [g] is applied to identify steps. Consecutive steps, detected using an adaptive step duration threshold are associated to gait sequences acc_norm: norm of the 3D-accelerometer signal Fs: sampling frequency th: peak detection threshold: 0.1 (g) Start: beginning of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector End: termination of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector Matlab\uae Paraschiv-Ionescu, Newman [41] GSDc This algorithm utilizes the same approach as GSDBthe only difference being a different threshold for peak detection of 0.15 [g] acc_norm: norm of the 3D-accelerometer signal Fs: sampling frequency th: peak detection threshold: 0.15 (g) Start: beginning of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector End: termination of N gait sequences [s] relative to the start of a recording or a test/trial. Format: 1 7 N vector Matlab\uae Paraschiv-Ionescu, Newman [41] In Discussion section, the paragraph should read as "Based on our findings collectively, we recommend using GSDB on cohorts with slower gait speeds and substantial gait impairments (e.g., proximal femoral fracture). This may be because this algorithm is based on the acceleration norm (overall accelerometry signal rather than a specific axis/direction (e.g., vertical), hence it is more robust to sensor misalignments that are common in unsupervised real-life settings. Moreover, the use of adaptive threshold, that are derived from the features of a subject’s data and applied to step duration for detection of steps belonging to gait sequences, allows increased robustness of the algorithm to irregular and unstable gait patterns" instead of “Based on our findings collectively, we recommend using GSDB on cohorts with slower gait speeds and substantial gait impairments (e.g., proximal femoral fracture). This may be because this algorithm is based on the acceleration norm (overall accelerometry signal rather than a specific axis/direction (e.g., vertical), hence it is more robust to sensor misalignments that are common in unsupervised real-life settings [41]. Moreover, the use of adaptive thresholds, that are derived from the features of a subject’s data and applied to the amplitude of acceleration norm and to step duration for detection of steps belonging to gait sequences, allows increased robustness of the algorithm to irregular and unstable gait patterns”