Flexible electronic-photonic 3D integration from ultrathin polymer chiplets.

The integration of flexible electronics and photonics has the potential to create revolutionary technologies, yet it has been challenging to marry electronic and photonic components on a single polymer device, especially through high-volume manufacturing. Here, we present a robust, chiplet-level heterogeneous integration of polymer-based circuits (CHIP), where several post-fabricated, ultrathin, polymer electronic, and optoelectronic chiplets are vertically bonded into one single chip at room temperature and then shaped into application-specific form factors with monolithic Input/Output (I/O). As a demonstration, we applied this process and developed a flexible 3D-integrated optrode with high-density arrays of microelectrodes for electrical recording and micro light-emitting diodes (μLEDs) for optogenetic stimulation while with unprecedented integration of additional temperature sensors for bio-safe operations and shielding designs for optoelectronic artifact prevention.

Reliability of resting-state EEG modulation by continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation of the primary motor cortex: a sham-controlled study.

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation designed to induce changes of cortical excitability that outlast the period of TBS application. In this study, we explored the effects of continuous TBS (cTBS) and intermittent TBS (iTBS) versus sham TBS stimulation, applied to the left primary motor cortex, on modulation of resting state electroencephalography (rsEEG) power. We first conducted hypothesis-driven region-of-interest (ROI) analyses examining changes in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-21 Hz) bands over the left and right motor cortex.

Initial conditions combine with sensory evidence to induce decision-related dynamics in premotor cortex.

We used a dynamical systems perspective to understand decision-related neural activity, a fundamentally unresolved problem. This perspective posits that time-varying neural activity is described by a state equation with an initial condition and evolves in time by combining at each time step, recurrent activity and inputs. We hypothesized various dynamical mechanisms of decisions, simulated them in models to derive predictions, and evaluated these predictions by examining firing rates of neurons in the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) of monkeys performing a perceptual decision-making task.

Reliability of resting-state EEG modulation by continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation of the primary motor cortex: A sham-controlled study.

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation designed to induce changes of cortical excitability that outlast the period of TBS application. In this study, we explored the effects of continuous TBS (cTBS) and intermittent TBS (iTBS) versus sham TBS stimulation, applied to the primary motor cortex, on modulation of resting state electroencephalography (rsEEG) power. We first conducted hypothesis-driven region-of-interest (ROI) analyses examining changes in alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-21 Hz) bands over the left and right motor cortex.

Effective dose of ephedrine for treatment of hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia in neonates and infants less than 6 months of age: a multicentre randomised, controlled, open label, dose escalation trial.

Background: The recommended dose of ephedrine in adults (0.1 mg kg) frequently fails to treat hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia in neonates and infants less than 6 months of age. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dose of ephedrine in this population for the treatment of hypotension after induction of general anaesthesia with sevoflurane.

Inhaled Sedation in Patients with COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An International Retrospective Study.

Background And Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the shortage of intravenous sedatives has led to renewed interest in inhaled sedation for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that inhaled sedation would be associated with improved clinical outcomes in COVID-19 ARDS patients.

Methods: Retrospective international study including mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 ARDS who required sedation and were admitted to 10 European and US intensive care units.

Effect of group-based vs individualized stimulation site selection on reliability of network-targeted TMS.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a widely used technique for the noninvasive assessment and manipulation of brain activity and behavior. Although extensively used for research and clinical purposes, recent studies have questioned the reliability of TMS findings because of the high inter-individual variability that has been observed.

Objective: In this study, we compared the efficacy and reliability of different targeting scenarios on the TMS-evoked response.

Chiropractic techniques and treatment modalities included in academic programs: A survey of chiropractic educational institutions.

Objective: The chiropractic techniques that chiropractors learn during their training strongly influence the nature of treatments provided by chiropractors and their professional identity. The objective of this project is to provide an exhaustive description of all chiropractic techniques and treatment modalities taught in chiropractic educational institutions.

Methods: International experts were solicited to provide feedback on the exhaustivity and clarity of our preliminary questionnaire.

Phase-dependent local brain states determine the impact of image-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor network electroencephalographic synchronization.

Recent studies have synchronized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) application with pre-defined brain oscillatory phases showing how brain response to perturbation depends on the brain state. However, none have investigated whether phase-dependent TMS can possibly modulate connectivity with homologous distant brain regions belonging to the same network. In the framework of network-targeted TMS, we investigated whether stimulation delivered at a specific phase of ongoing brain oscillations might favour stronger cortico-cortical (c-c) synchronization of distant network nodes connected to the stimulation target.

Perturbation of resting-state network nodes preferentially propagates to structurally rather than functionally connected regions.

Combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with electroencephalography (EEG) offers the opportunity to study signal propagation dynamics at high temporal resolution in the human brain. TMS pulse induces a local effect which propagates across cortical networks engaging distant cortical and subcortical sites. However, the degree of propagation supported by the structural compared to functional connectome remains unclear.

Reproducibility of cortical response modulation induced by intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation of the human motor cortex.

Background: Over the past decade, the number of experimental and clinical studies using theta-burst-stimulation (TBS) protocols of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to modulate brain activity has risen substantially. The use of TBS is motivated by the assumption that these protocols can reliably and lastingly modulate cortical excitability despite their short duration and low number of stimuli. However, this assumption, and thus the experimental validity of studies using TBS, is challenged by recent work showing large inter- and intra-subject variability in response to TBS protocols.

Individualized perturbation of the human connectome reveals reproducible biomarkers of network dynamics relevant to cognition.

Large-scale brain networks are often described using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal provides an indirect measure of neuronal firing and reflects slow-evolving hemodynamic activity that fails to capture the faster timescale of normal physiological function. Here we used fMRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) to characterize individual brain dynamics within discrete brain networks at high temporal resolution.

Cervical artery dissections: Factors that influence causation determination in litigated cases.

In litigated cases, the suspected causes of cervical artery dissections (CADs) are a source of considerable debate among experts. In this study, we sought to examine the factors influencing court decisions and discover how Canadian tribunals analyzed and arbitrated conflicting expert opinions in CAD cases. Cases for this review were identified through searches of the Canadian CANLII database.

Predictive factors of maternal hypothermia during Cesarean delivery: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Although perioperative hypothermia may increase maternal morbidity, active warming is infrequently performed to maintain normothermia during Cesarean delivery (CD). The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the factors associated with maternal hypothermia in this setting.

Methods: Women scheduled for elective or emergency CD were consecutively included in this study from November 2014 to October 2015.

Sevoflurane for Sedation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Rationale: Sevoflurane improves gas exchange, and reduces alveolar edema and inflammation in preclinical studies of lung injury, but its therapeutic effects have never been investigated in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Objectives: To assess whether sevoflurane would improve gas exchange and inflammation in ARDS.

Methods: We did a parallel, open-label single-center randomized controlled trial at three intensive care units from a French university hospital between April 2014 and February 2016.

Determination of a cut-off value of antral area measured in the supine position for the fast diagnosis of an empty stomach in the parturient: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Ultrasound measurement of the antral cross-sectional area of the stomach, performed in the supine position, has been described for preoperative assessment of gastric content in the adult, but, to date, no study has determined the cut-off value of the antral area for the diagnosis of an empty stomach in the parturient. Nevertheless, previous studies in parturients have reported that the use of a simple qualitative grading scale (0 to 2) was reliable for the estimation of the gastric fluid volume. However, this qualitative grading score requires turning the parturient into the right lateral decubitus position for the ultrasound examination, something which may not be easily feasible, particularly in the case of an obstetric emergency.

Ischemic compression and joint mobilisation for the treatment of nonspecific myofascial foot pain: findings from two quasi-experimental before-and-after studies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of myofascial therapy involving ischemic compression on trigger points in combination with mobilization therapy on patients with chronic nonspecific foot pain.

Study Design: Two quasi-experimental before-and-after studies involving two different baseline states.

Method: Foot pain patients at a private clinic were divided into two separate cohorts: A, custom orthotic users; and B, non-users.

Intestinal temperature does not reflect rectal temperature during prolonged, intense running with cold fluid ingestion.

It is generally assumed that intestinal temperature (Tint), as measured with a telemetric pill, agrees relatively well with rectal temperature (Trec) during exercise. However, whether Tint reflects Trec during prolonged, intense and continuous exercise when cold fluids are consumed is unknown. Therefore, we compared Trec and Tint during a half-marathon during which cold water was ingested to prevent bodyweight (BW) losses >2%.

Lumbar disc herniation and cauda equina syndrome following spinal manipulative therapy: a review of six court decisions in Canada.

The purpose of this review is to expand practitioners' knowledge on areas of liability when treating low back pain patients. Six cases where chiropractors in Canada were sued for allegedly causing or aggravating lumbar disc herniation after spinal manipulative therapy were retrieved using the CANLII search database. The case series involves 4 men and 2 women with an average age of 37.

Altered anxiety and defensive behaviors in Bax knockout mice.

Developmental neuronal cell death is critically regulated by the pro-death protein Bax. Bax-/- mice exhibit increased neuron number, the elimination of several neural sex differences, and altered socio-sexual behaviors. Here we examined the effects of Bax gene deletion on anxiety and defensive behaviors by comparing the responses of male and female wildtype and Bax-/- mice to two different tests.

The role of awareness in anticipation and recall performance in the Hebb repetition paradigm: implications for sequence learning.

Sequence learning has notably been studied using the Hebb repetition paradigm (Hebb, 1961) and the serial reaction time (SRT) task (Nissen & Bullemer, Cognitive Psychology 19:1-32, 1987). These two paradigms produce robust learning effects but differ with regard to the role of awareness: Awareness does not affect learning a repeated sequence in the Hebb repetition paradigm, as is evidenced by recall performance, whereas in the SRT task, awareness helps to anticipate the location of the next stimulus. In this study, we examined the role of awareness in anticipation and recall performance, using the Hebb repetition paradigm.