bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Narcissism and Humor Coping on Anger Expression in Married Couples1
Authors: Abe Shingo , Ota Jin
Published: May 2021

This study examined the effects of narcissism (a self‐centered, self‐aggrandizing, dominant, and manipulative interpersonal orientation) and humor coping (a strategy in which people rely on humorous expression to cope with stressful interpersonal situations) on anger expression in married couples. A total of 288 married couples participated, with both husband and wife independently completing the questionnaire. Results of structural equation modeling showed that the frequency of received anger was positively related to the frequency of anger, which in turn was negatively related to marital satisfaction. Husbands with higher levels of narcissism were more likely to express their anger. In contrast, humor coping did not affect anger expression in either husbands or wives. We discuss the content of humor in order to clearly demonstrate the effects of humor coping.
Construct Validity of the 29‐Item Sense of Coherence Scale: Exploratory Analysis of a Compatible Three‐Factor Model Using a Rasch Measurement Model1
Authors: Kase Takayoshi
Published: May 2021

Sense of coherence means perceiving one's experiences as coherent; it has been shown to be important for mental health and well‐being. This study examined the item fit and construct validity of the 29‐item Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale using the Rasch measurement model and confirmatory analysis. Based on the values of item Infit and Outfit mean square, the total number of items in the scale was reduced from 29 to 20. Verifying the three‐factor structure using the fitted items revealed an acceptable goodness‐of‐fit (CFI = .915, SRMR = .058, RMSEA = .064). All results, including the values of item difficulty for each response category, suggest that omitting some items and revising the number of response categories is effective. Examinations improving the structural validity and measurement accuracy of the SOC Scale in this study may contribute to psychological assessment in epidemiological and clinical studies.
Atlas of Human Skeleton Hardness Obtained Using the Micro‐indentation Technique
Authors: Li Sheng , Wang Jian‐zhao , Yin Bing , Hu Zu‐sheng , Zhang Xiao‐juan , Wu Wei , Liu Guo‐bin , Liu Ya‐ke , Fu Lei , Zhang Ying‐ze
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Measure and systematically evaluate the distribution of microhardness in the human skeleton.

Methods

Three fresh corpses were obtained, aged 62 (male), 45 (female), and 58 years (male). Soft tissues were removed, and all axial and unilateral appendicular bones were freshly harvested. All three skeletons were examined by X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) to exclude skeletal pathology. Only bones from donors with no known skeletal pathology were included in the study. Axial and unilateral appendicular skeleton bones from each of the three donors were obtained, except for ear ossicles, hyoid bone, tailbone, and 14 phalanges of the foot, for which samples were difficult to obtain. Precision bone specimens with a thickness of 3 mm, which were cut with a Buehler IsoMet 11‐1280‐250 low‐speed diamond saw (Buehler, USA), were obtained from all important anatomic sites in a direction perpendicular to the mechanical axis of each bone. Micro‐indentation (the Vickers hardness test) was performed on the surface of each specimen using a microhardness tester with a diamond indenter. Hardness value (HV) was computed for each indentation. Each bone specimen was divided into several regions of interest. Indentations were carefully made and computed. Then we analyzed the data to identify hardness distribution rules at different anatomic sites.

Results

In total, 5360 indentations were made in 1072 regions of interest in each donor. Hardness of the axial and appendicular bones were all inhomogeneous depending on the anatomic sites, but the distribution of microhardness followed certain rules. The mean hardness value ranged from 24.46 HV (HV = hardness value, kgf/mm2) for the sacrum to 53.20 HV for the shaft of the tibia. The diaphysis was harder than the metaphysis, and the proximal and distal epiphysis had lower values (8.85%– 40.39%) than the diaphysis. Among the long bone diaphyses, the tibia cortical bone (51.20 HV) was the hardest, harder than the humerus (47.25 HV), the ulna (43.26 HV), the radius (42.54 HV), and the femur (47.53 HV). However, in some anatomic sites such as the lumbar vertebra (cortical bone 32.86 HV, cancellous bone 31.25 HV), the cortical shells were sometimes not harder than the internal cancellous bones. The lumbar vertebra (32.86 HV) was harder than the cervical vertebra (28.51 HV) and the thoracic vertebra (29.01 HV).

Conclusions

The distribution of microhardness in the human skeleton follows certain rules. These distribution rules could be used to predict the mechanical properties of bone and progress in this field could provide data for the basis of a new three‐dimensional printing technique, which may lead to new perspectives for custom‐made implants.
The challenges and opportunities of social connection when hearing derogatory and threatening voices: A thematic analysis with patients experiencing psychosis
Authors: Sheaves Bryony , Johns Louise , Černis Emma , Griffith Laura ,   The McPin Hearing Voices Lived Experience Advisory Panel, Freeman Daniel
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Relationships with other people are important determinants of the course of psychosis, yet social isolation is common. This study sought to learn about the patient experience of being around other people when hearing derogatory and threatening voices (DTVs).

Design

A qualitative interview study.

Methods

Fifteen participants with experience of hearing DTVs in the context of non‐affective psychosis were recruited from NHS services. Data were obtained by semi‐structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified: (1) reasons why interacting with people is difficult when hearing DTVs; (2) the relationship between social connection and DTVs; and (3) factors which enable voice hearers to connect with others. A further ten sub‐themes are outlined as reasons why hearing DTVs led to lower social connection, including difficulties during conversations (e.g., the concentration required is hard), negative expectations of interactions (e.g., fearing negative judgement from others), and difficulties sharing experiences of voices (e.g., people will be hurt or upset if I tell them about the voices). Isolation was a common response to hearing DTVs but also a time of vulnerability for hearing voices. Managing the challenges of interacting with people led to some improvements in DTVs.

Conclusions

There are understandable reasons why hearing DTVs leads to lower social connection. Yet isolating oneself can also be a time of vulnerability for DTVs. Social connection might be one vehicle for disengaging from and disputing derogatory and threatening voice content. The effect on voice hearing of social recovery interventions warrants further investigation.

Practitioner points

Participants shared 10 reasons why being around people is challenging when hearing derogatory and threatening voices. These typically affected both daily social experiences and contact with clinicians.

Common initial responses to hearing DTVs were to reduce contact with people, experience difficulties connecting during conversations and to avoid sharing the experience of voice hearing.

However, social isolation was a time of vulnerability to DTVs, and hence, increasing social connection might be a target for interventions.

A range of factors enabled voice hearers to manage social situations, for example: the fostering of trust, self‐acceptance, learning when it is better to stay at home, and developing a narrative to explain voice hearing to others.

Addressing the barriers to connecting with others might have an important role in personal recovery from voice hearing.
Shifting access to pools of shoot water sustains gas exchange and increases stem hydraulic safety during seasonal atmospheric drought
Authors: Bryant Callum , Fuenzalida Tomas I. , Brothers Nigel , Mencuccini Maurizio , Sack Lawren , Binks Oliver , Ball Marilyn C.
Published: May 2021

Understanding how plants acclimate to drought is crucial for predicting future vulnerability, yet seasonal acclimation of traits that improve drought tolerance in trees remains poorly resolved. We hypothesized that dry season acclimation of leaf and stem traits influencing shoot water storage and hydraulic capacitance would mitigate the drought‐associated risks of reduced gas exchange and hydraulic failure in the mangrove Sonneratia alba. By late dry season, availability of stored water had shifted within leaves and between leaves and stems. While whole shoot capacitance remained stable, the symplastic fraction of leaf water increased 86%, leaf capacitance increased 104% and stem capacitance declined 80%. Despite declining plant water potentials, leaf and whole plant hydraulic conductance remained unchanged, and midday assimilation rates increased. Further, the available leaf water between the minimum water potential observed and that corresponding to 50% loss of stem conductance increased 111%. Shifting availability of pools of water, within and between organs, maintained leaf water available to buffer periods of increased photosynthesis and losses in stem hydraulic conductivity, mitigating risks of carbon depletion and hydraulic failure during atmospheric drought. Seasonal changes in access to tissue and organ water may have an important role in drought acclimation and avoidance.
The effect of distinctive facial features on destination memory
Authors: Barros Catarina , Albuquerque Pedro B. , Pinto Raquel , El Haj Mohamad
Published: May 2021

Destination memory involves remembering to whom we told information. Low accuracy of this memory is linked to higher self‐focus and lower attentional resources allocated to the recipient of the information. The present paper aimed to investigate whether the existence of distinctive features (e.g., tattoos) of destination face would improve destination memory, in a within‐ (Experiment 1 and 2) and between‐participants (Experiment 3) design. In a destination memory task, participants had to tell proverbs to faces that presented a distinctive feature and to other faces that did not. Results showed that a destination memory advantage only occurs when faces with different distinctive features are compared to faces without distinctive features (Experiment 1). These results are in accordance with the existing theoretical framework on destination memory and distinctiveness; highlighting the importance of personal attributes, namely, the distinctiveness of the destination face and the relativity of distinctiveness in destination memory.
A three‐dimensional scar assessment tool for keloid scars: Volume, erythema and melanin quantified
Authors: Ruccia Francesca , Zoccali Giovanni , Cooper Lilli , Rosten Claire , Nduka Charles
Published: May 2021

Background

There is no non‐invasive objective assessment tool to measure keloid scar characteristics over time. This study aimed to ascertain the ability of the Antera 3D® camera to detect differences in keloid features pre‐ and post‐steroid injection. In order to identify whether those variation could be considered as treatment response predicting factors.

Methods

Enrolled patients received three intra‐lesional steroid injections at four‐weekly intervals. Images were taken with the Antera 3D camera 12 and 24 weeks after treatment. Keloids’ colour, volume, and area as well as haemoglobin and melanin average levels and variation have been analysed pre‐ and post‐steroid injection. t Tests and relative risk have been used to analyse the significance and association strength of our finding.

Results

Forty patients have been enrolled in the study. Significant changes as been recorded in keloids’ volume and colour after steroid injection (P < 0.05). 53% have recorded a Hb reduction showing no recurrence of pathology, patient who had increase in Hb showed an early recurrence. Melanin variation was significant after steroid injection (P < 0.05) but no correlation has been found with treatment response.

Conclusions

The Antera 3D camera is able to detect differences in the investigated keloid's features helping in two ways: by providing an objective, longitudinal method to monitor and document changes in scar morphology, and through monitoring haemoglobin change, which strongly correlates to both response to treatment and likelihood of recurrence. Allowing clinicians to identify which patients will respond early, in order to change treatment if necessary, limiting morbidity and costs.
Role of pre‐transplant chest high‐resolution computed tomography and serum galactomannan index in predicting post‐transplant invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients
Authors: Sharma Rintu , Singh Charanpreet , Khadwal Alka , Prakash Gaurav , Malhotra Pankaj , Jain Arihant , Jandial Aditya , Suri Vikas , Muthu Valliappan , Prabhakar Nidhi , Gorsi Ujjwal , Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Varma Subhash , Lad Deepesh P.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

The role of pre‐HCT chest high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and serum galactomannan index (GMI) in predicting the post‐allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is debatable.

Methods

This was a single‐center, prospective study from 2014 to 2019. The primary objective was to study if pre‐HCT chest HRCT and serum GMI predicted IPA post‐HCT. The secondary objective was day +100 mortality. All consecutive, consenting patients of ≥12 years of age undergoing allo‐HCT were included and had pre‐HCT chest HRCT and serum GMI. All patients received mold active antifungal prophylaxis. The EORTC/MSG criteria were used for the diagnosis of IPA.

Results

A total of 82 patients with median age 27 years (12‐59 years) were included. The underlying diagnoses included hematological malignancies (79%) and aplastic anemia (21%). Fifteen percent of patients was treated for prior history of probable IPA (>6 weeks before HCT). Pre‐HCT chest HRCT satisfied EORTC clinical criteria in 24% patients. Serum GMI ≥0.5 was seen in 27% of patients. Post‐HCT probable IPA was seen in 24% of patients. There were more patients with pre‐HCT chest HRCT findings satisfying EORTC clinical criteria (45% vs. 18%, P = .014) and GMI ≥0.5 (45% vs. 21%, P = .03) in the group with post‐HCT IPA compared to those without IPA. There was higher day+100 mortality in patients with post‐HCT IPA (55% vs. 18%, P = .001).

Conclusions

The presence of EORTC clinical criteria on pre‐HCT chest HRCT, serum GMI ≥0.5, and prior history of IPA predicted post‐HCT IPA.
El carácter laboral de la prostitución en la jurisprudencia constitucional peruana y colombiana
Authors: Pacheco Zerga Luz
Published: May 2021

Desde hace algunas décadas, se propone en algunas instituciones —entre las que se cuenta la Corte Constitucional de Colombia— calificar el ejercicio de la prostitución como trabajo sexual, y otorgar a las denominadas trabajadoras sexuales los beneficios establecidos por el Derecho Laboral. La presente investigación, realizada desde la dogmática jurídica, se orienta a determinar si el ejercicio de la prostitución se entiende como trabajo; si merece el debido respeto a la dignidad humana, y si las Sentencias T-629 de 2010 y T-594 de 2016 de la Corte Constitucional de Colombia son deberían ser de obligatorio cumplimiento.
Medidas cautelares innominadas en procesos de competencia desleal y su capacidad de afectación a los consumidores
Authors: Sandoval Gutiérrez José Fernando
Published: May 2021

En este artículo de reflexión se plantea el posible impacto que pueden tener sobre los consumidores, como beneficiarios de la libre competencia económica, las medidas cautelares innominadas decretadas en procesos judiciales de competencia desleal. Para ello, se utiliza un método inductivo-deductivo y trabajo de campo en el área judicial: se hace una revisión de lo que ha expresado la Corte Constitucional de Colombia y la doctrina acerca de los beneficios que se esperan de la libre competencia económica y eso es confrontado posteriormente con decisiones cautelares proferidas por la autoridad colombiana especializada en asuntos de competencia desleal, a fin de establecer la posible afectación que se puede llegar a generar con ese tipo de decisiones.
Application of an Immersed Boundary Method on an Instrumented Turbine Blade With Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Ubald Bryn N. , Watson Rob , Cui Jiahuan , Tucker Paul , Shahpar Shahrokh
Published: May 2021

Leading edge instrumentation used in compressor and turbine blades for jet-engine test rigs can cause significant obstruction and lead to a marked increase in downstream pressure loss. Typical instrumentation used in such a scenario could be a Kiel-shrouded probe with either a thermocouple or pitot-static tube for temperature/pressure measurement. High fidelity analysis of a coupled blade and probe requires the generation of a high-quality mesh which can take a significant amount of an engineers time. The application of an immersed boundary method (IBM) and large eddy simulation (LES) is shown in this paper to enable the use of an extremely simple mesh to observe the primary flow features generated due to the blade and probe interaction effects, as well as quantify downstream pressure loss to within a high level of accuracy. IBM is utilized to approximately model the probe, while fully resolving the blade itself through a series of LES simulations. This method has shown to be able to capture downstream loss profiles as well as integral quantities compared to both experiment and fully wall-resolved LES without the need to spend a significant amount of time generating the ideal mesh. Additionally, it is also able to capture the turbulence anisotropy surrounding the probe and blade regions.
An Ensemble of Recurrent Neural Networks for Real Time Performance Modeling of Three-Spool Aero-Derivative Gas Turbine Engine
Authors: Ibrahem Ibrahem M. A. , Akhrif Ouassima , Moustapha Hany , Staniszewski Martin
Published: May 2021

Gas turbine is a complex system operating in nonstationary operation conditions for which traditional model-based modeling approaches have poor generalization capabilities. To address this, an investigation of a novel data driven neural networks based model approach for a three-spool aero-derivative gas turbine engine (ADGTE) for power generation during its loading and unloading conditions is reported in this paper. For this purpose, a nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) is used to develop this model in matlab environment using operational closed-loop data collected from Siemens (SGT-A65) ADGTE. Inspired by the way biological neural networks process information and by their structure which changes depending on their function, multiple-input single-output (MISO) NARX models with different configurations were used to represent each of the ADGTE output parameters with the same input parameters. First, data preprocessing and estimation of the order of these MISO models were performed. Next, a computer program code was developed to perform a comparative study and to select the best NARX model configuration, which can represent the system dynamics. Usage of a single neural network to represent each of the system output parameters may not be able to provide an accurate prediction for unseen data and as a consequence provides poor generalization. To overcome this problem, an ensemble of MISO NARX models is used to represent each output parameter. The major challenge of the ensemble generation is to decide how to combine results produced by the ensemble's components. In this paper, a novel hybrid dynamic weighting method (HDWM) is proposed. The verification of this method was performed by comparing its performance with three of the most popular basic methods for ensemble integration: basic ensemble method (BEM), median rule, and dynamic weighting method (DWM). Finally, the generated ensembles of MISO NARX models for each output parameter were evaluated using unseen data (testing data). The simulation results based on datasets consisting for experimental data as well as data provided by Siemens high fidelity thermodynamic transient simulation program show improvement in accuracy and robustness by using the proposed modeling approach.
Numerical Simulation of Airborne Salt Particle Behavior in Dry Gauze Method Using Porous Media Model
Authors: Tsubokura Yuta , Noguchi Kyohei , Yagi Tomomi
Published: May 2021

Airborne salt accelerates the corrosion of steel materials and, thus, must be quantitatively evaluated for the management of steel structures. In Japan, the dry gauze method, which uses a gauze embedded in a wooden frame, is often used to evaluate the amount of airborne salt. However, its collection efficiency for salt particles has not been verified owing to the complex airflows around the device. Therefore, as a first step to clarify the collection efficiency, the authors simulated the flow field around the collection device using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this study, the gauze was modeled as a porous medium to reduce the computational costs. Wind tunnel tests were performed to obtain the pressure loss coefficients of the gauze, which is necessary for the porous media method. Subsequently, particle tracking was performed in the calculated flow field, and the collection efficiency was evaluated under the condition of a filtration efficiency of 100%. The flow fields around the device were accurately reproduced using the porous media model, which considered both the tangential and normal resistances of the gauze. This result suggests that the tangential resistance must be considered in the porous media model when the porosity of an object is small, even if the thickness is small. The dependence of collection efficiency on wind speed and direction was quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that the collection efficiency was greatly affected by the complicated flow field around the device due to the combination of the gauze and wooden frame.
Development of LSTM networks for predicting viscoplasticity with effects of deformation, strain rate and temperature history
Authors: Benabou Lahouari
Published: May 2021

In this paper, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks are used in an original way to model the behavior of a viscoplastic material solicited under changing loading conditions. The material behavior is dependent on history effects of plasticity which can be visible during strain rate jumps or temperature changes. Due to their architecture and internal state (memory), the LSTM networks have the ability to remember past data to update their current state, unlike the traditional artificial neural networks (ANNs) which fail to capture history effects. Specific LSTM networks are designed and trained to reproduce the complex behavior of a viscoplastic solder alloy subjected to strain rate jumps, temperature changes or loading-unloading cycles. The training datasets are numerically generated using the constitutive viscoplastic law of Anand which is very popular for describing solder alloys. The Anand model serves also as a reference to evaluate the performances of the LSTM networks on new data. It is demonstrated that this class of networks is remarkably well suited for replicating the history plastic effects under all the tested loading conditions.
A Local Approach for Computing Smooth B-Spline Surfaces for Arbitrary Quadrilateral Base Meshes
Authors: Mosbach Dennis , Schladitz Katja , Hamann Bernd , Hagen Hans
Published: May 2021

We present a method for approximating surface data of arbitrary topology by a model of smoothly connected B-spline surfaces. Most of the existing solutions for this problem use constructions with limited degrees-of-freedom or they address smoothness between surfaces in a post-processing step, often leading to undesirable surface behavior in proximity of the boundaries. Our contribution is the design of a local method for the approximation process. We compute a smooth B-spline surface approximation without imposing restrictions on the topology of a quadrilateral base mesh defining the individual B-spline surfaces, the used B-spline knot vectors, or the number of B-spline control points. Exact tangent plane continuity can generally not be achieved for a set of B-spline surfaces for an arbitrary underlying quadrilateral base mesh. Our method generates a set of B-spline surfaces that lead to a nearly tangent plane continuous surface approximation and is watertight, i.e., continuous. The presented examples demonstrate that we can generate B-spline approximations with differences of normal vectors along shared boundary curves of less than one degree. Our approach can also be adapted to locally utilize other approximation methods leading to higher orders of continuity.
Novel Support Device Improves Pedicle Screw Retention
Authors: Ray Lucas J , Sembrano Jonathan N , Nedrelow David S
Published: May 2021

Osteoporosis is one of the most challenging diseases facing orthopedic surgery. Implants may exhibit poor bone retention due to the decreased density of osteoporotic bone, leading to mechanical failure. Our study aimed to design a pedicle screw for vertebral implantation that exhibited pullout strengths that were higher than the current industry standard screw. We created three prototypes to address pullout failure with varying numbers of helices and one design that was a two-part hybrid (triple helix and pedicle screw). Each screw was subjected to pull-out testing in foam blocks (n=3). Ultimate pull-out load, ultimate extension, and screw removal energy were determined based on testing results. Based on the results, the two-part assembly demonstrated significantly improved pull-out strength to 102.76 ± 2.52 N (P > 0.0002), ultimate extension to 8.787 ± 0.242 (P > 0.002), and screw removal energy of 2.37 ± 0.03 kJ (P > 0.0003) vs 1.66 ± .08 kJ in the control screw, and the other two screw designs. It is noteworthy that the flexible and stiff helix designs by themselves did not exhibit improved performance, but when combined into a dual-threaded screw the helix features improved performance. The results for the two-part design suggested that there is utility in this design or variations thereof for improving screw-to-bone retention in osteoporotic patients.
Study of the Variation in Knee Joint Muscle Forces at Different Walking Speeds and Effectiveness of Using Knee Braces
Authors: Adhikari Visharath , Ro Paul I
Published: May 2021

A knee assistive device can serve a large number of people to overcome muscle weakness due to aging and perform normal functional activities of the knee joint. The objective of this paper is to study the effectiveness of a knee brace to aid with normal functions and reduce muscle forces at different walking speeds. The study uses two major muscle groups, rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF), for the muscle force study. The Electromyography (EMG) signal was recorded at 3 different walking speeds (slow, normal, fast) under both brace-assisted and normal walking conditions. EMG signals were processed and converted into muscle activation signals and finally used for muscle force calculation. The amount of assistance to each muscle group at different walking speeds was derived and analyzed to see the effectiveness of a knee brace. The knee brace was seen to have provided additional support for motion generation. However, the amount of support is found to be speed-dependent and has a different effect on different muscle groups. At slower speed, the BF muscle was seen to work against the brace, while it was not the case for the RF muscle group.
Visual Feedback System for Otolaryngology Procedures
Authors: Palmiotto Alexis , Kosnik Sabrina , Devine Nick , Eckels Mike , Anon Jack , Piovesan Davide
Published: May 2021

The objective of this project was to design a visual feedback attachment for the Coblator II, tonsil and adenoid removal device. Currently, one device is used to perform both cauterization and ablation, controlled by two pedals outside of the field of view. A device is needed that distinguishes between the two functions visually within the field of view. This will be attached to the tray table that is used during the surgical procedure. It will feature two different colored lights, blue and yellow, and be disposable or have a special cover that is able to be replaced between each patient’s procedure. In addition to this, there will be a slight delay between when the light is initially illuminated and the function begins, as an extra safety precaution.
The Mouth Mouse: An Intuitive Bluetooth Controller of Electronic Systems for Persons with Upper-Limb Impairment
Authors: Manal Kurt , Gillette Benjamin , Lockwood Ira
Published: May 2021

Manual dexterity is key to engaging one’s environment and interfacing with technologies for communication and personal computing. Individuals with marginal or no dexterity are faced with obstacles and barriers limiting educational opportunity, workplace productivity, independent living and community participation. We have, developed an effective and intuitive Bluetooth tongue controller (a.k.a. “Mouth Mouse”) designed to give people with severe upper limb impairment effective control of computers, smart phones and tablets. The device is inherently portable requiring no external hardware or supporting software and thus can be used virtually anywhere. Preliminary testing has shown the Mouth Mouse to be an effective computer input device. In this paper we outline key design objectives and present preliminary data demonstrating the efficacy of the Mouth Mouse as a computer input device.
Identifying Motivational Factors Affecting Assist-as-Needed Rehabilitation
Authors: Mosqueda Gissele , Sutton Rachel , Miranda Virgil , Tri Anna , Vangsness Lisa , Yihun Yimesker
Published: May 2021

Robot-based, assist-as-needed (AAN) therapeutic devices are one solution to the high costs and increased demand for rehabilitative therapy. Three decades of work have improved the design of robot-based AAN devices; however, the role that humans play in successful AAN rehabilitation has been less well-studied. In this paper, we briefly describe a framework for understanding human engagement with AAN devices. We then test this framework with a small sample of 10 healthy volunteers. We find evidence that task-based (weight) characteristics and physical states (accuracy) inform peoples’ Judgments of Difficulty (JODs). In contrast, volunteers’ engagement with AAN rehabilitation was tentatively informed by the amount of time spent on the last exercise. Together, these results suggest that JODs and task engagement decisions are distinct – but related – constructs that are present during rehabilitation.
Altered Vascular Contractilities Associated with the Applications of Irreversible Electroporation
Authors: Ramirez David A , Upchurch Weston , Iaizzo Paul A
Published: May 2021

As electroporation therapies become more widely used in the cardiac ablation space, there is a critical need to study the potential effects on surrounding tissues: collateral damage. Here we explored methods to study the effects applying electroporative energies on vascular smooth muscle: i.e., loss of vascular function when exposed to energies needed to induce irreversibly electroporative therapy to the myocardium.
Characterizing Hybrid Active/Passive Heating Systems for Thermal Microclimate Control
Authors: Beaudette Eric , Foo Esther , Woelfle Heidi , Molla Md. Tahmidul Islam , Dunne Lucy
Published: May 2021

Heating devices offer particular benefits in cold climates and to those with thermoregulatory or vasospastic disorders, like Reynaud’s syndrome. Heating devices can be used to moderate a wearer’s microclimate to alleviate thermal discomfort and pain, especially in the distal extremities where thermal sensitivity is the highest. Applying insulation on top of wearables with heating components can reduce both heat lost to the environment, as well as power needs for maintaining thermal comfort. Here, we evaluated one stitched, heated textile garment with eight textile insulation materials to assess heat propagation (measured by five thermistors on a mannequin hand and one in the surrounding, enclosed environment) and wearability (measured from tests of fabric weight, thickness, flexural rigidity, and permeance). Results find energy conserved by all materials, but wearability drawbacks for some strong insulators. Thicker materials generally had higher insulative properties, and reduced heat propagation to the indirect heating regions, specifically the finger and thumb. Additionally, heat propagation through to the environment was stronger than to the finger and thumb.
Assessing the Complexity of Human Ventricular Anatomy: Computational Placement of Mapping Catheters in Perfusion- Fixed Human Hearts
Authors: Brigham Renee C. , Gasser Rachel L. , Iles Tinen L. , Iaizzo Paul A.
Published: May 2021

Human ventricular cardiac anatomy is extremely complex. Access to the ventricular chambers are often necessary for both mapping and treating ventricular arrhythmias. To date, electrophysiologists who perform these catheter ablations typically rely on fluoroscopy and the patient specific electroanatomical maps they generate so to begin to navigate through these complex functional anatomies. However, limited mapping resolutions do not provide often required insights relative to actual anatomical barriers. Hence, such discordances can lead to larger induced lesion sizes and ultimately, poorer patient outcomes. Here we describe both unique anatomic studies and the development of 3D computational models and assessment strategies for investigating human ventricular anatomies as they relate to arrhythmogenic mapping and therapies. A diverse range of fixed human anatomies were used to study and predict relative distances from an inter-chamber. placed balloon catheter to both true endocardial and epicardial surfaces. This work can be used to inform mapping and ablation catheter designs so to determine and optimize the placements of mapping electrodes to ensure both accurate electrical recording and applied ablations.
Design Evolution of a Head-Worn Biofeedback System to Address Vestibular Balance Impairment
Authors: Suliman Ahmad , Skubic Marjorie , Abbott Carmen , Rivera Arnaldo , May Jason
Published: May 2021

Balance impairment due to vestibular feedback loss is considered a significant disabling factor. While older adults are more often impacted by this impairment, unfortunate events and infections can cause a similar impairment in younger adults as well. This paper reports the design evolution of a prototype wearable system proposed to help reduce the recovery time of vestibular balance impairment. We describe the design evolution and rationale from a baseball cap design to a headband design, including the separation of the sensing and processing components, to reduce the weight positioned on the skull, which may adversely affect balance. We assessed balance performance of participants using the Motor Control Test (MCT) and Sensory Organization Test (SOT) in conjunction with Functional Gait Assessment as a balance test protocol. To evaluate system effectiveness, the tests were performed before the biofeedback system was activated and then again with the system active. Based on experiments with two participants (one healthy and one with bilateral vestibular balance impairment), the preliminary results show that our proposed system can be effective in the rehabilitation of impaired individuals.
Development of a Negative Pressure Isolation System for Containment, Filtration, and Disinfection of Airborne Diseases for Use in Hospitals, Ambulances, and Alternate Care Settings.
Authors: Lyng John W.
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 has renewed focus on the potential for medical interventions to nosocomially spread airborne infectious diseases to healthcare providers and other patients. Of primary concern is generation of potentially infectious plumes of droplets or aerosols by aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). This project developed a proof-of-concept prototype of a portable device capable of being deployed into hospitals, ambulances, and alternate care settings that is intended to reduce potential nosocomial spread of disease by mitigating aerosols and droplets in those environments.
High-Fidelity Simulation of Flows in Bone-Like Environment to Investigate the Growth of Cancer Cells
Authors: Akerkouch Lahcen , Le Trung , Jasuja Haneesh , Katti Kalpana , Katti Dinesh
Published: May 2021

Metastatic cancer in bones is incurable, which causes significant mobility and mortality to the patients. In this work, we investigate the role of interstitial fluid flow on cancer cells' growth within the interconnected pores of human bone. In-vitro experiments were carried out in a bio-reactor which includes bone-like scaffold specimens. A pump is used to maintain a laminar flow condition inside the bioreactor to resemble fluid flow in bones. The scaffold specimens are harvested after 23 days in the bioreactor. The scaffold specimen is scanned with Micro-CT under the resolution of 70 micrometers. We created a full-scale 3D computational model of the scaffold based on the micro-CT data using the open-source software Seg3D and Meshmixer. Based on the geometrical models, we generated the computational grids using the commercial software Gridgen. We performed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with the immersed boundary method (Gilmanov, Le, Sotiropoulos, JCP 300, 1, 2015) to investigate the flow patterns inside the pores of the scaffolds. The results reveal a non-uniform flow distribution in the vicinity of the scaffold. The flow velocity and the shear stress distributions inside the scaffold are shown to be convoluted and very sensitive to the pore sizes. Our future work will further quantify these distributions and correlate them to cancer cells' growth observed in the experiments.
Amplicoat® – Conductive Polymer Coating with Enhanced Durability and Performance for Chronic Implants
Authors: Narayan Suman , Stoica Leonard , Liess Andreas , Reisinger Andreas
Published: May 2021

Amplicoat® is a biocompatible conductive polymer coating which shows higher charge storage capacity, charge injection capacity and lower impedance compared to uncoated Pt/Ir electrodes. Amplicoat® not only improves the electrical performance of a metal electrode, it also enables further electrode miniaturization, more targeted therapies and an extension of the battery life.

Laser structuring was used to improve Amplicoat® adhesion to Pt/Ir electrodes leading to consistent performance under accelerated aging conditions, thermal shocks, thermal cycling and under 19,000 CV stimulation cycles. In summary, Amplicoat® and particularly the combination with laser structuring exhibits excellent electrical performance and a very high durability under extreme conditions and thus, displays great potential for chronic applications like Deep Brain Stimulation, Spinal Cord Stimulation and Sacral Nerve Stimulation.
Cardiovascular Medical Devices: Regulatory Science Research Overview in the Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories (OSEL) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Authors: Aycock Kenneth , Blinova Ksenia , Casciola Maura , Craven Brent , Prima Matthew Di , D’Souza Gavin , Duraiswamy Nandini , Farahmand Masoud , Hariharan Prasanna , Herbertson Luke , Jamiolkowski Megan , Lu Qijin , Malinauskas Richard , Patel Mehulkumar , Rinaldi Jean , Sivan Shiril , Vesnovsky Oleg , Weaver Jason
Published: May 2021

The Cardiovascular Research Program in OSEL at the FDA consists of a diverse group of engineers and scientists who seek to drive innovation in cardiovascular device technology through development and standardization of pre-clinical test methods using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models. The goal is to improve the pre- and post-market regulatory review processes and to accelerate patient access to safe and effective cardiovascular medical devices (e.g., heart valves, ventricular assist devices, cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac mapping systems, ablation catheters, pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac occluders, etc).
The Self Actuated Tenim Hand: The Conversion of a Body-Driven Prosthesis to an Electromechanically Actuated Device
Authors: Bardien Moegammad Ameen , Sivarasu Sudesh
Published: May 2021

Users of body-driven prostheses often abandon their prostheses due to overexertion of their shoulders and a lack of features. The aim of this study was thus to design an electromechanical hand prosthesis that meets the functional and grasping requirements of prosthesis users.

To this end, the Self-Actuated Tenim Hand (SATH), a functional electromechanically actuated prosthesis, was developed. The SATH, based on the novel body-driven Tenim Hand, incorporated design refinements that improved on its predecessor’s grasping capabilities. An electromechanical actuator and a wrist supination and pronation mechanism were integrated into the SATH thereby improving its functional capabilities.

The Anthropomorphic Hand Assessment Protocol (AHAP) was used as a design validation tool to assess the functional capabilities of the SATH. The SATH performed satisfactorily in AHAP and achieved results that are comparable to scores obtained by a more advanced prosthesis.
Computational Model of a Two Material Object Predicts Non-Symmetric Dispersal Volume Profile
Authors: Morales Brianna E. , Mehta Jason N. , Rylander Christopher G.
Published: May 2021

Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an experimental method of localized treatment to release high concentrations of the drug into a target area. An implementation of CED by our lab is the convection-enhanced thermo-therapy catheter system (CETCS). The device is a collection of arborizing microneedles used to affect a broader coverage of a dispersed volume in the regions of interest. We suspect the coverage of the dispersal volume depends on the material properties of the brain the infusate is being administered. In this study, we create a computational model to evaluate how two adjacent materials with varying permeability (4.45 mm4 N-1 s-1 with 13.35 or 35.6 mm4 N-1 s-1) will disperse into a 0.6% (w/w) agarose gel. Transient state analysis was conducted using the FEBio Software Suite. As expected, results show a much larger dispersal volume in the material with the higher permeability and along the border of the two materials.
Engineering high quality and conformal ultrathin SiNx films by PEALD for downscaled and advanced CMOS nodes
Authors: Peter Antony Premkumar , Tomomi Takayama , Taishi Ebisudani , Eiichiro Shiba , Sepulveda Alfonso , Blanquart Timothee , Kimura Yosuke , Subramanian Sujith , Baudot Sylvain , Basoene Briggs , Gupta Anshul , Veloso Anabela , Capogreco Elena , Mertens Hans , Meersschaut Johan , Conard Thierry , Dara Praveen , Geypen Jef , Martinez Gerardo , Batuk Dmitry , Demuynck Steven , Morin Pierre
Published: May 2021

In this study, we explored the key properties and functionalities of plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) SiNx films, synthesized using different deposition temperatures (500–550 °C) and plasma conditions (lower and higher), both on 300 mm blanket Si and on several integrated 3D topology substrates, at the thicknesses relevant for diverse nanoscale applications. Our study shows that with an increase of temperature (500–550 °C), a small reduction in HF wet etch rate (1.1–0.69 nm/min), and H content (9.6% vs 7.4%) was observed. When using higher plasmas, significant improvements in blanket properties were observed. The films were denser (2.95 g/cm3), exhibited lower H content (2.4%), showed better etch rates (0.39 and 0.44 nm/s for HF and CF4 based), and SiNx grew without any nucleation delay on alternative Si1−xGex channel surfaces. The vertical and lateral conformality was found to be similar and appears not to be impacted with the plasma conditions. Extensive steam oxidation barrier studies performed at the sidewalls of different aspect ratio lines showed the PEALD SiNx liner scaling potentiality down to 1 nm when deposited using higher plasma. In addition, the outer gate and inner spacer properties were found to be superior (with lower loses) for higher plasma films when subjected to several dry etch, strips, and H3PO4 chemistries. The outstanding conformality (90%–95% on aspect ratios ≤10:1) combined with excellent high end material properties in the ultrathin regimes (1–10 nm) corroborate the virtue of PEALD SiNx toward integration in scaled down and advanced nanoelectronics device manufacturing.
Antifungal Susceptibility and Mutations in the Squalene Epoxidase Gene in Dermatophytes of the Trichophyton mentagrophytes Species Complex
Authors: Kong Xue , Tang Chao , Singh Ashutosh , Ahmed Sarah A. , Al-Hatmi Abdullah M. S. , Chowdhary Anuradha , Nenoff Pietro , Gräser Yvonne , Hainsworth Steven , Zhan Ping , Meis Jacques F. , Verweij Paul E. , Liu Weida , de Hoog G. Sybren
Published: May 2021

During the past decade, a prolonged and serious outbreak of dermatophytosis due to a terbinafine-resistant novel species in the
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
-
T. interdigitale
complex has been ongoing in India, and it has spread to several European countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular background of the squalene epoxidase (
SQLE
) gene in order to understand the risk of emergence and spread of multiresistance in dermatophytes.
Tolerability, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Immunogenicity of a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody, Etesevimab, in Chinese Healthy Adults: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, First-in-Human Phase 1 Study
Authors: Wu Xiaojie , Li Nanyang , Wang Guoqin , Liu Wei , Yu Jicheng , Cao Guoying , Wang Jingjing , Chen Yuancheng , Ma Juan , Wu Jufang , Yang Haijing , Mao Xiaomeng , He Jinjie , Yu Yiqi , Qiu Chao , Li Ning , Yao Sheng , Feng Hui , Yan Jinghua , Zhang Wenhong , Zhang Jing
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread rapidly worldwide. This study is the first to report the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and immunogenicity of a recombinant human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody, etesevimab (CB6, JS016, LY3832479, or LY-CoV016), in healthy adults.
The Mobile Genetic Element RD2 Affects Colonization Potential of Different GAS Serotypes
Authors: Cook Laura C.
Published: May 2021

M-type 28 (M28)
Streptococcus pyogenes
(group A
Streptococcus
[GAS]) strains are highly associated with life-threatening puerperal infections. Genome sequencing has revealed a large mobile genetic element, RD2, present in most M28 GAS isolates but not found widely in other serotypes.
Selective BCL-X
L
Antagonists Eliminate Infected Cells from a Primary-Cell Model of HIV Latency but Not from
Ex Vivo
Reservoirs
Authors: Ren Yanqin , Huang Szu Han , Macedo Amanda B. , Ward Adam R. , Alberto Winiffer D. Conce , Klevorn Thais , Leyre Louise , Copertino Dennis C. , Mota Talia M. , Chan Dora , Truong Ronald , Rohwetter Thomas , Zumbo Paul , Dündar Friederike , Betel Doron , Kovacs Colin , Benko Erika , Bosque Alberto , Jones R. Brad
Published: May 2021

Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV infection into a manageable chronic condition, there is no safe or scalable cure. HIV persists in “reservoirs” of infected cells that reinitiate disease progression if ART is interrupted.
Supplemental Material: Paleomagnetic dating of prehistoric lava flows from the urban district of Catania (Etna volcano, Italy)
Authors: Magli Andrea , al. et
Published: May 2021

Figures S1–S3; Supplemental Material S4; Table S1.