Research involving bacterial pathogens often requires enumeration of bacteria colonies. Here, we present a low-cost, high-throughput colony counting system consisting software and consumer-grade digital camera or document scanner. We demonstrate that this software, called "NICE" (NIST's Integrated Colony Enumerator), can count colonies as part multiplexed opsonophagocytic killing assay used to characterize pneumococcal vaccine efficacy. The results obtained with NICE correlate well the from...

Abstract The ability to adjust movements in response perturbations is key for an efficient and mature nervous system, which relies on two complementary mechanisms — feedforward adaptation feedback control. We examined the developmental trajectory of how children employ these using a previously validated visuomotor rotation task, conducted remotely large cross-sectional cohort aged 3–17 years adults ( n = 656; 353 males & 303 females). Results revealed protracted trajectory, with up...

Abstract Here we designed a motor adaptation video game that could be played remotely (at home) through web browser. This required the child to adapt visuomotor rotation between their hand movement and ball displayed in game. The task had several novel features, specifically allow study of developmental trajectory across wide range ages. We test concurrent validity by comparing children's performance on our remote same performed laboratory. All participants remained engaged completed task....

Across development, children must learn motor skills such as eating with a spoon and drawing crayon. Reinforcement learning, driven by success failure, is fundamental to sensorimotor learning. It typically requires child explore movement options along continuum (grip location on crayon) from probabilistic rewards (whether the crayon draws or breaks). Here, we studied development of reinforcement learning using online tasks engage aged 3 17 adults (cross-sectional sample, N=385). Participants...

Hemiparetic stroke in adulthood often results the grouped movement pattern of upper extremity flexion synergy thought to arise from an increased reliance on cortico-reticulospinal pathways due a loss lateral corticospinal projections. It is well-established that induces reaching constraints individuals with adult-onset hemiplegia. The expression brain injuries onset earlier lifespan currently unknown. An early unilateral injury occurring prior six months post full-term may preserve...

Abstract Objective Health care has increasingly expanded into a hybrid in-person/telehealth model. Patients with variety of health conditions, including cerebellar ataxia, have received virtual evaluations; however, it remains unknown whether some outcome measures that clinicians utilize in the telehealth setting are reliable and valid. The goal this project is to evaluate psychometric properties Scale for Assessment Rating Ataxia (SARA) patients ataxia setting. Methods Nineteen individuals...

To investigate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on perspectives toward participation in cerebral palsy (CP) research.An online survey with questions relating to comfort levels research was filled out by people who had CP or a child CP.The administered through Research Electronic Data Capture platform.A total 233 (n=233) individuals (42.5%; n=99) (57.1%; n=133) consented and at least partially completed (n=210 complete; n=23 complete). All participants resided United...

Abstract Across development, children must learn motor skills such as eating with a spoon and drawing crayon. Reinforcement learning, driven by success failure, is fundamental to sensorimotor learning. It typically requires child explore movement options along continuum (grip location on crayon) from probabilistic rewards (whether the crayon draws or breaks). Here, we studied development of reinforcement learning using online tasks engage aged 3 17 adults (cross-sectional sample, N=385)....

Across development, children must learn motor skills such as eating with a spoon and drawing crayon. Reinforcement learning, driven by success failure, is fundamental to sensorimotor learning. It typically requires child explore movement options along continuum (grip location on crayon) from probabilistic rewards (whether the crayon draws or breaks). Here, we studied development of reinforcement learning using online tasks engage aged 3 17 adults (cross-sectional sample, N=385). Participants...

Young children with movement impairments from early brain injury often exhibit deficits in balance and postural control. Rehabilitation approaches for this population specifically focus on improving control but quantifying dose of intervention beyond time spent an activity is challenging. Force plates pressure mats are tools typically used to quantify balance, however they have limited utility regular clinical use. Wearable inertial sensors offer a more cost effective practical solution...

One of the cardinal motor deficits that occurs after stroke is paresis, a decrease in voluntary activation muscles. Paresis leads to joint strength, impacting survivors' ability perform activities daily living (ADLs). Quantifying this important when designing rehabilitation interventions address movement impairments and restore ADLs. Twitch interpolation an experimental technique developed quantify muscle [1]. This method has been used widely across pathologies but often limited assessment...

Trunk stability, an important prerequisite for many activities of daily living, can be impaired in children with movement disorders. Current treatment options costly and fail to fully engage young participants. We developed affordable, smart screen-based intervention tested if it engages physical therapy goal driven exercises.Here we describe the ADAPT system, Aiding Distanced Accessible Physical Therapy, which is a large touch-interactive device customizable games. One such game, "Bubble...

Tasks of daily life require the independent use arms and hands. Individuals with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (HCP) often experience difficulty fine motor tasks demonstrating mirrored movements between arms. In this study, bilateral muscle activations were quantified during single arm isometric maximum efforts submaximal reaching tasks. The magnitude direction activation was examined in 14 individuals HCP 9 age-matched controls. Participants generated voluntary torques (MVTs) five different...

A main focus of clinical interventions for adults after a stroke and children with hemiplegia is upper limb motor impairments. Robotic motion capture technologies have been used to quantify the presence abnormal joint coupling patterns in arm hand who had stroke. Similar impairments observed clinically hemiplegia, however, quantitative measurement tools tailored this population are lacking. Here, we describe integration haptic robotics, pressure recording, designed specifically use pediatric...