bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of Two Patient Single Ventilator Systemwith Simcenter Amesim
Authors: Wang Jing , Sivashankar Shiva , Arvanitis Elena , Reed Daniel 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we propose a simulation model using Simcenter Amesim for the two patient single ventilator setup. The model captures the connections and control of the mechanical components to ensure the proper ventilating function for pressure control mode. Using multiple model simulations with different lung parameter values, we demonstrate that two patients can be safely paired together on one ventilator if their lung compliances are similar. The modeling approach demonstrated herein can be used to quantify the impact of varying different parameters on the overall system performance and to accelerate the development of mechatronic medical devices.
Use of a Priming Package to Aid in Overcoming an Experiential Gap Resulting from the Differences in Functional Ability of Student Designers Versus Users
Authors: Sprigle Stephen , Drawdy Morgan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In the context of design, an experiential gap occurs when a disparity exists between the experiences of the target user and that of the designer. When designing for persons with disabilities, an experiential gap presents a challenge in addressing usability during the conceptual design process. In other words, the designer cannot grasp the differences in functional ability or the complexities of disability. This can hinder the design process as conceptual designs are developed and evaluated. This project used a priming package to better orient student designers to their project and unfamiliar target users. Using interviews with the design teams, guidelines for developing priming packages are proposed. The priming package should include a project brief and objective, desirable features list, background information, predicate technology, and stakeholder contact information. The purpose of the priming package was to allow the design team to kickstart design activities and to better prepare students to engage users and stakeholders. Student interviews confirmed that a benefit of the priming package was to improve early communication.
Design of a Newpleural Biopsy Device for Improved Procedural Efficacy
Authors: Bradshaw Catherine , Dheda Keertan , Esmail Aliasgar , Sivarasu Sudesh 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Pleural biopsies are challenging procedures that rely heavily on the skill of the performing clinician as there is little to guide them other than the feel of the needle within the patient. This is especially true in resource-poor settings as the cost and availability of external imaging equipment (such as computed tomography, ultrasound scanners, or thoracoscopes), and the increased skill needed to use the equipment prohibits their regular usage during these procedures. As a result, basic cutting needle biopsies have high risks of causing damage to the lung when the needle is inserted past the pleural space, or low diagnostic rates as pleural tissue is often not included in the biopsies. However, despite these drawbacks, pleural biopsies are performed regularly, most notably for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy in low- or middle-income countries. This paper proposes a new cutting needle design to firstly improve the yield of pleural tissue in the biopsies, and secondly, allow for multiple biopsies to be collected with a single insertion, minimising the risks usually associated with each needle insertion. Preliminary verification of the biopsy mechanism shows that multiple, separate, adequately sized biopsies are possible with this design.
Robotic Ultrasound for Remote Diagnostics: Design and Prototyping
Authors: Scholnik Lily , Nelson Carl A. , Christensen Jason 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Ultrasound is a relatively low-cost, high-value imaging modality used in a variety of medical specialties. One of the challenges of deploying ultrasound more widely, especially in low-resource settings, pertains to the availability of the specific expertise needed. The premise of this research is that a telepresence approach may reduce this barrier and facilitate increased impact of ultrasound technology. In this paper, we present progress toward developing a robot for remote ultrasound diagnosis, with a focus on requirements specific to pediatric cardiology. Design objectives, constraints, and rationale are explained, and modeling and prototyping results are presented.
How to Design Wearable Devices to be Waterproof: Hearing Aid Engineered from the Inside Out to be Waterproof and Weatherproof
Authors: Borra Ganesh , Standish Craig 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Hearing aids are medical-grade hearing healthcare devices that are built for superior sound quality and to encourage hearing aid wearers to live a more active lifestyle. With the introduction of on-ear sensor and rechargeable batteries, coupled with health and wellness features inspired an evolution in the benefit hearing aids could provide beyond aural rehabilitation. The ability to track physical activity came with the responsibility to ensure the hearing aids can withstand the heat, sweat, and varied environments they are subjected to. While most hearing aids today are designed to withstand wear and tear associated with being in constant contact with the wearer’s skin, in or around the ear, hearing aids continue to push the limits of the lifestyles the wearers maintain. The unique challenge with hearing aids is the use of glue is not allowed to seal the interfaces due to the increased sustainability and repairability emphasis. Further these devices have atmospheric acoustic openings to allow input sound to the mics. Since its introduction close to two decades ago, nanocoating technology has become a hearing aid industry standard that protects the device by acting as a first layer of defense from liquids, oils, and solids that may degrade the components of the hearing aids over time. The latest hearing aid design presented in this paper is engineered inside out, with multiple ingress protection barriers to ensure reliability of the product throughout its lifespan and to make it waterproof and weatherproof. A novel set of tests are designed and developed specifically to replicate the harshest conditions and use cases these wearable devices will come across in the real world application and the results show how the new design elements helped achieve successfully passing those tests.
Pneumatic Soft Robot Extensor for Hand Rehabilitation
Authors: Walters Brittany Heintz , Young Jhet Cooperrider , Muñoz Alissa , Han Yen-Lin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Impaired hand function, commonly presenting as impaired finger extension, is one of the most common motor deficits after stroke, and an affordable, accessible device for hand rehabilitation is needed. This paper discusses a soft robotic extensor designed to address finger extension deficits in stroke survivors. Intentionally diverging from glove-based concepts while focusing on enhancing patient accessibility, the soft robot extensor is a stand-alone device designed to fit under the flexed fingers of a patient with limited finger extension. When actuated with pressurized air, its elastomer structure straightens and extends the fingers. Preliminary evaluation of the device in 5 healthy adults (age, 21.00 ± 2.92 years; 3 females, 2 males) demonstrated finger range of motion with device actuation sufficient to perform 90% of functional hand tasks. Electromyography of the finger extensors revealed no significant muscle activity during device actuation, demonstrating that range of motion occurred from soft robot actuation versus voluntary muscle activation. Results from an adapted System Usability Scale demonstrated positive feedback from participants regarding usability. Results highlight the soft robot extensor’s potential as an accessible device for improving hand function and support continued device development.
An Innovative Needle Template for Initial Angulation in Needle-Based Procedures
Authors: Imanaka Rex , Padasdao Blayton , Konh Bardia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Needle angulation is often desired in needle-based procedures for precise targeting inside tissue and/or to avoid obstacles. It has been shown that needle-based procedures such as prostate brachytherapy could benefit from angular needle insertion, e.g., reaching targets that are not accessible via a straight shot or to bypass pubic arch interface. Recent research has also shown that angular needle insertions as well as needle bending could improve catheter implantation in high-dose-rate brachytherapy conformal to the prostate boundaries, and consequently improve the outcome of the procedure via improved dosimetric constraints. This work presents a novel needle guide template to facilitate needle’s initial angulation prior to puncture. The needle guide is designed with two parallel templates featuring similar grid patterns. The distance between the templates is adjustable, and the template proximal to the patient can rotate to achieve a desired needle angulation. The needle guide is primarily tested, and the access region is estimated.
Measuring Heart Rate Synchrony for a Patient-Music Therapist Dyad
Authors: Pemble Faith , Yarlagadda Harika , Clarke-Sather Abigail , Cevasco-Trotter Andrea , Sandbulte Jomara , Zhao T. Christina , Silverman Michael , Wang Sonya 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Caregivers are essential to patient health and wellness, especially regarding infant patients. Stress on parent caregivers can impact parent-infant bonding and ultimately infant health. Music therapy has been shown to decrease stress for mothers of hospitalized infants. Implementing music therapy as an approach to decrease parent-caregiver stress may help reduce physiological signs of stress e.g. heart rate. Coordinated heart rate, or heart rate synchrony, may reflect trust building, therapeutic calming of the body, and stress reaction through participant-therapist interactions. This study investigates the feasibility of data collection and analysis as indicated by heart rate synchrony between an adult and a music therapist before, during, and after therapy sessions as a hypothesis for the translation of heart rate synchrony between parent-infant dyads.
Utilizing Garmin smartwatches and a secure data transfer system, vital signs data was collected and analyzed with MATLAB. Preliminary results reveal a pronounced synchrony between participant and music therapist during specific interaction phases. The study contributes to the evolving understanding of the complex physiological dynamics between dyads, particularly within the realm of music therapy. The identified synchrony underscores the potential significance of music therapy in fostering physiological alignment between participants, laying the foundation for future research in support of caregiver health and wellbeing.
Improved Portable Instrument Tracking System for Surgical Training
Authors: Nelson Victoria , Ang Han Wei (Kelvin) , Thengvall Simon , Nelson Carl A. , Li Hong , Suh Irene , Siu Ka-Chun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Surgeons in training have a limited opportunity to practice their skills in a realistic surgical environment. Surgical training models are expensive and are often single-use exercises involving consumable supplies. The goal of the work presented in this paper is to increase surgeon training time by developing a surgical training simulator that is portable, inexpensive, and offers a realistic surgical environment. To achieve this goal, the device must be easily assembled, compact, durable, resistant to loads experienced during transport, and can be integrated with virtual reality training modules. This device must also work with a variety of surgical instruments, since the surgeons will be supplying their own instruments for training. The simulation environment for this project is developed with the focus of simulating laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, with the potential of extending the simulation environment for other surgeries. This paper will outline the current state of the prototype and the design process for creating the prototype.
Compression Plating of Long Bone Fractures with Flexure-Based Compliant Locking Plates
Authors: Huxman Connor , Armstrong April , Updegrove Gary , Lewis Gregory , Butler Jared 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
A novel flexure-based compliant bone plate is proposed for long bone fracture compression. Locking screws can be used in all screw holes while compression is generated through pretensioning of flexible elements in the plate. Performance differences are characterized for the use of both titanium alloy and stainless steel in the proposed plate. Biomechanical simulations are performed with finite element analysis to determine the fracture surface compression characteristics. The proposed compliant plating technology may offer unique benefits of both locked and compression plating.
Cadaveric Evaluation of a Novel Convection-Enhanced Therapy Catheter System
Authors: Morales Brianna , Rossmeisl John , Rylander Chris 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Convection-enhanced delivery is an experimental method for glioblastoma treatment. This work evaluates the Convection-Enhanced Therapy Catheter System (CETCS) by subjecting it to several cadaveric fetal bovine and porcine brain tests that replicate the anticipated future clinical use of the device.
CETCS includes a cannula containing six microneedles. First, the CETCS cannula and microneedle visibility were evaluated with CT imaging in cadaveric tissue. Second, the cannula and microneedles were subjected to a cadaveric tissue insertion test and evaluated for tissue accumulation postinsertion. This test was also performed with a silicone elastomer material similar to a predicate device. A third test evaluated the microneedle's ability to undergo a syringe drop test with 3, 10, and 20 mL water-filled syringes.
The results of this study prove that the CETCS cannula and microneedles are visible with CT imaging. CETCS and the predicate device material for the tissue insertion tests behave similarly, with an average tissue accumulation mass of 16.4 ± 3.6 mg and 21.4 ± 4.0 mg, respectively. The microneedles did not experience function-limiting damage with any attached syringes in the syringe drop test. The passing of all tests suggests that CETCS will satisfactorily meet regulatory testing milestones required for future clinical use.
Activation of ATF3 via the integrated stress response pathway regulates innate immune response to restrict Zika virus
Authors: Badu Pheonah , Baniulyte Gabriele , Sammons Morgan A. , Pager Cara T. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that can have devastating health consequences. The developmental and neurological effects of a ZIKV infection arise in part from the virus triggering cellular stress pathways and perturbing transcriptional programs. To date, the underlying mechanisms of transcriptional control directing viral restriction and virus-host interaction are understudied. Activating Transcription Factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress-induced transcriptional effector that modulates the expression of genes involved in a myriad of cellular processes, including inflammation and antiviral responses, to restore cellular homeostasis. While ATF3 is known to be upregulated during ZIKV infection, the mode by which ATF3 is activated, and the specific role of ATF3 during ZIKV infection is unknown. In this study, we show via inhibitor and RNA interference approaches that ZIKV infection initiates the integrated stress response pathway to activate ATF4 which in turn induces ATF3 expression. Additionally, by using CRISPR-Cas9 system to delete ATF3, we found that ATF3 acts to limit ZIKV gene expression in A549 cells. We also determined that ATF3 enhances the expression of antiviral genes such as STAT1 and other components in the innate immunity pathway to induce an ATF3-dependent anti-ZIKV response. Our study reveals crosstalk between the integrated stress response and innate immune response pathways and highlights an important role for ATF3 in establishing an antiviral effect during ZIKV infection.

IMPORTANCE
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that co-opts cellular mechanisms to support viral processes that can reprogram the host transcriptional profile. Such viral-directed transcriptional changes and the pro- or anti-viral outcomes remain understudied. We previously showed that ATF3, a stress-induced transcription factor, is significantly upregulated in ZIKV-infected mammalian cells, along with other cellular and immune response genes. We now define the intracellular pathway responsible for ATF3 activation and elucidate the impact of ATF3 expression on ZIKV infection. We show that during ZIKV infection, the integrated stress response pathway stimulates ATF3 which enhances the innate immune response to antagonize ZIKV infection. This study establishes a link between viral-induced stress response and transcriptional regulation of host defense pathways and thus expands our knowledge of virus-mediated transcriptional mechanisms and transcriptional control of interferon-stimulated genes during ZIKV infection.
Variable fitness effects of bacteriophage resistance mutations in
Escherichia coli:
implications for phage therapy
Authors: Gaborieau Baptiste , Delattre Raphaëlle , Adiba Sandrine , Clermont Olivier , Denamur Erick , Ricard Jean-Damien , Debarbieux Laurent 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT

Bacteria exposed to bactericidal treatment, such as antibiotics or bacteriophages (phages), often develop resistance. While phage therapy is proposed as a solution to the antibiotic resistance crisis, the bacterial resistance emerging during phage therapy remains poorly characterized. In this study, we examined a large population of phage-resistant extra-intestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
536 clones that emerged from both
in vitro
(non-limited liquid medium) and
in vivo
(murine pneumonia) conditions. Genome sequencing uncovered a convergent mutational pattern in phage resistance mechanisms under both conditions, particularly targeting two cell-wall components, the K15 capsule and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This suggests that their identification
in vivo
could be predicted from
in vitro
assays. Phage-resistant clones exhibited a wide range of fitness according to
in vitro
tests, growth rate, and resistance to amoeba grazing, which could not distinguish between the K15 capsule and LPS mutants. In contrast, K15 capsule mutants retained virulence comparable to the wild-type strain, whereas LPS mutants showed significant attenuation in the murine pneumonia model. Additionally, we observed that resistance to the therapeutic phage through a nonspecific mechanism, such as capsule overproduction, did not systematically lead to co-resistance to other phages that were initially capable or incapable of infecting the wild-type strain. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating a diverse range of phages in the design of therapeutic cocktails to target potential future phage-resistant clones effectively.

IMPORTANCE

This study isolated more than 50 phage-resistant mutants from both
in vitro
and
in vivo
conditions, exposing an extra-intestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strain to a single virulent phage. The characterization of these clones revealed several key findings: (1) mutations occurring during phage treatment affect the same pathways as those identified
in vitro
; (2) the resistance mechanisms are associated with the modification of two cell-wall components, with one involving receptor deletion (phage-specific mechanism) and the other, less frequent, involving receptor masking (phage-nonspecific mechanism); (3) an
in vivo
virulence assay demonstrated that the absence of the receptor abolishes virulence while masking the receptor preserves it; and (4) clones with a resistance mechanism nonspecific to a particular phage can remain susceptible to other phages. This supports the idea of incorporating diverse phages into therapeutic cocktails designed to collectively target both wild-type and phage-resistant strains, including those with resistance mechanisms nonspecific to a phage.
Supplemental Material: Clues on the Australasian impact crater site inferred from detailed mineralogical study of a monazite inclusion in a Muong Nong tektite
Authors: Seydoux-Guillaume Anne-Magali , al. et 
Published: August 2024

<p>Text S1: Sample provenance, methods, processing, and constraints on the thermal history of the Muong Nong tektite (MNT); Text S2: Complementary zircon data and statistical processing of the monazite database; Figure S1: Additional SEM-TEM images of monazite; Figure S2: EDS-STEM in one pore; Figure S3: Transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) performed on the ion-thinned lamella; Figure S4: Compositional variation diagram (Th + U + Si + Pb) vs. (light rare earth elements [LREEs] + Y + P); Figure S5: EPMA concentration profiles in the glass at the contact with monazite; Figure S6: Final heating rate and initial cooling rate during the MNT thermal event as a function of peak temperature; Figure S7: EDS-SEM maps and line profile across the interface between the Th-rich domain 1 and Th-poor domain 2 within the monazite; Figure S8: Date (U-Th–total Pb) vs. Th/U diagram and sorting of the database; Table S1A: Electron microprobe analyses of monazite; Table S1B: Line scan across monazite-glass interface; Table S2A: EPMA U-Th–total Pb dates with localization and weighted histogram; Table S2B: Isochron-like diagram; and Table S3: Database used for plotting dates (U-Th–total Pb) vs. Th/U diagrams in Figures 4 and S8. </p>
Effect of probiotic administration to breastfeeding mothers with very low birthweight neonates on some neonatal and maternal outcomes: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Alikamali Maryam , Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi Sakineh , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Gharehbaghi Manizheh Mostafa , Homayouni-Rad Aziz , Fardiazar Zahra , Shahnazi Mahnaz 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionPremature birth and very low birth weight (VLBW) are leading causes of neonatal mortality. Almost all premature infants experience hyperbilirubinaemia. Administering probiotics to breastfeeding mothers may positively affect infant outcomes. This trial aims to investigate whether probiotic supplementation for mothers with VLBW infants affects total serum bilirubin levels and postpartum depression scores (primary outcomes), as well as some other neonatal and maternal outcomes (secondary outcomes).Methods and analysisThis is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled superiority trial with two parallel arms. Participants, caregivers and outcome assessors will be blinded. A total of 122 breastfeeding mothers of neonates with a birth weight of 1000–1500 g, along with their infants within 48 hours of birth, will be assigned to either the probiotic or placebo group in a 1:1 ratio through block randomisation, stratified by singleton and twin births. The intervention will involve oral administration of probiotics containingLactobacillus paracasei431 andBifidobacterium lactisBB-12, or an indistinguishable placebo, for 42–45 days. Outcomes will be assessed through daily observations, laboratory assessments and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale. Adverse events will also be documented. Modified intention-to-treat analyses will be employed for the primary and secondary outcomes, excluding participants lost to follow-up from all postintervention assessments.Ethics and disseminationThis study protocol has been approved by the Medical University of Tabriz Ethics Committee (IR.TBZMED.REC.1401.735). Findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at relevant conferences.Trial registration numberIRCT20100414003706N42.