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Scientific Reports Jun 2024Data-driven approaches are often utilized to model and generate vibrotactile feedback and sounds for rigid stylus-based interaction. Nevertheless, in prior research,...
Data-driven approaches are often utilized to model and generate vibrotactile feedback and sounds for rigid stylus-based interaction. Nevertheless, in prior research, these two modalities were typically addressed separately due to challenges related to synchronization and design complexity. To this end, we introduce a novel multimodal multitask deep learning framework. In this paper, we developed a comprehensive end-to-end data-driven system that encompasses the capture of contact acceleration signals and sound data from various texture surfaces. This framework introduces novel encoder-decoder networks for modeling and rendering vibrotactile feedback through an actuator while routing sound to headphones. The proposed encoder-decoder networks incorporate stacked transformers with convolutional layers to capture both local variability and overall trends within the data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to apply transformer-based data-driven approach for modeling and rendering of vibrotactile signals as well as sounds during tool-surface interactions. In numerical evaluations, the proposed framework demonstrates a lower RMS error compared to state-of-the-art models for both vibrotactile signals and sound data. Additionally, subjective similarity evaluation also confirm the superiority of proposed method over state-of-the-art.
PubMed: 38858511
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64376-y -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024In this work we demonstrate a miniaturised imaging system based around a time-gated SPAD array operating in a "chip-on-tip" manner. Two versions of the system are...
In this work we demonstrate a miniaturised imaging system based around a time-gated SPAD array operating in a "chip-on-tip" manner. Two versions of the system are demonstrated, each measuring 23 mm × 23 mm × 28 mm with differing fields of view and working distances. Initial tests demonstrate contrast between materials in widefield fluorescence imaging (WFLIm) mode, with frame rates of > 2 Hz achievable. Following this, WFLIm images of autofluorescence in ovine lung tissue are obtained at frame rates of ~ 1 Hz. Finally, the ability of the second system to perform simultaneous WFLIm and time of flight (aka Flourescence Lifetime Imaging Distance and Ranging, FLImDAR) is also tested. This shows that the system is capable of 4 mm resolution of object separation when tested on 3D printed samples. It is further demonstrated as being able to perform scene reconstruction on autofluorescent lung tissue. This system is, to date, the smallest chip on tip WFLIm system published, and is the first demonstration of the FLImDAR technique in a compact, portable system.
PubMed: 38858419
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63409-w -
Exploration of Medicine 2024Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with both cerebrovascular pathology and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the connection between circulating endothelial...
AIM
Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with both cerebrovascular pathology and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the connection between circulating endothelial cells and the risk of AD remains uncertain. The objective was to leverage data from the Framingham Heart Study to investigate various circulating endothelial subtypes and their potential correlations with the risk of AD.
METHODS
The study conducted data analyses using Cox proportional hazard regression and linear regression methods. Additionally, genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out to further explore the data.
RESULTS
Among the eleven distinct circulating endothelial subtypes, only circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) expressing CD34+CD133+ were found to be negatively and dose-dependently associated with reduced AD risk. This association persisted even after adjusting for age, sex, years of education, apolipoprotein E () ε4 status, and various vascular diseases. Particularly noteworthy was the significant association observed in individuals with hypertension and cerebral microbleeds. Consistently, positive associations were identified between CD34+CD133+ EPCs and specific brain regions, such as higher proportions of circulating CD34+CD133+ cells correlating with increased volumes of white matter and the hippocampus. Additionally, a GWAS study unveiled that CD34+CD133+ cells influenced AD risk specifically in individuals with homozygous genotypes for variants in two stem cell-related genes: kirre like nephrin family adhesion molecule 3 (, rs580382 CC and rs4144611 TT) and exocyst complex component 6B (, rs61619102 CC).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that circulating CD34+CD133+ EPCs possess a protective effect and may offer a new therapeutic avenue for AD, especially in individuals with vascular pathology and those carrying specific genotypes of and genes.
PubMed: 38854406
DOI: 10.37349/emed.2024.00216 -
Chemosphere Jun 2024The discharge of heavy metals into the environment has adversely affected the aquatic ecosystem due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature. In this research, a...
The discharge of heavy metals into the environment has adversely affected the aquatic ecosystem due to their toxic and non-biodegradable nature. In this research, a three-dimensional graphene oxide/carboxymethylcellulose/aluminium sulphate (GOCAS) aerogel was synthesised and evaluated as a novel means for lead and zinc removal. The GOCAS aerogel was prepared via ice-templating of graphene oxide with carboxymethylcellulose and aluminium sulphate as the crosslinking and functionalisation additives. Characterisation of the aerogel by various analytical techniques confirmed the successful integration of the chemical additives. The hydroxyl and sulphate groups in the aerogel were found to participate in the adsorption of both metals. The equilibrium of lead adsorption was found to correlate well to the Freundlich isotherm, while zinc adsorption fitted closely the Langmuir isotherm. The kinetic adsorption behaviour of both metals was best described as pseudo-second-order. The interactive influences of concentration, temperature, contact time and adsorbent dose on the metal removal were explored by a central composite design, and the optimum adsorption capacity for lead was determined to be 138.7 mg/g at a GOCAS dose of 20 mg, initial concentration of 100 mg/L, temperature of 50 °C and contact time of 45 min. The optimum adsorption capacity for zinc was 52.69 mg/g at 30 mg, 65 mg/L, 45 °C and 40 min. Furthermore, regeneration studies with hydrochloric acid eluant were successfully conducted for up to four adsorption-desorption cycles. Overall, this work demonstrates that GOCAS aerogel is a viable nanosorbent for the adsorption of lead and zinc from water systems.
PubMed: 38844101
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142537 -
Soft Matter Jun 2024Correction for 'Flax fibre reinforced alginate poloxamer hydrogel: assessment of mechanical and 4D printing potential' by Charles de Kergariou , , 2024, , 4021-4034,...
Correction for 'Flax fibre reinforced alginate poloxamer hydrogel: assessment of mechanical and 4D printing potential' by Charles de Kergariou , , 2024, , 4021-4034, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SM00135D.
PubMed: 38841883
DOI: 10.1039/d4sm90089h -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2024Kinetic hydrate inhibitor laboratory testing before field application is one of the key priorities in the oil and gas industry. The common induction-time-based technique...
Kinetic hydrate inhibitor laboratory testing before field application is one of the key priorities in the oil and gas industry. The common induction-time-based technique is often used to evaluate and screen for kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs). However, the main challenge relates to the stochastic nature of hydrate nucleation observed in fresh systems, which often results in scattered data on hydrate formation with unacceptable uncertainties. A much more precise KHI evaluation method, called crystal growth inhibition (CGI), provides comprehensive insights into the inhibitory behavior of a kinetic hydrate inhibitor, including both hydrate formation and decomposition. Given that industry does not require this much information, it is not feasible to expend either much time or cash on this strategy. This study aims to provide a cost-effective technique that presents maximum data accuracy and precision with relatively little time and cost expenditure. Hence, the impact of water-hydrate memory on improving the accuracy and repeatability of the results of the induction-time-based technique (IT method) was examined. First, the concept of water-hydrate memory, which contains information about how it is created, was reviewed, and then, the factors influencing it were identified and experimentally investigated, like the heating rate of hydrate dissociation and the water-hydrate memory target temperature during heating. Finally, a procedure was developed based on the background information in the earlier sections to compare the consistency of the results, originating from the conjunction of water-hydrate memory with the IT technique. The results of replications at KHI evaluation target temperatures of 12.3-12.4°C and 11.5-11.7°C showed that more repeatable data were obtained by applying water-hydrate memory, and a more conclusive decision was made in evaluating KHI performance than with an IT method. It seems that combining the IT method with water-hydrate memory, introduced as the "HME method", can lead to more definitive evaluations of KHIs. This approach is expected to gain in popularity, even surpassing the accurate but complex and time-consuming CGI method.
PubMed: 38841336
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1396862 -
Science Advances Jun 2024Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light detection plays a key role in modern technologies. Emerging solution-processed organic semiconductors are promising for...
Short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) light detection plays a key role in modern technologies. Emerging solution-processed organic semiconductors are promising for cost-effective, flexible, and large-area SWIR organic photodiodes (OPDs). However, the spectral responsivity () and specific detectivity (*) of SWIR OPDs are restricted by insufficient exciton dissociation and high noise current. In this work, we synthesized an SWIR small molecule with a spectral coverage of 0.3 to 1.3 micrometers peaking at 1100 nanometers. The photodiode, with optimized exciton dissociation, charge injection, and SWIR transmittance, achieves a record high of 0.53 ampere per watt and * of 1.71 × 10 Jones at 1110 nanometers under zero bias. The * at 1 to 1.2 micrometers surpasses that of the uncooled commercial InGaAs photodiode. Furthermore, large-area semitransparent all-organic upconversion devices integrating the SWIR photodiode realized static and dynamic SWIR-to-visible imaging, along with excellent upconversion efficiency and spatial resolution. This work provides alternative insights for developing sensitive organic SWIR detection.
PubMed: 38838154
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9631 -
ACS Applied Electronic Materials May 2024We recently identified CaCuP as a potential low cost, low density thermoelectric material, achieving = 0.5 at 792 K. Its performance is limited by a large lattice... (Review)
Review
We recently identified CaCuP as a potential low cost, low density thermoelectric material, achieving = 0.5 at 792 K. Its performance is limited by a large lattice thermal conductivity, , and by intrinsically large p-type doping levels. In this paper, we address the thermal and electronic tunability of CaCuP. Isovalent alloying with As is possible over the full solid solution range in the CaCuPAs series. This leads to a reduction in due to mass fluctuations but also to a detrimental increase in p-type doping due to increasing Cu vacancies, which prevents improvement. Phase boundary mapping, exploiting small deviations from 1:1:1 stoichiometry, was used to explore doping tunability, finding increasing p-type doping to be much easier than decreasing the doping level. Calculation of the Lorenz number within the single parabolic band approximation leads to an unrealistic low for highly doped samples consistent with the multiband behavior in these materials. Overall, CaCuP and slightly Cu-enriched CaCuP yield the best performance, with approaching 0.6 at 873 K.
PubMed: 38828033
DOI: 10.1021/acsaelm.3c00828 -
PloS One 2024Spray drying fruit juice powders poses challenges because sugars and organic acids with low molecular weight and a low glass transition temperature inherently cause...
Enhancing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated film for food processing: Unveiling surface transformations through oxygenated plasma treatment and parameter optimization using response surface methodology.
Spray drying fruit juice powders poses challenges because sugars and organic acids with low molecular weight and a low glass transition temperature inherently cause stickiness. This study employed a hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film to mimic the surface of the drying chamber wall. The Central Composite Design (CCD) using response surface methodology investigated the impact of power (X1, Watt) and the duration of oxygenated plasma treatment (X2, minutes) on substrate contact angle (°), reflecting surface hydrophobicity. To validate the approach, Morinda citrofolia (MC) juice, augmented with maltodextrins as drying agents, underwent spray drying on the improved PTFE-coated surface. The spray drying process for MC juice was performed at inlet air temperatures of 120, 140, and 160°C, along with Noni juice-to-maltodextrin solids ratios of 4.00, 1.00, and 0.25. The PTFE-coated borosilicate substrate, prepared at a radio frequency (RF) power of 90W for 15 minutes of treatment time, exhibited a porous and spongy microstructure, correlating with superior contact angle performance (171°) compared to untreated borosilicate glass. Optimization data indicated that the PTFE film attained an optimum contact angle of 146.0° with a specific combination of plasma RF operating power (X1 = 74 W) and treatment duration (X2 = 10.0 minutes). RAMAN spectroscopy indicated a structural analysis with an ID/IG ratio of 0.2, while Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis suggested an average particle size of less than 100 nm for all coated films. The process significantly improved the powder's hygroscopicity, resistance to caking, and moisture content of maltodextrin-MC juice. Therefore, the discovery of this modification, which applies oxygen plasma treatment to PTFE-coated substrates, effectively enhances surface hydrophobicity, contact angle, porosity, roughness, and ultimately improves the efficacy and recovery of the spray drying process.
Topics: Polytetrafluoroethylene; Surface Properties; Food Handling; Oxygen; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Polysaccharides; Plasma Gases
PubMed: 38820420
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303931 -
Urology Annals 2024We aimed to study whether using 30 W versus 60 W thulium enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) would affect postoperative outcomes in patients with benign prostatic...
INTRODUCTION
We aimed to study whether using 30 W versus 60 W thulium enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) would affect postoperative outcomes in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We prospectively identified male patients with moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. We randomized patients into 30 W (Group 1) or 60 W (Group 2) thulium yag laser with a 550 μm laser fiber and a 26 Fr continuous flow resectoscope. We collected data related to prostate size, enucleation time, morcellation time, laser time, perioperative complications, and 1-year functional outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 120 patients were included, with a mean age of 67 years and a mean prostate size of 105 g. The preoperative characteristics were similar across both groups. The mean operative time was shorter in the 60 W group, 74 ± 27 vs. 91 ± 33 min in the 30 W group ( = 0.001), and the mean laser time was 55 ± 20 in 60 W versus 71 ± 25 in 30 W ( = 0.0001). The mean hospital stay was 1 day in both groups and at 1-year follow-up; there was a similar improvement in mean Qmax and International Prostate Symptom Score symptom scores.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION
Both 30 and 60 W ThuLEP provided a safe and comparable outcome with a relatively shorter operative time for the 60 W groups. Perhaps using a 30-W setting would be beneficial in the early learning curve or cases with more bleeding capsular perforators; besides, the financial benefit of manufacturing low-cost low-power devices that may help in the widespread of AEEP.
PubMed: 38818432
DOI: 10.4103/ua.ua_159_22