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The ‘Brussels 4’: essential requirements for implantable brain-computer interface user autonomy
No full textObjective. Implantable brain-computer interfaces (iBCIs) hold great promise for individuals with severe paralysis and are advancing toward commercialization. The features required for successful clinical translation and patient adoption of iBCIs may be under recognized within traditional academic iBCI research and deserve further consideration.Approach. Here we consider potentially critical factors to achieve iBCI user autonomy, reflecting the authors' perspectives on discussions during various sessions and workshops across the 10th International BCI Society Meeting, Brussels, 2023.Main results. Four key considerations were identified: (1) immediate use, (2) easy to use, (3) continuous use, and (4) stable system use.Significance. Addressing these considerations may enable successful clinical translation of iBCIs
The Atypicality of Predicates with Two Explicit Arguments in Indonesian Conversation
No full textWhile transitive clauses with a subject and object have long been a fundamental focus of grammatical analyses across languages of the world, more recently, it has become apparent that naturally occurring language-in-use is in fact overwhelmingly intransitive and transitive clauses with two arguments have a relatively low frequency. In this study, I examine conversational Indonesian and focus on one construction type, a transitive predicate with two explicit core arguments. This grammatical configuration is considered atypical due to its very low frequency in conversational interaction. The goal of the study is to begin to understand when and why expressions of this type appear. It is found that these atypical configurations regularly occur at points where there is a change in footing, including changes in topic, participation framework, or referentiality. It is further shown that the contrast between explicit and unexpressed arguments in Indonesian conversational grammar contributes to the reasons why predicates elaborated with two arguments tend to appear when there is a change in footing
Cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenic psychoses: Diagnostics, course and therapy
No full textBACKGROUND: Longitudinal outcome studies confirm that the majority of patients with schizophrenic psychoses develop cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the epidemiology, diagnostics and evidence for various treatment options for CIAS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature review of the current level of evidence regarding the efficacy of different treatment strategies for CIAS. RESULTS: Up to 85% of patients with schizophrenic psychoses exhibit CIAS, in some cases even before the development of positive or negative symptoms. The CIAS are associated with extensive individual burden due to impairments in many areas of cognitive and psychosocial functioning relevant to daily life. Various test instruments are available for clinical assessment with the Mental Health's Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) consensus cognitive battery (MCCB) as an established standard for clinical trials and special clinical issues. The treatment of CIAS warrants a multimodal approach with non-drug strategies (e.g., cognitive remediation, exercise) currently providing the best level of evidence. Noninvasive neurostimulation procedures and dopaminergic antipsychotic drugs of the first and second generations have demonstrated low effectiveness on cognitive function disorders in schizophrenic psychoses. CONCLUSION: The CIAS is a frequent disease-immanent symptom in schizophrenic psychoses that should be considered in the clinical routine as it substantially impairs those affected in the functional level and quality of life. Current treatment options are limited but innovative psychosocial interventions show low to moderate effects. In addition, new medications developed based on current neurobiological findings and combinations with psychosocial and neurostimulation procedures could open up new perspectives
Personalized Learning Through H5P and Scaffolding
No full textStudents entering higher education come from diverse backgrounds, making it challenging for instructors to meet individual learning needs. One potential solution to address this challenge is to provide personalized learning paths that tailor to students’ individual needs, learning styles, and self-regulated learning skills. This study examined the use of H5P technology for building scaffolding activities for postgraduate students in the Database Systems subject. Using LMS analytics and data from standardized end of semester surveys, this study concluded that providing personalized learning paths through scaffolding H5P activities has significant potential for improving learning outcomes for students, particularly for students with established self-regulated learning abilities
Single sperm entrapment and analysis using microfluidic cross-slot devices
No full text© 2025 Javane JavaherchianDespite advancements in assisted reproductive technology, infertility remains a significant concern, with a notable proportion of cases associated with male factors. An important but still poorly understood aspect of this issue is how sperm cells navigate the complex pathways of the female reproductive tract under varying fluid flow conditions. Gaining deeper insights into the individual characteristics of sperm is crucial for advancing infertility management. However, despite numerous population-based sperm studies, analysing single sperm in a non-invasive and controlled approach remains a technical challenge, with only limited studies addressing sperm behaviour in response to external fluid flows.
In this comprehensive research study, a microfluidic cross-slot platform was enhanced to enable long-term trapping of individual sperm (bull sperm was used for this study) using an image-based feedback controller algorithm without physical tethering, thereby reducing potential cell damage and movement restriction compared to the conventional head tethering method. This platform generates a uniform extensional flow with a precisely controllable strain rate, which was quantified using microscopic particle image velocimetry. To identify key trapping factors, we performed 5 micrometre particle trapping experiments in microchannels of varying widths and refined the Python-OpenCV algorithm to achieve bull sperm trapping with minimal fluctuation. Single bull sperm were exposed to different strain rates to analyse their flagellar beating patterns. Our findings reveal that at strain rates of 11.33 1/s, periodic flagellar beating became irregular. While the beating frequency remained relatively constant, both beating amplitude and hydrodynamic power dissipation decreased with increasing strain rate. Exposing trapped bull sperm to a strain rate of 4.25 1/s showed that beating amplitude and power dissipation decreased over time, without significant variation in beating frequency. In contrast, at 11.33 1/s, both amplitude and frequency declined, indicating that bull sperm modulate their beating frequency to maintain energy dissipation under high hydrodynamic stress.
To investigate intracellular activities under straining flow, a dual-imaging technique was developed for simultaneous bright-field imaging for bull sperm trapping and fluorescent imaging for staining experiments. JC-1 staining experiments demonstrated that mitochondrial activities decreased at a similar rate for both 4.25 1/s and 11.33 1/s strain rates. The hydrodynamic power dissipation results suggest that internal dissipation increases under higher strain rates.
Overall, this study presents a novel, non-contact microfluidic platform for single sperm analysis, capable of investigating both fluid flow effects and intracellular responses. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of bull sperm behaviour under extensional flow, providing valuable insights for refining sperm selection strategies in assisted reproductive technology and advancing the development of sperm-driven microrobots. The platform also offers promising potential for broader applications, including the study of other flagellated microswimmers and cellular responses to hydrodynamic and biochemical stimuli
Resonance, self-reflection, and preparedness through a web-based intervention for family caregivers of patients with life-threatening illness receiving specialised home care
No full textOBJECTIVES: In home-based care for severely ill patients, family caregivers' contributions are crucial. This study aimed to explore how a web-based psychoeducational intervention influences family caregivers' experiences in addressing challenges while caring for a patient with life-threatening illnesses during specialized home care. METHODS: This qualitative study undertook semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of patients with life-threatening illness receiving specialized home care. Family caregivers participated in a randomized controlled trial evaluating a psychoeducational intervention delivered through a website. Interviews were performed with 17 family caregivers; 13 spouses, 2 adult children, 1 parent, and 1 sibling, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results indicate that the intervention resonated with the family caregivers' situation which gave them comfort and awareness. It inspired self-reflection on the caregiver role that provided new insights and encouraged communication with the patient. The intervention prepared family caregivers for the patient's progressing illness and death. While preparing was a help for some, others did not feel ready to face this, which led them to avoid parts of the website. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: This psychoeducational web-based intervention guided family caregivers as they addressed challenges in caregiving and prepared for the future, and they valued having access to such an intervention. In a time of decreasing healthcare resources, web-based support may be a useful alternative to in-person interventions. It is important to continue developing, evaluating, and implementing web-based interventions to meet the needs of family caregivers
Natural product-mediated reaction hijacking mechanism validates Plasmodium aspartyl-tRNA synthetase as an antimalarial drug target
No full textMalaria poses an enormous threat to human health. With ever-increasing resistance to currently deployed antimalarials, new targets and starting point compounds with novel mechanisms of action need to be identified. Here, we explore the antimalarial activity of the Streptomyces sp natural product, 5′-O-sulfamoyl-2-chloroadenosine (dealanylascamycin, DACM) and compare it with the synthetic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) mimic, 5-O-sulfamoyladenosine (AMS). These nucleoside sulfamates exhibit potent inhibition of P. falciparum growth with an efficacy comparable to that of the current front-line antimalarial, dihydroartemisinin. Exposure of P. falciparum to DACM leads to inhibition of protein translation, driven by eIF2α phosphorylation. We show that DACM targets multiple aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) targets, including the cytoplasmic aspartyl tRNA synthetase (AspRS). The mechanism involves hijacking of the reaction product, leading to the formation of a tightly bound inhibitory amino acid-sulfamate conjugate. We show that recombinant P. falciparum and P. vivax AspRS are susceptible to hijacking by DACM and AMS, generating Asp-DACM and Asp-AMS adducts that stabilize these proteins. By contrast, human AspRS appears less susceptible to hijacking. X-ray crystallography reveals that apo P. vivax AspRS exhibits a stabilized flipping loop over the active site that is poised to bind substrates. By contrast, human AspRS exhibits disorder in an extended region around the flexible flipping loop as well as in a loop in motif II. These structural differences may underpin the decreased susceptibility of human AspRS to reaction-hijacking by DACM and AMS. Our work reveals Plasmodium AspRS as a promising antimalarial target and highlights structural features that underpin differences in the susceptibility of aaRSs to reaction hijacking inhibition
‘Removing a Blindfold’: Perspectives of Physical Therapists After Completing the PEAK-Portuguese E-Learning Course
No full textPURPOSE: Physical therapists report reduced confidence and skills in delivering evidence-based knee osteoarthritis care. The Physiotherapy Exercise and Physical Activity for Knee Osteoarthritis (PEAK) is a free online course available in four languages that aims to train physical therapists in evidence-based practice for managing knee osteoarthritis. The Portuguese adaptation (PEAK-PT) has not been evaluated yet. This study explored the facilitators and barriers reported by physical therapists after completing the PEAK-PT e-learning course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study with semi-structured interviews involved 20 Portuguese-speaking physical therapists. Participants were predominantly females with an average age of 34 years who had completed the PEAK-PT 3 months before the interview. Data were analysed using a content analysis method proposed by Bardin. RESULTS: Five themes were identified as facilitators: (1) Knowledge acquisition and transmission, (2) Interactive and visually appealing resource, (3) Language accessibility, (4) Partially self-paced and (5) Increased clinical confidence online and offline. Three themes were identified as barriers: (1) Lack of formal recognition of completion, (2) Language inaccessibility and (3) Time constraint. CONCLUSION: The PEAK-PT elicited positive experiences related to content organisation and presentation, learning outcomes and clinical confidence. Physical therapists may benefit from this tool to provide evidence-based education to individuals with knee osteoarthritis
Synergistic effects of graphene oxide and fly ash on long-term durability and strength properties of concrete
No full textThis study investigates the long-term durability and strength performance of concrete incorporating Graphene Oxide (GO), Fly Ash (FA), and their combined use (GO-FA), focusing on compressive strength, chloride ion permeability, creep, and drying shrinkage. Over a 12-month period, four different concrete mixes were evaluated: Control Concrete Mix, GO Concrete, FA Concrete, and a combination mix of GO-FA Concrete. For the mixes incorporating GO and FA individually or in combination, the dosages were kept constant, with GO added at 0.12 % by weight of cement (bwoc) and FA at 30 % replacement. The GO-FA concrete exhibited the most significant improvements across all measured parameters. At 365 days, the mix showed an 18 % increase in compressive strength and an 80 % reduction in chloride permeability compared to the control mix. Additionally, creep and drying shrinkage were reduced by 16 % and 10 %, respectively. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a denser and more refined matrix in GO and GO-FA concretes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further revealed intensified calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and progressive consumption of calcium hydroxide (CH) in GO-FA concrete. It confirmed the synergistic effect of the nucleation ability of GO and the pozzolanic reactivity of FA in enhancing concrete performance. Correlation analysis showed a strong negative relationship between compressive strength and RCPT values (r = -0.99) and a strong positive correlation between creep and drying shrinkage (r = 0.99), highlighting the combined influence of microstructure on durability and deformation. The findings confirm that the synergistic use of GO and FA enhances both short- and long-term performance, offering a sustainable solution for improving the durability of concrete in critical infrastructure applications
