bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Digital Competence in Teacher Training
Authors: García-Figuerola Ana , Martínez-Abad Fernando , Rodríguez-Conde María José
Published: June 2023

The changes that society is experimenting affect the educational system, including a wide range of educational agents. Teachers are required to adapt to these changes and to be involved a continuous learning process in order to offer a high-quality education.For this reason and the concern about the digital competence of both, teachers and students, the aim of this study is to detect the level of digital competence of pre-service teachers, specifically 316 students among the Faculty of Education of the University of Salamanca (USAL). Since digital competence is a broad concept, we are focusing on information and data literacy. The procedure to detect digital and informational competence that has been applied includes a self-perception scale but also objective evidences, which allow to carry out a comparison between how pre-service teachers perceive themselves and what they actually know.The results show moderate levels of digital competence in the pre-service teachers but also significative differences among their self-perception and their results in the objective evidences.
Karl Popper și problema demarcației între știință și ne-știință
Authors: Sfetcu Nicolae
Published: June 2023

Karl Popper, ca raționalist critic, a fost un oponent al tuturor formelor de scepticism, convenționalism și relativism în știință. Multe dintre argumentele sale privind problema demarcației sunt îndreptate împotriva membrilor "Cercului Vienez". Popper este de acord cu aceștia cu privire la aspectele generale ale metodologiei științifice și neîncrederea lor în metodologia filosofică tradițională, dar soluțiile sale au fost semnificativ diferite. A contribuit semnificativ la dezbaterile privind metodologia științifică generală, demarcarea științei de pseudoștiință, natura probabilității și metodologia științelor sociale.
An Opportunities Framework for Improved Integration of Cultural-Benefits-Knowledge in Environmental Decision-making
Authors: Hoelting Kristin , Martinez Doreen E. , Bair Lucas S. , Schuster Rudy M. , Gavin Michael C.
Published: June 2023

The cultural benefits of ecosystem services (ES) make foundational contributions to human well-being, and yet they are consistently underrepresented in research products intended to inform decision-making. In particular, the relational or holistic values of cultural benefits linked to continuous, place-based, and reciprocal human-nature relationships – such as cultural identity, maintenance of knowledge systems, and the opportunity to live in right relationship with ecosystems – are inadequately conveyed through existing instrumental approaches to ES assessment and ecosystem valuation. In this paper, we outline a decision-support framework to systematically identify opportunities for improved integration of a wider suite of cultural benefits, and their associated plural values and human-nature relationships. The framework supports expanded thinking about the diversity of forms in which cultural-benefits-knowledge can be conveyed, and the spectrum of available opportunities to learn from these knowledge forms. We demonstrate retrospective application of the framework using a case study of Elwha River dam removal and ecosystem restoration. In interviews, several groups of cultural-benefits-knowledge-holders linked to the Elwha River ecosystem articulated relationally or holistically valuable cultural benefits. Analysis of interviews and historical documents reveal examples of how these groups made their cultural-benefits-knowledge available to decision-makers in multiple forms, including knowledge practices and knowledge products. The case study further highlights that opportunities for integration of cultural-benefits-knowledge vary across phases of decision-making.
Suspensions of prominent accounts minimally impact platform engagement
Authors: Duskin Kayla , Bak-Coleman Joseph B , West Jevin
Published: June 2023

Health-related misinformation online poses threats to individual well-being and undermines public health efforts. In response, many social media platforms have temporarily or permanently suspended accounts that spread misinformation, at the risk of losing traffic vital to platform revenue. Here we examine the impact on platform engagement following removal of six prominent accounts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focused on those who engaged with the removed accounts, we find that suspension did not meaningfully reduce activity on the platform. Moreover, we find that removal of the prominent accounts minimally impacted the diversity of information sources consumed.
The complex effects of family instability on adolescent problem behavior in a U.S. birth cohort
Authors: Rodríguez Sánchez Alejandra
Published: June 2023

Research claims that family instability experienced during childhood negatively affects children's well-being. However, a life-course reading of the family instability hypothesis reveals crucial interlinkages between family life and other domains of the life course. Time-dependent confounders affected by past episodes of family instability and affecting future family stability might explain away part of the hypothesized negative impact. Data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study is used to reexamine this association. I employ doubly robust marginal structural models based on inverse probability of treatment weighting and Bayesian additive regression trees to estimate the effects of a life course cumulative model. Results suggest that a dynamic version of the selection hypothesis plays a substantial role in countering the instability hypothesis. The effects of cumulative family instability are small and not consistent with the family instability hypothesis.
Workspace Characterization for Hybrid Tendon and Ball Chain Continuum Robots
Authors:   Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, US, Pittiglio Giovanni , Mencattelli Margherita ,   Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, US, Donder Abdulhamit ,   Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, US, Chitalia Yash ,   University of Louisville, US, Dupont Pierre E. ,   Boston Children's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, US
Published: June 2023

Continuum robots have attracted considerable attention for applications in minimally invasive diagnostics and therapeutics over the past decade [1]. The primary reason is their ability to navigate narrow and tortuous anatomical passageways, while guaranteeing safe inter- action with the anatomy. In designing such robots, an important goal is create a robot with a workspace appropriate for the clinical task. A significant limitation of many continuum designs re- lates to the minimum radius of curvature that a particular design can achieve. While multiple bending sections can be concatenated to provide more degrees of freedom, the orientations by which a point in the workspace can be approached are often limited. To overcome this limitation, this paper investigates a hybrid design that combines the advantages of tendon- actuated [2] and magnetic ball chain robots [3] as shown in Fig. 1. In this hybrid design, a proximal tendon- actuated section positions the robot with respect to the goal tip location while a distal ball chain section orients the robot tip with respect to the goal location. This abstract describes how the hybrid kinematics can be modeled and illustrates how the hybrid design possesses a dextrous workspace of finite extent.
Magnetic Anchored and Cable Driven Endoscope for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Authors:   The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Li Jixiu , Zhang Tao ,   Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), Hong Kong, Cheng Truman ,   Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), Hong Kong, Hang Ng Calvin Sze ,   The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), Hong Kong, Chiu Philip Wai Yan ,   The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), Hong Kong, Li Zheng ,   The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), Hong Kong
Published: June 2023

Globally, the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been applied to more and more medical fields. MIS can provide many benefits for the patient, such as reduced pain, faster recovery, and better cosmesis [1]. But it also causes many challenges to the doctor and assistant during the long surgery. The most prominent problem is how to get the desired view through the narrow incision and the current solution is to insert a rigid endoscope into the surgical cavity of the patient. But this method will also bring about many problems and magnify the difficulty of the surgery. Firstly, the motion of the endoscope is limited by the incision especially when sharing the same port with other instruments, leading to the insufficient field of view (FOV) during the surgery. Also, the frequent collisions between the endoscope and other instruments will also interfere the adjustment of FOV. To address the above issues, the magnetic anchored and guided system (MAGS) is proposed [2]. Due to there is no rigid shaft and the endoscope is attached on the inner wall of the surgical cavity, the problems of port-crowing and instrument-fencing can be significantly alleviated, as shown in Fig.1. But how to arrange and control additional degrees of freedom (DOF) on MAGS to make it can cover the full FOV for surgeon is still a challenging problem. Here, we introduce the cable-driven mechanism to combine with the magnetic actuation method, providing a feasible solution for clinical application.
Free-Viewpoint Augmented Reality Navigation for Laparoscopic Surgery Based on Virtual Markers And SLAM
Authors:   Tianjin University, China, Guan Bo , Hu Zhenxuan ,   Tianjin University, China, Zou Yuelin ,   Tianjin University, China, Zhao Jianchang ,   Tianjin University, China, Wang Shuxin ,   Tianjin University, China
Published: June 2023

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been widely applied in the field of surgery due to its clinical benefits such as low invasiveness and low risk of infection [1]. The surgeon's understanding of the anatomy is a key factor that influences intraoperative complications in MIS [2]. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), for example, complications due to incomplete exposure of anatomical structures such as the cystic duct and common bile duct account for 92.9% of all LC complications [3]. The key step in LC is to reveal Calot's triangle properly, which is more difficult in cases of heavy inflammation of the gallbladder, encapsulation of surrounding tissues and anatomical variation. This may result in misinterpretation of the anatomy by the surgeon and thus increases the incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) of medical origin [4]. Video see-through augmented reality (VST-AR) navigation [5], a new technology is introduced to address these issues. As a new research hotspot in the field of laparoscopic augmented reality navigation, this technology visualizes the surgical target and key anatomical structures by means of a video transparency overlay to enhance intraoperative perception and improve the safety of the surgery. The core technical issue of VST-AR is the registration, which refers to the matching of a virtual 3D organ model reconstructed preoperatively by CT or MR to the laparoscopic image. The registration is divided into two phases: initial registration and tracking. This study proposes a VST-AR navigation framework based on virtual markers and SLAM. The concept of virtual markers is introduced to achieve rapid non- invasive registration of the virtual scene to the real scene. Based on the patient's body surface features, the proposed navigation framework achieves dynamic tracking of the laparoscope pose and free viewpoint transparency of hidden anatomical structures. In the case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, for example, the key anatomical structures, such as the gallbladder and the cystic duct, are overlaid onto their corresponding positions in the liver, so as to support the surgeon with the refinement of the operation.
Computer-based assessment of the operator’s experience in obstetric ultrasound examination based on hand movements and applied forces
Authors:   Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy, Penza Veronica , Santangelo Andrea ,   Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy, Paladini Dario ,   Istituto Giannina Gaslini, IRCCS, Italy, Mattos Leonardo S. ,   Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy
Published: June 2023

Obstetric ultrasound (US) is widely used in prenatal diagnosis to monitor the development and growth of the embryo or fetus and to detect congenital anomalies. The benefits offered by US in terms of timely diagnosis are extensive, but the quality of the examination is closely linked to the experience of the clinician [1]. Although proper training and assessment of acquired skills are considered of paramount importance in order to ensure a quality exam, there is no European standard establishing a training path with an objective assessment of operator’s capabilities. In fact, the experience is often evaluated merely on the basis of the number of clinical tests performed. However, an operator with daily US examination experience may not perform as well as a true expert due to inadequate training [2]. Many studies have been conducted to assess hand ges- ture with the aim of establishing metrics to discriminate between experts and novice, which can also be used to study a specific training and objectively evaluate the acquired skills [3][4]. Inspired by these works, hand movement was also studied for fetal US on phantom [5] or in a virtual reality simulated scenario [6]. This paper presents a novel study for the objective assessment of the operator’s experience in obstetric US examinations based on hand gestures and forces applied with the US probe on the abdomen, during real obstetric US examinations. A Data Recording System was designed to collect this information during US examinations performed by clinician with 3 different levels of experience (expert, intermediate and novice) on pregnant women at the 2nd trimester. The results presented here focus on assessing a set of metrics with the potential to provide an objective discrimination of the operator’s level of experience. With respect to previous works, the novelty relies on validating the state-of-the-art discriminating metrics in a real scenario. Furthermore, this work includes as a novelty the measurement of the forces applied on the abdomen, which seems to be very relevant in the clinical practice. This study was approved by the Regional Ethics Commit- tee of Liguria (Italy) with the protocol number 379/2022 - DB id 12369.
Toward a Millimeter-Scale Tendon-Driven Continuum Wrist with Integrated Gripper for Microsurgical Applications
Authors:   Robotics Center and Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, US, Leavitt Alexandra , Lam Ryan ,   Robotics Center and Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, US, Taylor Nichols Crawford ,   Robotics Center and Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, US, Drew Daniel S. ,   Robotics Center and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, US, Kuntz Alan ,   Robotics Center and Kahlert School of Computing, University of Utah, US
Published: June 2023

Microsurgery, wherein surgeons operate on extremely small structures frequently visualized under a micro- scope, is a particularly impactful yet challenging form of surgery. Robot assisted microsurgery has the poten- tial to improve surgical dexterity and enable precise operation on such small scales in ways not previously possible [1], [2]. Clinical applications of microsurgery include intraocular surgery, fetal surgery, otology, laryn- geal surgery, neurosurgery, and urology. Intraocular microsurgery is a particularly challenging domain [3], [4]. Challenges arise, in part, due to the lack of dexterity that is achievable with rigid instruments inserted through the eye. The insertion point introduces a remote center of motion (RCM) constraint that pre- vents control over a tool-tip’s full pose (position and orientation) for conventional, straight instruments. Con- tinuum robots based on concentric tubes [5], magnetic actuation [6], and tendon-actuated stacked disks [7], [8] have been proposed for intraocular microsurgery in order to overcome this constraint, but are frequently limited in their local curvatures—an important consideration in constrained spaces. Inspired by these works, we present a new design for a millimeter-scale, dexterous wrist intended for micro- surgery applications. The wrist is based on recent ad- vances in tendon-driven continuum robot designs [9] and created via a state-of-the-art two-photon-polymerization (2PP) microfabrication technique. The 2PP 3D printing method enables our wrist to be constructed of flexible material, with complex internal geometries and critical features at the micron-scale (Fig. 1).
WaveLeNet: Transfer Neural Calibration for Embedded Sensing in Soft Robots
Authors:   CONCORDIA University, Canada, Masoumi Navid , Kazemipour Negar ,   CONCORDIA University, Canada, Ghiasi Sarvin ,   McGill University, Canada, Torkaman Tannaz ,   CONCORDIA University, Canada, Sayadi Amir ,   McGill University, Canada, Dargahi Javad ,   CONCORDIA University, Canada, Hooshair Amir ,   McGill University, Canada
Published: June 2023

Soft robots have exhibited excellent compatibility with functional and physical requirements of intraluminal procedures such as bronchoscopy and cardiovascular intervention [1]. Despite their favourable mechanical compliance and scalable design, integrating miniature force and shape sensors on them is cumbersome [2]. Also, large mechanical deformation of such robots, i.e., flexures, may push traditional rigid sensors out of their linear range [3]. As an alternative approach, the authors have recently introduced a novel soft sensing method and soft embedded sensors for flexures that exhibited less than 10mN error in measuring external 3D tip forces on soft robots for bronchoscopy and cardiovas- cular applications [4], [5], [6]. Fig. 1(a –c) depict the conceptual design, the prototyped sensor developed in [5], and a representative interventional application. Their soft sensor was comprised of a gelatin-based matrix filled with graphite nano-particles that exhibited stable piezoresistivity under extremely large deformation. De- spite its accuracy, the accuracy of the proposed sensor was adversely affected in noisy environments, e.g., op- eration rooms. The reason was that the rate-dependent features used in its neural calibration would amplify the peripheral noise which would diminish the accuracy. In this study, we have proposed and validated an alterna- tive deep-learning-based method for calibration of the proposed soft sensor that is derivative-free thus does not amplify the peripheral noise and is versatile. Con- ceptually, the proposed calibration methods can be used to assemble an array of sensor readings for distributed sensing on soft robots. Our proposed method is based on generating a scalogram from the temporal-frequency content of the measured voltages using real-time wavelet transform and using transfer learning technique to infer rate-dependent and deformation-dependent features from the voltages’ scalogram.
SimPS-Net: Simultaneous Pose & Segmentation Network of Surgical Tools
Authors:   Imperial College London, UK, Souipas Spyridon , Nguyen Anh ,   University of Liverpool, UK, Laws Stephen ,   Imperial College London, UK, Davies Brian ,   Imperial College London, UK, Rodriguez Y Baena Ferdinando ,   Imperial College London, UK
Published: June 2023

Image-based detection and localisation of surgical tools has received significant attention due to the development of rele- vant deep learning techniques, along with recent upgrades in computational capabilities. Although not as accurate as optical trackers [1], image-based methods are easy to deploy, and require no surgical tool redesign to accommodate trackable markers, which could be beneficial when it comes to cheaper, “off-the-shelf” tools, such as scalpels and scissors. In the operating room however, these techniques suffer from drawbacks due to the presence of highly reflective or featureless materials, but also occlusions, such as smoke and blood. Furthermore, networks often utilise tool 3D models (e.g. CAD data), not only for the purpose of point correspon- dence, but also for pose regression. The aforementioned “off- the-shelf” tools are scarcely accompanied by such prior 3D structure data. Ultimately, in addition to the above hindrances, estimating 3D pose using a monocular camera setup, poses a challenge in itself due to the lack of depth information. Con- sidering these limitations, we present SimPS-Net, a network capable of both detection and 3D pose estimation of standard surgical tools using a single RGB camera.
Enhancing Fluoroscopy-Guided Interventions: a Neural Network to Predict Vessel Deformation without Contrast Agents
Authors:   Inria, France, Lecomte François , Scarponi Valentina ,   Inria, France, Alvarez Pablo ,   Inria, France, Verde Juan ,   IHU Strasbourg, France, Dillenseger Jean-Louis ,   Univ Rennes, France, Vibert Eric ,   Paul Brousse Hospital, Paris, France, Cotin Stéphane ,   Inria, France
Published: June 2023

Image-guided procedures have experienced a rapid in- crease in popularity in recent years. The advancements in medical imaging technology have led to a shift in medical images from being used primarily for diagnosis to being a critical tool in theragnostic and therapeutic procedures. This shift has resulted in the emergence of new fields such as interventional radiology (IR), thera- peutic endoscopy (TE), and minimally invasive image- guided surgery (IGS), with an increasing number of professionals adopting these techniques in their clinical practices due to improved outcomes [1]. One of the most widely used imaging methods in these procedures is X-ray-based imaging, including computed tomography (CT), 2D C-arm fluoroscopy, and cone-beam CT scans. These procedures typically require the use of contrast agents (CA) to visualize soft tissues with high definition and contrast. However, the use of CA presents several challenges, including the limited volumes that can be used and the toxicity of the agents when they are injected intravascularly [2]. The CA also follows the patient’s hemodynamics, leading to transient visualization and asynchronous image guidance. In this paper, we aim to address the technical issues related to contrasted X- Ray images in image-guided therapy. We propose a deep learning approach that will allow for the visualization of vessels during image-guided procedures without the need for contrast agents, making these procedures safer, and more efficient, while providing real-time guidance.
Comparison of denoising methods for synthetic low-field neurological MRI
Authors:   Imperial College London, UK, O'Brien Anthony , Rodriguez Y Baena Ferdinando M ,   Imperial College London, UK
Published: June 2023

Over the past decade, the resurgence of low-field (LF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensor systems designed to operate up to 1 tesla range has proven well suited to inspire new solutions and design strategies to address frontline medical challenges where environmental factors are most extreme. Examples of successful low-field MRI devices in resource-limited environments include: (1) classification of infant hydrocephalus in Africa and (2) in remote small hospitals where the low-field scanner travels to the patient's bedside to observe volumetric changes in brain structure [1,2]. These low-field MRI design examples have been effective in leveraging MRI information in the setting where it is used with minimal available resources. In developing countries, access to high-field (HF) MRI is limited and requires support and infrastructure to be used. These lower-cost systems can potentially benefit from many developments that have occurred in higher fields, such as signal-to-noise dependence on static magnetic fields and hardware components (i.e., magnet, gradient coils, etc.) [3]. In addition, improvements in machine learning now provide superior noise reduction compared to traditional methods, resulting in improved performance with smaller size and lower power consumption. With improved access to medical imaging equipment, people around the world who cannot afford it due to the high cost of conventional MRIs will be able to obtain high- quality imaging data with improved contrast resolution and acquisition times. SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is an important measure of the quality of a signal in low-field MRI. The amount of useful information in a signal compared to background noise directly affects the effectiveness of a low-field scan [4].
Using LOR Syringe Probes as a Method to Reduce Errors in Epidural Analgesia - a Robotic Simulation Study
Authors:   Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, Davidor Nitsan , Binyamin Yair ,   Soroka Medical Center, Israel, Hayuni Tamar ,   Soroka Medical Center, Israel, Nisky Ilana ,   Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Published: June 2023

In epidural analgesia, anesthetics are injected into the epidural space, to block signals from traveling through nerve fibres in the spinal cord or near it. To do so, the anesthesiologist inserts a Touhy needle into the patient’s skin and uses it to proceed to the epidural space, while using the haptic feedback received from a ”loss of resistance” (LOR) syringe [1] to sense the environment stiffness and identify loss of resistance from potential spaces. The two most common errors or complications of epidural analgesia are failed epidurals (FE) – halting the needle insertion in a superficial location, which will cause no pain relief – and accidental dural punctures (ADP), leading in most of the cases to post dural puncture headache (PDPH). The task of identifying the epidural space correctly and stopping the needle insertion while in it is challenging mechanically, and requires extensive training [2]. Hence, robotic simulation is an attractive method to help opti- mize skill acquisition [3]. Another advantage of robotic simulation is the ability to record kinematic information throughout the procedure, to evaluate users’ performance and strategy. In this study, we used a bimanual robotic simulator that we developed in previous work [3] to an- alyze the effect of LOR probing strategies on procedure outcomes.
How Insights from In Vivo Human Pilot Studies with da Vinci Image Guidance are Informing Next Generation System Design
Authors:   Vanderbilt University, US, Cannon Piper , Setia Shaan ,   Vanderbilt University Medical Center, US, Kavoussi Nicholas ,   Vanderbilt University Medical Center, US, Herrell S. Duke ,   Vanderbilt University Medical Center, US, Robert Webster Robert ,   Vanderbilt University, US
Published: June 2023

Using an image guidance system constructed over the past several years [1], [2] we have recently collected our first in vivo human pilot study data on the use of the da Vinci for image guided partial nephrectomy [3]. Others have also previously created da Vinci image guidance systems (IGS) for various organs, using a variety of approaches [4]. Our system uses touch-based registration, in which the da Vinci’s tool tips lightly trace over the tissue surface and collect a point cloud. This point cloud is then registered to segmented medical images. We provide the surgeon a picture-in-picture 3D Slicer display, in which animated da Vinci tools move exactly as the real tools do in the endoscope view (see [2] for illustrations of this). The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent in vivo experiences and how they are informing future research on robotic IGS systems, particularly the use of ultrasound.
Proof of Concept of a Novel Growing Soft Robot for Colonoscopy
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University, Turkey, Tutcu Cem , Talas Seref Kemal ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University, Turkey, Kocaturk Ozgur ,   Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bogazici University, Turkey, Tozun Nurdan ,   Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University School of Medicine, Turkey, Samur Evren ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University, Turkey
Published: June 2023

Colonoscopy is considered to be the gold standard for the detection of colorectal polyps and other colonic disease. In this study, a novel growing soft-continuum robot is presented as a proof of concept for a potential colonoscopy application. Compared to the state-of-the- art systems such as the ColonoSight system [1] using an inflated balloon attached over the colonoscope shaft, or Neoguide [2] actuated via electromechanical actu- ators, the proposed architecture utilizes the advantage of pneumatic propulsion as well as allowing control in three degrees of freedom. The growing robot concept pushes the end effector from the tip and prevents loss in propulsion force at the tip that results a lower mechanical forcing on the colon. Since the actuation is performed pneumatically and controlled via electromechanical in- terface, there is no need for users to apply high forces for pushing/pulling to progress and maneuver the robot.
MRI-Guided Robotic Prostate Biopsy
Authors:   Queen Mary University of London, UK, Liang Haipeng , Zuo Wanli ,   Ningbo University, China, Kessler Dimitri ,   University of Cambridge, UK, Barrett Tristan ,   University of Cambridge, UK, Tse Zion Tsz Ho ,   Queen Mary University of London, UK
Published: June 2023

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer death in men [1]. Approximately 52,300 new cases of prostate cancer are detected in the UK every year, that’s more than 140 every day. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, as it can offer high-resolution tissue imaging at arbitrary orientations and monitor therapeutic agents, surgical tools, and tissue properties. Therefore, a robot - under the guidance of MRI - can target the tumor regions with high accuracy to obtain the biopsy samples for diagnosis, thus reducing unnecessary gland punctures and maximizing the utility of a minimally invasive system. However, as MR scanners require a strong magnetic field, ferromagnetic materials are precluded as they can cause a hazard to the device and patients, and paramagnetic materials can generate their own magnetic field which will distort the image quality. As a result, MR-safe actuators are required to power the robot. Plus, due to the limited size of the MR bores, the robot operating inside should be as compact as possible [2]. In this paper, a robotic system for MRI-guided prostate biopsy is proposed. Comparing with the existing designs, it has a compact size, with the workspace covering the whole prostate. The use of pneumatically powered actuators can avoid the influence of electromagnetic interference. The working principle, mathematical model, and mechanism design are presented. The needle insertion experiment under an MR environment was conducted.
Area-Based Total Length Estimation for Position Control in Soft Growing Robots
Authors:   Ph.D. Student, Imperial College London, UK, Borvorntanajanya Korn , Treratanakulchai Shen ,   Mahidol University, Thailand, Franco Enrico ,   Senior Research Associate, Imperial College London, UK, Rodriguez Y Baena Ferdinando ,   Professor, Imperial College London, UK
Published: June 2023

Recently, the use of eversion-based movement in robotics has gained popularity. Eversion mechanisms enable objects to turn inside out, similar to flipping a sock, allowing them to move through narrow spaces without making direct force on the environment. This type of movement can be used for medical devices such as catheters and endoscopes [1]. For instance, an autonomous colonoscope must navigate through tight and curved spaces in the colon. Eversion movement is a suitable solution that allows the colonoscope to move more safely. Furthermore, the implementation of feedback control enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the examination process. The total length of the eversion portion (𝐿) is typically controlled by a reel mechanism [2]. The reel mechanism consists of a spool wrapped tightly with plastic tubing connected to a motor. The system calculates the total length by counting the number of motor rotations. However, the diameter of the reel mechanism varies depending on the layers of material around the roller, making it difficult to calculate the total length from the standard roller model [3], [4]. This paper introduces a method for calculating the total length of the everted portion based on area. The model was validated using an optical tracking camera and compared with four other methods for calculating the total length in roller mechanisms.
Simulating Mesh Cutting with the dVRK in Unity
Authors:   Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India, Senthilkumar Kanishkan , Gondokaryono Radian ,   Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Canada, Haiderbhai Mustafa ,   Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Canada, Kahrs Lueder ,   Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Canada
Published: June 2023

Research in surgical robotics and automation has made remarkable advancements in recent years thanks to new methods in computer vision, control, and deep learning. Autonomous end-effector manipulation is a challenging task in surgical robotics, and cutting with scissor tools is largely unexplored. A concurrent work explored path and trajectory generation for cutting deformable materials using the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK) [1]. However, an efficient and realistic simulation is necessary for methods such as reinforcement learning (RL) or learned trajectory planning. Our previous work built a simulation for the dVRK in Unity for training RL algorithms on rigid body tasks [2]. To our knowledge, there is no dVRK simulation available that includes the cutting of deformable materials. This paper introduces a cutting simulation of a deformable mesh, which can represent a tissue layer, built onto our Unity dVRK simulation.
From 4D Transesophageal Echocardiography to Patient Specific Mitral Valve Models
Authors:   Western University, Canada, Carnahan Patrick , Chen Elvis ,   Western University, Canada, Peters Terry ,   Western University, Canada
Published: June 2023

Mitral valve regurgitation is the most common valvular disease, affecting 10% of the population over 75 years old [1]. Current standard of care diagnostic imaging for mitral valve procedures primarily consists of trans- esophageal echocardiography (TEE) as it provides a clear view of the mitral valve leaflets and surrounding tissue. Heart simulator technology has been adopted widely by both industry for evaluation of technolo- gies for imaging heart valves [2], and academia for the assessment of modelled heart valves [3]. Recently, developments have been made on a workflow to cre- ate 3D, patient-specific valve models directly from trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) images. When viewed dynamically using TEE within a pulse duplicator simulator, it has been demonstrated that these models result in pathology-specific TEE images similar to those acquired from the patient’s valves in-vivo [4]. However, producing a mesh model of the valve geometry from TEE imaging remains a challenge. Previously, produc- ing a valve model included a labor intensive series of steps including manual leaflet segmentation, and computer-aided design (CAD) manipulation to derive a 3D printable mold from a raw segmentation. Our objective is to automate the workflow and reduce the labor requirements for producing these valve models. To address the leaflet segmentation problem, we developed DeepMitral, a fully automatic valve leaflet segmentation tool. Following leaflet segmentation, we have developed tools for automatically deriving mesh models that can easily be integrated into a mold base.
Intellectual Decolonization and Redefining the Self in the works of Ali Shariati
Authors: Ladol Chimat , Nakdon Tenzin
Published: June 2023

History of modern Iran has been the history of external intervention and revolts against it. Like intellectuals all over the third world, intellectuals in Iran also played significant role in producing counter-discourses to Western imperialism. Debating modernity was a general theme, but condemnation and critique of the state and redefining Iranian identity dominated the works of intellectuals in nineteenth and early twentieth century. Ali Shariati provided an intellectual critique of the Western imperialism and explained the detachment of the self from its authentic nature. He proposed return to the self through revolt and therefore is often seen as an ideologue of the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
Elementy szczególnej teorii względności
Authors:   Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University, Sokołowski Leszek
Published: June 2023

This is a modern advanced exposition of special relativity in terms of geometry, presenting the foundations of the theory as well as deeper motivations for expressing it in the form of a physically interpreted system of theorems in Minkowski spacetime geometry. The author discusses empirical data and conceptual ideas, leading to Minkowski geometry in the physical spacetime, then provides a detailed exposition of specific properties of Lorentz group, such as the Zeeman’s theorem and the relationship of the group to SL(2,C) group and to SO(3,C) group. Two chapters deal with relativistic kinematics and dynamics, including the first Noether theorem. An extensive chapter concerns various spacetime measurements and the most important and famous relativistic ,paradoxes’. A special attention is devoted to the invisibility of Lorentz contraction in realistic observations applying the Penrose approach. Ten appendices present modern experiments confirming the theory, exhibit its relationship to general relativity and discuss some issues concerning both the theories, such as transformations of the temperature, identification of empty spacetime points, possibility of measuring the one-way velocity of light, the nonrelativistic limit of special theory and the physical sense of Lorentz symmetry. It is a graduate text in theoretical physics.
Sobre el cÃ³digo abierto en la ciencia abierta: Â¿es ciencia abierta si se ha escrito, desarrollado o procesado con software propietario?
Authors: LÃ¡zaro-RodrÃ­guez Pedro
Published: June 2023

El grupo de trabajo FAIR4RS (FAIR for Research Software) presentÃ³ en una reciente publicaciÃ³n y en el contexto de la ciencia abierta los principios FAIR (encontrable, accesible, interoperable y reusable) para el software en investigaciÃ³n. En este ThinkEPI se plantea un debate sobre la diferencia marcada en dichos principios entre el software de investigaciÃ³n (el que se crea durante el proceso de investigaciÃ³n) y el software en investigaciÃ³n (el usado, por ejemplo, para escribir, desarrollar y procesar la ciencia). Se argumenta sobre si un resultado de investigaciÃ³n serÃ¡ ciencia abierta cuando se ha escrito, desarrollado o procesado sin software de cÃ³digo abierto; o sobre si debemos considerar al software en investigaciÃ³n -y no solo el software de investigaciÃ³n- una pieza mÃ¡s para la ciencia abierta. El debate planteado adquiere aÃºn mayor relevancia por la tambiÃ©n reciente publicaciÃ³n de la primera Estrategia Nacional de Ciencia Abierta (ENCA) 2023-2027 por el Gobierno de EspaÃ±a, y especialmente por los puntos que incluye en referencia al cÃ³digo abierto y al software libre.
Students' Perceptions in Using WhatsApp as Learning Media
Authors: Novianti Priskila , Kurniawati Tri , Putra M.Iqbal Ripo , Darajat Ageung
Published: June 2023

This research aimed to find out students’ perceptions in using WhatsApp as learning media to the Eleventh Grade students of SMA Negeri 1 Suti Semarang in the Academic Year of 2020/2021. This research was descriptive survey design in quantitative describe method. The participants of this research were 30 students. The proposed research applied online questionnaire (close-ended) as a tool. The closed-ended questionnaire was modified instrument based on Embi (2016) which consisted 20 statements rated four Likert-scale. To help researcher calculating the data and managing the charts, the researcher operate Ms. Excel 2016 to measurement of frequenc and percentage of the data. The findings stated that almost all students had positive perceptions on the use of WhatsApp as learning media. The findings indicated that almost all of aspects of WhatsApp were averaged at agreed scale. The findings also indicated that WhatsApp is helpfull, useful, and flexible to support students learning activities, however to access the internet in online learning is still expensive. Therefore, from the explained above the researcher conclude that, WhatsApp is a media that can be used to support learning process especially in the school.
RELIGION AND PRIDE
Authors: Lang Natalie
Published: June 2023

Seeking recognition presents an important driving force in the making of religious minorities, as is shown in this study that examines current debates on religion, globalization, diaspora, and secularism through the lens of Hindus living in the French overseas department of La Réunion. Through the examination of religious practices and public performance, the author offers a compelling study of how the Hindus of the island assert pride in their religion as a means of gaining recognition, self-esteem, and social status.
Clinical outcomes of solitary fibrous tumors and hemangiopericytomas and risk factors related to recurrence and survival based on the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system tumors
Authors: Wu Yingxi , Zhao Tianzhi , Cai Yaning , Zheng Min , Zhang Yunze , Qu Yan , Cai Qing
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVE

The authors aimed to explore the clinical outcomes and risk factors related to recurrence of and survival from solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) and hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) that were reclassified according to the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical and pathological data of SFTs and HPCs recorded from January 2007 to December 2021. Two neuropathologists reassessed pathological slides and regraded specimens on the basis of the 2021 WHO classification. The prognostic factors related to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were statistically assessed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients (74 men and 72 women, mean ± SD [range] age 46.1 ± 14.3 [3–78] years) were reviewed, and 86, 35, and 25 patients were reclassified as having grade 1, 2, and 3 SFTs on the basis of the 2021 WHO classification, respectively. The median PFS and OS of the patients with WHO grade 1 SFT were 105 months and 199 months after initial diagnosis; for patients with WHO grade 2 SFT, 77 months and 145 months; and for patients with WHO grade 3 SFT, 44 months and 112 months, respectively. Of the entire cohort, 61 patients experienced local recurrence and 31 died, of whom 27 (87.1%) died of SFT and relevant complications. Ten patients had extracranial metastasis. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, subtotal resection (STR) (HR 4.648, 95% CI 2.601–8.304, p < 0.001), tumor located in the parasagittal or parafalx region (HR 2.105, 95% CI 1.099–4.033, p = 0.025), tumor in the vertebrae (HR 3.352, 95% CI 1.228–9.148, p = 0.018), WHO grade 2 SFT (HR 2.579, 95% CI 1.343–4.953, p = 0.004), and WHO grade 3 SFT (HR 5.814, 95% CI 2.887–11.712, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with shortened PFS, whereas STR (HR 3.217, 95% CI 1.435–7.210, p = 0.005) and WHO grade 3 SFT (HR 3.433, 95% CI 1.324–8.901, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with shortened OS. In univariate analyses, patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after STR had longer PFS than patients who did not receive RT.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors better predicted malignancy with different pathological grades, and in particular WHO grade 3 SFT had worse prognosis. Gross-total resection (GTR) can significantly prolong PFS and OS and should serve as the most important treatment method. Adjuvant RT was helpful for patients who underwent STR but not for patients who underwent GTR.
Hydrocephalus in the emergency department: descriptive nationwide data and analysis of transfer
Authors: Piatt Joseph
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVE

Hydrocephalus is a chronic, treatable, but in most cases incurable condition characterized by long periods of stability punctuated by crises. Patients in crisis usually seek care in an emergency department (ED). How patients with hydrocephalus use EDs has received almost no epidemiological study.

METHODS

Data were taken from the National Emergency Department Survey for 2018. Visits by patients with hydrocephalus were identified by diagnostic codes. Neurosurgical visits were identified by codes for imaging of the brain or skull or by neurosurgical procedure codes. Visits and dispositions were characterized by demographic factors for neurosurgical and unspecified visits by using methods for analysis of complex survey designs. Associations among demographic factors were assessed using latent class analysis.

RESULTS

There were an estimated 204,785 ED visits by patients with hydrocephalus in the United States in 2018. Roughly 80% of patients with hydrocephalus who visited EDs were adults or elders. By a ratio of 2:1, patients with hydrocephalus visited EDs much more often for unspecified reasons than for neurosurgical reasons. Patients with neurosurgical complaints had more costly ED visits, and if they were admitted they had longer and more costly hospitalizations than did patients with unspecified complaints. Only 1 in 3 patients with hydrocephalus who visited an ED was sent home regardless of whether the complaint was neurosurgical. Neurosurgical visits ended in transfer to another acute care facility more than 3 times as often as unspecified visits. Odds of transfer were more strongly associated with geography and, specifically, with proximity to a teaching hospital than with personal or community wealth.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hydrocephalus make heavy use of EDs, and they make more visits for reasons unrelated to their hydrocephalus than for neurosurgical reasons. Transfer to another acute care facility is an adverse clinical outcome that is much more common after neurosurgical visits. It is a system inefficiency that might be minimized by proactive case management and coordination of care.