Enhancing touch sensibility with sensory electrical stimulation and sensory retraining.

A large proportion of stroke survivors suffer from sensory loss, negatively impacting their independence, quality of life, and neurorehabilitation prognosis. Despite the high prevalence of somatosensory impairments, our understanding of somatosensory interventions such as sensory electrical stimulation (SES) in neurorehabilitation is limited. We aimed to study the effectiveness of SES combined with a sensory discrimination task in a well-controlled virtual environment in healthy participants, setting a foundation for its potential application in stroke rehabilitation. We employed electroencephalography (EEG) to gain a better understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms and dynamics associated with sensory training and SES. We conducted a single-session experiment with 26 healthy participants who explored a set of three visually identical virtual textures-haptically rendered by a robotic device and that differed in their spatial period-while physically guided by the robot to identify the odd texture. The experiment consisted of three phases: pre-intervention, intervention, and post-intervention. Half the participants received subthreshold whole-hand SES during the intervention, while the other half received sham stimulation. We evaluated changes in task performance-assessed by the probability of correct responses-before and after intervention and between groups. We also evaluated differences in the exploration behavior, e.g., scanning speed. EEG was employed to examine the effects of the intervention on brain activity, particularly in the alpha frequency band (8-13 Hz) associated with sensory processing. We found that participants in the SES group improved their task performance after intervention and their scanning speed during and after intervention, while the sham group did not improve their task performance. However, the differences in task performance improvements between groups only approached significance. Furthermore, we found that alpha power was sensitive to the effects of SES; participants in the stimulation group exhibited enhanced brain signals associated with improved touch sensitivity likely due to the effects of SES on the central nervous system, while the increase in alpha power for the sham group was less pronounced. Our findings suggest that SES enhances texture discrimination after training and has a positive effect on sensory-related brain areas. Further research involving brain-injured patients is needed to confirm the potential benefit of our solution in neurorehabilitation.

Enhanced Methanol Synthesis from CO2 Hydrogenation Achieved by Tuning the Cu-ZnO Interaction in ZnO/Cu2O Nanocube Catalysts Supported on ZrO2 and SiO2.

The nature of the Cu-Zn interaction and especially the role of Zn in Cu/ZnO catalysts used for methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation are still debated. Migration of Zn onto the Cu surface during reaction results in a Cu-ZnO interface, which is crucial for the catalytic activity. However, whether a Cu-Zn alloy or a Cu-ZnO structure is formed and the transformation of this interface under working conditions demand further investigation. Here, ZnO/Cu2O core-shell cubic nanoparticles with various ZnO shell thicknesses, supported on SiO2 or ZrO2 were prepared to create an intimate contact between Cu and ZnO. The evolution of the catalyst's structure and composition during and after the CO2 hydrogenation reaction were investigated by means of operando spectroscopy, diffraction, and ex situ microscopy methods. The Zn loading has a direct effect on the oxidation state of Zn, which, in turn, affects the catalytic performance. High Zn loadings, resulting in a stable ZnO catalyst shell, lead to increased methanol production when compared to Zn-free particles. Low Zn loadings, in contrast, leading to the presence of metallic Zn species during reaction, showed no significant improvement over the bare Cu particles. Therefore, our work highlights that there is a minimum content of Zn (or optimum ZnO shell thickness) needed to activate the Cu catalyst. Furthermore, in order to minimize catalyst deactivation, the Zn species must be present as ZnOx and not metallic Zn or Cu-Zn alloy, which is undesirably formed during the reaction when the precatalyst ZnO overlayer is too thin.

Role of Fe decoration on the oxygen evolving state of Co3O4 nanocatalysts.

The production of green hydrogen through alkaline water electrolysis is the key technology for the future carbon-neutral industry. Nanocrystalline Co3O4 catalysts are highly promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and their activity strongly benefits from Fe surface decoration. However, limited knowledge of decisive catalyst motifs at the atomic level during oxygen evolution prevents their knowledge-driven optimization. Here, we employ a variety of operando spectroscopic methods to unveil how Fe decoration increases the catalytic activity of Co3O4 nanocatalysts as well as steer the (near-surface) active state formation. Our study shows a link of the termination-dependent Fe decoration to the activity enhancement and a significantly stronger Co3O4 near-surface (structural) adaptation under the reaction conditions. The near-surface Fe- and Co-O species accumulate an oxidative charge and undergo a reversible bond contraction during the catalytic process. Moreover, our work demonstrates the importance of low coordination surface sites on the Co3O4 host to ensure an efficient Fe-induced activity enhancement, providing another puzzle piece to facilitate optimized catalyst design.

High precision orientation mapping from 4D-STEM precession electron diffraction data through quantitative analysis of diffracted intensities.

The association of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and detection of a diffraction pattern at each probe position (so-called 4D-STEM) represents one of the most promising approaches to analyze structural properties of materials with nanometric resolution and low irradiation levels. This is widely used for texture analysis of materials using automated crystal orientation mapping (ACOM). Herein, we perform orientation mapping in InP nanowires exploiting precession electron diffraction (PED) patterns acquired by an axial CMOS camera. Crystal orientation is determined at each probe position by the quantitative analysis of diffracted intensities minimizing a residue comparing experiments and simulations in analogy to x-ray structural refinement. Our simulations are based on the two-beam dynamical diffraction approximation and yield a high angular precision (∼0.03°), much lower than the traditional ACOM based on pattern matching algorithms (∼1°). We anticipate that simultaneous exploration of both spot positions and high precision crystal misorientation will allow the exploration of the whole potentiality provided by PED-based 4D-STEM for the characterization of deformation fields in nanomaterials.

Circulating serotonin and dopamine concentrations in osteoarthritis patients: a pilot study on the effect of pelotherapy.

Balneotherapy has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the management of pathologies involving low-grade inflammation and stress. In rheumatic conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), this therapy presents anti-inflammatory properties and potential to improve psychological well-being. Although the neurohormones serotonin and dopamine are known to be involved in these processes, surprisingly they have not been studied in this context. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a cycle of balneotherapy with peloids (pelotherapy) on circulating serotonin and dopamine concentrations in a group of aged individuals with OA, after comparing their basal state to that of an age-matched control group. In our pilot study, a pelotherapy program (10 days) was carried out in a group of 16 elderly patients with OA, evaluating its effects on circulating serotonin and dopamine concentrations (measured by ELISA). Individuals with OA showed higher levels of serotonin and lower dopamine levels, in line with the inflammatory roles of these mediators. After pelotherapy, serotonin concentrations significantly decreased, potentially contributing to the previously reported anti-inflammatory effects of balneotherapy.

Spa therapy and peripheral serotonin and dopamine function: a systematic review.

Spa therapy consists of multiple techniques based on the healing effects of water, including hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and mud therapy, often combined with therapeutic exercises, massage, or physical therapy. Balneotherapy is a clinically effective complementary approach in the treatment of low-grade inflammation- and stress-related pathologies, especially rheumatic conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The main objective of this investigation was to conduct a systematic review analyzing the available evidence on the effect of spa therapy on serotonin and dopamine function. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were used from June to July 2023. Exclusion criteria were (1) articles not written in English, (2) full text not available, (3) article not related to the objective of the review. JADAD scale was used for methodological quality evaluation. Four studies were included in the systematic review. Two studies were related to serotonin in healthy individuals, one to serotonin in fibromyalgia, and one to dopamine in healthy individuals. One of the studies evaluated hydrotherapy, another one balneotherapy and mud-bath therapy, and the other two assessed balneotherapy interventions. Studies were very heterogeneous, and their methodological quality was low, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions regarding the effect of spa therapy on peripheral serotonin and dopamine function. The findings of this review highlight the lack of studies evaluating these neurotransmitters and hormones in the context of spa therapy. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of these therapies on serotonin or dopamine function.

Reversible Structural Evolution of Metal-Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Catalysts During CO2 Electroreduction: An Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study.

Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2 RR) is a rising technology, aiming to reduce the energy sector dependence on fossil fuels and to produce carbon-neutral raw materials. Metal-nitrogen-doped carbons (M-N-C) are emerging, cost-effective catalysts for this reaction; however, their long-term stability is a major issue. To overcome this, understanding their structural evolution is crucial, requiring systematic in-depth operando studies. Here a series of M-N-C catalysts (M = Fe, Sn, Cu, Co, Ni, Zn) is investigated using operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. It is found that the Fe-N-C and Sn-N-C are prone to oxide clusters formation even before CO2 RR. In contrast, the respective metal cations are singly dispersed in the as-prepared Cu-N-C, Co-N-C, Ni-N-C, and (Zn)-N-C. During CO2 RR, metallic clusters/nanoparticles reversibly formed in all catalysts, except for the Ni-N-C. This phenomenon, previously observed only in Cu-N-C, thus is ubiquitous in M-N-C catalysts. The competition between M-O and M-N interactions is an important factor determining the mobility of metal species in M-N-C. Specifically, the strong interaction between the Ni centers and the N-functional groups of the carbon support results in higher stability of the Ni single-sites, leading to the excellent performance of Ni-N-C in the CO2 to CO conversion, in comparison to other transition metals.

Spatially and Chemically Resolved Visualization of Fe Incorporation into NiO Octahedra during the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The activity of Ni (hydr)oxides for the electrochemical evolution of oxygen (OER), a key component of the overall water splitting reaction, is known to be greatly enhanced by the incorporation of Fe. However, a complete understanding of the role of cationic Fe species and the nature of the catalyst surface under reaction conditions remains unclear. Here, using a combination of electrochemical cell and conventional transmission electron microscopy, we show how the surface of NiO electrocatalysts, with initially well-defined surface facets, restructures under applied potential and forms an active NiFe layered double (oxy)hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) when Fe3+ ions are present in the electrolyte. Continued OER under these conditions, however, leads to the creation of additional FeOx aggregates. Electrochemically, the NiFe-LDH formation correlates with a lower onset potential toward the OER, whereas the formation of the FeOx aggregates is accompanied by a gradual decrease in the OER activity. Complementary insight into the catalyst near-surface composition, structure, and chemical state is further extracted using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, operando Raman spectroscopy, and operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy together with measurements of Fe uptake by the electrocatalysts using time-resolved inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Notably, we identified that the catalytic deactivation under stationary conditions is linked to the degradation of in situ-created NiFe-LDH. These insights exemplify the complexity of the active state formation and show how its structural and morphological evolution under different applied potentials can be directly linked to the catalyst activation and degradation.

Subjective Sleep Quality Versus Objective Accelerometric Measures of Sleep and Systemic Concentrations of Sleep-Related Hormones as Objective Biomarkers in Fibromyalgia Patients.

Poor quality of sleep leads to an increase in severity of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome and vice versa. The aim of this study was to determine if the poor perceived sleep quality in FM patients could be corroborated by objective physiological determinations. Perceived sleep quality was evaluated (through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) in 68 FM patients compared to an age-matched reference group of 68 women without FM. Objective sleep quality (measured using accelerometry), and systemic concentrations of sleep-related hormones (catecholamines, oxytocin, serotonin, and melatonin) were evaluated in two representative groups from the reference control group (n = 11) and FM patients (n = 11). FM patients reported poorer subjective sleep quality compared to the reference group. However, no significant differences were found in accelerometry parameters, except for a delay in getting in and out of bed. In addition, FM patients showed no significant differences in oxytocin concentration and adrenaline/noradrenaline ratio, as well as a lower serotonin/melatonin ratio. Poor perception of sleep quality in FM patients does not correspond to objective determinations. A dysregulation of the stress response could be associated with the delay in their resting circadian rhythm and difficulty falling asleep. This would be the cause that justifies the perceived lack of rest and the fatigue they feel when waking up.

Tracking the Evolution of Single-Atom Catalysts for the CO2 Electrocatalytic Reduction Using Operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Machine Learning.

Transition metal-nitrogen-doped carbons (TMNCs) are a promising class of catalysts for the CO2 electrochemical reduction reaction. In particular, high CO2-to-CO conversion activities and selectivities were demonstrated for Ni-based TMNCs. Nonetheless, open questions remain about the nature, stability, and evolution of the Ni active sites during the reaction. In this work, we address this issue by combining operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy with advanced data analysis. In particular, we show that the combination of unsupervised and supervised machine learning approaches is able to decipher the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) of the TMNCs, disentangling the contributions of different metal sites coexisting in the working TMNC catalyst. Moreover, quantitative structural information about the local environment of active species, including their interaction with adsorbates, has been obtained, shedding light on the complex dynamic mechanism of the CO2 electroreduction.

A novel scale based on biomarkers associated with COVID-19 severity can predict the need for hospitalization and intensive care, as well as enhanced probabilities for mortality.

Prognostic scales may help to optimize the use of hospital resources, which may be of prime interest in the context of a fast spreading pandemics. Nonetheless, such tools are underdeveloped in the context of COVID-19. In the present article we asked whether accurate prognostic scales could be developed to optimize the use of hospital resources. We retrospectively studied 467 files of hospitalized patients after COVID-19. The odds ratios for 16 different biomarkers were calculated, those that were significantly associated were screened by a Pearson's correlation, and such index was used to establish the mathematical function for each marker. The scales to predict the need for hospitalization, intensive-care requirement and mortality had enhanced sensitivities (0.91 CI 0.87-0.94; 0.96 CI 0.94-0.98; 0.96 CI 0.94-0.98; all with p < 0.0001) and specificities (0.74 CI 0.62-0.83; 0.92 CI 0.87-0.96 and 0.91 CI 0.86-0.94; all with p < 0.0001). Interestingly, when a different population was assayed, these parameters did not change considerably. These results show a novel approach to establish the mathematical function of a marker in the development of highly sensitive prognostic tools, which in this case, may aid in the optimization of hospital resources. An online version of the three algorithms can be found at: http://benepachuca.no-ip.org/covid/index.php.

The anti-inflammatory and bioregulatory effects of habitual exercise in high-fat diet-induced obesity involve crown-like structures and MCP-1 in white adipose tissue.

Macrophage accumulation in the adipose tissue and changes in their inflammatory phenotype is a hallmark of obesity-induced inflammation, notably forming inflammatory structures known as "crown-like structures (CLS)". Exercise can be a key strategy to improve inflammation-related complications, but it is crucial to consider that, although exercise generally exerts systemic and local anti-inflammatory effects, this depends on the basal inflammatory status and exercise modality. In this context, the "bioregulatory effect of exercise" implies to achieve the reduction or prevention of an excessive inflammatory response and also the preservation or stimulation of the innate response. In the present work, our aim was to evaluate the effect of regular exercise on adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice, as reflected by macrophage infiltration and phenotype, and CLS formation, together with a potential role for the chemokine MCP-1 in this process. Results showed that obesity is associated with greater MCP-1 expression (p<0.05), macrophage accumulation (p<0.05), and CLS presence (p<0.001). Regular exercise reduced macrophage accumulation (p<0.05), MCP-1 expression (p<0.01), and CLS presence (p<0.05) in obese mice; while it increased macrophage and CLS presence (p<0.01), MCP-1 expression (p<0.05), and M2 polarization (p<0.05) in lean mice. MCP-1 was associated with the proliferation of CLS, showing the first image demonstrating a potential role of this chemokine in the development of these structures. Altogether, these results confirm, for the first time, the "bioregulatory effect of exercise" in the adipose tissue: reducing inflammation in individuals with an elevated inflammatory setpoint, but stimulating this response of the immune system in healthy individuals.

Influence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Codiagnosis on the Relationship between Perceived and Objective Psychoneuro-Immunoendocrine Disorders in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Although the predominant symptom in fibromyalgia (FM) is muscle pain, and fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), differential diagnosis is very difficult. This research investigates the psychoneuroimmunoendocrine disorders of FM patients and ascertains whether a previous CFS diagnosis affected them. Through accelerometry objective parameters, physical activity/sedentarism levels in relation to fatigue are studied, as well as whether perceived levels of stress, anxiety, and pain correspond to objective biomarkers, all of these with respect to a reference group (RG) of women without FM. FM patients have a worse psychological state and perceived quality of life than those with RG. These perceived outcomes are consistent with impaired objective levels of a sedentary lifestyle, higher systemic levels of cortisol and noradrenaline, and lower levels of serotonin. However, FM patients with a previous CFS diagnosis had lower systemic levels of IL-8, cortisol, oxytocin, and higher levels of adrenaline and serotonin than FM patients without diagnosed CFS. In conclusion, while perceived health parameters do not detect differences, when objective neuroimmunoendocrine parameters related to stress, inflammation, pain, and fatigue are used, people with CFS could be overdiagnosed with FM. This reinforces the need for objective biomarker assessment of these patients for better diagnostic discrimination between both syndromes.

Synbiotic Supplementation Improves Quality of Life and Inmunoneuroendocrine Response in Patients with Fibromyalgia: Influence of Codiagnosis with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are two medical conditions in which pain, fatigue, immune/inflammatory dysregulation, as well as various mental health disorders predominate in the diagnosis, without evidence of a clear consensus on the treatment of FM and CFS. The main aim of this research was to analyse the possible effects of a synbiotic (Synbiotic, Gasteel Plus® (Heel España S.A.U.), through the study of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8/IL-10) and neuroendocrine biomarkers (cortisol and DHEA), in order to evaluate the interaction between inflammatory and stress responses mediated by the cytokine-HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, as well as mental and physical health using body composition analysis, accelerometry and previously validated questionnaires. The participants were women diagnosed with FM with or without a diagnostic of CFS. Each participant was evaluated at baseline and after the intervention, which lasted one month. Synbiotic intervention decreased levels of perceived stress, anxiety and depression, as well as improved quality of life during daily activities. In addition, the synbiotic generated an activation of HPA axis (physiological cortisol release) that can compensate the increased inflammatory status (elevated IL-8) observed at baseline in FM patients. There were no detrimental changes in body composition or sleep parameters, as well as in the most of the activity/sedentarism-related parameters studied by accelerometry. It is concluded that synbiotic nutritional supplements can improve the dysregulated immunoneuroendocrine interaction involving inflammatory and stress responses in women diagnosed with FM, particularly in those without a previous CFS diagnostic; as well as their perceived of levels stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life.

Synthesis of Er3+:YAG Nanocrystals and Comparative Spectroscopic Analysis with Bulk Counterparts.

Single-crystal Er3+:YAG has long been used as a laser material, and recent work has shown polycrystalline ceramic Er3+:YAG to be a suitable laser material, with benefits of lower cost and easier production. However, relatively little work has been done with the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of Er3+:YAG nanocrystals. In this work, we present the synthesis of nanocrystalline Er3+:YAG and the results of comparative spectroscopic characterization with single-crystal and polycrystalline ceramic counterparts. The results show good agreement between the optical properties of the three hosts, with the nanocrystals demonstrating relatively higher intensity in the 1.53 µm emission. These results demonstrate the viability of Er3+:YAG nanocrystals as a potential laser material.

Effects of 10-kHz Subthreshold Stimulation on Human Peripheral Nerve Activation.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms of action of high-frequency stimulation (HFS) are unknown. We investigated the possible mechanism of subthreshold superexcitability of HFS on the excitability of the peripheral nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ulnar nerve was stimulated at the wrist in six healthy participants with a single (control) stimulus, and the responses were compared with the responses to a continuous train of 5 seconds at frequencies of 500 Hz, 2.5 kHz, 5 kHz, and 10 kHz. Threshold intensity for compound muscle action potential (CMAP) was defined as intensity producing a 100-µV amplitude in ten sequential trials and "subthreshold" as 10% below the CMAP threshold. HFS threshold was defined as stimulation intensity eliciting visible tetanic contraction. RESULTS: Comparing the threshold of single pulse stimulation for eliciting CMAP vs threshold for HFS response and pooling data at different frequencies (500 Hz-10 kHz) revealed a significant difference (p = 0.00015). This difference was most obvious at 10 kHz, with a mean value for threshold reduction of 42.2%. CONCLUSIONS: HFS with a stimulation intensity below the threshold for a single pulse induces axonal superexcitability if applied in a train. It can activate the peripheral nerve and produce a tetanic muscle response. Subthreshold superexcitability may allow new insights into the mechanism of HFS.

In vitro propagation of a cuban Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal strain and factible bacteria's association / Propagación in vitro de una cepa cubana de Hongos Micorrízicos Arbusculares y su factible asociación a bacterias

ABSTRACT In vitro root cultivation techniques based on modified root systems are often used in studies on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). It is a simplified but powerful tool to investigate AMF root colonization and development of the extraradical mycelium. The aim of this study was to establish and characterize the in vitro culture of a Cuban strain of Rhizophagus irregularis (INCAM 11) by using transformed chicory roots. For that, superficially disinfected propagules of R. irregularis were co-culture with the hairy transformed chicory roots on Modified Strullu and Romand (MSR) medium during five months. Spore germination was observed 3-5 days after surface disinfection. The first contact between AMF hyphae and roots occurred 1 - 3 days after germination and a significant production of extensive extraradical mycelium was observed. New spore formation started within 21 - 25 days. After 5 months, 2000 spores could be observed per plate which were able to germinate, colonize, establish and reproduce again spores when associated to young transformed roots of chicory. The most frequent associated microorganism to the in vitro culture of INCAM 11 was isolated and identified as Paenibacillus sp.

RESUMEN Las técnicas de cultivo de raíces in vitro basadas en sistemas de raíces modificadas se utilizan a menudo en los estudios sobre hongos micorrízicos arbusculares (HMA). Es una herramienta simplificada pero poderosa para investigar la colonización de las raíces de los HMA y el desarrollo del micelio extrarradical. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer y caracterizar el cultivo in vitro de una cepa cubana de Rhizophagus irregularis (INCAM 11) utilizando raíces transformadas de achicoria. Para ello, propágulos de R. irregularis desinfectados superficialmente fueron co-cultivados con las raíces transformadas de achicoria en medio Strullu y Romand modificado (SRM) durante cinco meses. La germinación de las esporas se observó 3-5 días después de la desinfección superficial. El primer contacto entre las hifas y las raíces se produjo entre 1 y 3 días después de la germinación y se observó una producción significativa de micelio extrarradical. La formación de nuevas esporas comenzó entre 21 - 25 días. Después de 5 meses, se pudieron observar 2000 esporas por placa que fueron capaces de germinar, colonizar, establecer y reproducir nuevas esporas cuando se asociaron a raíces jóvenes transformadas de achicoria. El microorganismo asociado frecuentemente al cultivo in vitro de INCAM 11 fue aislado e identificado como Paenibacillus sp.

Influence of Codiagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Habitual Physical Exercise on the Psychological Status and Quality of Life of Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are two diseases that are frequently codiagnosed and present many similarities, such as poor tolerance to physical exercise. Although exercise is recommended in their daily routine to improve quality of life, little is known about how CFS codiagnosis affects that. Using scientifically validated questionnaires, we evaluated the psychological state and quality of life of patients with FM (n = 70) and how habitual physical exercise (HPE) reported by patients with only FM (FM-only n = 38) or codiagnosed with CFS (FM + CFS, n = 32) influences those aspects. An age-matched reference group of "healthy" women without FM (RG, n = 70) was used. The FM-only group presented a worse psychological state and quality of life compared to RG, with no influence of CFS codiagnosis. The patients of the FM-only and FM + CFS groups who perform HPE presented better levels of stress and state anxiety, but with no differences between them. Depression and trait anxiety improved only in women with just FM. CFS codiagnosis does not worsen the psychological and quality of life impairment of FM patients and does not have a great influence on the positive effect of HPE.

Enhancing touch sensibility by sensory retraining in a sensory discrimination task via haptic rendering.

Stroke survivors are commonly affected by somatosensory impairment, hampering their ability to interpret somatosensory information. Somatosensory information has been shown to critically support movement execution in healthy individuals and stroke survivors. Despite the detrimental effect of somatosensory impairments on performing activities of daily living, somatosensory training-in stark contrast to motor training-does not represent standard care in neurorehabilitation. Reasons for the neglected somatosensory treatment are the lack of high-quality research demonstrating the benefits of somatosensory interventions on stroke recovery, the unavailability of reliable quantitative assessments of sensorimotor deficits, and the labor-intensive nature of somatosensory training that relies on therapists guiding the hands of patients with motor impairments. To address this clinical need, we developed a virtual reality-based robotic texture discrimination task to assess and train touch sensibility. Our system incorporates the possibility to robotically guide the participants' hands during texture exploration (i.e., passive touch) and no-guided free texture exploration (i.e., active touch). We ran a 3-day experiment with thirty-six healthy participants who were asked to discriminate the odd texture among three visually identical textures -haptically rendered with the robotic device- following the method of constant stimuli. All participants trained with the passive and active conditions in randomized order on different days. We investigated the reliability of our system using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). We also evaluated the enhancement of participants' touch sensibility via somatosensory retraining and compared whether this enhancement differed between training with active vs. passive conditions. Our results showed that participants significantly improved their task performance after training. Moreover, we found that training effects were not significantly different between active and passive conditions, yet, passive exploration seemed to increase participants' perceived competence. The reliability of our system ranged from poor (in active condition) to moderate and good (in passive condition), probably due to the dependence of the ICC on the between-subject variability, which in a healthy population is usually small. Together, our virtual reality-based robotic haptic system may be a key asset for evaluating and retraining sensory loss with minimal supervision, especially for brain-injured patients who require guidance to move their hands.

Automated calculations for computing the sample-limited spatial resolution in (scanning) transmission electron microscopy.

MATLAB scripts were designed to compute the sample-limited spatial resolution in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning TEM (STEM) as a function of different microscopy parameters including the electron dose eD, sample geometry, and materials parameters. The scripts can be used to select the optimum microscopy modality and optimize the experimental conditions to achieve the best possible resolution considering the limitations set by both the electron optics and the examined sample. The resolution can be computed as function of the objective opening semi-angle α for TEM and detector opening semi-angle ß for STEM. Optional code for computing a range over the sample thickness t or eD are provided as well, whereby the opening angle is optimized for each data point. The spatial resolution depends on the type of material of the nanoscale object (for example, gold or carbon nanoparticles), the type of matrix holding the objects (for example, water or ice), the depth of the nanoscale object inside the matrix, and eD. The optimization is consistent with the typical situation that carbon nanoparticles are best examined with TEM embedded in a thin matrix (t = 0.1 µm), while STEM is better suited for high atomic number objects such as gold nanoparticles in water, irrespective of t. The script also calculates the reduction of beam broadening in thick samples (t > 1 µm) using bright field STEM.