Development of a Smart Wireless Multisensor Platform for an Optogenetic Brain Implant.

Implantable cell replacement therapies promise to completely restore the function of neural structures, possibly changing how we currently perceive the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. One of the major clinical hurdles for the routine implementation of stem cell therapies is poor cell retention and survival, demanding the need to better understand these mechanisms while providing precise and scalable approaches to monitor these cell-based therapies in both pre-clinical and clinical scenarios. This poses significant multidisciplinary challenges regarding planning, defining the methodology and requirements, prototyping and different stages of testing. Aiming toward an optogenetic neural stem cell implant controlled by a smart wireless electronic frontend, we show how an iterative development methodology coupled with a modular design philosophy can mitigate some of these challenges. In this study, we present a miniaturized, wireless-controlled, modular multisensor platform with fully interfaced electronics featuring three different modules: an impedance analyzer, a potentiostat and an optical stimulator. We show the application of the platform for electrical impedance spectroscopy-based cell monitoring, optical stimulation to induce dopamine release from optogenetically modified neurons and a potentiostat for cyclic voltammetry and amperometric detection of dopamine release. The multisensor platform is designed to be used as an opto-electric headstage for future in vivo animal experiments.

The Parenting Sense of Competence scale: Updating a classic.

BACKGROUND: The Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) is a self-report measure of parenting efficacy and satisfaction that is widely used by researchers and clinicians in many countries. Despite its popularity, there have been some criticisms of the instrument. The aims of the current study were to identify and address shortcomings of the PSOC and to produce a revised measure that reflected the original constructs and that demonstrated robust psychometric properties. METHODS: The researchers examined the original PSOC and proposed changes to overcome identified issues. A sample of 3056 Australian mothers provided data for the revised instrument's factor structure and psychometric analyses. RESULTS: We identified a number of problems with the original instrument, including factorial inconsistency, and multipart or potentially ambiguous questions. Of particular concern was the fact that all negatively worded items load onto one subscale and all positively worded questions load onto the other subscale. In addressing these issues, we produced a 16-item instrument (the Parenting Sense of Competence-Revised; PSOC-R) with strong internal consistency, excellent test-retest reliability and good evidence of construct validity including factorial validity and criterion-related validity. CONCLUSIONS: The PSOC-R maintains the intent of the original measure in assessing parenting Efficacy (10 items) and Satisfaction (6 items). It represents improvements in item construction including reductions in complexity, with no multipart items and a lower reading level requirement than previously. Data across four child age groups enhance the instrument's clinical utility.

Novel Multi-Parametric Sensor System for Comprehensive Multi-Wavelength Photoplethysmography Characterization.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is widely used to assess cardiovascular health. However, its usage and standardization are limited by the impact of variable contact force and temperature, which influence the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. Although some studies have evaluated the impact of these phenomena on signal amplitude, there is still a lack of knowledge about how these perturbations can distort the signal morphology, especially for multi-wavelength PPG (MW-PPG) measurements. This work presents a modular multi-parametric sensor system that integrates continuous and real-time acquisition of MW-PPG, contact force, and temperature signals. The implemented design solution allows for a comprehensive characterization of the effects of the variations in these phenomena on the contour of the MW-PPG signal. Furthermore, a dynamic DC cancellation circuitry was implemented to improve measurement resolution and obtain high-quality raw multi-parametric data. The accuracy of the MW-PPG signal acquisition was assessed using a synthesized reference PPG optical signal. The performance of the contact force and temperature sensors was evaluated as well. To determine the overall quality of the multi-parametric measurement, an in vivo measurement on the index finger of a volunteer was performed. The results indicate a high precision and accuracy in the measurements, wherein the capacity of the system to obtain high-resolution and low-distortion MW-PPG signals is highlighted. These findings will contribute to developing new signal-processing approaches, advancing the accuracy and robustness of PPG-based systems, and bridging existing gaps in the literature.

Design and Testing of a Computer Security Layer for the LIN Bus.

Most modern vehicles are connected to the internet via cellular networks for navigation, assistance, etc. via their onboard computer, which can also provide onboard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth services. The main in-vehicle communication buses (CAN, LIN, FlexRay) converge at the vehicle's onboard computer and offer no computer security features to protect the communication between nodes, thus being highly vulnerable to local and remote cyberattacks which target the onboard computer and/or the vehicle's electronic control units through the aforementioned buses. To date, several computer security proposals for CAN and FlexRay buses have been published; a formal computer security proposal for the LIN bus communications has not been presented. So, we researched possible security mechanisms suitable for this bus's particularities, tested those mechanisms in microcontroller and PSoC hardware, and developed a prototype LIN network using PSoC nodes programmed with computer security features. This work presents a novel combination of encryption and a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) scheme with replay attack rejection for the LIN communications. The obtained results are promising and show the feasibility of the implementation of an LIN network with real-time computer security protection.

Development of Electrode-Supported Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Cells and their Evaluation as Electrochemical Hydrogen Pumps.

Protonic ceramic solid oxide cells (P-SOCs) have gained widespread attention due to their potential for operation in the temperature range of 300-500 °C, which is not only beneficial in terms of material stability but also offers unique possibilities from a thermodynamic point of view to realize a series of reactions. For instance, they are ideal for the production of synthetic fuels by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, upgradation of hydrocarbons, or dehydrogenation reactions. However, the development of P-SOC is quite challenging because it requires a multifront optimization in terms of material synthesis and fabrication procedures. Herein, we report in detail a method to overcome various fabrication challenges for the development of efficient and robust electrode-supported P-SOCs (Ni-BCZY/BCZY/Ni-BCZY) based on a BaCe0.2Zr0.7Y0.1O3-δ (BCZY271) electrolyte. We examined the effect of pore formers on the porosity of the Ni-BCZY support electrode, various electrolyte deposition techniques (spray, spin, and vacuum-assisted), and thermal treatments for developing robust and flat half-cells. Half-cells containing a thin (10-12 µm) pinhole-free electrolyte layer were completed by a screen-printed Ni-BCZY electrode and evaluated as an electrochemical hydrogen pump to access the functionality. The P-SOCs are found to show a current density ranging from 150 to 525 mA cm-2 at 1 V over an operating temperature range of 350-450 °C. The faradaic efficiency of the P-SOCs as well as their stability were also evaluated.

A Mobile Health Intervention to Support Parenting Self-Efficacy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit from Admission to Home.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether parents of premature infants less than 37 weeks of gestation provided with a unique smartphone app designed to support parents had greater parenting self-efficacy, a key element in parenting confidence, compared with controls. STUDY DESIGN: Using a quasiexperimental, time-lagged study design, parents were assigned to either usual care (control) or NICU2HOME app (intervention) groups. Both groups completed the validated Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale at 4 time points (approximately day of life 7, 1 day before discharge, and at 14 and 30 days after discharge) representing the neonatal intensive care unit, discharge, and home contexts. App use was described and categorized. Univariate group differences were assessed, and linear mixed effect regression models were used to assess treatment group effect on PSOC score across time, adjusted for covariates and controlling for overall family effect. RESULTS: We enrolled 298 parents (123 control, 175 intervention) with 256 completing 1 or more PSOC screenings. The intervention group had sustained higher PSOC scores than those of the control group (estimate, 4.3; P = .0042) from the first measurement onward with no significant change in PSOC score across time for either group. Average app use was 15 taps per average day; average and above-average users had significantly higher PSOC scores (estimate, 5.16; P = .0024; estimate, 5.16; P = .014) compared with controls or below-average users. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with controls, parents assigned to use the NICU2HOME app reported greater parenting self-efficacy while in the neonatal intensive care unit and this continued once discharged to home. Novel technologies such as point-of-care smartphone applications may hold promise for supporting parents in difficult and stressful situations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov: NCT03505424.

Parenting Sense of Competence: Psychometrics and Invariance among a Community and an At-Risk Samples of Portuguese Parents.

Parenting sense of competence refers to parents' perception about their ability to perform the parenting role, one of the key dimensions in family dynamics. This construct is even more important in families at psychosocial risk, where the exercise of parenting can be more challenging. The Parenting Sense of Competence scale (PSOC) is a self-report measure that aims to assesses one's perceived efficacy and satisfaction with parenting. In this cross-sectional and instrumental study, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PSOC among a Portuguese sample of community (n = 205) and at-psychological-risk (n = 273) parents. Participants completed the PSOC, the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale, the Parenting Stress Index, and the Parenting Alliance Inventory. Results from confirmatory factor analysis showed that a two-factor revised model obtained the best fit, with some items being removed. Our data confirmed that the PSOC has good psychometric properties, with acceptable reliability and validity and measurement invariance across the community and the at-risk samples. Findings of this psychometric exploration provided evidence that the PSOC is a reliable measure of easy application and interpretation for assessing the perceived competence of Portuguese parents.

An FPGA-Based Neuro-Fuzzy Sensor for Personalized Driving Assistance.

Advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) are intended to automatize driver tasks, as well as improve driving and vehicle safety. This work proposes an intelligent neuro-fuzzy sensor for driving style (DS) recognition, suitable for ADAS enhancement. The development of the driving style intelligent sensor uses naturalistic driving data from the SHRP2 study, which includes data from a CAN bus, inertial measurement unit, and front radar. The system has been successfully implemented using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device of the Xilinx Zynq programmable system-on-chip (PSoC). It can mimic the typical timing parameters of a group of drivers as well as tune these typical parameters to model individual DSs. The neuro-fuzzy intelligent sensor provides high-speed real-time active ADAS implementation and is able to personalize its behavior into safe margins without driver intervention. In particular, the personalization procedure of the time headway (THW) parameter for an ACC in steady car following was developed, achieving a performance of 0.53 microseconds. This performance fulfilled the requirements of cutting-edge active ADAS specifications.

Potential Adjunctive Role of Radiosynovectomy in Primary Synovial Osteochondromatosis of the Knee: A Case Report.

Primary synovial osteochondromatosis (PSOC) is a rare but clinically significant cause of morbidity especially in the male population. Surgery is the primary treatment of choice, but the recurrence rate is reported to be high. Moreover, the presence of widespread loose bodies makes it a cumbersome procedure. The complete removal of the disease is tough at times and results in early recurrence. Radiosynovectomy is an established technique for treating various joint arthropathies. The role of radiosynovectomy in case of PSOC has not yet been explored. This case report described the case of a young male with PSOC of the knee joint who was treated with radiosynovectomy for pain relief. The patient reported complete relief from the pain along with significant improvement in joint mobility. The post-therapy three-phase bone scan also validated the reduction in joint inflammation. The patient was taken for surgical removal of the redundant loose bodies after a significant improvement in the pain and reduction in inflammation. Post-therapy radiation fibrosis of the synovium also helped in the en bloc removal of the disease. The role of radiosynovectomy in PSOC needs to be further explored concerning its potential role as an adjuvant to surgical procedures.

Bridging the Dialectic: Diversity, Psychological Sense of Community, and Inclusion.

Although, there are many times when P/SOC and diversity appear in opposition, I argue that this conflict is not inherent to the concepts or their joint value, but to social contexts in which they are enacted in real life. The primary values of community psychology-building and supporting positive communities, social change, and social justice within a framework that recognizes the centrality of diversity, culture, inclusion, power, and privilege-actually bind diversity and community together. Thus, we can bridge this seeming dialectic through deeper reflection about the real and intended meaning, operationalization, and application of these two terms, and a reliance on the central values of our field.

Parenting program versus telephone support for Mexican parents of children with acquired brain injury: A blind randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired brain injury (ABI) during childhood typically causes behavior problems in the child and high levels of stress in the family. The aims of this study are: (1) to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a parenting intervention in improving behavior and self-regulation in Mexican children with ABI compared to telephone support; (2) to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a parenting intervention in improving parenting skills, parent self-efficacy and decreasing parental stress in parents of children with ABI compared to telephone support. Our secondary aims are (1) to explore the impact that parent characteristics have on the intervention outcomes; (2) to investigate if changes are maintained 3 months after the intervention. METHODS: The research design is a blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). Eligible participants include children with a diagnosis of ABI, between 6 and 12 years of age, and their parents. Sixty-six children and their parents will be randomly allocated to either a parenting program group or telephone support group. The parenting program involves six face-to-face weekly group sessions of 2.5 h each. Participants in the control group receive an information sheet with behavioral strategies, and six weekly phone calls, in which strategies to improve academic skills are provided. Children and their parents are evaluated by blind assessors before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and 3-months post-intervention. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a parenting program for Mexican parents of children with ABI. TRIAL IDENTIFIER: ACTRN12617000360314.

Potential Adjunctive Role of Radiosynovectomy in Primary Synovial Osteochondromatosis of the Knee: A Case Report / 대한핵의학회잡지

Primary synovial osteochondromatosis (PSOC) is a rare but clinically significant cause of morbidity especially in the male population. Surgery is the primary treatment of choice, but the recurrence rate is reported to be high. Moreover, the presence of widespread loose bodies makes it a cumbersome procedure. The complete removal of the disease is tough at times and results in early recurrence. Radiosynovectomy is an established technique for treating various joint arthropathies. The role of radiosynovectomy in case of PSOC has not yet been explored. This case report described the case of a young male with PSOC of the knee joint who was treated with radiosynovectomy for pain relief. The patient reported complete relief from the pain along with significant improvement in joint mobility. The post-therapy three-phase bone scan also validated the reduction in joint inflammation. The patient was taken for surgical removal of the redundant loose bodies after a significant improvement in the pain and reduction in inflammation. Post-therapy radiation fibrosis of the synovium also helped in the en bloc removal of the disease. The role of radiosynovectomy in PSOC needs to be further explored concerning its potential role as an adjuvant to surgical procedures.

SISTEMA DE PULSIOXIMETRÍA Y CAPNOGRAFÍA PARA DISPOSITIVOS MÓVILES ANDROID / A PULSE-OXIMETRIC AND CAPNOGRAPHIC SYSTEM FOR ANDROID MOBILE DEVICES / SISTEMA DE OXIMETRIA DE PULSO E CAPNOGRAFIA PARA DISPOSITIVOS MÓVEIS ANDROID

El monitoreo constante del nivel de saturación de oxígeno y la producción de CO2 es de vital importancia para la supervisión del estado respiratorio del paciente. Este artículo presenta el diseño de un sistema de oximetría de pulso y capnografía que tiene como unidad de procesamiento un chip programable de señales mixtas denominado PSoC (Programable-System-On-Chip), el cual incorpora bloques análogos y digitales configurables, permitiendo que la adecuación de las señales suministradas por los sensores y el procesamiento digital de señales se lleve a cabo en el mismo chip. Se realizó una aplicación en Android para la visualización y registro de las señales biomédicas en una base de datos local, compatible con dispositivos móviles con conectividad wifi. El sistema fue verificado usando un simulador de SpO2 (Saturación parcial de oxígeno), que permitió la calibración de frecuencias cardiacas desde 55 BPM (Beats per Minute) a 145 BPM, así como la curva R con valores de 75% a 100% de SpO2. Se encontró que el error de medición de la frecuencia cardiaca es 1,81%, y 1.33% para la SpO2.

Constant monitoring of oxygen saturation level and CO2 production is vital for monitoring the patient's respiratory status. This paper presents the design of a pulse-oximetric and capnographic system, which core consists of a mixed signal programmable chip, PSoC (Programmable-System-On-Chip), which incorporates a whole analog and digital configurable block system, in order to adequate and process the signals from the sensors all in a single chip. An Android application was also developed, which can display biomedical signals in mobile devices with wireless connectivity, as well as to store information from these signals in a local user database. The microsystem was verified using a SpO2 (oxygen partial saturation) simulator, and heart rates of 55 BPM to 145 BPM were calibrated, as well as the R curve with values of 75% to 100% SpO2. The heart rate measurement error found is 1,81% and 1,33% for the SpO2.

O monitoramento constante do nível de saturação de oxigênio e produção de CO2 é fundamental para monitorar o estado respiratório do paciente. Este artigo apresenta o projeto de um sistema de oximetria de pulso e capnografia cuja unidade de processamento um chips de sinal misto programável chamado PSoC (Programmable-System-On-Chip), o qual incorpora blocos analógicos e digitais configuráveis, permitindo a adaptação dos sinais fornecidos pelos sensores e o processamento digital de sinais será executada no mesmo chip. Foi realizada una aplicação Android para visualização e gravação de sinais biomédicos em um banco de dados local, compatível com dispositivos móveis com conectividade sem fio. O sistema foi testado usando um simulador de SpO2 (saturação de oxigênio parcial), permitindo a calibração da freqüência cardíaca de 55 BPM (batidas por minuto) a 145 BPM, assim como a curva R com valores de 75% a 100% SpO2 . Verificou-se que o erro de medição do ritmo cardíaco é 1,81% e 1,33% para o SpO2.

Programmable System-on-Chip (PSoC) Embedded Readout Designs for Liquid Helium Level Sensors.

This article reports the development of programmable system-on-chip (PSoC)-based embedded readout designs for liquid helium level sensors using resistive liquid vapor discriminators. The system has been built for the measurement of liquid helium level in a concave-bottomed, helmet-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic cryostat for magnetoencephalography. This design incorporates three carbon resistors as cost-effective sensors, which are mounted at desired heights inside the cryostat and were used to infer the liquid helium level by measuring their temperature-dependent resistance. Localized electrical heating of the carbon resistors was used to discriminate whether the resistor is immersed in liquid helium or its vapor by exploiting the difference in the heat transfer rates in the two environments. This report describes a single PSoC chip for the design and development of a constant current source to drive the three carbon resistors, a multiplexer to route the sensor outputs to the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a buffer to avoid loading of the sensors, an ADC for digitizing the data, and a display using liquid crystal display cum light-emitting diode modules. The level sensor readout designed with a single PSoC chip enables cost-effective and reliable measurement system design.

Rare Case of Extra-articular Synovial Chondromatosis of Biceps Tendon Sheath in 8 years Male Child.

INTRODUCTION: Primary synovial osteo chondromatosis (PSOC) is chondroid metaplasia with multi¬nodular proliferation of the synovial lining of a diarthrodial joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. It usually occurs in third-fifth decade and shoulder joint involvement is infrequent. It is very rare in children and primary extraarticular PSOC of the shoulder has been reported very rarely in children. CASE REPORT: We present a case of primary PSOC of the long head of biceps in 8year child. It presented as painful swelling in proximal arm. The pain radiograph was showing multiple calcified loose bodies on anteromedial aspect of humerus. MRI scan showed fluid filled cysts with calcified wall. The lesion was excised through deltopectoral approach. He had complete resolution of symptoms without recurrence at 1 year.The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: We want to emphasize that one should keep a differential diagnosis of this rare condition in patients presenting with cystic swelling with calcified wall. We further emphasize the need to follow these patients to detect recurrence or malignant transformation.

A Novel Mu Rhythm-based Brain Computer Interface Design that uses a Programmable System on Chip.

This paper describes the system design of a portable and economical mu rhythm based Brain Computer Interface which employs Cypress Semiconductors Programmable System on Chip (PSoC). By carrying out essential processing on the PSoC, the use of an extra computer is eliminated, resulting in considerable cost savings. Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and PSoC Designer 5.01 are employed in developing the software for the system, the hardware being custom designed. In order to test the usability of the BCI, preliminary testing is carried out by training three subjects who were able to demonstrate control over their electroencephalogram by moving a cursor present at the center of the screen towards the indicated direction with an average accuracy greater than 70% and a bit communication rate of up to 7 bits/min.

Three realizations and comparison of hardware for piezoresistive tactile sensors.

Tactile sensors are basically arrays of force sensors that are intended to emulate the skin in applications such as assistive robotics. Local electronics are usually implemented to reduce errors and interference caused by long wires. Realizations based on standard microcontrollers, Programmable Systems on Chip (PSoCs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have been proposed by the authors for the case of piezoresistive tactile sensors. The solution employing FPGAs is especially relevant since their performance is closer to that of Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) than that of the other devices. This paper presents an implementation of such an idea for a specific sensor. For the purpose of comparison, the circuitry based on the other devices is also made for the same sensor. This paper discusses the implementation issues, provides details regarding the design of the hardware based on the three devices and compares them.

Maternal Parenting Stress and Sense of Competence in Children with Seizure Disorders / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: While parents who foster children with epilepsy would have considerable parenting difficulties, the parenting stress and sense of competence have not been investigated. We investigated maternal parenting stress, parenting satisfaction and sense of parenting competence in children with seizure disorders, and the associations with seizure-related variables. METHODS: Mothers of 79 children with seizure disorders (41 boys, 38 girls; mean age, 9.9+/-2.3 years) and 79 healthy comparison subjects matched for age and sex were recruited for this study. The Korean version of the Parenting Stress Index (K-PSI-SF) and the Parenting Sense of Competence (K-PSOC) were used to assess parenting stress, parenting satisfaction and parenting efficacy. RESULTS: Mothers of children with seizure disorders showed higher scores on stress related to difficult child and child learning and parenting anxiety compared to mothers of healthy children. In addition, scores on stress related to parental-child interaction and child learning were significantly associated with parental economic status. Scores on stress from parental-child interaction was also correlated with seizure severity, and stress from child learning was correlated with seizure type. Sense of parenting competence and anxiety scores were correlated with paternal educational status, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that mothers of children with epilepsy have greater parenting stress and anxiety and social and seizure-associated factors may affect the parenting stress and anxiety.