Comparing Functional Motor Control and Gait Parameters in Children with Autism to those of Age-Matched Peers who are Typically Developing

The purpose of this study was to compare motor performance of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to that of age-matched peers who are typically developing (TD) on motor control tasks plus symmetry and variability of gait parameters across four walking conditions. A sample of convenience of children with ASD (n=6) and peers who are TD (n=6) were recruited. Motor control was assessed using initiation and completion times on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Gait parameters were collected using a computerized walkway under four trial conditions: 1) walking at self-selected velocity (SSV); 2) walking during a tray-carrying task (dual tasking); 3) walking over a visible obstacle (feed-forward control); and 4) walking over an unexpected obstacle (feedback control). Independent t-tests were used to test for between-group differences in TUG initiation and completion times and gait parameters and variability by condition. Paired t-tests were used to assess within-group symmetry by condition. Findings showed that ASD and TD groups had similar TUG times, gait parameters across the four conditions, and variability in gait (all p\u3e.05). Parents of children with ASD perceived their children as moving differently than their peers, but parents of children in the TD group did not (p=.014). The TD group had significant asymmetry of right versus left single limb support time (p=.034) in the dual task condition, while the ASD group demonstrated significant asymmetry of heel-to-heel distance in the feedback condition (p=.049). Children with ASD may benefit from being given a dual-task with an external focus and from delaying the introduction of unanticipated perturbations until skilled movement patterns have been established. Future research should focus on variability and motor tasks that are less repetitive than gait is warranted

Persistent microembolic signals in the cerebral circulation on transcranial Doppler after intravenous sulfur hexafluoride microbubble infusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microembolic signals (MES) are detectable by transcranial Doppler monitoring and associated with increased risk of first or recurrent ischemic stroke. MES detection can also illuminate stroke etiology and the effect of prophylactic treatment. MES detection cannot accurately distinguish between stroke‐related microemboli and ultrasound contrast agents. These agents contain microbubbles and are frequently used in neuro‐ and cardiovascular diagnostics. We aimed to assess how long after contrast infusion microbubbles are detectable by transcranial Doppler monitoring. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers received an intravenous infusion of stabilized sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue®) for 30 minutes. The infusion was followed by continuous unilateral Doppler monitoring (TCD‐X, Atys Medical, Soucieu‐en‐Jarrest, France) for 3.5 hours. RESULTS: MES persisted for 12 to 77 minutes (median 40.5 minutes), and the frequency tended to decrease gradually until cessation. CONCLUSIONS: None of the subjects had detectable MES for more than 77 minutes after ultrasound contrast infusion. MES detection with the intent to detect stroke‐related microemboli should wait for at least this long after completed infusion.publishedVersio

Nuclear Charge Radius of 12^{12}Be

The nuclear charge radius of $^{12}$Be was precisely determined using the technique of collinear laser spectroscopy on the $2s_{1/2}\rightarrow 2p_{1/2, 3/2}$ transition in the Be$^{+}$ ion. The mean square charge radius increases from $^{10}$Be to $^{12}$Be by \delta ^{10,12} = 0.69(5) \fm^{2} compared to \delta ^{10,11} = 0.49(5) \fm^{2} for the one-neutron halo isotope $^{11}$Be. Calculations in the fermionic molecular dynamics approach show a strong sensitivity of the charge radius to the structure of $^{12}$Be. The experimental charge radius is consistent with a breakdown of the N=8 shell closure.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Test of Time Dilation Using Stored Li+ Ions as Clocks at Relativistic Speed

We present the concluding result from an Ives-Stilwell-type time dilation experiment using 7Li+ ions confined at a velocity of beta = v/c = 0.338 in the storage ring ESR at Darmstadt. A Lambda-type three-level system within the hyperfine structure of the 7Li+ triplet S1-P2 line is driven by two laser beams aligned parallel and antiparallel relative to the ion beam. The lasers' Doppler shifted frequencies required for resonance are measured with an accuracy of < 4 ppb using optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. This allows us to verify the Special Relativity relation between the time dilation factor gamma and the velocity beta to within 2.3 ppb at this velocity. The result, which is singled out by a high boost velocity beta, is also interpreted within Lorentz Invariance violating test theories

Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emission Comparison of Steel Products with Other Materials

This paper outlines the background of Life-Cycle Inventory/ Life-Cycle Assessment (LCI/LCA) and reviews an undergraduate design project in progress at the University of Missouri - Rolla (UMR) comparing LCI/LCA of steel products with similar products produced from competing materials. GaBi 4 LCI/LCA software is being used to model LCI/LCA with a demonstration of the use of the software for a typical steelmaking operation.1 Future research utilizing the LCI/LCA methodology is being applied to compare the environmental impact of steel products to other alternative engineering materials. This work involves 13 undergraduate students working in four design teams under a FeMET design grant provided by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Association of Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) Foundation

Dynamic Interactive Educational Diabetes Simulations Using the World Wide Web: An Experience of More Than 15 Years with AIDA Online

Background. AIDA is a widely available downloadable educational simulator of glucose-insulin interaction in diabetes. Methods. A web-based version of AIDA was developed that utilises a server-based architecture with HTML FORM commands to submit numerical data from a web-browser client to a remote web server. AIDA online, located on a remote server, passes the received data through Perl scripts which interactively produce 24 hr insulin and glucose simulations. Results. AIDA online allows users to modify the insulin regimen and diet of 40 different prestored “virtual diabetic patients” on the internet or create new “patients” with user-generated regimens. Multiple simulations can be run, with graphical results viewed via a standard web-browser window. To date, over 637,500 diabetes simulations have been run at AIDA online, from all over the world. Conclusions. AIDA online’s functionality is similar to the downloadable AIDA program, but the mode of implementation and usage is different. An advantage to utilising a server-based application is the flexibility that can be offered. New modules can be added quickly to the online simulator. This has facilitated the development of refinements to AIDA online, which have instantaneously become available around the world, with no further local downloads or installations being required

Respiratory sequelae of COVID-19: pulmonary and extrapulmonary origins, and approaches to clinical care and rehabilitation

Although the exact prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) is unknown, more than a third of patients with COVID-19 develop symptoms that persist for more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These sequelae are highly heterogeneous in nature and adversely affect multiple biological systems, although breathlessness is a frequently cited symptom. Specific pulmonary sequelae, including pulmonary fibrosis and thromboembolic disease, need careful assessment and might require particular investigations and treatments. COVID-19 outcomes in people with pre-existing respiratory conditions vary according to the nature and severity of the respiratory disease and how well it is controlled. Extrapulmonary complications such as reduced exercise tolerance and frailty might contribute to breathlessness in post-COVID-19 condition. Non-pharmacological therapeutic options, including adapted pulmonary rehabilitation programmes and physiotherapy techniques for breathing management, might help to attenuate breathlessness in people with post-COVID-19 condition. Further research is needed to understand the origins and course of respiratory symptoms and to develop effective therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies