The effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on lithium-induced sickness reactions in both rats (Rattus norvegicus) and the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus)

The following experiments examined the ability of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to attenuate lithium induced sickness in both the nonemetic rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the emetic house musk shrew (Suncus murinus). The ability of THC to attenuate the expression of previously established lithium induced conditioned sickness behavior in Suncus was also examined. Although unconditioned sickness behavior was displayed by both rats and shrews, THC did not attenuate this behavior in either species. However, THC did attenuate conditioned retching in the Suncus murinus. These results are the first to show the attenuation of conditioned sickness in Suncus by THC. They also experimentally verify anecdotal reports from chemotherapy patients that THC attenuates conditioned or ‘anticipatory’ nausea andlor vomiting (ANV). The present findings suggest that Suncus murinus may serve as a reliable animal model to evaluate both pharmacological andlor behavioral interventions for conditioned emetic responses

A phase-space approach for propagating field–field correlation functions

We show that radiation from complex and inherently random but correlated wave sources can be modelled efficiently by using an approach based on the Wigner distribution function. Our method exploits the connection between correlation functions and the Wigner function and admits in its simplest approximation a direct representation in terms of the evolution of ray densities in phase space. We show that next leading order corrections to the ray-tracing approximation lead to Airy-function type phase space propagators. By exploiting the exact Wigner function propagator, inherently wave-like effects such as evanescent decay or radiation from more heterogeneous sources as well as diffraction and reflection can be included and analysed. We discuss in particular the role of evanescent waves in the near-field of non-paraxial sources and give explicit expressions for the growth rate of the correlation length as a function of the distance from the source. The approximations are validated using full-wave simulations of model sources. In particular, results for the reflection of partially coherent sources from flat mirrors are given where the influence of Airy function corrections can be demonstrated. We focus here on electromagnetic sources at microwave frequencies and modelling efforts in the context of electromagnetic compatibility

Measles virus host invasion and pathogenesis

Measles virus is a highly contagious negative strand RNA virus that is transmitted via the respiratory route and causes systemic disease in previously unexposed humans and non-human primates. Measles is characterised by fever and skin rash and usually associated with cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. A hallmark of measles is the transient immune suppression, leading to increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections. At the same time, the disease is paradoxically associated with induction of a robust virus-specific immune response, resulting in lifelong immunity to measles. Identification of CD150 and nectin-4 as cellular receptors for measles virus has led to new perspectives on tropism and pathogenesis. In vivo studies in non-human primates have shown that the virus initially infects CD150+ lymphocytes and dendritic cells, both in circulation and in lymphoid tissues, followed by virus transmission to nectin-4 expressing epithelial cells. The abilities of the virus to cause systemic infection, to transmit to numerous new hosts via droplets or aerosols and to suppress the host immune response for several months or even years after infection make measles a remarkable disease. This review briefly highlights current topics in studies of measles virus host invasion and pathogenesis

Stem‐cell–based therapies to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration

Peripheral nerve injury remains a major cause of morbidity in trauma patients. Despite advances in microsurgical techniques and improved understanding of nerve regeneration, obtaining satisfactory outcomes after peripheral nerve injury remains a difficult clinical problem. There is a growing body of evidence in preclinical animal studies demonstrating the supportive role of stem cells in peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. The characteristics of both mesoderm‐derived and ectoderm‐derived stem cell types and their role in peripheral nerve regeneration are discussed, specifically focusing on the presentation of both foundational laboratory studies and translational applications. The current state of clinical translation is presented, with an emphasis on both ethical considerations of using stems cells in humans and current governmental regulatory policies. Current advancements in cell‐based therapies represent a promising future with regard to supporting nerve regeneration and achieving significant functional recovery after debilitating nerve injuries.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154610/1/mus26760.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154610/2/mus26760_am.pd

The future of upper extremity rehabilitation robotics: research and practice

The loss of upper limb motor function can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. To restore upper limb control and functionality, researchers and clinicians have developed interfaces to interact directly with the human body’s motor system. In this invited review, we aim to provide details on the peripheral nerve interfaces and brain‐machine interfaces that have been developed in the past 30 years for upper extremity control, and we highlight the challenges that still remain to transition the technology into the clinical market. The findings show that peripheral nerve interfaces and brain‐machine interfaces have many similar characteristics that enable them to be concurrently developed. Decoding neural information from both interfaces may lead to novel physiological models that may one day fully restore upper limb motor function for a growing patient population.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155489/1/mus26860_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155489/2/mus26860.pd

Wigner function based propagation of stochastic field emissions from planar electromagnetic sources

Modelling the electromagnetic radiation from modern digital systems – acting effectively as extended, stochastic sources as part of a complex architecture – is a challenging task. We follow an approach here based on measuring and propagating field-field autocorrelation functions (ACFs) after suitable averaging. From the modelling side, we use the Wigner transform of the ACFs to describe random wave fields in terms of position and direction of propagation variables. An approximate propagator for the components of the radiated magnetic field is constructed for these ACFs based on a linear flow map. Field-field ACFs at aperture level are obtained from scanning measurements of complex sources. Distance and spatial resolution of the scanning plane is less than a wavelength from the source plane to capture the imprint of evanescent waves in the nearfield ACFs. Near-field scanning and efficient near-to-far field propagation is carried out and compared with measurements. Results of this study will be useful to assist far-field predictions, source reconstruction, and emission source microscopy

Analysis of a near field MIMO wireless channel using 5.6 GHz dipole antennas

Understanding the impact of interference upon the performance of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) based device is of paramount importance in ensuring a design is both resilient and robust. In this work the effect of element-element interference in the creation of multiple channels of a wireless link approaching the near-field regime is studied. The elements of the 2-antenna transmit- and receive-arrays are chosen to be identical folded dipole antennas operating at 5.6 GHz. We find that two equally strong channels can be created even if the antennas interact at sub-wavelength distances, thus confirming previous theoretical predictions

Stimulated grip strength measurement: Validation of a novel method for functional assessment

BackgroundReliable measurement of functional recovery is critical in translational peripheral nerve regeneration research. Behavioral functional assessments such as volitional grip strength testing (vGST) are limited by inherent behavioral variability. Isometric tetanic force testing (ITFT) is highly reliable but precludes serial measurements. Combining elements of vGST and ITFT, stimulated grip strength testing (sGST) involves percutaneous median nerve stimulation to elicit maximal tetanic contraction of digital flexors, thereby allowing for consistent measurement of maximal grip strength.MethodsWe measured side‐to‐side equivalence of force using sGST, vGST, and ITFT to determine relative reliability and repeatability. We also performed weekly force measurements following median nerve repair.ResultssGST demonstrated greater reliability and inter‐trial repeatability than vGST and similar reliability to ITFT, with the added benefit of serial measurements.ConclusionssGST is a valid method for assessing functional recovery that addresses the limitations of the currently available modalities used in translational peripheral nerve regeneration research.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151883/1/mus26646.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151883/2/mus26646_am.pd

Analysis of a near field MIMO wireless channel using 5.6 GHz dipole antennas

Understanding the impact of interference upon the performance of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) based device is of paramount importance in ensuring a design is both resilient and robust. In this work the effect of element-element interference in the creation of multiple channels of a wireless link approaching the near-field regime is studied. The elements of the 2-antenna transmit- and receive-arrays are chosen to be identical folded dipole antennas operating at 5.6 GHz. We find that two equally strong channels can be created even if the antennas interact at sub-wavelength distances, thus confirming previous theoretical predictions

Upper limb prostheses: bridging the sensory gap

Replacing human hand function with prostheses goes far beyond only recreating muscle movement with feedforward motor control. Natural sensory feedback is pivotal for fine dexterous control and finding both engineering and surgical solutions to replace this complex biological function is imperative to achieve prosthetic hand function that matches the human hand. This review outlines the nature of the problems underlying sensory restitution, the engineering methods that attempt to address this deficit and the surgical techniques that have been developed to integrate advanced neural interfaces with biological systems. Currently, there is no single solution to restore sensory feedback. Rather, encouraging animal models and early human studies have demonstrated that some elements of sensation can be restored to improve prosthetic control. However, these techniques are limited to highly specialized institutions and much further work is required to reproduce the results achieved, with the goal of increasing availability of advanced closed loop prostheses that allow sensory feedback to inform more precise feedforward control movements and increase functionality