Inter-subject variability in muscle synergies during squatting movements.

This study investigated muscle synergies during squats, focusing on the individual variability in motor control strategies. Sixteen healthy young adults performed 20 squats at a consistent speed. Muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorization, followed by k-means clustering and discriminant analysis to categorize similar muscle synergies.

Secure privacy-preserving record linkage system from re-identification attack.

Privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) technology, crucial for linking records across datasets while maintaining privacy, is susceptible to graph-based re-identification attacks. These attacks compromise privacy and pose significant risks, such as identity theft and financial fraud. This study proposes a zero-relationship encoding scheme that minimizes the linkage between source and encoded records to enhance PPRL systems' resistance to re-identification attacks.

Study of modulation in complex refractive indices induced by ultrafast relativistic electrons using infrared and THz probe pulses.

Achieving ultra-precise temporal resolution in ionizing radiation detection is essential, particularly in positron emission tomography, where precise timing enhances signal-to-noise ratios and may enable reconstruction-less imaging. A promising approach involves utilizing ultrafast modulation of the complex refractive index, where sending probe pulses to the detection crystals will result in changes in picoseconds (ps), and thus a sub-10 ps coincidence time resolution can be realized. Towards this goal, here, we aim to first measure the ps changes in probe pulses using an ionizing radiation source with high time resolutionWe used relativistic, ultrafast electrons to induce complex refractive index and use probe pulses in the near-infrared (800 nm) and terahertz (THz, 300m) regimes to test the hypothesized wavelength-squared increase in absorption coefficient in the Drude free-carrier absorption model.

Searchable Blockchain-Based Healthcare Information Exchange System to Enhance Privacy Preserving and Data Usability.

Ensuring the security and usability of electronic health records (EHRs) is important in health information exchange (HIE) systems that handle healthcare records. This study addressed the need to balance privacy preserving and data usability in blockchain-based HIE systems. We propose a searchable blockchain-based HIE system that enhances privacy preserving while improving data usability.

Development of a Targeted SN-38-Conjugate for the Treatment of Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and fatal brain tumor, with approximately 10,000 people diagnosed every year in the United States alone. The typical survival period for individuals with glioblastoma ranges from 12 to 18 months, with significant recurrence rates. Common therapeutic modalities for brain tumors are chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Kilohertz-frequency interferential current induces hypoalgesic effects more comfortably than TENS.

Recent research on transcutaneous electrical stimulation has shown that inhibiting nerve conduction with a kilohertz frequency is both effective and safe. This study primarily aims to demonstrate the hypoalgesic effect on the tibial nerve using transcutaneous interferential-current nerve inhibition (TINI), which injects the kilohertz frequency produced by the interferential currents. Additionally, the secondary objective was to compare the analgesic effect and comfort of TINI and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Combining transcutaneous interferential-current for nerve inhibition with a robotic assistant device for increasing ankle dorsiflexion in walking.

Background: A kilohertz-frequency alternating current transcutaneously applied was introduced as a novel neuromodulation technology for nerve inhibition innervating antagonist muscles. Combining this electrical nerve inhibition with a robotic assistance device has been proposed but not investigated.

Research Question: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of combining electrical nerve inhibition with a wearable robotic device on increasing ankle dorsiflexion during walking.

Evaluation of the resection efficiency and safety of an enhanced power plasma generator using cadaveric intervertebral discs.

Plasma energy has been used to provide minimally invasive interventional treatment for spinal problems. However, this procedure has been used for limited indications mainly because of its small resection range. To overcome this problem, we designed the enhanced power plasma device.

Graph Learning-Based Blockchain Phishing Account Detection with a Heterogeneous Transaction Graph.

Recently, cybercrimes that exploit the anonymity of blockchain are increasing. They steal blockchain users' assets, threaten the network's reliability, and destabilize the blockchain network. Therefore, it is necessary to detect blockchain cybercriminal accounts to protect users' assets and sustain the blockchain ecosystem.

External walking environment differentially affects muscle synergies in children with cerebral palsy and typical development.

Despite external environmental changes in walking, such as manipulating gait speed, previous studies have shown that the underlying muscle synergy structures (synergy weights or vectors) rarely vary. The purpose of this study is to examine if external environmental changes to the walking task influence muscle synergies in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and/or typical development (TD). To identify muscle synergies, we extracted muscle synergies from eight children with CP and eight age-matched TD in three treadmill walking conditions, e.

Greater Reliance on Cerebral Palsy-Specific Muscle Synergies During Gait Relates to Poorer Temporal-Spatial Performance Measures.

Children with cerebral palsy typically exhibit reduced complexity of muscle coordination patterns during walking; however, the specific patterns that characterize their gait abnormalities are still not well documented. This study aimed to identify the specific repertoire of muscle coordination patterns in children with CP during walking compared to same-aged peers without CP and their relationships to gait performance. To identify muscle coordination patterns, we extracted muscle synergies from 10 children with CP and 10 age-matched typically developing children (TD).

Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Web-Based Upper Limb Home Rehabilitation System Using a Smartwatch and Machine Learning Model for Chronic Stroke Survivors: Prospective Comparative Study.

Background: Recent advancements in wearable sensor technology have shown the feasibility of remote physical therapy at home. In particular, the current COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the need and opportunity of internet-based wearable technology in future health care systems. Previous research has shown the feasibility of human activity recognition technologies for monitoring rehabilitation activities in home environments; however, few comprehensive studies ranging from development to clinical evaluation exist.

Mu Rhythm during Standing and Walking Is Altered in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy Compared to Children with Typical Development.

Rehabilitation in cerebral palsy (CP) seeks to harness neuroplasticity to improve movement, including walking, yet cortical activation underlying gait is not well understood. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to compare motor related cortical activity, measured by mu rhythm, during quiet standing and treadmill walking in 10 children with unilateral CP and 10 age- and sex-matched children with typical development (TD). Peak mu band frequency, mu rhythm desynchronization (MRD), and gait related intra- and inter-hemispheric coherence were examined.

Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy Utilize More Cortical Resources for Similar Motor Output During Treadmill Gait.

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) walk independently although with an asymmetrical, more poorly coordinated pattern compared to their peers. While gait biomechanics in unilateral CP and their alteration from those without CP have been well documented, cortical mechanisms underlying gait remain inadequately understood. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) during treadmill gait in older children with and without CP.

Boundary integral equation method for resonances in gradient index cavities designed by conformal transformation optics.

In the case of two-dimensional gradient index cavities designed by the conformal transformation optics, we propose a boundary integral equation method for the calculation of resonant mode functions by employing a fictitious space which is reciprocally equivalent to the physical space. Using the Green's function of the interior region of the uniform index cavity in the fictitious space, resonant mode functions and their far-field distributions in the physical space can be obtained. As a verification, resonant modes in limaçon-shaped transformation cavities were calculated and mode patterns and far-field intensity distributions were compared with those of the same modes obtained from the finite element method.

Inter-dependence between mathematically independent variability components in human multi-finger force control.

In human movement control, inherent error or uncertainty in the controller, motor system, and sensory system causes variability in motor outcomes. Previous studies have suggested different methods to quantify and examine independent components of the motor variability of motor outputs in a redundant motor system. While these motor variability components are mathematically independent, it is unknown if these components are behaviorally independent among subjects.

Transcutaneous high-frequency alternating current for rapid reversible muscle force reduction below pain threshold.

Objective: The development of non-invasive, quickly reversible techniques for controlling undesired muscle force production (e.g. spasticity) could expand rehabilitation approaches in those with pathology by increasing the type and intensity of exercises that can be performed.

Designing arbitrary-shaped whispering-gallery cavities based on transformation optics.

A novel approach to designing anisotropic whispering gallery modes in gradient index cavities has been reported recently. These cavities, called transformation cavities, can support high-Q whispering gallery modes with directional emission. However, it is usually difficult to find the desired conformal mapping, and it may contain unwanted singularities inside.

Artificial Neural Network Learns Clinical Assessment of Spasticity in Modified Ashworth Scale.

Objective: To propose an artificial intelligence (AI)-based decision-making rule in modified Ashworth scale (MAS) that draws maximum agreement from multiple human raters and to analyze how various biomechanical parameters affect scores in MAS.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Two university hospitals.

A soft massage tool is advantageous for compressing deep soft tissue with low muscle tension: Therapeutic evidence for self-myofascial release.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the amount of deep tissue pressure and muscle relaxation between a soft inflatable rubber ball (SIRB) and a hard massage ball (HMB).

Design: Crossover experimental design study.

Interventions: Thirty participants with neck pain (age: 65.

Children With Cerebral Palsy Have Greater Stride-to-Stride Variability of Muscle Synergies During Gait Than Typically Developing Children: Implications for Motor Control Complexity.

Background: There is mounting evidence that the central nervous system utilizes a modular approach for neuromuscular control of walking by activating groups of muscles in units termed muscle synergies. Examination of muscle synergies in clinical populations may provide insights into alteration of neuromuscular control underlying pathological gait patterns. Previous studies utilizing synergy analysis have reported reduced motor control complexity during walking in those with neurological deficits, revealing the potential clinical utility of this approach.

Technical development of transcutaneous electrical nerve inhibition using medium-frequency alternating current.

Background: Innovative technical approaches to controlling undesired sensory and motor activity, such as hyperalgesia or spasticity, may contribute to rehabilitation techniques for improving neural plasticity in patients with neurologic disorders. To date, transcutaneous electrical stimulation has used low frequency pulsed currents for sensory inhibition and muscle activation. Yet, few studies have attempted to achieve motor nerve inhibition using transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

The relation between abdominal muscle asymmetry and trunk postural stability: An ultrasound imaging study.

Background: The core stability theory has emphasized symmetric co-contraction of both anterolateral abdominal muscles (AAM), but there is a lack of research on whether the symmetric co-contraction of AAM is related to the postural stability of the trunk.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the symmetric co-contraction of bilateral AAM and trunk angular displacement during sudden trunk perturbation.

Methods: Eighteen subjects were asked to maintain half-seated posture against backward trunk perturbation.