Magnetic Stimulation Allows Focal Activation of the Mouse Cochlea

Cochlear implants (CIs) strive to restore hearing to those with severe to profound hearing loss by artificially stimulating the auditory nerve. While most CI users can understand speech in a quiet environment, hearing that utilizes complex neural coding (e.g., appreciating music) has proved elusive, probably because of the inability of CIs to create narrow regions of spectral activation. Several novel approaches have recently shown promise for improving spatial selectivity, but substantial design differences from conventional CIs will necessitate much additional safety testing before clinical viability is established. Outside the cochlea, magnetic stimulation from small coils (micro-coils) has been shown to confine activation more narrowly than that from conventional micro-electrodes, raising the possibility that coil-based stimulation of the cochlea could improve the spectral resolution of CIs. To explore this, we delivered magnetic stimulation from micro-coils to multiple locations of the cochlea and measured the spread of activation utilizing a multi-electrode array inserted into the inferior colliculus; responses to magnetic stimulation were compared to analogous experiments with conventional micro-electrodes as well as to the responses to auditory monotones. Encouragingly, the extent of activation with micro-coils was ~60% narrower than that from electric stimulation and largely similar to the spread arising from acoustic stimulation. The dynamic range of coils was more than three times larger than that of electrodes, further supporting a smaller spread of activation. While much additional testing is required, these results support the notion that coil-based CIs can produce a larger number of independent spectral channels and may therefore improve functional performance. Further, because coil-based devices are structurally similar to existing CIs, fewer impediments to clinical translational are likely to arise.

Using the BBraun BSmartTM Pressure Manometer to Prevent Unsafe Injection Pressures During Simulated Peripheral Nerve Blockade: A Pilot Study

Background: Peripheral nerve injury during regional anaesthesia may result from accidental intraneural placement of the needle, or forceful needle nerve contact. Intraneural injections are associated with increased resistance to injection, typically >15 psi. The BBraun BSmart™ is an inline mechanical manometer, offering a visual display of injection pressures. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine if using the BBraun BSmartTM manometer successfully prevents 90% of anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants from injecting at pressures > 15 psi during simulated nerve block. Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants. Two 20 ml injections were performed by each participant, once when the BBraun BSmartTM manometer was obscured from view, and once with the manometer visible. A PendoTech PressureMATTMS recorded injection pressures. Results: 39 participants completed the study, with a total of 78 injections recorded. During the study, 32 peak pressures during the 78 procedures were recorded above the recommended upper limit of 15 psi, 41% of the total injections. The peak pressure rose above 15 psi in 24/39 (62%) injections when the BBraun Bsmart™ manometer was obscured, but only in 8/39 (21%) injections when the manometer was visible. Conclusion: The BBraun Bsmart™ manometer did not successfully prevent 90% of anaesthetists or anaesthetic assistants from injecting at unsafe pressures. However, using the BBraun BSmart™ did reduce the number of unsafe injection pressures generated by participants. When utilised in conjunction with PNS and ultrasound guidance, this may offer additional safety during peripheral nerve blockade.

Proposal for a Safety Qualification Program for Vehicle-Integrated PV Modules

We propose a safety qualification program for vehicle-integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) modules, which could serve as a simplification, thereby accelerating the homologation process of new vehicle designs. The basis is the current photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification, as defined in IEC 61730:2016, which is compared to automotive norms and regulations because additional safety requirements have to be considered for PV modules used in this application. Therefore, testing based on regulations that concern electrical and electronic equipment in vehicles (ISO 16750), rupture safety of glass and laminated glass in vehicles (ECE R43), and pedestrian safety (ECE R127) are assessed and compared in terms of severity. Additionally, optional testing concerning the long-term stability of VIPV modules is recommended, as a guideline for vehicle manufacturers. If assessed to be necessary, the qualification program of IEC 61730 is complemented by the respective tests to finally present a conclusive safety qualification program for VIPV modules in new vehicle designs.

Advanced Warning System to Improve Safety at Train Grade Crossings

The severity of traffic accidents at train grade crossings has led to efforts in mitigating their potential damaging effects. Over the last 45 years, significant investment has been made at these crossings in the United States to reduce the number of accidents. Initially, these improvements reduced accidents, but in the last decade, the numbers have plateaued, even as additional safety investment has continued. Geospatial data from the Federal Railroad Administration was evaluated to ascertain the causes of the efficacy reduction of traditional safety measures. Temporal patterns were detected in diverse parameters that measure accident seriousness such as their frequency, financial damages, injuries, and deaths. An advanced warning system for motorist was proposed in this research to allow them enough time to change their schedules and driving routes, avoiding blockages caused by incoming trains. To avoid pitfalls from previous proposed systems the model will be initially implemented in locations with a high number of accidents and lower layout complexity for the railway, roads, and train grade crossings. Two railways in Texas were selected for the initial implementation of the system. The proposed pilot locations showed high potential for the development of the advanced warning system, in preparation for a broader effort to continue the improvement in safety at railway crossings.

Harmonizing the Mooring System Reliability of Multiline Anchor Wind Farms

One of many barriers to the deployment of floating offshore wind turbines is the high cost of vessel time needed for soil investigations and anchor installation. A multiline anchor system is proposed in which multiple floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) are connected to a single caisson. The connection of multiple FOWTs to a single anchor introduces interconnectedness throughout the wind farm. Previous work by the authors has shown that this interconnectedness reduces the reliability of the FOWT below an acceptable level when exposed to survival loading conditions. To combat the reduction in system reliability an overstrength factor (OSF) is applied to the anchors functioning as an additional safety factor. For a 100 turbine wind farm, single-line system reliabilities can be achieved using the multiline system with an OSF of 1.10, a 10% increase in multiline anchor safety factors for all anchors in a farm.

Evaluation of ANSI Z535 Safety Sign Installation

A safety sign is a sign of equipment to provide protection for workers or visitors in the workplace. American National Standards Institute Z535 (ANSI Z535) is used as a basic guideline for installing safety signs in the workplace because it is more communicative by using global symbols to overcome language barriers. Occupational Safety Division of Manpower and Transmigration Departement, East Java Province (UPT Keselamatan Kerja Surabaya) is a workplace that has a risk of occupational accidents. The preliminary surveys in the area of the 3rd floor of the Division of Occupational Safety (UPT Keselamatan Kerja) Surabaya revealed that there were many sites with insufficient safety signboards. Many of the installed safety signs did not comply with ANZI Z535 standards. This study aimed to evaluate the installation of safety signs compared to the ANZI Z535 standard on the 3rd floor of UPT K2 Surabaya. This was an observational study examining the installation of safety signs. The data were obtained using the ANSI Z535 safety sign checklist. We found 2 out of 5 types of safety signs were in accordance with ANSI safety sign standards with a comparison percentage of more than 66%, such as the notice sign (67.85%) and safety condition sign (75%). Three other types of safety signs were in the unfavorable category with a percentage of less than 66%, such as danger sign (65.63%), warning sign (50%), and caution sign (46.88%). Some sites required additional safety signs, such as warning signs (at distillation site), caution signs (oven, stairs), notice signs (cylinder storage, elevator, chemical warehouse), and safety condition signs (stair, eyewash).

Preliminary Assessment of Cooling Water Chemistry for Fusion Power Plants

The determination of the water chemistry for cooling systems of nuclear fusion plants is under debate. It should be tailored for different types of fusion reactors: either experimental, e.g., ITER, JT-60SA, and DTT, or aimed at power generation, e.g., DEMO, given the different operation requirements. This paper presents the dual approach involving experiments and computer simulations chosen for the definition of DEMO water chemistry. Experimental work was performed to assess the corrosion susceptibility of reduced activation ferritic martensitic EUROFER 97 and AISI 316L in different water chemistry regimes. At the same time, the low corrosivity requirement brings an additional safety aspect for the radiation protection since some neutron-activated corrosion products (ACPs) create a gamma radiation when deposited outside the plasma chamber in components accessible to operators and these must be minimized. To evaluate the ACP inventory for DEMO, assessments were carried out using a reference computer code. Preliminary experimental activities to define the water chemistry of DTT under construction at ENEA were also conducted. The comparison of code results with experiments is two-fold important: for the validation of the computer code models and to determine data that are necessary to perform calculations.

Noise prediction for urban air taxi operation

Solutions to escape crowded streets are increasingly taking up new forms of mobility. This also includes air taxis or VTOLs. In addition to passenger traffic, suggestions, such as parcel delivery by drones, are also regularly part of future visions. Air taxis pose additional safety requirements due to the transport of people and they also represent a major potential source of noise. A challenge that urban planners, pollution control officers and decision-makers have to face. Using the concrete example of an urban landing place for air taxis at the main train station in the city of Ingolstadt, possible problems, issues related to noise protection and their legal basis were examined. This presentation is a summary of the projects results. The examinations include the creation of noise mapping in order to simulate the impact to the already existing noise situation. Those were based on current flight noise regulations with necessary alterations regarding VTOLs. Because air taxi noise is expected to be more annoying than regular traffic noise, the possible application of flight noise indexes such as the "Frankfurt flight noise index FFI 2.0" shall be reviewed. Based on the results of the previous examinations, possible noise protection measures shall be developed.

Monitoring the Impact of the Large Building Investments on the Neighborhood

The article presents the concept of monitoring buildings and infrastructure elements located near large construction investments (the construction of high-rise buildings of the Oak Terraces housing estate in Katowice and the construction of a tunnel under the roundabout in Katowice along the intercity express road DTŚ). The impacts include deep excavation, lowering of the groundwater level over a large area, and dynamic influences related to the use of impact methods of soil improvement. The presented monitoring includes observation of the groundwater level with the use of piezometers, geodetic measurements of settlement and inclinations, as well as the measurement of vibration amplitudes generated during the works involving shocks and vibrations. It was also important to observe the development of cracks on the basis of a previously made inventory of damage. The results of the monitoring allow corrections to be made in the technology of works (e.g., reduction of vibration amplitudes, application of additional protections at excavations, etc.) or the use additional safety measures. Currently, there are also monitoring systems used during the operation of completed facilities.

Cyberattackson Flight Safety: Detection and Mitigation Using LoRa

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is the main communication system currently being used in Air Traffic Control (ATC) around the world. The ADS-B system is planned to be a key component of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NextGen plan, which will manage the increasingly congested airspace in the coming decades. While the benefits of ADS-B are widely known, its lack of security measures and its vulnerability to cyberattacks such as jamming and spoofing is a great concern for flight safety experts. In this paper, we first summarize the cyberattacks and challenges related to ADS-B’s vulnerabilities. Thereafter, we present theoretical and practical methods for implementing an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system as a possible additional safety layer to mitigate the presented cyber-vulnerabilities. Finally, a set of simulations and field experiments is presented to test the expected performance of the suggested IoT flight safety system. We conjecture that the presented system can be implemented in a wide range of civilian airplanes, leading to an improvement in flight safety in cases of cyberattacks or the absence of reliable ADS-B communication.