Indoor localization using visual information and passive landmarks

This thesis proposes a localization algorithm for Automatically Guided Vehicles (AGVs) based on a vision system and simple passive markers. The pose is estimated using trilateration and triangulation techniques. Then the results are combined with heterogeneous data provided by odometry using an Extended Kalman Filter. The tests have shown that even with a non fully optimized algorithm, a precision of 0.2m can be reached, confirming the validity of this technologyope

Postural control data from prevalent kidney transplant patients with and without history of falls

From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterItem not available in this repository.This article presents data from a research paper entitled “Postural balance, muscle strength, and history of falls in end-stage renal disease patients living with a kidney transplant: a cross-sectional study” available in Journal Gait and Posture [1]. In this article, we reported the minimal detectable changes at the 95% level of confidence (MDC95) of postural balance variables measured in eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions, with a stabilometric platform, in 59 kidney transplant (KT) recipients (mean age= 53.2 ± 11 years). In addition, we also performed receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis to explore the ability of postural balance measures to discriminate fallers and non-fallers (history of falls: yes or no). Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of mean center of pressure velocity (CoPv), sway area (SA), center of pressure range of displacement in the anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions were calculated. These data can be used by researchers aiming to design psychometric studies of postural balance in KT patients and they also provide clinicians with information on possible prioritization of outcome assessment for future fall-risk research in this clinical population.31pubpu

CXCL12/SDF-1 from perisynaptic Schwann cells promotes regeneration of injured motor axonterminals

The neuromuscular junction has retained through evolution the capacity to regenerate after damage, but little is known on the inter-cellular signals involved in its functional recovery from trauma, autoimmune attacks, or neurotoxins. We report here that CXCL12, also abbreviated as stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), is produced specifically by perisynaptic Schwann cells following motor axon terminal degeneration induced by -latrotoxin. CXCL12 acts via binding to the neuronal CXCR4 receptor. A CXCL12-neutralizing antibody or a specific CXCR4 inhibitor strongly delays recovery from motor neuron degeneration invivo. Recombinant CXCL12 invivo accelerates neurotransmission rescue upon damage and very effectively stimulates the axon growth of spinal cord motor neurons invitro. These findings indicate that the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays an important role in the regeneration of the neuromuscular junction after motor axon injury. The present results have important implications in the effort to find therapeutics and protocols to improve recovery of function after different forms of motor axon terminal damage

Nordic Walking can be incorporated in the exercise prescription to increase aerobic capacity, strength and quality of life for elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and analyze the effects of Nordic Walking on physical fitness, body composition and quality of life in the elderly. METHODS: keyword "Nordic Walking" associated with "elderly" AND/OR "aging" AND/OR "old subjects" AND/OR "aged" AND/OR "older adults" were used in the onlines database Medline, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus. Only studies written in English language and published in peer-reviewed journals were considered. A meta-analysis was performed and effect sizes calculated. RESULTS: 15 studies were identified; age of participants ranged from 60 to 92 years old. Comparing with a sedentary group, effect sizes showed that Nordic Walking was able to improve dynamic balance (0.30), functional balance (0.62), muscle strength of upper (0.66) and lower limbs (0.43), aerobic capacity (0.92), cardiovascular outcomes (0.23), body composition (0.30) and lipid profile (0.67). It seemed that Nordic Walking had a negative effect on static balance (-0.72). Comparing with a walking (alone) training, effect sizes showed that Nordic Walking improved the dynamic balance (0.30), flexibility of the lower body (0.47) and quality of life (0.53). Walking training was more effective in improving aerobic capacity (-0.21). Comparing Nordic Walking with resistance training, effect sizes showed that Nordic Walking improved dynamic balance (0.33), muscle strength of the lower body (0.39), aerobic capacity (0.75), flexibility of the upper body (0.41), and the quality of life (0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Nordic Walking can be considered as a safe and accessible form of aerobic exercise for the elderly population, able to improve cardiovascular outcomes, muscle strength, balance ability and quality of life

Hypoxia Preconditioning of Human MSCs: a Direct Evidence of HIF-1α and Collagen Type XV Correlation

Background/Aims: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold considerable promise in bone tissue engineering, but their poor survival and potency when in vivo implanted limits their therapeutic potential. For this reason, the study on culture conditions and cellular signals that can influence the potential therapeutic outcomes of MSCs have received considerable attention in recent years. Cell maintenance under hypoxic conditions, in particular for a short period, is beneficial for MSCs, as low O2 tension is similar to that present in the physiologic niche, however the precise mechanism through which hypoxia preconditioning affects these cells remains unclear. Methods: In order to explore what happens during the first 48 h of hypoxia preconditioning in human MSCs (hMSCs) from bone marrow, the cells were exposed to 1.5% O2 tension in the X3 Hypoxia Hood and Culture Combo – Xvivo System device. The expression modulation of critical genes which could be good markers of increased osteopotency has been investigated by Western blot, immunufluorescence and ELISA. Luciferase reporter assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to investigate the regulation of the expression of Collagen type XV (ColXV) gene. Results: We identified ColXV as a new low O2 tension sensitive gene, and provided a novel mechanistic evidence that directly HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha) mediates ColXV expression in response to hypoxia, since it was found specifically in vivo recruited at ColXV promoter, in hypoxia-preconditioned hMSCs. This finding, together the evidence that also Runx2, VEGF and FGF-2 expression increased in hypoxia preconditioned hMSCs, is consistent with the possibility that increased ColXV expression in response to hypoxia is mediated by an early network that supports the osteogenic potential of the cells. Conclusion: These results add useful information to understand the role of a still little investigated collagen such as ColXV, and identify ColXV as a marker of successful hypoxia preconditioning. As a whole, our data give further evidence that hypoxia preconditioned hMSCs have greater osteopotency than normal hMSCs, and that the effects of hypoxic regulation of hMSCs activities should be considered before they are clinically applied

Assessment of sediment toxicity in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy) using a multi-species set of bioassays

Within the framework of a Weight of Evidence (WoE) approach, a set of four toxicity bioassays involving the amphipod Corophium volutator (10 d lethality test on whole sediment), the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (fertilization and embryo toxicity tests on elutriate) and the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (embryo toxicity test on elutriate) was applied to sediments from 10 sampling sites of the Venice Lagoon (Italy). Sediments were collected during three campaigns carried out in May 2004 (spring campaign), October 2004 (autumn campaign) and February 2005 (winter campaign). Toxicity tests were performed on all sediment samples. Sediment grain-size and chemistry were measured during spring and autumn campaigns. This research investigated (i) the ability of toxicity tests in discriminating among sites with different contamination level, (ii) the occurrence of a gradient of effect among sampling sites, (iii) the possible correlation among toxicity tests, sediment chemistry, grain size and organic carbon, and (iv) the possible occurrence of toxicity seasonal variability. Sediment contamination levels were from low to moderate. No acute toxicity toward amphipods was observed, while sea urchin fertilization was affected only in few sites in just a single campaign. Short-term effects on larval development of sea urchin and oyster evidenced a clear spatial trend among sites, with increasing effects along the axis connecting the sea-inlets with the industrial area. The set of bioassays allowed the identification of a spatial gradient of effect, with decreasing toxicity from the industrial area toward the sea-inlets. Multivariate data analysis showed that the malformations of oyster embryos were significantly correlated to the industrial contamination (metals, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, hexachlorobenzene and polychlorinated biphenyls), while sea urchin development to sediment concentrations of As, Cr and organic carbon. Both embryo toxicity tests were significantly affected by high ammonia concentrations found in the elutriates extracted from some mudflat and industrial sediments. No significant temporal variation of the toxicity was observed within the experimental period. Amendments to the set of bioassays, with inclusion of chronic tests, can certainly provide more reliability and consistency to the characterization of the (possible) toxic effects. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Effects of global postural reeducation on postural control, dynamic balance, and ankle range of motion in patients with hallux abducto valgus. A randomized controlled trial.

AbstractHallux abducto valgus (HAV) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that has been addressed surgically. Nevertheless, the manual therapy approach may play an important role in the management of this condition. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of global postural reeducation (GPR) in subjects with symptomatic mild to moderate HAV in static postural control, dynamic stability, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM). A total of 80 patients with mild to moderate symptomatic HAV were allocated to the intervention group (GPR) or control group (CG) (no treatment) for 8 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline at 4 and 8 weeks including static postural control (Romberg test), dynamic balance (Star Excursion Balance Test [SEBT]), and ankle DFROM (Weight‐Bearing Lunge Test [WBLT]). No improvements were observed at 4 weeks, but there were improvements at 8 weeks in: static postural control mediolateral displacement (X) of center of pressure (CoP) in both eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC): XEO (t(36) = 2.892, p = .006, d = 0.67); XEC (t(68) = 2.280, p = .026, d = 054); and velocity (V) of CoP displacement: VEO (t(68) = 2.380, p = .020, d = 0.57); VEC (t(36) = 2.057, p = .047, d = 0.37). It were also improvements in: WBLT (t(36) = −2.869, p = .007, d = 0.54) and SEBT at three directions (anterior, ANT; posteromedial, PM; and posterolateral, PL): SEBT.ANT (t(36) = −2.292, p = .028, d = 0.23); SEBT.PM (t(36) = −4.075, p < .001, d = 0.43); SEBT.PL (t(62) = −3.506, p = .001, d = 0.34). The present study showed that GPR compared to the CG might be effective in enhancing ankle function including postural control, dynamic balance, and DFROM

Sequential toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) for the characterizing toxicity of Venice Lagoon sediment: Comparison of two different appraches.

http://dx.medra.org/10,1016/j.ecoenv.2008.06.01

CXCL12α/SDF‐1 from perisynaptic Schwann cells promotes regeneration of injured motor axon terminals

The neuromuscular junction has retained through evolution the capacity to regenerate after damage, but little is known on the inter‐cellular signals involved in its functional recovery from trauma, autoimmune attacks, or neurotoxins. We report here that CXCL12α, also abbreviated as stromal‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1), is produced specifically by perisynaptic Schwann cells following motor axon terminal degeneration induced by α‐latrotoxin. CXCL12α acts via binding to the neuronal CXCR4 receptor. A CXCL12α‐neutralizing antibody or a specific CXCR4 inhibitor strongly delays recovery from motor neuron degeneration in vivo. Recombinant CXCL12α in vivo accelerates neurotransmission rescue upon damage and very effectively stimulates the axon growth of spinal cord motor neurons in vitro. These findings indicate that the CXCL12α‐CXCR4 axis plays an important role in the regeneration of the neuromuscular junction after motor axon injury. The present results have important implications in the effort to find therapeutics and protocols to improve recovery of function after different forms of motor axon terminal damage