bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design optimization of a self-expanding polymeric microstent for the treatment of Fallopian tube occlusions
Authors: Dierke Ariane , Supp Laura , Borowski Finja , Stiehm Michael , Bock Andrea , Zygmunt Marek , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Siewert Stefan
Published: December 2024

Involuntary childlessness represents a sensitive and emotionally moving topic. Depending on the method, reproductive treatments are associated with significant physical, psychological and financial burdens. Female sterility is caused by Fallopian tube occlusions in one of three cases. Our previously described microstent technology opens up new therapeutic possibilities to restore the lumen of the Fallopian tube without surgery. In this work, Finite Element Analysis was performed for design optimization of a polymeric selfexpanding microstent which had a limited crimping diameter by self-contact resulting in challenging loading behavior during application preparation. Three different stent designs were investigated. A bilinear constitutive material model considering isotropic hardening was used for modeling of the microstent. To evaluate the stent variations, the following criteria were defined: self-contact, maximum stresses (von Mises stress) and volume of stress above 45 MPa. All microstent designs were crimped to a diameter of 1.0 mm using Finite Element Analysis. Stent design version 1 and 2 were limited to crimping diameter considering self-contact. The wave-shaped cell design of version 3 completely prevented self-contact up to a diameter of 1.0 mm. Consequently, stent design version 3 offers the greatest potential for a self-expanding polymeric microstent for minimally invasive treatment of Fallopian tube occlusions.
Antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of endophytic extracts for oral application
Authors: Doll-Nikutta Katharina , Caruso Daniel , Firoozbahr Meysam , Winkel Andreas , Zaferanloo Bita , Stiesch Meike
Published: December 2024

Endophytic fungal extracts possess great potential as alternative antibacterial substances. Here, two extracts from the Australian endemic plant Eremophila longifolia were shown to reduce biomass and metabolic activity of the oral bacteria Streptococcus oralis and Porphyromonas gingivalis. As the effective concentration towards S. oralis was lower than the cytotoxic concentration towards oral epithelial cells, more detailed studies are warranted in the future.
Antifibrotic Drug Delivery for Glaucoma Treatment – Determination of Josamycin in vivo
Authors: Eickner Thomas , Huling Jennifer , Oschatz Stefan , Lange Helge , Peil Anita , Undre Nasrullah , Stachs Oliver , Stahnke Thomas , Grabow Niels , Jünemann Anselm , Fuellen Georg
Published: December 2024

Antifibrotic treatment during glaucoma surgery leads to an improved outcome for patients. Drug delivery systems for placement under the subconjuctiva after surgery made of cyclodextrins and crosslinked with Epichlorohydin were loaded with Josamycin and tested in vivo. After subconjunctival application in three New Zealand White rabbits, blood samples were taken by the means of Mitra devices at defined time points. Determination of blood levels of Josamycin was performed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Detection of Josamycin was achieved during 48 h suggesting a sustained release over the course of this study.
Initial biological evaluation of nanofiber and microwire biomaterials
Authors: Götz Andreas , Markhoff Jana , Senz Volkmar , Grabow Niels , Illner Sabine , Teske Michael
Published: December 2024

Due to the direct long-term contact with living tissue, the biocompatibility of implants is particularly demanding. In this context, biointegration of implants highly depends on cell colonialization on the surface or in the gap between implant and tissue, as well as cell ingrowth in porous implant structures. Fibrous material is predestined based on two variable parameters, fiber thickness and pore size. Various applications in implant coating, stenting, wound treatment, bone surgery, or cardiovascular field are possible. Coating with cell-friendly material can significantly improve the biocompatibility of the underlying material. In this study, the biocompatibility of medical device samples made of microwire and nanofiber substrates was compared according to ISO 10993-5. In particular, a metal tissue of microwire (stainless steel, 316L) and polymeric nanofiber nonwoven poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) as well as titanium (Ti) sputtered variants thereof (316L-Ti, PLLA-Ti) were tested in vitro. In order to evaluate their environmental compatibility and their effects on L929 cell line (murine fibroblasts) evaluation was performed via direct contact with 30,000 cells per 48-well in non-adherent plates for 48 h and 96 h. The metabolic activity of cells was determined via CellQuanti-Blue assay, morphological analysis were done using fluorescence staining phalloidin and DAPI. Briefly outlined, microwires were colonized immediately, whereas initially spherical cells settled on nanofiber substrates and later coalesced forming a common cell cluster. The results show independency of structure, ultrathin titanium coating improves cell viability. The findings indicate that the idea of making a surface appealing to cells has potential. It can therefore be assumed that physical vapor deposition (PVD) sputtering of Ti on implant surfaces is a suitable approach to maintain or improve their biocompatibility, regardless of the surface structure of the implants.
FRAME – A FRAMEwork for Objectively Measuring Fear Based on Physiological and Psychological Data
Authors: Grensing Florian , Schmücker Vanessa , Hildebrand Anne Sophie , Klucken Tim , Maleshkova Maria
Published: December 2024

Psychological trials, such as behavioural avoidance tests (BAT), are a fundamental part of the phobia therapeutic process. In order to link physiological reactions with specific points in time during psychological trials, it is necessary to integrate observation data with data collected automatically by sensors, such as wearable devices. To this end, this paper introduces FRAME - a framework for combining real-world events occurring during psychological trials with physiological data collected by wearables. FRAME consists of three parts, an Observation App, a data integration module and a Virtual Reality (VR) App. The Observation App captures events and their exact time of occurrence. The integration module links the observations with the respective physiological data, allowing an in-depth analysis of physiological reactions. The VR App provides a virtual scenario based on the BAT in vivo, thus enabling a BAT in virtuo. The practical applicability of FRAME is tested within a study comparing behavioural avoidance tests in vivo and in virtuo, assessing 25 patients with arachnophobia wearing an Empatica E4.
LIPSS on polymeric implant surfaces - a fabrication study
Authors: Grossmann Swen , Tetzlaff Lucas , Grabow Niels , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Siewert Stefan
Published: December 2024

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) offer the potential to engineer cell adhesion, cell orientation, and cell density on implant surfaces through periodic structures on the nanometer and micrometer scale. Due to their straightforward fabrication on metal surfaces, they provide an essential tool for optimizing implants according to their intended use. However, these types of structures can only be produced on a limited amount of polymers. Within this study, methods of implementing LIPSS on polymer films are investigated using manufacturing processes established in biomedical engineering. For this purpose, a polymer possessing USP class VI certification and ISO 10993 proven biocompatibility is used. The presented processes are easy to implement and can contribute significantly to the implementation of surface active structures like LIPSS on medical devices and commercial implants.
Bone replacement material with optimized structure, manufactured using additive printing technology
Authors: Hergenröder Anna , Scherrieble Andreas , Linti Carsten , Gresser Götz T.
Published: December 2024

Additive manufacturing with Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF), an extrusion-based additive manufacturing process, was used to produce biomimetic bone scaffolds for assistance of osteosynthesis made of poly-caprolactone (PCL) with channel structures for the ingrowth of blood vessels. The specific creation of defined channel structures is very important to support the ingrowth of blood vessels, which significantly supports the regeneration of natural tissue. The tibia model used was divided into the corticalis and the spongiosa to be able to compare the realization of the different requirements of the two natural structures with the printed structures separately. Microtome cuts of the manufactured bone scaffolds with channels were prepared for characterization with light microscopy. Compression tests were carried out on a tensile testing machine. It was found that the channels in the tibial cortex led to a slightly higher stiffness compared to those without channels due to the frame outlines. Overall, however, the stiffness of the Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds was significantly lower than that of natural bone. In the spongiosa scaffolds, the stiffness with channels was lower than that without channels, but still within the physiological range, as was the model without channels. The porosity was within the required range for both scaffold types.
Estimation of Venous Oxygen Saturation Through Non-Invasive Optical Sensing at the Jugular Veins
Authors: Hill Jordan F. , Campbell Jake , Chase J. Geoffrey , Pretty Christopher G.
Published: December 2024

Non-invasive, real-time venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) measurements provide the potential to improve health outcomes in transfusions, ventilator care, and in the intensive care unit. Current methods use catheters which are invasive, expensive, and pose potential high-risk, with only discrete measurements from a jugular vein obtained. This research designed, developed, and tested a proof-of-concept optical sensor similar to a pulse oximeter for non-invasive, continuous SvO2 monitoring at the external jugular vein (EJV). Testing on three subjects met the aim of correctly identifying the EJV waveform and provided an SvO2 estimation within the usual healthy range of 60-90%. SvO2 estimates from the EJV pulse of 71.1%, 72.2%, and 70.4% and breathing pulse of 74.7%, 75.3%, and 74.1%, all fall within range, with trials capturing clear EJV waveforms from the single-point sensor. Further research is necessary to calibrate and validate the device against gold-standard blood gas analysers. However, the initial results prove the sensor’s reliability and potential in detecting and estimating SvO2 non-invasively, which has the potential to benefit patients across a wide range of clinical settings.
Early-detection of pre-eclampsia: Concept and design of a portable prototype
Authors: Janzen Swantje , Wagner Jessica , Pott Peter P.
Published: December 2024

Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common causes of maternal and perinatal death worldwide. It is a hypertensive pregnancy disease with reduced perfusion of numerous organs. The main symptoms of the disease include elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and the associated subcutaneous fluid retention in the fingers, hands and face of the pregnant woman. In this paper a concept of a portable prototype for early-detection of preeclampsia is presented. The assembled sensor systems enable portable monitoring of the main symptoms to detect changes at an early stage. The sensor system for determining blood pressure is based on photoplethysmography. The sensor system for detecting subcutaneous fluid retention uses the absorption bands of the fluid when illuminated with near-infrared light. For the validation experiments, finger models made of silicone with different fluid retention levels were produced. The results show a correlation between the measured transmitted light intensity and the fluid retention. The results represent a possibility for the portable measurement of important vital parameters in connection with preeclampsia.
Release Rates of Prednisolone-21-Hydrogen- Succinate from 3D-Printed Silicone as Material for Patient-Individualized Drug Releasing Implants
Authors: Knabel Martina , Dräger Gerald , Lenarz Thomas , Scheper Verena
Published: December 2024

For treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, prednisolone is commonly used. However, systemic or middle ear injections often lead to insufficient drug delivery to the inner ear, causing ineffective treatment and systemic side effects. An implant inserted into the middle ear and delivering the drug directly to the inner ear offers a promising solution, providing controlled, long-term drug release with potentially better efficacy and fewer side effects. Individualized implants made of prednisolone-containing silicone can optimize inner ear treatment by fitting the patient's middle ear anatomy. To gauge the properties of prednisolone-21- hydrogen succinate containing silicone, samples with different geometries and drug concentrations have been 3D-printed. The shore hardness of samples with three different drug concentrations was assessed. Three different shapes with four different drug concentrations were incubated in artificial perilymph for up to 56 days to evaluate the release rates. The resulting eluates were analyzed via Ultra high precision liquid chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight micro-mass spectrometer. Samples were softer when a higher drug concentration was used. A high burst release of prednisolone after one hour was measured. Afterward, the release rates decreased and reached a relatively constant rate after ten days and stayed there for at least another 46 days. The release rates were multiple times higher when the samples had a higher surface-to-volume ratio. The softer the sample, the higher the release rate, unproportional to the concentration increase.
Evaluation of a semi-automated robotic system for percutaneous interventions: Phantom-based assessment of accuracy
Authors: Lutz Raffael , Wörnle Christian David , Kuntz Lukas , Winter Fabius , Rathmann Nils , Stallkamp Jan , Siegfarth Marius
Published: December 2024

Robotic systems have the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of percutaneous interventions. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as high costs and usability deficiencies. To address these challenges, we designed a novel semi-automated robotic system that combines manual and robotic degrees of freedom for needle guidance. Since the initial presentation of the system, we have implemented hardware and software improvements. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the system. To achieve this, experiments were conducted that involved the entire process from CT scanning to lesion targeting with a needle, using a phantom that replicated abdominal lesions of varying sizes. A total of 36 needle insertions were performed, and a control scan was conducted each time to evaluate the needle tip position. The results demonstrate promising accuracy, with a mean Euclidean error of 5.8 ± 1.7 mm. Qualitative analysis showed that lesion targeting was successful across different sizes, with a total success rate of 27 out of 36 attempts. Although our prototype shows promising accuracy, there is still room for improvement compared to existing systems. Future efforts will prioritize enhancing accuracy, exploring usability aspects, and validating the system's performance with medical professionals.
Native and cell-derived extracellular matrix exhibit disparate immunogenic and immunomodulatory effects
Authors: Nellinger Svenja , Kluger Petra J.
Published: December 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) represents the natural environment of the cells and consists of various fibrous and non-fibrous proteins. It can be generated by decellularization of native tissue (dECM) or by isolation from cultured cells in vitro (cdECM). In the present study the immunomodulatory effect of dECM from native adipose tissue and cdECM from adipose derived stem cells (cdECM) on monocytes and ASCs encapsulated in gellan gum-ECM hybrid hydrogels was investigated. The monocyte activation test revealed a higher secretion of IL6 and TNFα in monocytes incubated with dECM compared to cdECM. Encapsulated ASCs in gellan gum-ECM-hybrid hydrogels exhibit different cytokine profiles (IL8, IL6, MCP-1, TNFα) when cultured with dECM or cdECM or gellan gum alone. The demonstrated differences in cellular behavior in the present of the two different types of ECM should be considered when using them as a biomaterial for in vitro as well as in vivo applications.
Fantastic squeaks and where to find them: producing and analysing audible acoustics from leipäjuusto
Authors: Nurkkala Elina , Carlson Craig S. , Hopia Anu , Postema Michiel
Published: December 2024

Chewing not only converts food chunks to digestible proportions, it also conveys audible acoustics resulting in a perception on the type and condition of the food being eaten. As biomedical engineers, we may want to reproduce the same eating experience for those who cannot chew or for those who have allergic reactions to some foods. But to understand this psychoacoustic phenomenon better, it is crucial to understand what produces the sound of specific foods. The purpose of this paper is to present a straightforward methodology to produce audible acoustics from a notoriously loud Finnish delicacy and analyse the sound produced. One hundred samples of leipajuusto and one hundred samples of Gouda cheese for controls were subjected to shear between a bamboo board and a wetted blade. All leipajuusto samples and none of the Gouda cheese samples produced audible squeaks. A 0.1-s delay between blade displacement and sound production was observed. We attribute this delay to the buildup to release. The frequency spectra from pushing and pulling movements were observed to have only negligible differences. This indicated that the internal structure between events did not change. Therefore, the hypothesis that a disruptive event underlies the squeaking process is less plausible.
Generation of Shape Models of Calcified TAVR populations for Solid Mechanics Simulations by means of Deep Learning
Authors: Oldenburg Jan , Borowski Finja , Supp Laura , Öner Alper , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Stiehm Michael
Published: December 2024

Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure has become the preferred procedure for patients with aortic valve stenosis or insufficiency with high risk for conventional open surgery. The favorable clinical outcomes of high-risk patients led to an expansion of the cohort including intermediate and low-risk patients. A critical aspect of advancing TAVR procedures lies in preoperative planning, integrating patient-specific in-silico deployment simulation and post-deployment fluid mechanics assessments. This study introduces a novel approach to calcified TAVR patient shape modeling, addressing this problems. The model integrates an extended mesh generated by DeepCarve, encompassing the aortic arch, and a novel deep learning-based volumetric shape model of calcifications. The key innovation lies in the utilization of a conditional Convolutional Variational Autoencoder (cCVAE) to generate realistic calcification patterns, demonstrating promising preliminary results in matching actual cohort data. Future investigations should focus on data collection from diverse medical centers to validate and refine the proposed methodology. This study showcases significant progress in generating synthetic TAVR patient geometries, incorporating detailed anatomical structures such as the aortic root, valve, and arch, along with volumetric calcification patterns. These findings represent a crucial step towards enabling real-time preoperative TAVR planning, inclusive of patient- specific in-silico deployment simulation and comprehensive fluid mechanics assessments.
Detecting Ineffective Efforts during Expiration for Neonates with Attention RNNs
Authors: Oprea Camelia , Stegemann Lara , Olivier Lena Sophie , Buglowski Mateusz , Becker Sabine , Orlikowsky Thorsten , Kowalewski Stefan , Schoberer Mark , Stollenwerk André
Published: December 2024

Patient-ventilator asynchronies occur during mechanical ventilation when there is a mismatch between the patient’s needs and the ventilator’s settings. Ineffective Efforts during Expiration (IEE) is such an asynchrony, which if undetected can cause patient stress and prolong the ventilation duration. Current approaches to detect IEEs only target adult patients and are not directly applicable to newborns. This work explores the use of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models to detect IEEs in neonates. An attention mechanism is employed to additionally offer a visual explanation for the network’s classification. All of the tested attention RNN architectures yield an accuracy of over 90%, with LSTMs performing slightly better than simple RNNs. A user study is conducted to evaluate the usability of the employed explainability method. The results show that the used visualizations are intuitive to understand, however the network’s attention itself can be misleading in certain cases.
Radar-based elderly fall detection using SPWVD and ResNet Network
Authors: P. J. Swarubini , Ganapathy Nagarajan
Published: December 2024

Falls in the elderly population present substantial health risks, often resulting in morbidity and a decline in quality of life. Conventional fall detection methods, including wearable devices and cameras, are hindered by issues such as variable lighting conditions and privacy considerations. Radarbased fall detection has emerged as a promising alternative, providing an unobtrusive method. This study aims to classify fall detection using Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution (SPWVD) images and ResNet-50 model. For this, an online publicly available radar database comprising 15 subjects is utilized. Radar signals is processed into SPWVD timefrequency representation images for analysis. The SPWVD images is fed into the ResNet-50 model. Experiments are performed and performance is evaluated using 10- fold cross validation. The proposed approach is able to distinguish elderly fall. Using ResNet-50 model, the approach yields a maximum average classification f-measure, area under curve score, precision and, sensitivity of 67.15%, 52.31%, 50.55% and, 99.88%, respectively. Hence, the proposed framework holds promise for accurately and efficiently detecting falls among the elderly population within their private environments.
Reducing artifacts in electrically evoked auditory potentials (eAEP)
Authors: Polterauer Daniel , Neuling Maike , Mandruzzato Giacomo , Polak Marek , Müller Joachim , Hempel John-Martin
Published: December 2024

Introduction: In auditory evoked potentials (= AEP), auditory brainstem response (= ABR) is the gold standard for objective analysis of the auditory pathway using acoustical stimulators like headphones during hearing screening and patient assessment. Where no response can be recorded, electrical stimulation can be used in pre-, intra-, or postoperative scenarios to confirm the excitability of the auditory nerve (= eAEP). In eAEP, the recording of brainstem response (= eABR) is mostly the method of choice. Sometimes in eABR, the stimulation artifact can not only harden but even prevent the detection of the response waveforms. Methods: Many factors can influence the stimulation artifact when recording an eAEP. Neurological recording systems are recommended as well as some approved AEP systems traditionally used in ENT for amplification to avoid large stimulation artifacts in the response waveforms, but able to recover in <1 ms from saturation. High stimulation rates (~90 Hz) can lead to overlapping of the response waveforms with the following stimulation artifact. In preoperative eAEP, stimulation artifacts are often high due to extra-cochlear stimulation. In intra- and postoperative eAEP, the artifact is lower and mostly similar across patients. Results: The recommended recording systems show low stimulation artifacts in almost any case for intra- and postoperative eABR. In contrast, later responses, like electrically evoked auditory middle-latency response (= eAMLR) and electrically evoked auditory late response (= eALR), are less affected by artifacts. Conclusion: The stimulation artifact can be a problematic factor. Depending on the EP system, intra- and postoperative eABR can be challenging when trying to record the response waves. Where possible, clinicians should think about eAMLR or eALR for results with less stimulation artifact. Finally, the most important factor remains using a recording system that can handle the stimulation artifact. We do not recommend recording devices with high artifacts for preoperative eABR. For intra- and postoperative eABR, the recommended systems can prevent challenging recording.
Manufacturing of porous polymer films as a basis for the novel cardiovascular implant devices
Authors: Reske Thomas , Koper Daniela , Kaule Sebastian , Merryweather Bradley , Khaimov Valeria , Grabow Niels , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Siewert Stefan
Published: December 2024

For applications in the cardiovascular field, the production of tailored biomaterials such as those required for insulations or patches is a key technology. In this work we were able to manufacture thermoplastic silicone polycarbonate elastomer scaffolds with a porous external surface. The samples were produced using the dip coating process. Pores were created using the salt leaching technique. The complete removal of the salt was verified by Raman microscopy. The absence of solvents was demonstrated by biocompatibility tests using an endothelial cell line. The potential functionality of the system was thus demonstrated. The next step will focus on promoting the adhesion of suitable cells for specific applications.
Pulsatile fatigue testing of arterial stents with radially applied load
Authors: Schmidt Wolfram , Brandt-Wunderlich Christoph , Kamke Frank , Schwerdt Christopher , Kaminsky Jörg , Behrens Peter , Schmitz Klaus-Peter , Grabow Niels
Published: December 2024

Pulsatile fatigue testing is a basic requirement for arterial stents, however, there are several opportunities to setup and conduct the testing. The recently published standard guide ASTM F2477:2023 provides specific guidance, in particular includes the pressure controlled test method applying an outer hydraulic pressure to the test samples. The current work describes this approach, and demonstrates that the technical requirements can be met successfully. In addition, some inherent advantages are discussed, e.g. accuracy of pressure loading, absence of stent migration and potential high test frequencies.
Do we need new standards in dental implant testing?
Authors: Schneider Simon Matthias , Engleder Thomas , Schneider Robert , Haeger Andreas
Published: December 2024

The ISO 14801 standard test is repeatedly criticized for not reflecting the actual conditions and loads realistically enough to which dental implants are exposed (e. g. during chewing). The aim of this paper is to provide a brief review of the test parameters of the ISO standard and to compare them critically with the parameters that prevail in vivo. The research revealed significant simplifications of the test conditions, wich can partly be justified with better reproducibility and comparability. Nevertheless, the realization remains that the test deviates considerably from real physiological loading conditions and should be adapted accordingly or supplemented by further tests.
Linear classification of healthy people and patients with valvular heart diseases based on heart rate variability indices derived from electrocardiograms
Authors: Siecinski Szymon , Doniec Rafal Jan , Grzegorzek Marcin
Published: December 2024

Heart rate variability (HRV) is an important marker in various cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three linear models (Logistic Regression, Ridge Regression, Support Vector Machine) in distinguishing between healthy individuals and those with valvular heart diseases (VHD) using time domain and frequency domain HRV indices derived from electrocardiographic (ECG) signals. We analyzed 59 recordings taken from two public datasets containing electrocardiographic, seismocardiographic, and gyrocardiographic signals from “Mechanocardiograms with ECG reference” and “An Open-access Database for the Evaluation of Cardio-mechanical Signals from Patients with Valvular Heart Diseases” that contain 29 and 30 recordings, respectively. HRV analysis included time and frequency domain indices and the linear models were evaluated using 5-fold stratified cross-validation. The highest sensitivity, PPV, accuracy and F1 score were observed for Logistic Regression (0.8810, 0.8819, 0.8814, 0.8812), followed by Ridge Regression (0.8805, 0.8858, 0.8814, 0.8808), and the lowest were observed for linear SVM (0.8310, 0.8318, 0.8305, 0.8305). The results showed that it is possible to distinguish healthy volunteers and patients with linear classifiers and time domain and frequency domain HRV indices obtained from ECG signals with decent performance.
Strategizing AI in Healthcare: A Multidimensional Blueprint for Transformative Decision-Making in Clinical Settings
Authors: Simon Martina , Kamin Stefan , Hamper Andreas , Wittenberg Thomas , Schmitt-Rüth Stephanie
Published: December 2024

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare represents a transformative shift, offering opportunities for enhancing patient care, diagnostic accuracy, process optimization and treatment pathways. This research sets out to forge a strategic management decision support framework for leveraging AI within the healthcare sector, aimed at systematically exploring and integrating AI innovations to bolster the patient health outcomes. By creating a comprehensive categorization system, we attempt to navigate the complex array of possible AI applications within the field of healthcare, hence enabling the identification, selection, and advancement of AIdriven initiatives. Through a blend of systematic literature review and expert insights, this study maps possible AI applications across dimensions like ‘medical disciplines’, ‘healthcare processes’, ‘AI research areas’, and ‘user groups’. By reflecting the diverse perspectives, this system transcends mere classification and stands as a cornerstone for identifying, selecting, and developing AI-driven medical use cases to guide strategic implementations of AI within clinical settings. This multidimensional system offers a blueprint for healthcare entities to strategically navigate the AI landscape, enabling them to make informed decisions about technology adoption and change management processes, ultimately leading to improved patient care and operational efficiency.
Comparison of sitting positions on a pressure sensing mat over time
Authors: Srinivasan Niranjan , Mojabi Seyedehmina , Adeel Altaf Muhammad , Babur Alparslan , Skerl Katrin
Published: December 2024

These days, many jobs like working in an office include sitting in chairs for a long time which could lead to work-related disorders such as musculoskeletal issues. Inappropriate postures can cause muscle fatigue in certain regions, resulting in pain and discomfort. Analysis of different types of postures to indicate discomfort could help us choose an optimal posture. This study evaluates five different sitting postures in an office chair for comfort and discomfort. Each posture was held for 18 minutes with a two minute break between postures. Six participants with an equal number of male and female subjects were chosen. The sitting posture correlates with the distribution of the weight on the seat, which can be measured by pressure sensors. The pressure distribution was obtained using a custom-built pressure mat and the maximum pressure were evaluated. The McGill Questionnaire construct was used to find subjective discomfort at each minute. There was no difference in results for both sexes. Overall, leaning to one side was felt more comfortable while sitting with a curved back caused the highest discomfort.
Experimental and Simulative Analysis of Magnetic Nanoparticle Accumulation Using Various Halbach Arrays
Authors: Thalmayer Angelika S. , Götz Kilian , Lübke Maximilian , Fischer Georg
Published: December 2024

One of the major challenges in using magnetic nanoparticles in biomedical applications is still the accurate steering and trapping of these particles at a desired location, like at a tumor. Halbach arrays are well-established here as they generate the strongest magnetic force. However, these arrays are mechanically unstable, and thus, their potential to attract magnetic particles is often investigated fully numerically. Hence, this paper provides instructions on how to easily produce Halbach arrays using permanent magnets and metal glue. In total, three Halbach arrays of five, seven, and nine magnets were produced and analyzed regarding their potential for capturing magnetic particles in a background flow, numerically using COMSOL Multiphysics and in measurements. Furthermore, the Halbach arrays are compared with two other array configurations with all magnetizations in the same directions and alternating once. Overall, the simulation results were in good agreement with the measurement results. The amount of captured particles was significantly higher in measurements for the Halbach arrays with 8.2 %, compared to the array with alternating magnetization direction with 6.6% captured particles. Therefore, using Halbach arrays to capture or steer magnetic nanoparticles in a background flow is strongly recommended.
Design and Characterisation of an EIT Voltage Conditioning Module
Authors: Wilkie Jack , Battistel Alberto , Chen Rongqing , Möller Knut
Published: December 2024

Electrical Impedance Tomography is used to image the cross-sectional conductivity of an object. It is clinically used for high-frame-rate imaging of lung ventilation. Most current systems use very limited current injection waveforms and patterns. We have developed a flexible system for researching alternatives. This paper covers our voltage conditioning module’s design and characterisation. The device was shown to work up to the desired 10 MHz. The responses were uniform with minor gain mismatch between all channels after manufacturing variations. The low-frequency (<1 MHz) crosstalk is on the order -55 dB, and the worst cases around 8 MHz are around -35 dB.
Theoretical analysis of piezoceramic ultrasonic energy harvester applicable in biomedical implanted devices
Authors: Dezhara Aboozar , Grasso Alfio Dario , Ballo Andrea
Published: December 2024

In this article, we theoretically analyze the one-dimensional model of a piezoceramic energy harvester that uses piezoelectric transduction in the 3-3 mode to convert ultrasonic pressure waves into electrical energy. Our approach to this problem is new because we did not use impedance approach which is a common method in many other articles. Nonetheless, our solution accounts for loss of acoustic environment. Our goal here is to extract maximum power from output load. Based on our simulations, the frequencies that the acoustic strength peaks are as same as frequencies that the pressure at receiver side peaks, and between these frequencies, the resonance occurs at a frequency that the pressure at the receiver side has a maximum peak. We propose two boundary conditions for radiating acoustical waves. In this article for a square shape transducer with a thickness of 2.1 mm and length of 1.46 cm, the resistive output load gave the most power, in which its value for free-fixed and free-free boundary conditions are 13.75 W and 17.37 W respectively, and at output resistances of 8.51 Ω and 13.11 Ω respectively. The required acoustic strengths to produce these powers for free-fixed and free-free boundary conditions are

424.944
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1

0

7

m

3

s

2

424.944\times 1{0}^{7}\frac{{{\rm{m}}}^{3}}{{{\rm{s}}}^{2}}

and

129.977
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1

0

8

m

3

s

2

129.977\times 1{0}^{8}\frac{{{\rm{m}}}^{3}}{{{\rm{s}}}^{2}}

. The resonance frequencies are 9.13545 MHz and 14.3617 MHz respectively, and the pressures at receiver side in the distance of 5 cm from transmitter transducer are 623.968 MPa and 1382.39 MPa respectively.
Detection of serum FOXM1 and IGF2 in patients with ARDS and their correlation with disease and prognosis
Authors: Liu Chao , Zhang Shengrui , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Jinfeng
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate the relationship between the expression levels of serum forkhead box protein M1(FOXM1) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mRNA in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) condition and prognosis.

Methods

Ninety patients with ARDS admitted to our hospital were regarded as the ARDS group, according to the prognosis, they were grouped into death group (n = 64) and survival group (n = 126); the control group consisted of 190 healthy individuals.

Results

Compared with the control group, the level of serum FOXM1 mRNA in ARDS group was obviously lower, and the level of IGF2 mRNA was higher. The serum IGF2 mRNA, serum creatinine, inhaled oxygen concentration (FiO2), and mechanical ventilation time in the death group were higher than those in the control group, and the arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), FOXM1 mRNA, and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) were lower than those in control group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that FOXM1, IGF2, and PaO2/FiO2 were significant factors influencing the prognosis and mortality in ARDS patients. Correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between serum FOXM1 and IGF2 mRNA levels in patients with ARDS.

Conclusion

Serum FOXM1 and IGF2 mRNA in patients with ARDS are correlated with the severity and prognosis of ARDS.
GIS and soil property-based development of runoff modelling to assess the capacity of urban drainage systems for flash floods
Authors: Dobai András , Hegedűs András , Vágó János , Kovács Károly Zoltán , Seres Anna , Pecsmány Péter , Dobos Endre
Published: December 2024

The extreme precipitation resulting from climate change has been causing increasingly serious damage in populated areas over the past 10–15 years. The torrents of flash floods cause significant financial damage to both the natural environment and man-made structures (such as roads and bridges). The determination of the physical geographic parameters of this phenomenon (e.g. the amount of runoff water) is significantly affected by technical uncertainties, usually due to the lack of monitoring systems. However, the application of modern geospatial tools can improve the quality of input data needed for runoff modelling. In the present study, an existing runoff model (the Stowe model) developed by ESRI was further enhanced with field measurements, soil parameters, GIS, and remote sensing data, resulting in the creation of the model named ME-Hydrograph. Finally, the two models were compared, and we examined the capacity of an urban stormwater drainage system through surface runoff modelling. The aim of the research was to create a runoff model that can be easily and quickly used. The application of this geospatial model presented in the study can be useful not only in the examination of urban stormwater drainage but also in contributing to the understanding and management of flash floods that occur in Hungary. Additionally, it can aid in the development of risk mapping related to flash floods in the country.
O trabalho pedagógico do professor como eixo articulador da formação, da pesquisa e do ensino do professorado de educação física
Authors: MOLINA NETO VICENTE , FRIZZO GIOVANNI FELIPE ERNST , SILVA LISANDRA OLIVEIRA E
Published: December 2024

Este texto propõe uma reflexão sobre a formação do professor e da professora de Educação Física, a partir das experiências docentes dos autores nesse contexto. Nesse sentido, resgata diferentes iniciativas tomadas no programa de formação docente da Escola de Educação Física (ESEF) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) com o intuito de responder tanto às políticas de formação docente quanto às orientações profissionalizantes que foram sendo paulatinamente integradas no referido programa. O artigo aborda questões relativas ao trato com o conhecimento no âmbito da disciplina Prática de Ensino, à relação teoria e prática, à pesquisa como princípio norteador dos estágios, dentre outros aspectos.
Conhecimento Cotidiano, Científico e Escolar: Especificidades e Inter-Relações enquanto Produção de Currículo e de Cultura
Authors: Sangiogo Fábio André , Basso Zanon Lenir
Published: December 2024

Este texto discute relações entre globalização, cultura e currículo escolar, em suas influências na constituição histórica da singularidade e da coletividade na sociedade, assumindo a visão de escola e de ciência como instâncias de produção cultural. A atenção volta-se a confrontos e articulações entre saberes na escola contemporânea, particularmente, no âmbito do componente curricular de química, cujo processo de ensino e aprendizagem envolve campos culturais do conhecimento cotidiano e do conhecimento científico, inerentes aos processos de (re)construção do conhecimento tipicamente escolar, em química, dessa forma, constituindo culturalmente os sujeitos ao longo da educação básica.
Entre palavra e imagem – elementos para pensar o potencial de ficcionalização da prática pedagógica
Authors: Souza da Silva Tatielle Rita
Published: December 2024

O tema que buscamos percorrer neste trabalho concebe a linguagem não só como elemento que nos permite representar o mundo como também criá-lo. Desse modo, procuramos fazer da atuação em uma escola da rede pública municipal situada em uma zona periférica de Porto Alegre o campo empírico interrogante que nos instiga e nos convoca a assumir um compromisso com o lugar da experiência docente.  Interessa-nos pensar o espaço escolar como um espaço em potencial de criação. Para cumprir este fim, a metodologia escolhida nos conduz a um olhar que se desloca como o de um voyeur, recolhendo fotografias de cenários e personagens, tramas e memórias, autorizando estes fractais do vivido a refazer os traços da existência via enunciação simbólica. É desde este lugar de estrangeiridade e estranhamento do banal e do cotidiano que vimos pensando o papel da linguagem não como monologia, imposição de sentido, mas como abertura – capaz de conjugar vida, arte e ficcionalização.
Movimento Indígena no Brasil e no México
Authors: De Oliveira Amanda
Published: December 2024

A América Latina é um continente pluriétnico, marcado por uma grande diversidade cultural, porém unificado pela opressão e exploração impostas pelo capitalismo, racismo estrutural, colonialidade e pelo Estado burguês moderno. Este texto busca compreender as formas de organização do movimento indígena no Brasil e no México, com foco na Associação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB, fundada em 2005) e no Congresso Nacional Indígena (CNI, criado em 1996). O trabalho visa analisar as estratégias de mobilização indígena no contexto republicano, que estimula os movimentos sociais a se adequarem às estruturas institucionais. Assim, procura-se identificar as dinâmicas entre ações que ocorrem tanto dentro quanto fora da lógica colonial e capitalista, em defesa das pautas comunitárias indígenas. A análise se baseia em documentos, programas políticos e memórias dessas organizações, disponíveis online. O texto aborda a emergência do movimento indígena durante a ditadura militar no Brasil e a fundação da APIB, bem como a criação do CNI e as lutas indígenas nos anos 1990 no México em meio a difusão das políticas neoliberais, além de destacar as conexões entre esses dois movimentos.
A importância dos museus virtuais e seu impacto positivo para aprendizagem
Authors: Archanjo Soares Mariana
Published: December 2024

Este artigo é fruto de uma pesquisa de mestrado, que se encontra na fase de levantamento de literatura, e espera-se, com ela, compreender como a educação museal pode contribuir para ampliar o repertório cultural de estudantes da educação básica tendo como base as visitas a museus. Esta é uma pesquisa qualitativa. O texto discute ainda a proposta de criação de um museu virtual, a partir do Quilombo Vó Rita, localizado na zona urbana da cidade de Trindade - GO, para que os estudantes e a comunidade conheçam a história do quilombo. O intuito do museu virtual, nesse caso, é contribuir para melhoria da qualidade de ensino e aprendizagem de História, ao possibilitar que os alunos conheçam realidades distantes e de outros tempos de uma forma interativa e contemporânea e se desenvolvam enquanto cidadãos mais conscientes e críticos.
Melhoramentos nos Subúrbios
Authors: De Almeida Vitor
Published: December 2024

O subúrbio do Rio de Janeiro atravessou diversas transformações materiais nas duas primeiras décadas do século XX, em decorrência das reformas urbanas levadas adiante pelas sucessivas administrações federais e municipais. Utilizando as revistas ilustradas como fontes de análise para observar como eram representados os processos de urbanização nos bairros suburbanos da cidade, buscamos entender os impactos da modernização dos espaços suburbanos através dos ideais de progresso vigentes. Diante da perspectiva de uma belle époque suburbana, o presente artigo traz observações sobre as influências da modernidade em outras áreas da então capital federal.
Comissões da Verdade e Direitos Indígenas: Desvendando Injustiças Históricas por meio da e Justiça de Transição e da Arqueologia
Authors: Plens Claudia , Pereira Flávio
Published: December 2024

Nos atuais debates sobre justiça de transição, a busca por verdade e reparação das injustiças históricas, especialmente aquelas direcionadas a grupos marginalizados, desempenha um papel central. Dentro desse contexto, as Comissões da Verdade são reconhecidas como ferramentas fundamentais para a revelação e confrontação de violações de direitos humanos, possibilitando o enfrentamento de narrativas previamente esquecidas ou negligenciadas. Enquanto a Comissão Nacional da Verdade no Brasil, criada pela Lei 12528/2011 e instituída em 16 de maio de 2012, avançou significativamente na documentação dos crimes estatais durante a Ditadura, é pertinente ressaltar que existem lacunas investigativas persistentes no que diz respeito às populações indígenas. Este artigo propõe-se a analisar a relevância das comissões da verdade no contexto dos direitos humanos, com ênfase no seu impacto nos processos de reparação das comunidades indígenas. Para tanto, serão explorados os desafios e alcances enfrentados por essas comissões da verdade ao confrontar as violações dos direitos humanos contra os povos indígenas, realçando a urgência de confrontar oficialmente referidas injustiças. Adicionalmente, será enfatizado o papel crítico desempenhado pela arqueologia na investigação dos crimes ocorridos nos períodos colonial e neocolonial, esclarecendo a herança traumática legada por esses períodos e como a arqueologia pode contribuir para a busca da verdade e da justiça em prol das comunidades indígenas afetadas.