Does outstretching the arms improve postural stability?

We spontaneously outstretch our arms when standing upon challenging surfaces, yet the effect of stretching the arms upon postural stability is unknown. We investigated whether stretching out the arms laterally improves postural control during tandem stance on a narrow beam. Twelve healthy participants stood upon a beam, right foot in front of the left foot, for 30 s with arms outstretched or down to the side, with eyes open and closed. Mediolateral head movement was characterised by Root Mean Square amplitude (RMS), sway path, velocity during the largest excursion and power spectrum. Spectra for lateral forces from a force platform beneath the beam were also recorded. Outstretching the arms significantly reduced RMS, sway path and velocity of maximum displacement of head movement with eyes closed but not with eyes open. A similar trend was present in the power spectra of head motion and sway platform lateral forces. In conclusion, outstretching the arms helps postural stability in challenging situations such as tandem stance on a narrow beam with eyes closed. Although the exact mechanisms require further investigation, the effects are most likely mediated by changes in segmental inertia and the ability to make corrective arm movements.MRC grant to A.M.B. (MC_U950770497

A Self-Organized Energy Efficient Topology Control Protocol based on Cellular Learning Automata in Wireless Sensor Networks (SEETCLA)

Among some of sensor network properties which make it different from other networks, can refer to very high number of nodes, dynamic, and probably periodic topological changes and also some constraints in physical size of nodes, energy resource and power of processing. According to these restrictions, giving solutions and self-configurable protocols that do global tasks without requiring a central controller or manager are necessary. Topology control and node scheduling that constitute a part of the maintenance phase of self-organization protocols, are providing the main goal of this phase which is increasing network lifetime and also maintaining the infrastructure support for the network. In consideration of learning Automata’s abilities such as low computational load, the ability of being used in distributed environments, with no precise information, the adaptability to changes via lo

Adaptive Filtering Technique and Comparison of PS25015A Dry Electrodes and Two Different Ag/AgCl Wet Electrodes for Wearable ECG Applications

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most important signals acquired from the body, as it serves as the immediate source of information relating to heart performance. Hence, a lot of research has gone into various types of ECG acquisition methods and systems. With the numerous methods and systems available at hand, it is important to compare, contrast, and evaluate the existing techniques. Not only does this help distinguish between the different techniques, it also helps build on the existing methods to create successful acquisition systems that can surpass the effect of unwanted factors, such as movement and other noise artifacts. This paper builds on a previous study that compared two different ECG acquisition systems, one of which uses PS25015A dry electrodes and the other, which uses two different silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) wet electrodes. The adaptive filtering technique was implemented in order to test its effectiveness when applied to a wearable ECG medical device, intended to monitor the user’s ECG throughout daily activities, such as walking. According to statistical analysis, the dry electrodes may have a better SNR. However, the dry electrodes provided a lower wave amplitude, compared to the wet electrodes. Overall, the least mean squares (LMS) adaptive filtering, along with bandpass filtering, helped reduce motion artifacts in ECG signals acquired during walking

Synthesis, radiolabelling, and biological assessment of folic acid-conjugated G-3 99mTcdendrimer as the breast cancer molecular imaging agent

Hence, in this study, the authors aimed to develop a dendrimer-based imaging agent comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-citrate, technetium-99 m (99mTc), and folic acid. The dendrimer-G3 was synthesised and conjugated with folic acid, which confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, dynamic light scattering, and transition electron microscopy. 2, 3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-Tetrazolium-5-Carboxanilide cytotoxicity assay kit was used to measure the cellular toxicity of dendrimer. Imaging and biodistribution studies were conducted on the mice bearing tumour. The results showed that the fabricated dendrimer-G3 has a size of 90 ± 3 nm, which was increased to 100 ± 4 nm following the conjugation with folic acid. The radiostablity investigation showed that the fabricated dendrimers were stable in the human serum at various times. Toxicity assessment confirmed no cellular toxicity against HEK-293 cells at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/ μl concentrations. The in vivo studies demonstrated that the synthesised dendrimers were able to provide a bright SPECT image applicable for tumour detection. In conclusion, the authors' study documented the positive aspects of PEG-citrate dendrimer conjugated with folic acid as the SPECT contrast agent for breast cancer detection. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020

Evaluation of prognostic factors associated with differentiated thyroid carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis

Background: Because one of the major sites for metastasis of thyroid cancers is the lung, studying the pattern of pulmonary metastasis may provide useful information for the effective treatment of these patients. In this study, by assessing the metastasis pattern, we aimed to identify the factors thatmay affect prognosis and response to treatment in patientswith differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with pulmonary metastasis. Methods: This retrospective study included 75 patients with DTC with pulmonary metastasis whowere referred to our nuclear medicine section over a period of 10 years. The data obtained were analyzed with regard to response to treatment to assess the effects of the included factors on prognosis. Results: Of the 1746 patients referred to our section, 75 (4.3%) had pulmonary metastasis. According to the pattern of pulmonary metastasis, they were divided into 4 groups: nodular, diffuse, combined, and other. The mean age of the patients was 43.8 ± 18.5 years. After the follow-up, 58 patients survived, 14 of whom responded to the treatment. The mean number of radioiodine therapy sessions that the patients received was 3.2 ± 2, and the mean cumulative dose was 554.7 ± 387.8 mCi. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant difference in the response to treatment between patients with different patterns of pulmonary metastasis (P > 0.3). However, significant differences were reported in the response to treatment between patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and those with follicular thyroid carcinoma (P < 0.03). The 1-, 5-, and 9-year survival rates were reported as 98%, 76%, and 51%, respectively. Conclusions: Patients with DTC with pulmonary metastasis have a relatively favorable prognosis and response rate, as well as longer survival. The type of DTC is the only factor that affects the response to treatment. © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Investigating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio as a predictive marker of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Background and purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis, inflammation, and joint destruction that if not well controlled can destroy cartilage, bone, ligaments and tendons, and in some cases cause disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of the ratio of neutrophil-lymphocyte (NLR) as an inflammatory marker in determining the severity of RA (Disease Activity Score 28 DAS28). Materials and methods: Fifty patients with RA attending the rheumatology clinic in Ilam Shahid Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Iran, were examined for disease activity using physical and laboratory tests. NLR and disease severity were determined based on DAS28. Results: The disease activity, including remission and mild/moderate were seen in 34% (DAS28<2.6) and 66% (DAS28 2.6), respectively. The patients were 86% women and 14% men. Mean ages of patients with mild/moderate and remission RA were 51.30 and 36.82 years, respectively. The mean NLR was 1.80 in patients with remission RA and 1.93 in those with mild/moderate RA and no significant relationship was found in NLR between these two groups (P=0.99). There was a significant relationship between DAS28 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P=0.02), and a weak relationship between DAS28 and age, gender, and medication (P≥0.1). Conclusion: According to the results, perhaps ESR rather than NLR could be a prognostic factor for determining disease activity levels in RA patients with DAS28 <3.2. © 2021, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Phase formation, crystal structures and magnetic properties of perovskite-type phases in the system La2Co1+z(MgxTi1-x)1-zO6

Perovskite-type cobaltates in the system La(2)Co(1+z) (Mg(x)Ti(1-x))(1-z)O(6) were studied for z=0 &lt;= x &lt;= 0.6 and 0 &lt;= x &lt;= 0.9, using X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction (ED), magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The samples were synthesised using the citrate route in air at 1350 degrees C. The space group symmetry of the structure changes from P2(1)/n via Pbnm to R (3) over barc with both increasing Mg content and increasing Co content. The La(2)Co(Mg(x)Ti(1-x))O(6) (z=0) compounds show anti-ferromagnetic couplings of the magnetic moments for the Co below 15 K for x=0, 0.1 and 0.2. XANES spectra show for the compositions 0 &lt;= x &lt;= 0.5 a linear decrease in the L(3)/(L(3)+ L(2))Co-L(2.3) edge branching ratio with x, in agreement with a decrease of the average Co ion spin-state, from a high-spin to a lower-spin-state, with decreasing nominal Co(2+) ion content.Studier av koboltbaserade perovskiter för användning i bränslecelle

Synthesis and characterization of perovskite-type SrxY1−xFeO3−δ (0.63≤x&lt;1.0) and Sr0.75Y0.25Fe1−yMyO3−δ (M=Cr, Mn, Ni), (y=0.2, 0.33, 0.5)

Oxygen-deficient ferrates with the cubic perovskite structure SrxY1-xFeO3-d were prepared in air (0.71 ≤ x ≤ 0.91) as well as in N2 (x=0.75 and 0.79) at 1573K. The oxygen content of the compounds prepared in air increases with increasing strontium content from 3-δ=2.79(2) for x=0.75 to 3-δ=2.83(2) for x=0.91. Refinement of the crystal structure of Sr0.75Y0.25FeO2.79 using TOF neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data shows high anisotropic atomic displacement parameter (ADP) for the oxygen atom resulting from a substantial cation and anion disorder. Electron diffraction (ED) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) studies of Sr0.75Y0.25FeO2.79 reveal a modulation along &lt;100&gt;p with G± ~0.4&lt;100&gt;p indicating a local ordering of oxygen vacancies. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at 5-390K show spin-glass behaviour with dominating antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic moments of Fe cations. Among the studied compositions, Sr0.75Y0.25FeO2.79 shows the lowest thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of 10.5 ppm K-1 in air at 298-673K. At 773-1173K TEC increases up to 17.2 ppm K-1 due to substantial reduction of oxygen content. The latter also results in a dramatic decrease of the electrical conductivity in air above 673K. Partial substitution of Fe by Cr, Mn and Ni according to the formula Sr0.75Y0.25Fe1-yMyO3-δ (y=0.2, 0.33, 0.5) leads to cubic perovskites for all substituents with y=0.2. Their TECs are higher in comparison with un-doped Sr0.75Y0.25FeO2.79. Only M=Ni has increased electrical conductivity compared to un-doped Sr0.75Y0.25FeO2.79.Studies of cobalt based perovskites for cathode materials in solid oxide fuel cells