Workshops
The ISEK Congress program will include a series of pre-congress workshops for an additional registration fee and are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Please see the various descriptions below.
Registration
Workshop registration can be added when registering for the conference or even after you’ve registered. Simply login to your registration, choose edit registration and add the workshop of your choice.
Workshops are an additional $55 and include a coffee break with refreshments. The cost of the workshop is to offset direct costs incurred by the society.
Workshop 1 – Understanding human beings from two perspective: laboratory measurement and living environment measurement
Wednesday June 26, 2022 13:00 – 15:00
Organiser:
Shotaro Okajima, Nagoya university
Workshop presenters:
Shotaro Okajima, Nagoya university
Satsuki Yamauchi, Nagoya university
Yuka Matsumoto, The University of Tokyo
Riku Kawabata, Nagoya university
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Workshop 2 – Quantum sensor-based magnetomyography to study the neuromuscular system
Wednesday June 26, 2022 13:30 – 15:00
Organiser:
Thomas Klotz, University of Stuttgart
Workshop presenters:
Simon Nordenstroem, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Berlin
Justus Marquetand, University of Tübingen
Thomas Klotz, University of Stuttgart
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Background: Magnetomyography (MMG) is the measurement of the magnetic field generated by the electric activity of muscles. Thus, MMG is a complementary signal to electromyographic (EMG) recordings. Although MMG was first described in the 1970s and is associated with valuable physical properties, it remains a poorly explored modality to study motion. With the development of novel quantum sensors MMG is currently an emerging methodology. Goals and Objectives: This workshop (i.) introduces the physical basics of MMG and potential benefits of MMG in comparison to EMG measurements, (ii.) presents the state-of-the-art of available quantum sensors and the required shielding, (iii.) discusses both clinical and physiological applications. Takeaway skills: A fundamental understanding of available measurement set-ups and the interpretation of MMG. Talks:What is measured? Physical background and potential benefits of MMG. T. KlotzMMG is caused by the activation of the muscle fibers through action potentials. First, we revisit the physical basics of the undelaying physiological processes. This knowledge enables a comprehensive understanding of MMG. Moreover, we will showcase the similarities and differences of MMG in comparison to EMG. Important aspects are spatial filtering of electromagnetic signals, the influence of the human body’s properies and the voluntary drive. This knowledge allows to discuss potential benefits of MMG to study the neuromuscular system.How is it measured? Quantum magnetometers for MMG recordings. S. NordenströmThis lecture will introduces various types of quantum sensors that can potentially be used for magnetic sensing of neuromuscular activity, i.e. superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), nitrogen-vacancy centers, spintronics sensors and optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). Advantages and drawbacks of each sensor technology are discussed, along with the physical principles underlying their operation. Lastly, the needs and challenges of magnetic shielding are discussed. Beside shielded rooms, novel miniaturized magnetometers allow the use of compact table-top shields. This facilitates the transfer of biomagnetic measurements in research labs and clinical environments. Why it is useful? Applications in basic and clinical physiology. J. Marquetand. Here, we will apply the knowledge from the previous sessions to specific use-cases involving both basic and clinical neurophysiology. Starting from advantages, challenges and limitations of MMG, an overview of existing studies on MMG is provided. We will outline the use of MMG as a new in-vivo modality for the functional mapping of the muscle architecture. Moreover, it is discussed why it is useful for clinical diagnostics and monitoring disease progression. Ultimately, we discuss the use of OPM arrays and signal processing techniques to achieve motor unit decomposition or the realization of a contactless human-machine-interface.
Workshop 3 – Simplified analysis of motor unit properties with openhdemg
Wednesday June 26, 2022 13:00 – 15:00
Organiser:
Giacomo Valli, Università degli Studi di Brescia
Paul Ritsche, University of Basel
Workshop presenters:
Giacomo Valli, University of Brescia
Paul Ritsche, University of Basel
James Beauchamp, Northwestern University
Andrea Casolo, University of Padua
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes, University of Birmingham
Greg Pearcey, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Francesco Negro, University of Brescia
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Workshop 4 – By Trainees, for Trainees: mentorship and networking to find your voice as a researcher
Wednesday June 26, 2022 15:30 – 17:30
Organiser:
Sophie Jenz, Northwestern University
Tamara Valenčič, Loughborough University
Workshop presenters:
Helio Cabral, Università degli Studi di Brescia
Greg Pearcey, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Tamara Valenčič, Loughborough University
Sophie Jenz, Northwestern University
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Finding your own voice in the competitive world of research can be daunting for any young researcher. This workshop is designed for early career researchers (ECRs; particularly graduate students) within the ISEK community, who will benefit from interactive discussions on topics highly relevant to their career development. In four presentations, we will address publishing and peer review, non-traditional science communication, networking, and mentorship. After an introduction and a networking activity, each topic leader will present tools and action points followed by a brief Q&A session. The workshop will finish with a round-table discussion with all presenters. The aim is to share knowledge and experiences related to career development and provide practical advice on how to navigate challenges many trainees encounter in our field. Finally, the broader aim is to facilitate networking amongst ECRs in the international ISEK community and inspire future collaborations.Mastering the challenge of peer review (Dr Cabral)In the early stages of their careers trainees may encounter difficulties such as writer’s block or negative peer reviewer feedback when publishing their research findings. This section of the workshop will provide trainees with strategies for writing efficiently and creatively, responding to peer review, and navigating the publication submission process.A FUNel approach to communicating science broadly (Dr Pearcey)We are often told to disseminate our findings, but rarely are we trained how to do so. This topic will help inspire trainees to share their work with the public and get buy in from philanthropists and grant agencies. The key to success involves helping your audience understand the jargon you are feeding them. Instead of trying to ‘dumb down your science’, trainees will be encouraged to find common ground with their audience, breaking down barriers of understanding.Elevating scientific careers through collaboration and networking (Miss Jenz)Trainees often limit themselves to local connections. This topic will empower them to forge lasting collaborations across institutions and disciplines. We will provide practical steps for starting and nurturing these partnerships, as well as creative networking strategies like forming journal clubs and participating in professional committees. By the end, attendees will be ready to propel their scientific careers through effective collaboration.Mentorship for career success (Miss Valenčič)For many recent PhD graduates, the transition into securing their first postdoctoral position can be a challenging and uncertain phase. In this section, we will discuss the importance of academic, professional, and personal development during research training and the role that effective mentors can play in preparing trainees for their next career step. Additionally, we will provide advice on mentor selection and discuss the trainee’s role in developing an effective mentor-mentee relationship.
Workshop 5 – Smart textile innovation for rehabilitation – integrating electrodes in textiles for enhanced user experience and autonomy
Wednesday June 26, 2022 15:30 – 17:30
Organiser:
Leif Sandsjö, University of Borås
Workshop presenters:
Yohann Opolka, University of Borås
Li Guo, University of Borås
Nils-Krister Persson, University of Borås
Leif Sandsjö, University of Borås
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Workshop 6 – Motor unit filters in EMG-based motor unit identification: from theory to practice
Wednesday June 26, 2022 15:30 – 17:30
Organiser:
Ales Holobar, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Workshop presenters:
Nina Murks, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Jakob Skarabot, Loughborough University
Dario Farina, Imperial College London
Ales Holobar, University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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Identification of motor unit (MU) discharges from electromyograms (EMG) has remarkably progressed in recent years, from identification of a small number of MUs in low level isometric contractions, to tens of MUs identified in dynamic, evoked, and rapid contractions. Central to this progress has been a understanding of the MU filters, which are estimated in the process of high-density EMG (HDEMG) signal decomposition and support identification of a MU discharges (MU tracking) across different voluntary and evoked contractions (H-reflex, M-wave, MEP), including real-time/online conditions in man-machine interfaces, and dynamic, rapid, and fatiguing contractions. Despite significant progress, several challenges remain open, and methodological limitations of the available approaches need to be considered and discussed by the research community. In this workshop, we will explain the concept of a MU filter in HDEMG decomposition and focus on recent achievements in MU identification that rely on estimation and application of MU filters during different contractions (isometric, evoked, dynamic). A. Holobar will provide a conceptual overview of the MU filters and present their application to resolve superimposition of MU action potentials in high intensity contractions, tracking of MUs across different contraction levels. He will also discuss MU filter adaptation in dynamic and fatiguing contractions. D. Farina will provide an overview of the potential applications of decomposition in the field of rehabilitation and prosthetics, along with recent trends in MU identification from high-density intramuscular EMG.J. Skarabot will present the challenges and recent achievements in MU identification in conditions of high MU synchronisation, including rapid isometric contractions and contractions evoked by electrical stimulation of the nerve or magnetic brain stimulation. A step-by-step approach to estimation and application of MU filters to signal acquired during rapid and evoked contractions will be explained. Finally, N. Murks will present the know-how and good practises in incorporating the know-how on MU filters and their properties into automatic and manual editing of HDEMG decomposition results. She will discuss the compromise between the effort of manual editing and quality of the MU identification and present the pipeline for speeding up the HDEMG decomposition. As part of the presentations, examples will be provided of a step-by-step approach to resolving limitations of MU identification from HDEMG. The workshop will be tailored to a mixed audience, with the language adapted such that no pre-requisite of signal processing will be required by the attendees. The material presented in the workshop will be made freely available to the attendees.