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Materials Horizons Apr 2024Beyond the fashion of Hermitian physics, non-Hermiticity has inspired, most recently, a surge of nontrivial principles and significant applications in both open quantum...
Beyond the fashion of Hermitian physics, non-Hermiticity has inspired, most recently, a surge of nontrivial principles and significant applications in both open quantum and classical systems characterized by gain or loss. However, research on elastic wave manipulation is still predominantly focused on conservative Hermitian systems, overlooking the energy interaction with the environment. The unavoidable energy loss, originating from the inherent material properties, is normally ignored. Additionally, most existing materials for elastic wave absorption suffer from complex configurations, sophisticated designs, and large volumes. Achieving highly efficient absorption properties in advanced artificial materials with ultrathin size and easy fabrication is still a challenge. This work proposes a design strategy based on non-Hermitian modulation to address such a challenge. The proposed non-Hermitian metagrating (NHMG), featured with the subwavelength unit cell, achieves the perfect absorption of elastic waves under specific low-loss conditions. The loss-induced non-Hermitian effects for perfect absorption are theoretically elucidated and a design framework is established in the NHMG with irregular and arbitrary shapes. The robust performance of omnidirectional and perfect absorption capabilities with respect to the boundary shape, rotation angle, and wave source location is numerically and experimentally verified. Consequently, a cloaking device based on the NHMG is further designed to avoid arbitrary-shaped targets being detected. Our study enriches the ways to elastic wave manipulation in non-Hermitian materials and provides an ultra-compact solution for wave absorption in engineering applications.
PubMed: 38372594
DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01866k -
Porcine Health Management Jun 2023Across the European Union (EU), efforts are being made to achieve modernisation and harmonisation of meat inspection (MI) code systems. Lung lesions were prioritised as...
BACKGROUND
Across the European Union (EU), efforts are being made to achieve modernisation and harmonisation of meat inspection (MI) code systems. Lung lesions were prioritised as important animal based measures at slaughter, but existing standardized protocols are difficult to implement for routine MI. This study aimed to compare the informative value and feasibility of simplified lung lesion scoring systems to inform future codes for routine post mortem MI.
RESULTS
Data on lung lesions in finisher pigs were collected at slaughter targeting 83 Irish pig farms, with 201 batches assessed, comprising 31,655 pairs of lungs. Lungs were scored for cranioventral pulmonary consolidations (CVPC) and pleurisy lesions using detailed scoring systems, which were considered the gold standard. Using the data collected, scenarios for possible simplified scoring systems to record CVPC (n = 4) and pleurisy (n = 4) lesions were defined. The measurable outcomes were the prevalence and (if possible) severity scoring at batch level for CVPC and pleurisy. An arbitrary threshold was set to the upper quartile (i.e., the top 25% of batches with high prevalence/severity of CVPC or pleurisy, n = 50). Each pair of measurable outcomes was compared by calculating Spearman rank correlations and assessing if batches above the threshold for one measurable outcome were also above it for their pairwise comparison. All scenarios showed perfect agreement (k = 1) when compared among themselves and the gold standard for the prevalence of CVPC. The agreement among severity outcomes and the gold standard showed moderate to perfect agreement (k = [0.66, 1]). The changes in ranking were negligible for all measurable outcomes of pleurisy for scenarios 1, 2 and 3 when compared with the gold standard (rs ≥ 0.98), but these changes amounted to 50% for scenario 4.
CONCLUSIONS
The best simplified CVPC scoring system is to simply count the number of lung lobes affected excluding the intermediate lobe, which provides the best trade-off between value of information and feasibility, by incorporating information on CVPC prevalence and severity. While for pleurisy evaluation, scenario 3 is recommended. This simplified scoring system provides information on the prevalence of cranial and moderate and severe dorsocaudal pleurisy. Further validation of the scoring systems at slaughter and by private veterinarians and farmers is needed.
PubMed: 37391833
DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00324-y -
Journal of Investigative Medicine : the... Apr 2024Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone marrow malignancy characterized by plasma cell proliferation. It was aimed to investigate pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels,...
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a bone marrow malignancy characterized by plasma cell proliferation. It was aimed to investigate pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels, oxidative/antioxidative status, and their correlation in MM. In the study, four groups were established, including newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), MM in remission (Rem-MM), relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) patients, and a healthy control group. PTX3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were assessed with an autoanalyzer. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using the formula: OSI (arbitrary unit) = TOS (µmol HO Eq/L)/TAS (mmol Trolox Eq/L) × 100. The study involved comparing PTX3, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels among these four groups. PTX3 levels were significantly elevated in NDMM and RRMM groups compared to controls and the Rem-MM group (NDMM vs control; p < 0.001, NDMM vs Rem-MM; p < 0.001, RRMM vs control; p < 0.001, and RRMM vs Rem-MM; p = 0.006). TAS was higher in NDMM and RRMM groups versus controls (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively), and TOS was higher in rem-MM group versus NDMM and control groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively). OSI was higher in the Rem-MM group than in NDMM and RRMM groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed associations between MM groups and PTX3 levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed high specificity (90%) and sensitivity (79%) for PTX3 in NDMM at a >0.56 ng/mL cut-off value. This study suggests that PTX3 levels may have diagnostic and prognostic potential in MM and its relationship with oxidative stress requires further exploration.
Topics: Humans; Antioxidants; C-Reactive Protein; Hydrogen Peroxide; Multiple Myeloma; Oxidants; Oxidative Stress; Prognosis; Serum Amyloid P-Component
PubMed: 38373952
DOI: 10.1177/10815589241235662 -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023Shot is one of the fundamental unit in the content structure of a film, which can provide insights into the film-director's ideas. By analyzing the properties and types...
Shot is one of the fundamental unit in the content structure of a film, which can provide insights into the film-director's ideas. By analyzing the properties and types of shots, we can gain a better understanding of a film's visual language. In this paper, we delve deeply into the task of shot type classification, proposing that utilizing multimodal video inputs can effectively improve the accuracy of the task, and that shot type classification is closely related to low-level spatiotemporal semantic features. To this end, we propose a Lightweight Weak Semantic Relevance Framework (LWSRNet) for classifying cinematographic shot types. Our framework comprises two modules: a Linear Modalities Fusion module (LMF Module) capable of fusing an arbitrary number of video modalities, and a Weak Semantic 3D-CNN based Feature Extraction Backbone (WSFE Module) for classifying shot movement and scale, respectively. Moreover, to support practical cinematographic analysis, we collect FullShots, a large film shot dataset containing 27K shots from 19 movies with professionally annotations for movement and scale information. Following experimental results validate the correctness of our proposed hypotheses, while our framework also outperforms previous methods in terms of accuracy with fewer parameters and computations, on both FullShots and MovieShots datasets. Our code is available at ( https://github.com/litchiar/ShotClassification ).
PubMed: 37752203
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43281-w -
European Journal of Sport Science Jul 2023The aims of this study were to test the change and retention of player's overall tackling technique and technical components following a player-specific video-based...
The aims of this study were to test the change and retention of player's overall tackling technique and technical components following a player-specific video-based technical feedback and instruction intervention on both their dominant and non-dominant shoulders. Twenty-four ( = 24) rugby union players participated in a non-randomized control-intervention, which consisted of a video-based technical feedback and instruction group (video-based technical feedback) and a no video-based technical feedback and instruction group (control). During 3 sessions (baseline, intervention, retention) separated by one week, participants in each group performed six tackles (3 tackles on each shoulder) on a tackle simulator. In total, 432 tackles (video-based technical feedback = 216, control = 216) were analysed. Each tackle was analysed using a standardized list of technical criteria (arbitrary units, AU). For the dominant shoulder, tackling technique scores significantly improved from baseline to intervention for both groups. For the non-dominant shoulder, only the video-based technical feedback group improved their tackling technique from baseline to intervention (baseline 6.89 [6.33-7.45] AU vs. intervention 7.72 [7.35-8.10] AU = .001, ES = 0.60 ). For the retention session, the video-based technical feedback group scored significantly higher than the control group, for dominant (video-based technical feedback 8.00 [7.60-8.40] AU vs. control 7.22 [6.83-7.62] AU = .014, ES = 0.66 moderate) and non-dominant (video-based technical feedback 8.11 [7.81-8.41] AU vs. control 7.22 [6.90-7.55] = .004, ES = 0.96 moderate) tackles. This study demonstrates the efficacy of video-based technical feedback as a method to optimize tackle training for player safety and performance.Video-based technical feedback can improve tackling technique in both dominant and non-dominant shoulders.Video-based technical feedback group continued to improve following a retention interval of one week.The video-based technical feedback group showed a significant (with a effect size) improvement from baseline for two techniques - namely, "body position - upright to low" and "drive through contact with legs and shoulders".Video-based technical feedback can be used as a method to optimize tackle training for injury prevention and performance.
Topics: Humans; Football; Feedback; Rugby; Video Recording; Leg
PubMed: 36533306
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2160937 -
Respiratory Medicine Feb 2024The quality of e-Consultations in the COPD is unknown. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the quality of referrals; (ii) to define the characteristics of... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
INTRODUCTION
The quality of e-Consultations in the COPD is unknown. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the quality of referrals; (ii) to define the characteristics of patients referred from Primary Care (PC) to the Unit of Pulmonology; and (iii) to describe differences between accepted and rejected patients.
METHODS
A retrospective, observational study of e-Consultations requested by PC for suspected COPD throughout 2022. To quantify the quality of the e-Consultations, an arbitrary scale of 12 variables (score 0-10) was created.
RESULTS
In total, 384 e-Consultations were reviewed, of which 167 (43.5 %) resulted in a face-to-face visit, and 217 (56.5 %) were rejected. No differences were observed between the two types of patients, except for confirmations of diagnostic suspicion of COPD [significantly higher in accepted patients (p = 0.042)]; physical examination data of rejected patients (more data provided; p = 0.015); and lung function (significantly better in rejected patients). The mean quality of referrals was acceptable (5.6 ± 2.1 score): 121 (31.3 %) had insufficient quality; 118 (30.5 %) acceptable; 75 (19.4 %) good, and 30 (7.8 %) excellent. Quality was low in half of the variables analyzed (6/12); acceptable in 3, and good in another 3. The capacity of resolution of referrals was good (one e-Consultation) in 199 requests (66.1 %); deficient (two e-Consultations) in 72 (23.9 %), and poor (≥3 e-Consultations) in 30 (10 %). Overdiagnosis was 40.2 % (86/214 e-Consultations). The risk could be classified in 247 patients (64.3 %; 135 low-risk; 90 high-risk).
CONCLUSIONS
When adequate information is provided, e-Consultations help identify different levels of severity. However, the quality and capacity of resolution of referrals were suboptimal, with a high percentage of overdiagnoses.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 38171405
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107514 -
Nutrients Oct 2023A drinking strategy aiming to replace a given percentage of the sweat losses incurred during exercise should result in reproducible fluid intake volume and, hence, fluid...
A drinking strategy aiming to replace a given percentage of the sweat losses incurred during exercise should result in reproducible fluid intake volume and, hence, fluid balance from one exercise session to the other performed under similar scenarios. Whether this may also be the case with ad libitum drinking during exercise is unclear. We characterized the repeatability of ad libitum water intake during repeated 1 h exercise sessions and examined its effect over time on fluid balance and selected physiological functions and perceptual sensations. Twelve (3 women) healthy individuals participated in this study. At weekly intervals, they completed four 2 × 30 min walking/jogging exercise bouts (55% V˙O, 40 °C, 20-30% relative humidity) interspersed by a 3 min recovery period. During exercise, participants consumed water (20 °C) ad libitum. There were no significant differences among the four exercise sessions for absolute water intake volume (~1000 mL·h), percent body mass loss (~0.4%), sweat rate (~1300 mL·h) and percent of sweat loss replaced by water intake (~80%). Heart rate, rectal temperature, and perceived thirst and heat stress did not differ significantly between the first and fourth exercise sessions. Perceived exertion was significantly lower during the fourth vs. the first exercise session, but the difference was trivial (<1 arbitrary unit). In conclusion, ad libitum water intake during four successive identical 1 h walking/jogging sessions conducted in the heat will result in similar water intake volumes and perturbations in fluid balance, heart rate, rectal temperature, and perceived thirst, heat stress and exertion.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dehydration; Drinking; Hot Temperature; Jogging; Osmolar Concentration; Walking; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Male
PubMed: 37960153
DOI: 10.3390/nu15214500 -
Artificial Life Aug 2023The design and implementation of adaptive chemical reaction networks, capable of adjusting their behavior over time in response to experience, is a key goal for the...
The design and implementation of adaptive chemical reaction networks, capable of adjusting their behavior over time in response to experience, is a key goal for the fields of molecular computing and DNA nanotechnology. Mainstream machine learning research offers powerful tools for implementing learning behavior that could one day be realized in a wet chemistry system. Here we develop an abstract chemical reaction network model that implements the backpropagation learning algorithm for a feedforward neural network whose nodes employ the nonlinear "leaky rectified linear unit" transfer function. Our network directly implements the mathematics behind this well-studied learning algorithm, and we demonstrate its capabilities by training the system to learn a linearly inseparable decision surface, specifically, the XOR logic function. We show that this simulation quantitatively follows the definition of the underlying algorithm. To implement this system, we also report ProBioSim, a simulator that enables arbitrary training protocols for simulated chemical reaction networks to be straightforwardly defined using constructs from the host programming language. This work thus provides new insight into the capabilities of learning chemical reaction networks and also develops new computational tools to simulate their behavior, which could be applied in the design and implementations of adaptive artificial life.
Topics: Neural Networks, Computer; Computer Simulation; Algorithms; Machine Learning; DNA
PubMed: 37141578
DOI: 10.1162/artl_a_00405 -
Modular Customization and Regulation of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Membrane Separations.Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Dec 2023Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered ideal membrane candidates for energy-efficient separations. However, the MOF membrane amount to date is only a drop in the...
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered ideal membrane candidates for energy-efficient separations. However, the MOF membrane amount to date is only a drop in the bucket compared to the material collections. The fabrication of an arbitrary MOF membrane exhibiting inherent separation capacity of the material remains a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report a MOF modular customization strategy by employing four MOFs with diverse structures and physicochemical properties and achieving innovative defect-free membranes for efficient separation validation. Each membrane fully displays the separation potential according to the MOF pore/channel microenvironment, and consequently, an intriguing H /CO separation performance sequence is achieved (separation factor of 1656-5.4, H permeance of 964-2745 gas permeation unit). Taking advantage of this strategy, separation performance can be manipulated by a non-destructive modification separately towards the MOF module. This work establishes a universal full-chain demonstration for membrane fabrication-separation validation-microstructure modification and opens an avenue for exclusive customization of membranes for important separations.
PubMed: 37843882
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315057 -
Medicine and Science in Sports and... Oct 2023Recent studies have questioned previous empirical evidence that mental fatigue negatively impacts physical performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Recent studies have questioned previous empirical evidence that mental fatigue negatively impacts physical performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical role of individual differences in mental fatigue susceptibility by analyzing the neurophysiological and physical responses to an individualized mental fatigue task.
METHODS
In a preregistered ( https://osf.io/xc8nr/ ), randomized, within-participant design experiment, 22 recreational athletes completed a time to failure test at 80% of their peak power output under mental fatigue (individual mental effort) or control (low mental effort). Before and after the cognitive tasks, subjective feeling of mental fatigue, neuromuscular function of the knee extensors, and corticospinal excitability were measured. Sequential Bayesian analysis until it reached strong evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis (BF 10 > 6) or the null hypothesis (BF 10 < 1/6) were conducted.
RESULTS
The individualized mental effort task resulted in a higher subjective feeling of mental fatigue in the mental fatigue condition (0.50 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-0.62)) arbitrary units compared with control (0.19 (95% CI, 0.06-0.339)) arbitrary unit. However, exercise performance was similar in both conditions (control: 410 (95% CI, 357-463) s vs mental fatigue: 422 (95% CI, 367-477) s, BF 10 = 0.15). Likewise, mental fatigue did not impair knee extensor maximal force-generating capacity (BF 10 = 0.928) and did not change the extent of fatigability or its origin after the cycling exercise.
CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence that mental fatigue adversely affects neuromuscular function or physical exercise; even if mental fatigue is individualized, computerized tasks seem not to affect physical performance.
Topics: Humans; Bayes Theorem; Exercise; Knee; Mental Fatigue; Muscle Fatigue
PubMed: 37227196
DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003221