Analysis of Energy Dissipation of Interval-Pooled Stepped Spillways

The water flow characteristics over an interval-pooled stepped spillway are investigated by combining the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε turbulence model with the volume of fluid (VOF) interface capture technique in the present study. The results show that the energy dissipation performance of the interval-pooled stepped spillway was generally better than that of the pooled, stepped spillways and the traditional flat-panel stepped spillway. The omega vortex intensity identification method is introduced to evaluate the energy dissipation. Due to the formation of “pseudo-weir”, the energy dissipation did not increase with the growth of the pool’s height. In addition, the average vortex intensity can characterize the dissipation rate to some extent.

Isolation and characterization of fucosylated extracellular vesicles based on a novel GlyExo-Capture technique

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from tumor cells have recently garnered great interest due to their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. The presence of different glycosylation profiles at the EVs surface potentiates the need for efficient glycosylated-EVs isolation. Here in this study, we developed a GlyExo-Capture technique for capturing fucosylated-EVs from serum samples and cell supernatants over a short period and with high throughput. Lens culinaris lectin (LCA)-immobilized beads were found to capture approximately 60% of the total EVs from a panel of human cancer cells. The capture efficiency was positively correlated with the glycosylation degree of the parent cells. Notably, the pattern of cellular uptake and the in vivo distribution of highly fucosylated-EVs were markedly different from EVs with low fucosylation. The disclosure of enriched fucosylated-EVs miRNA cargos by next-generation deep sequencing (NGS) revealed a total of 75 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among them, a 4-miRNA panel was chosen by multivariate analysis and RT-qPCR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the 4-miRNA-based screening signature yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.86 and 0.84 for the detection of HCC from non-HCC controls in a modeling study and an independent validation study, respectively. The 4-miRNA signature was independent of AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) and a combined model with AFP yielded an increased AUC of 0.92. In conclusion, we developed a high-throughput method for capturing fucosylated-EVs efficiently and shed light on using fucosylated-EVs as potential sources of miRNA for cancer biomarker detection.

Auditory hallucinations activate language and verbal short-term memory, but not auditory, brain regions

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH, ‘hearing voices’) are an important symptom of schizophrenia but their biological basis is not well understood. One longstanding approach proposes that they are perceptual in nature, specifically that they reflect spontaneous abnormal neuronal activity in the auditory cortex, perhaps with additional ‘top down’ cognitive influences. Functional imaging studies employing the symptom capture technique—where activity when patients experience AVH is compared to times when they do not—have had mixed findings as to whether the auditory cortex is activated. Here, using a novel variant of the symptom capture technique, we show that the experience of AVH does not induce auditory cortex activation, even while real speech does, something that effectively rules out all theories that propose a perceptual component to AVH. Instead, we find that the experience of AVH activates language regions and/or regions that are engaged during verbal short-term memory.

The effect of in situ laser fenestration for total endovascular arch repair in redo aortic dissection

Objective Treatment of aortic arch pathologies in redo cases is technically challenging. In this study, we assessed early and mid-term outcomes of total endovascular arch repair combined with a new method of in situ laser fenestration. Methods Between January 2018 and March 2019, five patients with a history of cardiovascular surgery underwent in situ laser fenestration procedures using the “squid capture technique” for aortic arch pathologies with dissection. All patients were followed up regularly and imaging examinations were performed. The technical success, procedural complications, as well as the early and mid-term mortality and morbidity rates were evaluated. Results All patients survived the operation and fenestration was technically successful in all of the patients. There was no in-hospital mortality. No patients developed major complications, such as peri-operative strokes, transient ischemic attacks, or spinal cord ischemia. The 11–22 months follow-up (mean, 17 months) was completed by all patients. No endoleaks were discovered; false lumen thromboses and subsequent positive remodeling of the aorta were demonstrated and all in situ laser-fenestrated arteries were patent. Conclusions In situ laser fenestration combined with “squid capture technique” was shown to may be an effective and safe option for reconstruction of aortic arch during thoracic endovascular aortic repair. In situ laser fenestration combined with “squid capture technology” was shown to be an effective treatment option for patients with prior history of cardiovascular surgery and who are at high risk for redo open operations.

Reliability of Image Capture Technique for the Measurement of Upper Limb Active Joint Position Sense in Healthy Adults

Objective: Proprioception is the conscious perception of limb position, motion, balance, and pressure. It has a vital role in movement control, especially motor planning and neuromuscular feedback mechanism. To investigate the proprioceptive function, it is essential to use the best measurement method. Different techniques and approaches have been introduced, which are usually expensive and not applicable for clinical use. One of these methods is the image capture technique which is easy and practical. Stillman introduced this technique to measure the joint position sense of the knee considering all variables affecting it and reported its good reliability. Many studies have used this technique for knee and lower limb joints and reported its good reliability, while few studies have used this technique for the upper limb joints. Therefore, this study investigates the reliability of the image capture technique for measuring the Active Joint Position Sense (AJPS) of the left shoulder and elbow in healthy adults. If it yields a good result, it can be used as an available and cost-effective method by clinicians. Materials & Methods: In this methodological study, the participants were 10 healthy adults (5 men, 5 women) aged 18-40 years. To assess the AJPS, we used image capture technology which is one of the most reliable methods for the lower limb joint position sense measurement. Markers were attached on elbow and shoulder landmarks, and photos were taken during the reproduction of angles by participants. Then, the photos were entered into AutoCAD software, and the angles were calculated by drawing line segments from landmarks and connecting them. The absolute error and relative error (the difference between the initial and reproduced angles) were used to measure accuracy. The AJPS was assessed for internal and external rotation of the shoulder and elbow flexion. The measurements were repeated two hours later to assess intra-day reliability and two days later to assess inter-day reliability. Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The ICC of inter-day reliability of the test for all shoulder and elbow movements in relative and absolute errors was reported as excellent (≥0.92). Intra-day reliability was reported excellent (≥0.90) for elbow flexion, and internal rotation of the shoulder in both relative and absolute errors were excellent (0.94). For external rotation of the shoulder, it was excellent in relative error (0.94) and good in absolute error (0.80). All measurements had absolute reliability based on the SEM results. Conclusion: The image capture technique is a simple, cost-effective, and available method tool for measuring AJPS and proprioception in upper limbs by clinicians and researchers.

1H NMR based metabolic profiling distinguishes the differential impact of capture techniques on wild bighorn sheep

Environmental metabolomics has the potential to facilitate the establishment of a new suite of tools for assessing the physiological status of important wildlife species. A first step in developing such tools is to evaluate the impacts of various capture techniques on metabolic profiles as capture is necessary to obtain the biological samples required for assays. This study employed 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolite profiling of 562 blood serum samples from wild bighorn sheep to identify characteristic molecular serum makers of three capture techniques (dart, dropnet, and helicopter-based captures) to inform future sampling protocols for metabolomics studies, and to provide insights into the physiological impacts of capture. We found that different capture techniques induce distinct changes in amino acid serum profiles, the urea cycle, and glycolysis, and attribute the differences in metabolic patterns to differences in physical activity and stress caused by the different capture methods. These results suggest that when designing experiments involving the capture of wild animals, it may be prudent to employ a single capture technique to reduce confounding factors. Our results also supports administration of tranquilizers as soon as animals are restrained to mitigate short-term physiological and metabolic responses when using pursuit and physical restraint capture techniques.

Volumetric Video in Augmented Reality Applications for Museological Narratives

Cross-reality technologies are quickly establishing themselves as commonplace platforms for presenting objects of historical, scientific, artistic, and cultural interest to the public. In this space, augmented reality (AR) is notably successful in delivering cultural heritage applications, including architectural and environmental heritage reconstruction, exhibition data management and representation, storytelling, and exhibition curation. Generally, it has been observed that the nature of information delivery in applications created for narrating exhibitions tends to be informative and formal. Here we report on the assessment of a pilot scene for a prototype AR application that attempts to break this mold by employing a humorous and playful mode of communication. This bespoke AR experience harnessed the cutting-edge live-action capture technique of volumetric video to create a digital tour guide that playfully embellished the museological experience of the museum visitors. This applied research article consists of measuring, presenting, and discussing the appeal, interest, and ease of use of this ludic AR storytelling strategy mediated via AR technology in a cultural heritage context.

Gimme’ the Loop: Modifications to the Squid-Capture Technique for Laser-Fenestrated Thoracic Endografting

Purpose: Laser-fenestrated thoracic endovascular aortic repair (LfTEVAR) in the aortic arch with covering of the left subclavian artery (LSA) orifice is challenging. To optimize fenestration, the so-called squid-capture technique has been introduced. We present here a modification to the technique that may help improve time-efficiency and safety. Technique:: During the originally proposed squid-capture maneuver, the stent-graft is deployed in a preset snare wire loop, which is used to pull the stent graft toward the penetration device during in-situ fenestration. In preparation, the guidewire needs to be passed through the loop inside the aortic arch, which can be difficult and may predispose for embolic events. We propose here the creation of a “guidewire-through-snare-loop” configuration outside the body, which can then be reliably transferred into the aortic arch. The modified technique was successfully applied in a patient undergoing LfTEVAR for penetrating aortic ulcers. Conclusion: The proposed modification may help facilitate the squid-capture technique for LfTEVAR while saving time and resources. Given that LfTEVAR is becoming more frequently used, it is important to ensure technical success and safety of the procedure.

1H NMR Based Metabolic Profiling Distinguishes the Differential Impact of Capture Techniques on Wild Bighorn Sheep

Environmental metabolomics has the potential to facilitate the establishment of a new suite of tools for assessing the physiological status of important wildlife species. A first step in developing such tools is to evaluate the impacts of various capture techniques on metabolic profiles as capture is necessary to obtain the biological samples required for assays. This study employed 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolite profiling of 562 blood serum samples from wild bighorn sheep to identify characteristic molecular serum makers of three capture techniques (dart, dropnet, and helicopter-based captures) to inform future sampling protocols for metabolomics studies, and to provide insights into the physiological impacts of capture. We found that different capture techniques induce distinct changes in amino acid serum profiles, the urea cycle, and glycolysis, and attribute the differences in metabolic patterns to differences in physical activity and stress caused by the different capture methods. These results suggest that when designing experiments involving the capture of wild animals, it may be prudent to employ a single capture technique to reduce confounding factors. It also supports administration of tranquilizers as soon as animals are restrained to mitigate stress and other physiological and metabolic responses.

Development of Machine Learning Algorithms for the Determination of the Centre of Mass

The study of the human body and its movements is still a matter of great interest today. Most of these issues have as their fulcrum the study of the balance characteristics of the human body and the determination of its Centre of Mass. In sports, a lot of attention is paid to improving and analysing the athlete's performance. Almost all the techniques for determining the Centre of Mass make use of special sensors, which allow determining the physical magnitudes related to the different movements made by athletes. In this paper, a markerless method for determining the Centre of Mass of a subject has been studied, comparing it with a direct widely validated equipment such as the Wii Balance Board, which allows determining the coordinates of the Centre of Pressure. The Motion Capture technique was applied with the OpenPose software, a Computer Vision method boosted with the use of Convolution Neural Networks. Ten quasi-static analyses have been carried out. The results have shown an error of the Centre of Mass position, compared to that obtained from the Wii Balance Board, which has been considered acceptable given the complexity of the analysis. Furthermore, this method, despite the traditional methods based on the use of balances, can be used also for prediction of the vertical position of the Centre of Mass.