A Wireless Neural Stimulator IC for Cortical Visual Prosthesis.

We propose a 0.25 × 0.25 × 0.3 mm (~0.02 mm3) optically powered mote for visual cortex stimulation to restore vision. Up to 1024 implanted motes can be individually addressed. The complete StiMote system was confirmed fully functional when optically powered and cortex stimulation was confirmed in-vivo with a live rat brain.

Micro-relief characterization of benign and malignant skin lesions by polarization speckle analysis in vivo.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: A recent direction in skin disease classification is to develop quantitative diagnostic techniques. Skin relief, colloquially known as roughness, is an important clinical feature. The aim of this study is to demonstrate a novel polarization speckle technique to quantitatively measure roughness on skin lesions in vivo. We then calculate the average roughness of different types of skin lesions to determine the extent to which polarization speckle roughness measurements can be used to identify skin cancer. METHODS: The experimental conditions were set to target the fine relief structure on the order of ten microns within a small field of view of 3 mm. The device was tested in a clinical study on patients with malignant and benign skin lesions that resemble cancer. The cancer group includes 37 malignant melanomas (MM), 43 basal cell carcinomas (BCC), and 26 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), all categories confirmed by gold standard biopsy. The benign group includes 109 seborrheic keratoses (SK), 79 nevi, and 11 actinic keratoses (AK). Normal skin roughness was obtained for the same patients (301 different body sites proximal to the lesion). RESULTS: The average root mean squared (rms) roughness ± standard error of the mean for MM and nevus was equal to 19 ± 5 µm and 21 ± 3 µm, respectively. Normal skin has rms roughness of 31 ± 3 µm, other lesions have roughness of 35 ± 10 µm (AK), 35 ± 7 µm (SCC), 31 ± 4 µm (SK), and 30 ± 5 µm (BCC). CONCLUSION: An independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis test indicates that MM and nevus can be separated from each of the tested types of lesions, except each other. These results quantify clinical knowledge of lesion roughness and could be useful for optical cancer detection.

A Light-Tolerant Wireless Neural Recording IC for Motor Prediction With Near-Infrared-Based Power and Data Telemetry.

Miniaturized and wireless near-infrared (NIR) based neural recorders with optical powering and data telemetry have been introduced as a promising approach for safe long-term monitoring with the smallest physical dimension among state-of-the-art standalone recorders. However, a main challenge for the NIR based neural recording ICs is to maintain robust operation in the presence of light-induced parasitic short circuit current from junction diodes. This is especially true when the signal currents are kept small to reduce power consumption. In this work, we present a light-tolerant and low-power neural recording IC for motor prediction that can fully function in up to 300 µW/mm2 of light exposure. It achieves best-in-class power consumption of 0.57 µW at 38° C with a 4.1 NEF pseudo-resistorless amplifier, an on-chip neural feature extractor, and individual mote level gain control. Applying the 20-channel pre-recorded neural signals of a monkey, the IC predicts finger position and velocity with correlation coefficient up to 0.870 and 0.569, respectively, with individual mote level gain control enabled. In addition, wireless measurement is demonstrated through optical power and data telemetry using a custom PV/LED GaAs chip wire bonded to the proposed IC.

A low-power communication scheme for wireless, 1000 channel brain-machine interfaces.

Objective. Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have the potential to restore motor function but are currently limited by electrode count and long-term recording stability. These challenges may be solved through the use of free-floating 'motes' which wirelessly transmit recorded neural signals, if power consumption can be kept within safe levels when scaling to thousands of motes. Here, we evaluated a pulse-interval modulation (PIM) communication scheme for infrared (IR)-based motes that aims to reduce the wireless data rate and system power consumption.Approach. To test PIM's ability to efficiently communicate neural information, we simulated the communication scheme in a real-time closed-loop BMI with non-human primates. Additionally, we performed circuit simulations of an IR-based 1000-mote system to calculate communication accuracy and total power consumption.Main results. We found that PIM at 1 kb/s per channel maintained strong correlations with true firing rate and matched online BMI performance of a traditional wired system. Closed-loop BMI tests suggest that lags as small as 30 ms can have significant performance effects. Finally, unlike other IR communication schemes, PIM is feasible in terms of power, and neural data can accurately be recovered on a receiver using 3 mW for 1000 channels.Significance.These results suggest that PIM-based communication could significantly reduce power usage of wireless motes to enable higher channel-counts for high-performance BMIs.

Bridging the"Last Millimeter" Gap of Brain-Machine Interfaces via Near-Infrared Wireless Power Transfer and Data Communications.

Arrays of floating neural sensors with high channel count that cover an area of square centimeters and larger would be transformative for neural engineering and brain-machine interfaces. Meeting the power and wireless data communications requirements within the size constraints for each neural sensor has been elusive due to the need to incorporate sensing, computing, communications, and power functionality in a package of approximately 100 micrometers on a side. In this work, we demonstrate a near infrared optical power and data communication link for a neural recording system that satisfies size requirements to achieve dense arrays and power requirements to prevent tissue heating. The optical link is demonstrated using an integrated optoelectronic device consisting of a tandem photovoltaic cell and microscale light emitting diode. End-to-end functionality of a wireless neural link within system constraints is demonstrated using a pre-recorded neural signal between a self-powered CMOS integrated circuit and single photon avalanche photodiode.

Approach to allergic contact dermatitis caused by topical medicaments.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an approach to identifying topical medicament ingredients that cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and to recognizing common clinical scenarios in which these ingredients might present. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients patch tested at the Contact Dermatitis Clinic at St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC, between November 2016 and June 2019. Data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group from 2015 to 2016 and The Ottawa Hospital patch test clinic from 2000 to 2010 were also reviewed. MAIN MESSAGE: Topical antibiotics are the most common cause of ACD to medicaments and frequently cause cosensitization to multiple allergens. This hypersensitivity reaction is often seen following surgical procedures and should be distinguished from postoperative infection. Corticosteroid allergy is easy to miss and should be suspected in cases of corticosteroid-sensitive dermatoses that worsen despite appropriate treatment. Topical anesthetics and propylene glycol are other causes of ACD found in many prescription and over-the-counter products. CONCLUSION: Allergic contact dermatitis is easy to miss and should always be considered in cases of eczematous eruptions. A thorough drug history including all topical products-both prescription and over-the-counter-is critical. Patch testing can help identify specific allergens for the patient to avoid.

Approche de la dermatite de contact allergique causée par les médicaments topiques.

OBJECTIF: Fournir une approche pour déterminer quels sont les ingrédients contenus dans les médicaments topiques qui causent la dermatite de contact allergique (DCA) et reconnaître les scénarios cliniques courants où ces ingrédients pourraient être présents. SOURCES D'INFORMATION: Revue rétrospective des dossiers de patients ayant subi un test épicutané à la clinique de dermatite de contact de l'Hôpital Saint-Paul à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, entre les mois de novembre 2016 et juin 2019. Ont également été évaluées, les données de 2015 à 2016 du North American Contact Dermatitis Group et celles de 2000 à 2010 de la clinique de test épicutané de l'Hôpital d'Ottawa. MESSAGE PRINCIPAL: Les antibiotiques topiques sont la cause la plus courante de DCA aux médicaments, et ils causent fréquemment la cosensibilisation à plusieurs allergènes. Cette réaction d'hypersensibilité survient souvent après une intervention chirurgicale, et il faut la différencier de l'infection postopératoire. L'allergie aux corticostéroïdes est facile à manquer, et il faut la soupçonner dans les cas de dermatose sensible aux corticostéroïdes qui s'aggravent malgré le traitement approprié. Les anesthésiques et le propylèneglycol topiques, trouvés dans de nombreux produits d'ordonnance ou en vente libre, sont d'autres causes de DCA. CONCLUSION: La dermatite de contact allergique est facile à manquer et doit toujours être envisagée dans les cas d'éruption eczémateuse. Il est essentiel d'établir l'historique des médicaments, dont tous les produits topiques d'ordonnance ou en vente libre. Le test épicutané contribue à déterminer quels allergènes spécifiques le patient doit éviter.

Measures of impairment applicable to the classification of Paralympic athletes competing in wheelchair sports: A systematic review of validity, reliability and associations with performance.

A fundamental aspect of classification systems in Paralympic sport is having valid and reliable measures of impairment. However, minimal consensus exists for assessing impaired strength, coordination and range of motion. This review aimed to systematically identify measures of upper body strength, coordination and range of motion impairments that meet the requirements for use in evidence-based classification systems in wheelchair sports. Three electronic databases were searched from 2003 until 31 August 2019 for studies that assessed upper body function of participants and used a measurement tool that assessed strength, coordination or range of motion. The body of evidence for each identified measure was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Twenty-three studies were included: ten measured strength and coordination, and six measured range of motion. There was "moderate" confidence in using isometric strength for assessing strength impairment. Tapping tasks for the assessment of coordination impairment received a "low" confidence rating. All other identified measures of coordination and range of motion impairment received a "very low" confidence rating. Several potential measures were identified for assessing upper body strength, coordination and range of motion impairments. Further research is warranted to investigate their use for classification in Paralympic wheelchair sports.

A Light Tolerant Neural Recording IC for Near-Infrared-Powered Free Floating Motes.

A key challenge for near-infrared (NIR) powered neural recording ICs is to maintain robust operation in the presence of parasitic short circuit current from junction diodes when exposed to light. This is especially so when intentional currents are kept small to reduce power consumption. We present a neural recording IC that is tolerant up to 300 µW/mm2 light exposure (above tissue limit) and consumes 0.57 µW at 38°C, making it lowest power among standalone motes while incorporating on-chip feature extraction and individual gain control.

Dual-Junction GaAs Photovoltaics for Low Irradiance Wireless Power Transfer in Submillimeter-Scale Sensor Nodes.

Dual-junction GaAs photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules at sub millimeter scale are demonstrated for efficient wireless power transfer for Internet of Things (IoT) and bio-implantable applications under low-flux illumination. The dual-junction approach meets demanding requirements for these applications by increasing the output voltage per cell with reduced area losses from isolation and interconnects. A single PV cell (150 µm × 150 µm) based on the dual-junction design demonstrates power conversion efficiency above 22% with greater than 1.2 V output voltage under low-flux 850 nm near-infrared LED illumination at 6.62 µW/mm2, which is sufficient for batteryless operation of miniaturized CMOS IC chips. The output voltage of dual-junction PV modules with 4 series-connected cells demonstrates greater than 5 V for direct battery charging while maintaining a module power conversion efficiency of more than 23%.

Polarization-independent narrowband transmittance filters via symmetry-protected modes in high contrast gratings.

We present a high-index contrast dielectric grating design for polarization-independent narrowband transmission filtering. A reduced symmetry hexagonal lattice allows coupling to symmetry-protected modes (bound states in the continuum) at normal incidence, enabling high-Q spectral peaks. The peak linewidth is tunable via degree of geometric symmetry reduction. Using diffraction efficiency calculations, we gain further insight into the design and physics of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) asymmetric high contrast gratings. The grating design provides a filter response that is simultaneously polarization independent and functional at normal incidence, overcoming limitations of 1D asymmetric gratings and 2D symmetric gratings.

Molecular point-of-care testing for influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus: comparison of workflow parameters for the ID Now and cobas Liat systems.

AIMS: Point-of-care (POC) tests for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) offer the potential to improve patient management and antimicrobial stewardship. Studies have focused on performance; however, no workflow assessments have been published comparing POC molecular tests. This study compared the Liat and ID Now systems workflow, to assist end-users in selecting an influenza and/or RSV POC test. METHODS: Staffing, walk-away and turnaround time (TAT) of the Liat and ID Now systems were determined using 40 nasopharyngeal samples, positive for influenza or RSV. The ID Now system requires separate tests for influenza and RSV, so parallel (two instruments) and sequential (one instrument) workflows were evaluated. RESULTS: The ID Now ranged 4.1-6.2 min for staffing, 1.9-10.9 min for walk-away and 6.4-15.8 min for TAT per result. The Liat ranged 1.1-1.8 min for staffing, 20.0-20.5 min for walk-away and 21.3-22.0 min for TAT. Mean walk-away time comprised 38.0% (influenza positive) and 68.1% (influenza negative) of TAT for ID Now and 93.7% (influenza/RSV) for Liat. The ID Now parallel workflow resulted in medians of 5.9 min for staffing, 9.7 min for walk-away and 15.6 min for TAT. Assuming prevalence of 20% influenza and 20% RSV, the ID Now sequential workflow resulted in medians of 9.4 min for staffing, 17.4 min for walk-away, and 27.1 min for TAT. CONCLUSIONS: The ID Now and Liat systems offer different workflow characteristics. Key considerations for implementation include value of both influenza and RSV results, clinical setting, staffing capacity, and instrument(s) placement.

Assay Integrity of a PCR Influenza Point-of-Care Test Remains Following Artificial System Contamination.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers who have access to tests at the point of care (POC) are increasingly requesting the same performance from the POC test as they expect from the laboratory. With the introduction of the cobas® Liat instrument, highly sensitive molecular diagnostic testing can be performed closer to the patient in CLIA-waived, POC settings. As more sensitive tests become available, there is concern regarding contamination of instrumentation owing to improper handling, mistakes made when processing, or environmental contamination. Recent concerns were raised when a nurse performed environmental surveillance for flu A/B by inserting a dry swab into the cobas Liat instrument and then ran it as a sample on the instrument, generating a positive result. This finding stimulated questions about the possibility of system contamination contributing to false-positive results, ultimately leading to the possibility of providing incorrect treatment to patients. METHODS: To assess the likelihood of system contamination contributing to the generation of false-positive results, in this study we contaminated a cobas Liat System with flu A/B-positive control material. The system contamination was then assessed by swabbing exposed surfaces. Following confirmed system contamination, negative control samples were processed to determine whether system contamination had an impact on the expected negative results. RESULTS: Instrument contamination was confirmed, and no detectable flu A/B signal was observed for any of the negative control tubes run immediately following confirmation of system contamination. CONCLUSION: Environmental contamination of the Liat instrument does not have an impact on the integrity of the result.

GENETIC RELATEDNESS OF EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS SEROTYPE 2 FROM 2012 OUTBREAK IN THE USA.

During summer and early fall of 2012, the US experienced the largest outbreak of hemorrhagic disease (HD) on record; deer (both Odocoileus virginianus and Odocoileus hemionus) in 35 states were affected, including many northern states where HD typically does not occur. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) was the predominant virus isolated, with serotype 2 (EHDV-2) representing 66% (135/205) of all isolated viruses. Viruses within the EHDV serogroup are genetically similar, but we hypothesized that subtle genetic distinctions between viruses would exist across the geographic range of the outbreak if multiple EHDV-2 strains were responsible. We examined viral relatedness and molecular epidemiology of the outbreak by sequencing the mammalian binding protein (VP2) gene and the insect vector binding protein (VP7) gene of 34 EHDV-2 isolates from 2012 across 21 states. Nucleotide sequences of VP2 had 99.0% pairwise identity; VP7 nucleotide sequences had 99.1% pairwise identity. Very few changes were observed in either protein at the amino acid level. Despite the high genetic similarity between isolates, subtle nucleotide differences existed. Both VP2 and VP7 gene sequences separated into two distinct clades based on patterns of single-nucleotide polymorphisms after phylogenetic analysis. The clades were divided geographically into eastern and western clades, although those divisions were not identical between VP2 and VP7. There was also an association between percent sequence identity and geographic distance between isolates. We concluded that multiple EHDV-2 strains contributed to this outbreak.

High-Efficiency Photovoltaic Modules on a Chip for Millimeter-Scale Energy Harvesting.

Photovoltaic modules at the mm-scale are demonstrated in this work to power wirelessly interconnected mm-scale sensor systems operating under low flux conditions, enabling applications in the Internet of Things and biological sensors. Module efficiency is found to be limited by perimeter recombination for individual cells, and shunt leakage for the series-connected module configuration. We utilize GaAs and AlGaAs junction barrier isolation between interconnected cells to dramatically reduce shunt leakage current. A photovoltaic module with eight series-connected cells and total area of 1.27-mm2 demonstrates a power conversion efficiency of greater than 26 % under low-flux near infrared illumination (850 nm at 1 µW/mm2). The output voltage of the module is greater than 5 V, providing a voltage up-conversion efficiency of more than 90 %. We demonstrate direct photovoltaic charging of a 16 µAh pair of thin-film lithium-ion batteries under dim light conditions, enabling the perpetual operation of practical mm-scale wirelessly interconnected systems.

Degree of optical polarization as a tool for detecting melanoma: proof of principle.

Determining the optical polarization properties of a skin lesion is a proposed method to differentiate melanoma from other skin lesions. We developed an in vivo Stokes polarimetry probe that fires a laser of known polarization at the skin and measures the Stokes parameters of the backscattered light in one shot. From these measured Stokes parameters, we can calculate the degree of polarization (DOP). Through testing on rough skin phantoms, a correlation between backscattered DOP and skin roughness was identified for both linear and circular input polarization, the latter of which was found to be more useful. In a pilot clinical trial of 69 skin lesions in vivo, it was found that the mean DOP for melanoma (linear input on melanoma: 0.46 ± 0.09) was greater than that of other lesions (linear input on all other lesions: 0.28 ± 0.01). This separation is greater for circular polarized input light, and it is likely that circular polarized light's greater sensitivity to surface roughness contributes to this result. In addition, all skin lesions demonstrated a stronger depolarizing effect on circular polarized light than linear polarized light. We have identified DOP as a potentially useful measurement to identify melanoma among other types of skin lesions.

Eurasianism versus IndoGermanism: Linguistics and mythology in the 1930s' controversies over European prehistory.

In 1935, the Russian linguist Prince Nicolai S. Trubetskoi and the French mythologist Georges Dumézil engaged in a vicious debate over a seemingly obscure subject: the structure of Northwest Caucasian languages. Based on unknown archival material in French, German, and Russian, this essay uses the debate as a pathway into the 1930s scientific and political stakes of IndoEuropeanism - the belief that European cultures emerged through the spread of a single IndoEuropean people out of a single "motherland." Each of the two authors held strong commitments to visions of European order and its origins - in "Eurasia" for Trubetskoi and a Northern European Heimat for Dumézil. The North Caucasus, long a privileged site for Russian and European scholars, now became key to the renegotiation of the origins and reach of imagined prehistoric IndoEuropean conquerors, but also the 1930s' debate over the value of different disciplines (linguistics, mythology, archaeology, folklore studies) for the origins of language, myth, and the European deep past. As a moment in the history of modern speculations about prehistory, pursued in the shadow of Nazi scholarship, the debate transformed fields of research - notably linguistics, comparative mythology, and structuralism - and the assumptions about the shape of Europe.

Infrared Energy Harvesting in Millimeter-Scale GaAs Photovoltaics.

The design and characterization of mm-scale GaAs photovoltaic cells are presented and demonstrate highly efficient energy harvesting in the near infrared. Device performance is improved dramatically by optimization of the device structure for the near-infrared spectral region and improving surface and sidewall passivation with ammonium sulfide treatment and subsequent silicon nitride deposition. The power conversion efficiency of a 6.4 mm2 cell under 660 nW/mm2 NIR illumination at 850 nm is greater than 30 %, which is higher than commercial crystalline silicon solar cells under similar illumination conditions. Critical performance limiting factors of sub-mm scale GaAs photovoltaic cells are addressed and compared to theoretical calculations.