Detected Research Articles

Building Digital Twins for Cardiovascular Health: From Principles to Clinical Impact.

The past several decades have seen rapid advances in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, enabled by technological breakthroughs in imaging, genomics, and physiological monitoring, coupled with therapeutic interventions. We now face the challenge of how to (1) rapidly process large, complex multimodal and multiscale medical measurements; (2) map all available data streams to the trajectories of disease states over the patient's lifetime; and (3) apply this information for optimal clinical interventions and outcomes. Here we review new advances that may address these challenges using digital twin technology to fulfill the promise of personalized cardiovascular medical practice. Rooted in engineering mechanics and manufacturing, the digital twin is a virtual representation engineered to model and simulate its physical counterpart. Recent breakthroughs in scientific computation, artificial intelligence, and sensor technology have enabled rapid bidirectional interactions between the virtual-physical counterparts with measurements of the physical twin that inform and improve its virtual twin, which in turn provide updated virtual projections of disease trajectories and anticipated clinical outcomes. Verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification builds confidence and trust by clinicians and patients in the digital twin and establishes boundaries for the use of simulations in cardiovascular medicine. Mechanistic physiological models form the fundamental building blocks of the personalized digital twin that continuously forecast optimal management of cardiovascular health using individualized data streams. We present exemplars from the existing body of literature pertaining to mechanistic model development for cardiovascular dynamics and summarize existing technical challenges and opportunities pertaining to the foundation of a digital twin.

The impact of zwitterionic surfactants on optode-based nanosensors via different fabrication approaches and sensing mechanisms.

In this work, we explored the impact of zwitterionic surfactants, sulfobetaine 16 (SB-16) and a PEG-phospholipid conjugate (DSPE-PEG), on nanosensor performance. We fabricated four sensors (for Na+, K+, Al3+, and O2) and examined how these surfactants influenced various aspects, including fabrication methods, sensing mechanisms, and the incorporation of nanomaterials. Our results highlighted SB-16's role in enhancing selectivity in ion-exchange sensors (Na+ and K+) while maintaining sensitivity akin to its PEG counterpart. The liquid-liquid extraction based sensors (Al3+) were unaffected by surfactant choice, while the O2 sensors that operate via collisional quenching exhibited reduced sensitivity with SB-16 when compared to its PEG-based counterpart. Additionally, the SB-16 sensors proved adaptable to different fabrication approaches (SESE - single emulsion solvent evaporation and FNP - flash nanoprecipitation), showcased good cell viability and maintained a functional lifetime of at least five days. Furthermore, via the use of quantum dots, we showed that it is possible to incorporate other nanomaterials into the sensing phase of SB-16 sensors. Future investigations could target enhancing the pH stability of zwitterionic surfactants to further advance their applicability in sensor technologies.

Printed Optical Waveguide Temperature Sensor With Rhodamine-Doped Core

Printed Optical Waveguide Temperature Sensor With Rhodamine-Doped Core

Simultaneous bending and temperature measurement based on a superimposed fiber grating sensor

A compact and novel superimposed fiber grating (SI-FG) sensor for simultaneous measurement of temperature and bending based on UV-induced FBG cascaded with a multimode fiber (MMF) embedded ultra-long period fiber grating (MMF-EULPFG) has been proposed and experimentally validated. The MMF-EULPFG acts as a temperature and bending sensing unit and was fabricated by periodically splicing a non-UV-non-photosensitive MMF and a UV-photosensitive single-mode fiber (SMF) which is so called cleaving-splicing method. Due to the periodic refractive index modulation, the 6-period SMF-MMF structure based MMF-EULPFG with a total length of 2.7 mm forms transmission spectra with a −17 dB dip. The proposed SI-FG sensor exhibits high bending and temperature sensitivities of 17.096 nm/m−1 and −0.238 nm/℃, respectively. The UV-induced FBG is fabricated in the initial segment of UV-sensitive fibers within EULPFG by UV exposure method. The dip of FBG transmission spectra also shows response to bending and temperature. By utilizing a matrix obtained from the experimental results, simultaneous measurement of temperature and bending can be achieved. Due to its compact structure and high sensitivity, the proposed novel SI-FG sensor can be used as a competitive all-fiber sensor for structural health monitoring and 3D-shape sensing.Index Terms: Optical fiber sensor, long period fiber grating, superimposed fiber grating, simultaneous measure.

Reducing Radiation Effects on Fiber Optic Quench Detection Sensors With Optical Annealing

Reducing Radiation Effects on Fiber Optic Quench Detection Sensors With Optical Annealing

Wafer scale WS2based ultrafast photosensing and memory computing devices for neuromorphic computing.

Integration of optical sensors with memristors can establish the bridge between photosensing and memory devices for Internet of Things (IoT) based applications. This paper presents the realization of integrated sensing and computing memory (ISCM) devices using tungsten disulfide (WS2) and their application for neuromorphic computing. The ISCM device fabrication process is scalable as microfabrication steps followed on 2″ wafer, ISCM device testing and image classification for neuromorphic computing. The photosensing/memory tests were conducted using electrical and optical stimulations (broadband spectrum). The fabricated photosensing device offers a higher responsivity (8 A W-1), higher detectivity (2.85 × 1011Jones) and fast response speed (80.2/78.3μs) at 950 nm. The memory device has shown a set/reset time of 51.6/73.5μs respectively. Further, the repeatability, stability and reproducibility tests were conducted by stimulating the device with different modulating frequencies. The frequency modulation tests confirm that the ISCM devices are stable and perfect candidate for real-time IoT applications. Moreover, the device's potentiation and depression results were used for image classification with the accuracy of 98.27%. These demonstrated device's test results provide possibilities to fabricate the smart sensors with integrated functionalities.

A Compact, Low-Cost Optical Sensor for Progesterone Detection Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

A Compact, Low-Cost Optical Sensor for Progesterone Detection Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

Dynamic Monitoring of Rail Behavior under Passenger Train Loading Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors

Dynamic Monitoring of Rail Behavior under Passenger Train Loading Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors

Quench Detection and Temperature Measurement With Fiber Optic Sensors

Quench Detection and Temperature Measurement With Fiber Optic Sensors

Functional assessment in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.

Conventional patient-reported surveys, used for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), are limited by subjectivity and recall bias. Objective functional evaluation, such as gait analysis, to delineate a patient's functional capacity and customize surgical interventions, may address these shortcomings. This systematic review endeavours to investigate the application of objective functional assessments in appraising individuals undergoing THA. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied. Eligible studies of THA patients that conducted at least one type of objective functional assessment both pre- and postoperatively were identified through Embase, Medline/PubMed, and Cochrane Central database-searching from inception to 15 September 2023. The assessments included were subgrouped for analysis: gait analysis, motion analysis, wearables, and strength tests. A total of 130 studies using 15 distinct objective functional assessment methods (FAMs) were identified. The most frequently used method was instrumented gait/motion analysis, followed by the Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUG), 6 minute walk test, timed stair climbing test, and various strength tests. These assessments were characterized by their diagnostic precision and applicability to daily activities. Wearables were frequently used, offering cost-effectiveness and remote monitoring benefits. However, their accuracy and potential discomfort for patients must be considered. The integration of objective functional assessments in THA presents promise as a progress-tracking modality for improving patient outcomes. Gait analysis and the TUG, along with advancing wearable sensor technology, have the potential to enhance patient care, surgical planning, and rehabilitation.

Propofol rescues voltage-dependent gating of HCN1 channel epilepsy mutants.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels1 are essential for pacemaking activity and neural signalling2,3. Drugs inhibiting HCN1 are promising candidates for management of neuropathic pain4 and epileptic seizures5. The general anaesthetic propofol (2,6-di-iso-propylphenol) is a known HCN1 allosteric inhibitor6 with unknown structural basis. Here, using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and electrophysiology, we show that propofol inhibits HCN1 by binding to a mechanistic hotspot in a groove between the S5 and S6 transmembrane helices. We found that propofol restored voltage-dependent closing in two HCN1 epilepsy-associated polymorphisms that act by destabilizing the channel closed state: M305L, located in the propofol-binding site in S5, and D401H in S6 (refs. 7,8). To understand the mechanism of propofol inhibition and restoration of voltage-gating, we tracked voltage-sensor movement in spHCN channels and found that propofol inhibition is independent of voltage-sensor conformational changes. Mutations at the homologous methionine in spHCN and an adjacent conserved phenylalanine in S6 similarly destabilize closing without disrupting voltage-sensor movements, indicating that voltage-dependent closure requires this interface intact. We propose a model for voltage-dependent gating in which propofol stabilizes coupling between the voltage sensor and pore at this conserved methionine-phenylalanine interface in HCN channels. These findings unlock potential exploitation of this site to design specific drugs targeting HCN channelopathies.

Use of fiber-optic sensors to monitor concrete dams: recent breakthroughs and new opportunities.

Structural health monitoring of dams is a cornerstone tool for engineers to assess and ensure dam safety. One of the keystones of structural health monitoring is the acquisition of data with sensors to assess the overall health of the structure. Sensor technologies have experienced notable advances in recent years, such as the incorporation of devices based on fiber-optic technology. Here, we focus on the application of fiber-optic sensors (FOSs) to the monitoring of concrete dams. We review the literature and report the latest advances in fiber-optic technology available in the market as well as those used for research applications and compare the performance of FOSs with conventional devices and the requirements recommended by practitioners. FOSs have better performance than conventional sensors when it comes to monitoring most of the variables of interest to monitor concrete dams, such as temperature, strain, vibration, among others. Moreover, fiber-optic sensors have some inherent features that make them an excellent choice, such as high spatial resolution, easiness of data acquisition, or continuous spatial monitoring of parameters along the wire, among others.

Time-resolved spectroscopic and SERS characterization of plasmonic optical fiber sensor using glutathione-capped gold nanourchins for detection of lead in water

Time-resolved spectroscopic and SERS characterization of plasmonic optical fiber sensor using glutathione-capped gold nanourchins for detection of lead in water

Eigenfrequency analysis using fiber optic sensors and low-cost accelerometers for structural damage detection

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is crucial for infrastructure safety and integrity. Arduino-based sensors are gaining popularity in low-cost SHM structures. Distributed fiber optic systems (DFOS), such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), are employed for accurate SHM despite their high costs, computational demands, and energy consumption. The primary objectives of this work are to compare the accuracy of an accelerometer named LARA (Low-cost Adaptable Reliable Accelerometer (LARA)) that utilizes both Arduino and Raspberry Pi technologies with a DAS system in detecting structural damage and to explore the potential advantages of combining LARA and DAS to create an effective SHM tool. This study is the first to enhance the design of LARA. Subsequently, LARA and DAS were used in a laboratory setting to analyze eigenfrequency changes in a beam model with induced localized damage. Finally, this study evaluated the precision and reliability of LARA and its potential role as a trigger for DAS in detecting localized damage. The findings show that both LARA and DAS can identify changes in the eigenfrequencies of damaged structures with deviations as small as 3.68 %. Consequently, LARA demonstrated its potential as a trigger for DAS, significantly reducing the computational demands while enriching the analysis. This approach offers highly accurate eigenfrequency measurements and enhances the analytical capabilities of DAS by identifying the primary axes of the detected eigenfrequencies.

Design and Fabrication of Automated Accumulator for Waste Management

Abstract: In today's society, the escalating issue of improper waste disposal looms large. As population density swells, so does the volume of waste produced, straining landfill capacities, polluting the environment, and posing grave health risks. Traditional waste collection approaches fall short, proving costly, laborious, and inadequate in addressing the mounting problem. This underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions. Enter the automated accumulator: a pioneering system designed to revolutionize waste management by streamlining processes and boosting efficiency. Combining cutting-edge sensor technology, robotics, and data analytics, the automated accumulator redefines waste management efficiency. Through instantaneous waste identification and categorization, it revolutionizes resource distribution, slashes manual labor requirements, and curtails environmental pollution.

Implementation of the SN04 Roko metal sensor on a 5.56 mm caliber portable magazine feeder

Roko SN04 Metal Sensor technology and equipment are evolving and growing more advanced with time. One type of equipment that needs to consider both the user's safety and the equipment's development and safety is technological equipment used in the military. The soldiers can shoot and do so with skill. As a result, soldiers must be able to move swiftly against the enemy and vigilant when utilizing combat equipment to ensure that it is used correctly and for its intended purpose. Nevertheless, there are still several fighting tools in the military that require a lot of physical labor, making them exceedingly inefficient for the user. One such tool is the portable magazine for 5.56-millimeter ammunition. This study employed the 4D methodology, which stands for Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. Development research is a part of this methodology. A device for loading magazines has been created to make it easier for soldiers to move in situations where loading bullets by hand is still risky and impractical. The Roko SN04 sensor is used in the construction of this tool. One sensor that can be used as a metal detector is the Roko SN04. This magazine refill gadget uses a DC motor as a mechanic and an Arduino as a control to randomly arrange ammunition. This study's success rate was 96.67%

The Application of Remote Sensing Technology in Post-Disaster Emergency Investigations of Debris Flows: A Case Study of the Shuimo Catchment in the Bailong River, China

The Application of Remote Sensing Technology in Post-Disaster Emergency Investigations of Debris Flows: A Case Study of the Shuimo Catchment in the Bailong River, China

Multiphysics Coupling Simulation of Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Optical Sensing System

Multiphysics Coupling Simulation of Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Optical Sensing System

Tapered fiber optic sensor for arterial pulse wave monitoring

Arterial pulse wave monitoring has been recognized as an effective medical diagnostic tool for various cardiovascular diseases. To overcome the barriers in traditional, complex, and expensive detection configurations, new electronic and optical sensors have been developed with their unique advantages. Particularly, various configurations of fiber-optic sensors have been proposed. This paper demonstrates the use of a tapered optical fiber structure to create a sensitive sensor that can detect carotid arterial pulse waves on the skin surface. The demonstrated fiber sensor probe utilizes an in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration and liquid-gold film coating on the sensor tip to enhance its sensitivity and demonstrate its use by encapsulating the sensor with a flexible elastomer material for detecting arterial pulse waves with a simple testing configuration. Considering the simple fabrication and high sensitivity without a complex demodulation scheme, the proposed sensor has broad implementation in biomedical health monitoring systems.

Design and construction of a IoT based automated circuit breaker system

Electrocution is a major fatal issue faced by electricians worldwide. A Circuit breaker is a device for automatic switching of electrical devices against overload and short circuits. However, advancements in technology allow for a more sophisticated approach: the cloud-based circuit breaker with a microcontroller and sensors for monitoring the line current and voltage levels. This system switches OFF the affected line when an electrical wire becomes defective, and the lineman may safely repair it. This design integrates real-time monitoring, remote control, and internet connectivity, enhancing electrical safety and offering valuable features for modern applications. At the heart of this design lies a microcontroller (Atmega328) and Esp8266_01(Wi-Fi Module). This tiny computer chip continuously monitors the circuit using current and voltage sensors. By regulating the power supply on the electrical lines, this system protects the safety of the lineman and reduces the risk of electrocution injuries.