Cerebral cortex activation mapping upon electrical muscle stimulation by 32-channel time-domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy

The application of different EMS current thresholds on muscle activates not only the muscle but also peripheral sensory axons that send proprioceptive and pain signals to the cerebral cortex. A 32-channel time-domain fNIRS instrument was employed to map regional cortical activities under varied EMS current intensities applied on the right wrist extensor muscle. Eight healthy volunteers underwent four EMS at different current thresholds based on their individual maximal tolerated intensity (MTI), i.e., 10 % < 50 % < 100 % < over 100 % MTI. Time courses of the absolute oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations primarily over the bilateral sensorimotor cortical (SMC) regions were extrapolated, and cortical activation maps were determined by general linear model using the NIRS-SPM software. The stimulation-induced wrist extension paradigm significantly increased activation of the contralateral SMC region according to the EMS intensities, while the ipsilateral SMC region showed no significant changes. This could be due in part to a nociceptive response to the higher EMS current intensities and result also from increased sensorimotor integration in these cortical regions.

Effects of increasing neuromuscular electrical stimulation current intensity on cortical sensorimotor network activation: A time domain fNIRS study

Neuroimaging studies have shown neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-evoked movements activate regions of the cortical sensorimotor network, including the primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and secondary somatosensory area (S2), as well as regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) known to be involved in pain processing. The aim of this study, on nine healthy subjects, was to compare the cortical network activation profile and pain ratings during NMES of the right forearm wrist extensor muscles at increasing current intensities up to and slightly over the individual maximal tolerated intensity (MTI), and with reference to voluntary (VOL) wrist extension movements. By exploiting the capability of the multi-channel time domain functional near-infrared spectroscopy technique to relate depth information to the photon time-of-flight, the cortical and superficial oxygenated (O₂Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin concentrations were estimated. The O₂Hb and HHb maps obtained using the General Linear Model (NIRS-SPM) analysis method, showed that the VOL and NMES-evoked movements significantly increased activation (i.e., increase in O₂Hb and corresponding decrease in HHb) in the cortical layer of the contralateral sensorimotor network (SMC, PMC/SMA, and S2). However, the level and area of contralateral sensorimotor network (including PFC) activation was significantly greater for NMES than VOL. Furthermore, there was greater bilateral sensorimotor network activation with the high NMES current intensities which corresponded with increased pain ratings. In conclusion, our findings suggest that greater bilateral sensorimotor network activation profile with high NMES current intensities could be in part attributable to increased attentional/pain processing and to increased bilateral sensorimotor integration in these cortical regions.

fNIRS-EEG study of focal interictal epileptiform discharges

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) acquired with electroencephalography (EEG) is a relatively new non-invasive neuroimaging technique with potential for long term monitoring of the epileptic brain. Simultaneous EEG-fNIRS recording allows the spatio-temporal reconstruction of the hemodynamic response in terms of the concentration changes in oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) associated with recorded epileptic events such as interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) or seizures. While most previous studies investigating fNIRS in epilepsy had limitations due to restricted spatial coverage and small sample sizes, this work includes a sufficiently large number of channels to provide an extensive bilateral coverage of the surface of the brain for a sample size of 40 patients with focal epilepsies. Topographic maps of significant activations due to each IED type were generated in four different views (dorsal, frontal, left and right) and were compared with the epileptic focus previously identified by an epileptologist. After excluding 5 patients due to the absence of IEDs and 6 more with mesial temporal foci too deep for fNIRS, we report that significant HbR (respectively HbO) concentration changes corresponding to IEDs were observed in 62% (resp. 38%) of patients with neocortical epilepsies. This HbR/HbO response was most significant in the epileptic focus region among all the activations in 28%/21% of patients.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Health Strategy on Talkin with Tiga Bayles, 98.9 AM National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS), Wednesday 21 July 2010. (9.00 - 10.00am).

Radio Program. Talkin with Tiga Bayles, 98.9 AM National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS), 9.00-10.00am, Wednesday 21 July 2010. (1 hour program).----- Bronwyn Fredericks discssed the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Health Strategy was launched at the Australian Women’s Health Network (AWHN) National Conference in Hobart on the 19 May 2010. Within this radio interview the background of the Strategy is discussed, funding, who did the consultations and the writing. In the interview Bronwyn Fredericks outlines the process of the Strategy’s development and its uses for the future.----- It is important to note that this Strategy does not replace other national or State and Territory documents which identify priorities and needs. The aim is to supplement existing work.

Diet quality and liveweight gain of steers grazing Leucaena-grass pasture estimated with faecal near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (F.NIRS)

Three drafts of Bos indicus cross steers (initially 178-216 kg) grazed Leucaena-grass pasture [Leucaena leucocephala subspecies glabrata cv. Cunningham with green panic (Panicum maximum cv. trichoglume)] from late winter through to autumn during three consecutive years in the Burnett region of south-east Queensland. Measured daily weight gain (DWGActual) of the steers was generally 0.7-1.1 kg/day during the summer months. Estimated intakes of metabolisable energy and dry matter (DM) were calculated from feeding standards as the intakes required by the steers to grow at the DWGActual. Diet attributes were predicted from near infrared reflectance spectroscopy spectra of faeces (F.NIRS) using established calibration equations appropriate for northern Australian forages. Inclusion of some additional reference samples from cattle consuming Leucaena diets into F.NIRS calibrations based on grass and herbaceous legume-grass pastures improved prediction of the proportion of Leucaena in the diet. Mahalanobis distance values supported the hypothesis that the F.NIRS predictions of diet crude protein concentration and DM digestibility (DMD) were acceptable. F.NIRS indicated that the percentage of Leucaena in the diet varied widely (10-99%). Diet crude protein concentration and DMD were usually high, averaging 12.4 and 62%, respectively, and were related asymptotically to the percentage of Leucaena in the diet (R2 = 0.48 and 0.33, respectively). F.NIRS calibrations for DWG were not satisfactory to predict this variable from an individual faecal sample since the s.e. of prediction were 0.33-0.40 kg/day. Cumulative steer liveweight (LW) predicted from F.NIRS DWG calibrations, which had been previously developed with tropical grass and grass-herbaceous legume pastures, greatly overestimated the measured steer LW; therefore, these calibrations were not useful. Cumulative steer LW predicted from a modified F.NIRS DWG calibration, which included data from the present study, was strongly correlated (R2 = 0.95) with steer LW but overestimated LW by 19-31 kg after 8 months. Additional reference data are needed to develop robust F.NIRS calibrations to encompass the diversity of Leucaena pastures of northern Australia. In conclusion, the experiment demonstrated that F.NIRS could improve understanding of diet quality and nutrient intake of cattle grazing Leucaena-grass pasture, and the relationships between nutrient supply and cattle growth.

NIRS calibrations for predicting the nutritional quality of feed

NIRS calibrations for predicting the nutritional quality of feed.

Correlation between NIRS generated and chemically measured feed quality data in barley (Hordeum vulgare), and potential use in QTL analysis identification

A study was performed to investigate the value of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) as an alternate method to analytical techniques for identifying QTL associated with feed quality traits. Milled samples from an F6-derived recombinant inbred Tallon/Scarlett population were incubated in the rumen of fistulated cattle, recovered, washed and dried to determine the in-situ dry matter digestibility (DMD). Both pre- and post-digestion samples were analysed using NIRS to quantify key quality components relating to acid detergent fibre, starch and protein. This phenotypic data was used to identify trait associated QTL and compare them to previously identified QTL. Though a number of genetic correlations were identified between the phenotypic data sets, the only correlation of most interest was between DMD and starch digested (r = -0.382). The significance of this genetic correlation was that the NIRS data set identified a putative QTL on chromosomes 7H (LOD = 3.3) associated with starch digested. A QTL for DMD occurred in the same region of chromosome 7H, with flanking markers fAG/CAT63 and bPb-0758. The significant correlation and identification of this putative QTL, highlights the potential of technologies like NIRS in QTL analysis.

Electrochemical, spectroscopic and SPM evidence for the controlled formation of self-assembled monolayers and organised multilayers of ferrocenyl alkyl thiols on Au(111)

Organised multilayers were formed from the controlled self-assembly of ferrocene alkyl thiols on Au(111) surfaces. The control was accomplished by increasing the concentration of the thiol solutions used for the assembly. Cyclic voltammetry, ellipsometry, scanning probe microscopy (STM and AFM) and in situ FTIR spectroscopy were used to probe the differences between mono- and multilayers of the same compounds. Electrochemical desorption studies confirmed that the multilayer structure is attached to the surface via one monolayer. The electrochemical behaviour of the multilayers indicated the presence of more than one controlling factor during the oxidation step, whereas the reduction was kinetically controlled which contrasts with the behaviour of monolayers, which exhibit kinetic control for the oxidation and reduction steps. Conventional and imaging ellipsometry confirmed that multilayers with well-defined increments in thickness could be produced. However, STM indicated that at the monolayer stage, the thiols used promote the mobility of Au atoms on the surface. It is very likely that the multilayer structure is held together through hydrogen bonding. To the best of out knowledge, this is the first example of a controlled one-step growth of multilayers of ferrocenyl alkyl thiols using self-assembly techniques.

Micro-fabricated Al0.3Ga0.7As pyramids for potential SPM applications

A novel technique of manufacturing Al0.3Ga0.7As pyramids by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) for scanning probe microscopy (SPM) sensors is reported Four meticulously designed conditions-partial oxidation, deficient solute, air quenching and germanium doping result in defect-free homogeneous nucleation and subsequent pyramid formation. Micrometer-sized frustums and pyramids are detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sharp end of the microtip has a radius of curvature smaller than 50 nm. It is believed that such accomplishments would contribute not only to crystal growth theory, but also to miniature fabrication technology.

纳米功能界面的电化学和扫描探针显微镜（SPM）研究

本文简要评述了扫描探针显微学研究的发展过程、目前状况及发展方向，着重介绍了扫描探针显微学(SPM)在分子组装体研究中的一些应用。采用扫描探针显微学结合电化学的方法对自组装膜(SAMs)、纳米颗粒(nanoparticles)、有机无机纳米复合材料(composite material)体系进行了研究，并结合XPS、SEC等多种手段对分子组装体在电极表面的形态和结构进行了探讨。主要结果如下：1．STM研究金属纳米颗粒的隧道成像机理利用柠檬酸三钠还原高氯酸金的反应制备了金的溶胶纳米粒子。将对氨基硫酚自组于金单晶面(Au(111))上形成致密有序的单层；并以此为基底进一步将金溶胶纳米粒子组装于自组膜表面，得到固定化纳米粒子的次单层。用扫描隧道显微镜进行了表征，对金溶胶纳米粒子隧道成像的微观机理作了探讨，提出双势垒隧穿的电子传输界面模型。对扫描隧道显微镜下金溶胶纳米粒子的图像失真作解释。2．共轭有机小分子的导电性的研究利用保护和去保护的方法对带巯基的共轭有机小分子进行了合理地操纵，使其稳定性在我们构筑电化学界面的过程中得到了保证。我们用自组装(SAM)技术将这种共轭有机小分子首先吸附于金电表面，然后用稀氨水将其水解得到致密的共轭有机小分子的单层。在金/SAM二次基底的基础上利用巯基于金的强烈的化学键合力用电化学沉积的方法和湿化学还原的方法得到的金纳米粒子组装于电极表面，得到了金/有机分子层/金的夹心结构，并对构筑这种夹心结构的每一步骤用扫描探针显微镜(SPM)和电化学循环伏安法(CV)进行了表征，实验结果表明，此种共轭有机小分子利用巯基化学键合金属金时，电子能够快速通过这种夹心结构，为分子电子学中之基本问题“分子导线”连接纳米级的分子器件时电子能否在其间传导给出了直接的电化学证明。3．纳米复合材料的合成与表征我们用相转移方法合成了表面功能化的纳米粒子。首先，根据将HAuCl_4溶解于水相中，将Bu_4NClO_4作为相转移试剂、带巯基的有机小分子作为表面修饰剂，NaBH_4和柠檬蒜三钠作为还原剂溶解于硝基苯有机相中。将两相剧烈混合，在混合过程中HAuCl_4在水/硝基苯界面处被有机相中的还原剂还原成金属纳米粒子，刚生成的纳米粒子由于强烈的金硫键合作用而被带巯基的有机小分子表面功能化，而且能在有机溶剂中稳定存在。于是得到的表面功能化的纳米粒子在有机溶剂中的稳定胶体溶液。我们合成了表面被12烷基硫醇和巯基噻酚修饰的金纳米粒子。基于这些表面功能化且带有电化学反应性功能基团的纳米粒子，我们在电化学合成聚噻酚的系统中加入这种具有表面反应性的纳米粒子得到了有机/无机纳米复合材料。对这种复合材料我们用扫描探针显微镜(SPM)、电化学交流阻抗谱(ElS)、X-射线光电子能谱(XPS)进行了表征，结果表面纳米粒子能稳定存在于聚合物基体中，而且这种复合材料的电子传输性能远远大于同等条件下的聚合物膜。