Motion tomography via occupation kernels

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>The goal of motion tomography is to recover a description of a vector flow field using measurements along the trajectory of a sensing unit. In this paper, we develop a predictor corrector algorithm designed to recover vector flow fields from trajectory data with the use of occupation kernels developed by Rosenfeld et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b9">9</xref>,<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b10">10</xref>]. Specifically, we use the occupation kernels as an adaptive basis; that is, the trajectories defining our occupation kernels are iteratively updated to improve the estimation in the next stage. Initial estimates are established, then under mild assumptions, such as relatively straight trajectories, convergence is proven using the Contraction Mapping Theorem. We then compare the developed method with the established method by Chang et al. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b5">5</xref>] by defining a set of error metrics. We found that for simulated data, where a ground truth is available, our method offers a marked improvement over [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="b5">5</xref>]. For a real-world example, where ground truth is not available, our results are similar results to the established method.</p>

Can ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block be an alternative option for forearm reduction in the emergency department? A prospective randomized study

Objective Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular nerve block (IB) has become a well-established method in several outpatient procedures; however, its use in emergency departments (EDs) remains limited. The aim of this study was to compare procedural sedation and anlagesia (PSA) and IB in the pain management for patients who underwent forearm fracture reduction in the ED.Methods This prospective randomized study included 60 patients aged 18 to 65 years, who visited the ED with forearm fractures. They were randomly divided into two groups: Group PSA (n=30) and Group IB (n=30). The pain scores of patients were evaluated before and during the procedure with the visual analog scale. Complications and patient and operator satisfaction levels were recorded.Results There was no difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics. The median (interquartile range) pain scores observed during the procedures were significantly higher in Group PSA than in Group IB (4 [4–6] vs. 2 [0–2], respectively; P<0.001). Patient and operator satisfaction levels were significantly higher in Group IB (P<0.001). Oxygen desaturation was statistically higher in Group PSA than in Group IB (40.00% vs. 3.33%, respectively; P=0.002).Conclusion IB was an effective alternative for reducing pain and increasing patient satisfaction in ED patients undergoing forearm fracture reduction.

CLT beam analysis using classical elastic theory of layered beams

The classical elastic theory of layered beams is used for the analysis of cross laminated timber (CLT) beams. A brief introduction of the theory is given and followed by examples. The theory of layered beams offers a widely studied, well established method for the analysis the CLT beams including displacements and stresses of each layer of the beam. It is shown that the theoretical basis of the widely used Shear Analogy is the same as the theoretical basis of the theory of layered beams. The results are compared to test results and to results of the finite element calculations. It is seen that the deflections and strains are in 10 % fractals in mean in the considered cases. The theory of layered beams seems to be suitable method in the analysis of the CLT beams at the elastic phase.

Improving Multiphoton Microscopy by Combining Spherical Aberration Patterns and Variable Axicons

Multiphoton (MP) microscopy is a well-established method for the non-invasive imaging of biological tissues. However, its optical sectioning capabilities are reduced due to specimen-induced aberrations. Both the manipulation of spherical aberration (SA) and the use of axicons have been reported to be useful techniques to bypass this limitation. We propose the combination of SA patterns and variable axicons to further improve the quality of MP microscopy images. This approach provides enhanced images at different depth locations whose quality is better than those corresponding to the use of SA or axicons separately. Thus, the procedure proposed herein facilitates the visualization of details and increases the depth observable at high resolution.

Model for Prediction of the Weight and Height Measurements of Patients with Disabilities for Diagnosis and Therapy

Background: Accurate measurement of a patient’s height and weight is an essential part of diagnosis and therapy, but there is some controversy as to how to calculate the height and weight of patients with disabilities. Objective: This study aims to use anthropometric measurements (arm span, length of leg, chest circumference, and waist circumference) to find a model (alternatives) that can allow the calculation of the height and the body weight of patients with disabilities. Additionally, a model for the prediction of weight and height measurements of patients with disabilities was established. Method: Four hander patients aged 20-80 years were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups, 210 (52.5%) male and 190 (47.5%) female. Result: A significant correlation was noted between body height and arm span, as well as between body height and length of leg in all study groups. The body weight and the ratio of arm span or leg length to the sum of chest and waist circumferences were found to have a negative significant correlation. Model equations were derived to estimate the height and body weight according to anthropometric measurements. Conclusion: Anthropometric measurements can be used to create a model for calculating the body height and body weight of patients with disabilities and which can be considered an alternative to measurements that can be made on otherwise healthy subjects.

Optimization of automatic control of the speed of rotation of a marine diesel engine

Annotation – The well-established method of tuning the speed governors (SG) of diesel engines during their operation under conditions of step disturbances, which are characteristic of diesel-generators, cannot be used for the main marine engines, the dynamic modes of which are associated, first of all, with heavy seas, because disturbances cannot change stepwise both along the channel for setting the rotational speed and along the load channel. In this regard, the practical need for the development of a method for tuning the SG of the main engines, which takes into account the peculiarities of their operation in heavy seas, has been determined. The study simulates the automatic speed control system (ASC) of the main marine engine HYUNDAI – MAN B&W 6G70ME-C9.2 of the large crude carrier "GOLDWAY" with the AutoChief 600 electronic SG. The minimum of instability of the controlled parameter was used as an optimality criterion, i.e. the amplitude of the oscillations of the rotational speed of the diesel engine shaft, with the most probable values of the amplitude and period of oscillations (rolling) of the disturbing effect. The study has established that changing the tuning parameters of the governor may lead to local extrema of the optimality criterion when using an electronic governor in the ACS in the factor space of disturbances on a diesel engine, which are typical for heavy seas. It means that the task, requiring finding local extrema using specialized methods, can be set when using an electronic governor in the ACS. However, a significant decrease in the instability of the rotational speed was achieved by carrying out a simple enumeration of the tuning parameters of the SG. It was also found that with a "heavy" propeller, the rotational speed stability can be increased by decreasing the proportional gain, as well as increasing the integrator time.

Application of Benford’s Law on Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain-based currencies or cryptocurrencies have become a global phenomenon known to most people as a disruptive technology, and a new investment vehicle. However, due to their decentralized nature, regulating these markets has presented regulators with difficulties in finding a balance between nurturing innovation, and protecting consumers. The growing concerns about illicit activity have forced regulators to seek new ways of detecting, analyzing, and ultimately policing public blockchain transactions. Extensive research on machine learning, and transaction graph analysis algorithms has been done to track suspicious behaviour. However, having a macro view of a public ledger is equally important before pursuing a more fine-grained analysis. Benford&rsquo;s law, the law of first digit, has been extensively used as a tool to discover accountant frauds (many other use cases exist). The basic motivation that drove our research presented in this paper was to test he applicability of the well established method to a new domain, in this case the identification of anomalous behavior using Benford&rsquo;s law conformity test to the cryptocurrency domain. The research focused on transaction values in all major cryptocurrencies. A suitable time-period was identified that was long enough to sport sufficiently large number of observations for Benford&rsquo;s law conformity tests and was also situated long enough in the past so that the anomalies were identified and well documented. The results show that most of the cryptocurrencies that did not conform to Benford&rsquo;s law had well documented anomalous incidents, the first digits of aggregated transaction values of all well known cryptocurrency projects were conforming to Benford&rsquo;s law. Thus the proposed method is applicable to the new domain.

Preparation of optimized concanavalin A-conjugated Dynabeads® magnetic beads for CUT&Tag

Epigenome research has employed various methods to identify the genomic location of proteins of interest, such as transcription factors and histone modifications. A recently established method called CUT&Tag uses a Protein-A Tn5 transposase fusion protein, which cuts the genome and inserts adapter sequences nearby the target protein. Throughout most of the CUT&Tag procedure, cells are held on concanavalin A (con A)-conjugated magnetic beads. Proper holding of cells would be decisive for the accessibility of Tn5 to the chromatin, and efficacy of the procedure of washing cells. However, BioMag®Plus ConA magnetic beads, used in the original CUT&Tag protocol, often exhibit poor suspendability and severe aggregation. Here, we compared the BioMag beads and Dynabeads® magnetic particles of which conjugation of con A was done by our hands, and examined the performance of these magnetic beads in CUT&Tag. Among tested, one of the Dynabeads, MyOne-T1, kept excessive suspendability in a buffer even after overnight incubation. Furthermore, the MyOne-T1 beads notably improved the sensitivity in CUT&Tag assay for H3K4me3. In conclusion, the arrangement and the selection of MyOne-T1 refine the suspendability of beads, which improves the association of chromatin with Tn5, which enhances the sensitivity in CUT&Tag assay.

New stability indicating RP-HPLC-PDA method for determination of mifepristone in bulk and tablet formulation

Background Mifepristone is progestational and glucocorticoid hormone antagonist. The objective of this study is to develop simple and economical stability indicating RP-HPLC method for the determination of mifepristone in bulk and tablet formulation. Result The chromatographic separation was achieved on Qualisil BDS C8 column with mobile phase containing of mixture of Buffer (Potassium dihydrogen ortho phosphate, pH to 3.0 with ortho phosphoric acid) and Organic Solvent (Acetonitrile) 60:40 v/v pumped at flow rate 0.6 mL min−1. The detection of elute was performed using PDA detector at 305 nm. Mifepristone was eluted at 8.67 min. According to international conference on harmonization Q2(R1) guideline, method was validated and shows satisfactory results for accuracy, precision, linearity, ruggedness, robustness, detection limit, quantitation limit. The method indicated to be linear in the series of concentration 3–18 µg mL−1, and correlation coefficient was 0.9997. In acidic, basic, oxidative, thermal, photolytic forced degradation conditions, the peak of degradation product was clearly and well separated from drug peak without any interference in quantitative analysis. This represents stability indicating nature of established method. Conclusion The established RP-HPLC method is simple, accurate, specific, precise, robust, rugged, sensitive, and economical in nature which can be utilized for routine analysis of mifepristone in bulk and pharmaceutical formulation.