Light Patches Research Articles

Advancing Crack Detection Using Deep Learning Solutions for Automated Inspection of Metallic Surfaces

The deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture used in this research study provides a proof of concept for crack detection on the metallic surface of a hex nut. The goal is to create an automated receiving inspection process to supplement human inspections conducted on-site. Conventional image processing techniques (IPTs) have been extensively used for mechanical infrastructure fault detection. These techniques focus on image modification to extract typical features, such as surface fractures in materials like steel and concrete. However, obstacles presented by a variety of real-world variables, such as changes in lighting and shadows, make it difficult to use IPTs. Our suggested vision-based method employs a deep learning CNN to overcome these difficulties, eliminating the need to explicitly compare fault features. CNNs are more resilient to shifting real-world situations than IPTs since they are naturally trained to identify characteristics in images. Following training on a dataset of 1081 images with dimensions of 256 x 256 pixels, the VGG16 CNN architecture achieved an impressive accuracy of around 94.17%. Additional CNN architectures, including ResNet, MobileNet, AlexNet, and LeNet-5, are employed to assess and compare fault detection accuracies in order to select the most appropriate architecture for the model. To evaluate the robustness and flexibility of the suggested method in various situations, we conducted tests with 206 images from an alternative structure that was not part of the training dataset. These images depicted a range of circumstances, such as intense light patches and tiny fissures. The outcomes showed that our proposed method outperforms current approaches, highlighting its usefulness in practical situations involving the identification of metallic defects.

Anomaly Detection Based on a 3D Convolutional Neural Network Combining Convolutional Block Attention Module Using Merged Frames.

With the recent rise in violent crime, the real-time situation analysis capabilities of the prevalent closed-circuit television have been employed for the deterrence and resolution of criminal activities. Anomaly detection can identify abnormal instances such as violence within the patterns of a specified dataset; however, it faces challenges in that the dataset for abnormal situations is smaller than that for normal situations. Herein, using datasets such as UBI-Fights, RWF-2000, and UCSD Ped1 and Ped2, anomaly detection was approached as a binary classification problem. Frames extracted from each video with annotation were reconstructed into a limited number of images of 3×3, 4×3, 4×4, 5×3 sizes using the method proposed in this paper, forming an input data structure similar to a light field and patch of vision transformer. The model was constructed by applying a convolutional block attention module that included channel and spatial attention modules to a residual neural network with depths of 10, 18, 34, and 50 in the form of a three-dimensional convolution. The proposed model performed better than existing models in detecting abnormal behavior such as violent acts in videos. For instance, with the undersampled UBI-Fights dataset, our network achieved an accuracy of 0.9933, a loss value of 0.0010, an area under the curve of 0.9973, and an equal error rate of 0.0027. These results may contribute significantly to solve real-world issues such as the detection of violent behavior in artificial intelligence systems using computer vision and real-time video monitoring.

A comparative study of drinking straws made from natural resources: structural and morphological characterization

This study focuses on identifying a high-value material using low-cost raw resources by comparing wheat straw varieties collected in Greece with other commercial straws made of reed, bamboo, paper, and bioplastic. The structural characteristics, water absorption behavior, and morphological properties of the straws were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, water immersion tests, and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal degradation was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The results suggest that the wheat straws exhibit a significant degree of crystallinity, with the Staramaki K1 straw exhibiting the highest crystallinity of all the straws analyzed. The mass of wheat straws increased after immersion in water, coca-cola, and fresh orange juice in contrast to the mass of bioplastic and bamboo straws, which remained constant. The surface examination revealed modifications to the strawsʼ outer and inner surfaces after immersion in the various solutions. To variable degrees, pores, cracks, peeling material, lighter patches, and anomalies were seen. The presence of a highly crystalline structure can increase the strawʼs hardness and reduce its water absorption, making it more resistant to changes brought about by the solutions. So, the Staramaki K1 wheat straw exhibits favorable properties, including high crystallinity, lower water absorption, and thermal stability, making it a promising candidate for replacing conventional plastic drinking straws.

Begonia noraaunorae (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) a new species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Begonia noraaunorae is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines from the limestone forest of Surigao del Sur. It grows on limestone rocks in semi-shaded broadleaf forest along a national highway. B. noraaunorae resembles B. negrosensis in having erect stems and obovately oblong leaves with sparse hairs and an acuminate apex, but differs in having shorter stems, larger leaves with light green patches, and capsules longer than wide (vs. wider than long), without large bracteoles directly beneath (vs. with), on longer peduncles. The new species is named after Nora Aunor, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Based on IUCN criteria, B. noraaunorae is considered Vulnerable.

Fish and aquatic salamander responses to the creation of riparian canopy gaps along forested headwater streams

Many headwaters across temperate North America have uniform mid‐succession riparian forests recovering from historic land clearing. These young riparian stands contrast with late‐succession forests, which have complex structural characteristics including canopy gaps. Canopy gaps provide structural diversity that can be important for terrestrial species, and they are also hypothesized to be important features for aquatic environments. The light patches below gaps create productivity hotspots in streams and therefore create potential for increased stream apex predator abundances through bottom‐up food web drivers. However, increasing light may also affect stream temperature, a consideration for coldwater fish (salmonids). We established an experimental before‐after control‐impact study to explicitly assess how creating canopy gaps in the riparian forest affects the abundance and biomass of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) and Pacific giant salamanders (Dicamptodon tenebrosus) in paired reference and treatment reaches at five replicate streams. Gaps were designed to resemble those in old‐growth forests in the treatment reach of each system although wood was explicitly left out of the stream. At four of five sites, we found small and generally consistent positive responses in adult cutthroat trout and total vertebrate biomass to localized increases in light but only 2 years after treatment. Results suggest that opening riparian canopies adjacent to streams via gaps is a viable tool to enhance structural complexity of riparian forests without negatively impacting stream vertebrates; however, a single gap alone had small effects on aquatic vertebrates. More or larger gaps would likely be needed to notably enhance aquatic apex predators.

Black carbon concentrations and modeled smoke deposition fluxes to the bare-ice dark zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet

Abstract. Ice–albedo feedbacks in the ablation region of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) are difficult to constrain and model due, in part, to our limited understanding of the seasonal evolution of the bare-ice region. To help fill observational gaps, 13 surface samples were collected on the GrIS across the 2014 summer melt season from patches of snow and ice that were visibly light, medium, and dark colored. These samples were analyzed for their refractory black carbon (rBC) concentrations and size distributions with a single-particle soot photometer coupled to a characterized nebulizer. We present a size distribution of rBC in fresh snow on the GrIS and from the weathering crust in the bare-ice dark zone of the GrIS. The size distributions from the weathering crust samples appear unimodal and were overall smaller than the fresh snow sample, with a peak around 0.3 µm. The fresh snow sample contained very large rBC particles that had a pronounced bimodality in the peak size distributions, with peaks around 0.2 and 2 µm. rBC concentrations ranged from a minimum of 3 µg-rBC/L-H2O in light-colored patches at the beginning and end of the melt season to a maximum of 32 µg-rBC/L-H2O in a dark patch in early August. On average, the rBC concentrations were higher (20 ± 10 µg-rBC/L-H2O) in patches that were visibly dark, compared to medium patches (7 ± 2 µg-rBC/L-H2O) and light patches (4 ± 1 µg-rBC/L-H2O), suggesting that BC aggregation contributed to snow aging on the GrIS, and vice versa. Additionally, concentrations peaked in light and dark patches in early August, which is likely due to smoke transport from wildfires in northern Canada and Alaska, as supported by the Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) reanalysis model. According to the model output, 26 mg m−3 of biomass-burning-derived smoke was deposited between 1 April and 30 August, of which 85 % came from wet deposition, and 67 % was deposited during our sample collection time frame. The increase in the rBC concentration and size distributions immediately after the modeled smoke deposition fluxes suggest that biomass burning smoke is a source of BC to the dark zone of the GrIS. Thus, the role of BC in the seasonal evolution of the ice–albedo feedbacks should continue to be investigated in the weathering crust of the bare-ice zone of the GrIS.

Melasma is Associated with Lower Serum Vitamin D Concentrations as Compared to Healthy Controls

Background Melasma is a common, chronic skin condition of hyperpigmentation involving the appearance of symmetric and irregular light brown macules and patches, mainly on sun exposed skin of the head and neck. Though the pathogenesis is not fully understood, hyperfunctional melanocytes are known to deposit excess melanin in the epidermis and dermis. Known risk factors or triggers include genetic influence, hormonal influence, and ultraviolet radiation. Due to the avoidance of ultraviolet light, vitamin D supplementation is recommended. Due to known influence of vitamin D on the skin and the large prevalence of melasma in the public, the association between vitamin D and melasma will be examined further. Methods A retrospective review was performed utilizing the TriNetX platform to query de-identified patient data from the Medical University of South Carolina’s Electronic Health Record system over a 9-year period from January 2013 to May 2022. Calcidiol (25-hydroxy-vitaminD) was utilized as a surrogate for Vitamin D level. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square tests. Results Of 1,962 patients diagnosed with melasma, 840 had a serum calcidiol level measured following diagnosis. The majority of these patients were female (77%) and had an average age of 60.3 + 19.2 years. Melasma patients were most commonly Caucasian (81%), followed by African American (15%) and Hispanic or Latino (3%). Patients with melasma had an average serum calcidiol of 33.8 + 15.8 ng/mL (reference range: 25 – 80 ng/mL). This was significantly lower than comparison to 2,146 dermatology patients not diagnosed with melasma (36.8 + 15.8 ng/mL, p-value <0.0001%). Conclusion Vitamin D has been demonstrated to be critical in the skin, including differentiation and proliferation of melanocytes. Our results suggest that patients with melasma, who have significantly lower levels of serum vitamin D than their healthy counterparts, may benefit from vitamin D supplementation. Future studies investigating improvement in melasma symptoms following vitamin D supplementation are needed.

Prielbrusye National Park Environmental Changes Due To Increasing Tourism Activity

Prielbrusye National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia. In recent years internal tourism development, stimulated by restrictive measures (due to the COVID pandemic and geopolitical situation), resulted in significant growth of tourist flow to the national park’s territory. A surge in anthropogenic load on the park’s geosystems might degrade them and lead to environmental pollution. This research involved chemical studies of natural waters and snow from the south slope of the Elbrus and audit of the most popular tourist trails. The results have shown that in the snow alongside mountain hiking pistes to the Elbrus all the way up to 4,720 m above sea level (a.s.l.) oil stains concentration is up to 38 times higher than maximum acceptable concentration (MAC). Content analysis of heavy metals in snow cover on the Elbrus slopes and in the river Baksan has shown a significant rise in lead load over the period of 2015–2021 from the trace levels to 1.5 MAC, which is the result of increased anthropogenic load on the south slope of the Elbrus mountain. Ground observation of tourist trails has brought to light numerous patches of vegetation trampling, width extension and branching of the main trail, as well as campfire sites. The research results can be used as a rationale to take measures to reduce recreational load, to improve local geosystems’ condition and to develop a plan of action on nature conservation within the park’s territory.

Verrucous venous malformation with minimal or no verrucous proliferation: a report of 16 cases

Background: Verrucous venous malformation (VVM) usually presents as verrucous hyperplasia of the epidermis and proliferation of vessels in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Atypical VVM without verrucous manifestation was recently reported. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histological features of VVM with minimal or no verrucous hyperplasia in 16 patients at a single dermatology department from 2002 to 2021. Results: All patients presented with palpable soft nodules or masses. Slightly red or light pink patches were present on the surface in 8 patients, while no obvious superficial abnormalities were present in 8 patients. In nine patients, the proliferated tissue was excised without the overlying epidermis, and in the other seven patients, the proliferated tissue with the intact epidermis was available for histological examination. All specimens showed proliferation of small to medium-sized vessels mainly in the subcutaneous tissue. Of the seven specimens with intact epidermis, five exhibited slight vascular endothelial hyperplasia in the papillary dermis and two showed no change in the papillary dermis. The endothelial cells were positive for CD31 (16/16) and focally positive for prox1 (8/16), D2-40 (14/16), Wilms tumor-1 (8/16), and Glut-1 (1/16). The pericytes around the endothelial cells were positive for smooth muscle actin (16/16). Conclusions: VVM with minimal or no verrucous appearance is easily misdiagnosed. Clinicopathological correlation is very important for the correct diagnosis.

Anti Phytoviral Activities of Gunapaselam, On Tobacco Necrotic Virus (Tnv) Affecting Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba L (Taub)

Tobacco Necrotic Virus (TNV) is a plant disease affecting most of the legumes and other vegetable crops. The primary symptom being abnormal coloring or necrotic tissue in the leaves. Currently only chemical control of the virus is possible. There are, however, cultural management options to reduce the risk of the virus. The ‘ABC’ of TNV is (A) refers to dark brown raised patches, (B) dark sunken lesions (C) light brown cracked patches. Gunapaselam is a plant tonic made with fish extracts along with jaggery .Serial dilutions of the Fish Tonic ranging from1, 10,100 to 1000µl were applied to the host plant Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Cluster Bean).The promising levels being 100 µl.Gunapaselam was applied as a liquid foliar spray.

Beyond morphs: Inter-individual colour variation despite strong genetic determinism of colour morphs in a wild bird.

Categorizing individuals into discrete forms in colour polymorphic species can overlook more subtle patterns in coloration that can be of functional significance. Thus, quantifying inter-individual variation in these species at both within- and between-morph levels is critical to understand the evolution of colour polymorphisms. Here we present analyses of inter-individual colour variation in the Reunion grey white-eye (Zosterops borbonicus), a colour polymorphic wild bird endemic to the island of Reunion in which all highland populations contain two sympatric colour morphs, with birds showing predominantly grey or brown plumage, respectively. We first quantified colour variation across multiple body areas by using a continuous plumage colour score to assess variation in brown-grey coloration as well as smaller scale variation in light patches. To examine the possible causes of among-individual variation, we tested if colour variation in plumage component elements could be explained by genotypes at two markers near a major-effect locus previously related to back coloration in this species, and by other factors such as age, sex and body condition. Overall, grey-brown coloration was largely determined by genetic factors and was best described by three distinct clusters that were associated to genotypic classes (homozygotes and heterozygote), with no effect of age or sex, whereas variation in smaller light patches was primarily related to age and sex. Our results highlight the importance of characterizing subtle plumage variation beyond morph categories that are readily observable since multiple patterns of colour variation may be driven by different mechanisms, have different functions and will likely respond in different ways to selection.

Clonal integration benefits an invader in heterogeneous environments with reciprocal patchiness of resources, but not its native congener.

Many of the world's most invasive plants are clonal, and clonal functional traits are suggested to contribute to their invasiveness. Clonal integration is one of the most important clonal functional traits, but it is still unclear whether clonal integration can benefit invasive alien clonal plants more than native ones in heterogeneous environments with reciprocal patchiness of resources and whether invasive plants show a higher capacity of division of labor than native ones in such environments. We grew connected (allowing clonal integration) and disconnected (preventing clonal integration) ramet pairs of an invasive plant Wedelia trilobata and its occurring native congener W. chinensis in the environment consisting of reciprocal patches of light and soil nutrients (i.e., a high-light but low-nutrient patch and a low-light but high-nutrient patch). Clonal integration greatly promoted the growth of the invasive species, but had no significant effect on the native one. Both invasive and native species showed division of labor in terms of morphology, biomass allocation, and/or photosynthetic physiology, but the capacity of labor division did not differ between the invasive and the native species. We conclude that in heterogeneous environments consisting of reciprocal patches of resources, which are common in nature, clonal integration can confer invasive plants a competitive advantage over natives, but this difference is not related to their capacity of labor division. This study highlights the importance of clonal integration for plants in heterogeneous environments and suggests that clonal integration can contribute to the invasion success of alien clonal plants.

533 Melasma is Associated with Lower Serum Vitamin D Levels as Compared to Healthy Controls

Melasma is a common, chronic skin condition of hyperpigmentation involving the appearance of symmetric and irregular light brown macules and patches, mainly on sun exposed skin of the head and neck. Though the pathogenesis is not fully understood, hyperfunctional melanocytes are known to deposit excess melanin in the epidermis and dermis. Known risk factors or triggers include genetic influence, hormonal influence, and ultraviolet radiation. Due to the avoidance of ultraviolet light, vitamin D supplementation is recommended.

Anti Phytoviral Activities of Gunapaselam, On Tobacco Necrotic Virus (Tnv) Affecting Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba L (Taub)

Tobacco Necrotic Virus (TNV) is a plant disease affecting most of the legumes and other vegetable crops. The primary symptom being abnormal coloring or necrotic tissue in the leaves. Currently only chemical control of the virus is possible. There are, however, cultural management options to reduce the risk of the virus. The ‘ABC’ of TNV is (A) refers to dark brown raised patches, (B) dark sunken lesions (C) light brown cracked patches. Gunapaselam is a plant tonic made with fish extracts along with jaggery .Serial dilutions of the Fish Tonic ranging from1, 10,100 to 1000µl were applied to the host plant Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Cluster Bean).The promising levels being 100 µl.Gunapaselam was applied as a liquid foliar spray.

Association between plasma cadmium and renal stone prevalence in adults in rural areas of Guangxi, China: a case–control study

BackgroundKidney stones have become a worldwide public health problem. The purpose of this research is to study the relationship between plasma cadmium level and the prevalence of kidney stones in an adult population.MethodsThe data of this study were based on a current survey conducted from December 2018 to November 2019 in Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County, Guangxi, China. A total of 940 study subjects of the same sex and age (within 2 years of each other) according to 1:1 matching were selected for a case–control study. The diagnosis of kidney stones was based on the presence of strong light spots, patches, clusters, or bands within the renal sinus region, followed by an echo-free bundle of acoustic images. Plasma metal elements were determined by the metal plasma method. The relationship between plasma cadmium concentration and the prevalence of kidney stones was assessed using logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression.ResultsThe crude ratio for kidney stones in the highest quartile of plasma cadmium was 1.164 (95% CI, 1.121 to 2.324) compared with the lowest quartile. A positive correlation was found between the two (P for trend = 0.039). After adjusting for potential confounders, the ratio of plasma cadmium to kidney stones in the highest quartile was 1.606 (95% CI, 1.100 to 2.344) compared with the lowest quartile, and the findings remained unchanged.ConclusionThe odds of kidney stones in adults increased with increasing plasma cadmium exposure, and high plasma cadmium may be a risk factor for kidney stones.

Genetic and environmental drivers of colour and pattern in the Australian jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus).

The underlying drivers of variation in the colouration (colour and pattern) of animals can be genetic, non‐genetic, or more likely, a combination of both. Understanding the role of heritable genetic elements, as well as non‐genetic factors such as age, habitat or temperature, in shaping colouration can provide insight into the evolution and function of these traits, as well as the speed of response to changing environments. This project examined the genetic and non‐genetic drivers of continuous variation in colouration in a lizard, the jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus). We leveraged a large captive experiment that manipulated parental and offspring thermal environment to simultaneously estimate the genetic and non‐genetic drivers of variation in colouration. We found that the overall brightness, the elongation of the longitudinal stripes on the dorsum and the contrast between light and dark patches of the pattern were all heritable. Colouration varied according to the age of the hatchling; however, the thermal environment of neither the parents nor offspring contributed significantly to colouration. It appears that developmental plasticity and maternal effects associated with temperature are not important drivers of variation in our measures of colouration.

Accuracy of Hyperspectral Imaging Systems for Color and Lighting Research

ABSTRACT This study aims to compare different hyperspectral imaging devices and identify their suitability for in-situ color and lighting research. Three hyperspectral cameras were compared for radiometric, photometric, and colorimetric accuracy. The visual quality of the images obtained with each device was also evaluated to test their suitability for psychophysical experiments on color perception. The accuracies were evaluated for LED sources with correlated color temperatures ranging from 2351 K to 6922 K. The hyperspectral cameras tested were found to have acceptable radiometric accuracies for chromatic content and different photometric and colorimetric accuracies. It was also identified that a good radiometric/photometric accuracy does not necessarily indicate a good colorimetric accuracy for the same device and color. It depends on the light sources and color patches, thus highlighting the need to identify the reproduction accuracy of every test device methodically. This accuracy study thus describes a formal layout for the characterization of hyperspectral imaging devices using identifiable error metrics.

Wireless Electrical Power Delivery Using Light through Soft Skin Tissues under Misalignment and Deformation

AbstractProviding sustainable electrical power to medical electronic implants is key to enabling the diverse functions of implants and to avoiding repetitive replacement surgeries of depleted batteries. Subcutaneous photovoltaic energy harvesting with an external light source patch can be a reliable approach that provides sufficient power using light. However, from a practical perspective, aligning the external light source patch over opaque skin by patients may affect the amount of delivered electrical power. The amount of delivered power may also be affected by the deformation of the light source and receiver patches in accordance with thin skin layers. In this paper, an experimental and analytical study on the performance of a power implant under an animal skin depending on the implantation depth, lateral misalignment with the external light patch, and bending radius and direction is presented. The experimental results indicate that the transferred power by the patches in misalignment (about 20% of the transmitter length) or in bending (≈30 mm radius) is maintained at least 90% power of the aligned and flat ones. The results provide important characteristic data that are required in designing reliable wireless power transfer systems for various types of implantable medical devices.

Motion dazzle camouflage as an escape strategy in Hemidactylus frenatus, (Common house lizard) of Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Hemidactylus frenatus, is the common house lizard, which is frequently found in almost all Indian households. This lacertilian member is a warm blooded reptile and had been a triumphant lizard species on earth. The success of these lizards, in evolution, may be attributed to their unique ability to disguise as according to the backgrounds they inhabit. Quite a number of studies, on different species, of lizards have revealed that geckos are known to engage in “motion dazzle camouflage" to avoid predation. The present investigation was conducted to ascertain, if common house wall lizards actually engage in a similar kind of dazzle camouflage to evade aggression. Observational studies, for a period of two years spanning from 2019-2021, showed that the common wall lizards, indeed engage in one form or the other type of crypsis to avoid human or animal encounters. Results showed that, geckos which were generally found on lighter backgrounds such as light colored walls had a paler skin hue, matching to their lighter environment, and thus concealing them to certain extent. However it was interesting to note that, the lizards, which were adapted to run on the floor or adapted to move on patchy backgrounds, showed a molted appearance on their skin. They had alternate dark and light patches, on the dorsal side, extended from the neck till the tip of the tail, aiding these lizards, to conceal and avert any conflict. The molted appearance on the lizards may be because of opsin proteins present in their skin, which act as photo sensors, capable of adapting accordingly to the light intensities and there by assisting in defensive pigmentation. The blotched appearance of geckos implies that it causes the motion dazzle camouflage there by confusing the predator, about its exact location and avoids the threat. The present study, precisely suggests, that the common wall lizards of the species, Hemidactylus frenatus indulges in motion dazzle camouflage, as an efficient game plan to avoid and evade any adversaries.

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is Feasible and Acceptable in Pre-conditioning and Post-operative Recovery of Patients after Total Knee arthroplasty (TKA): A Clinical Case Series

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for minimal to moderate Kellgren and Lawrence grade knee osteoarthritis has significant evidence for effectiveness. The effect of PBMT in severe grades of osteoarthritis is less clear; and no studies have investigated the effect of PBMT before and after knee replacement surgery. This small study (n=4) aimed to understand the potential feasibility of undertaking a future randomised controlled clinical trial of a self-administered, home-based light patch system before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) The PBM device (450nm (6.75 mW/cm2) and 640nm (2.25 mW/cm2); 33kHz frequency, 4.5 J/cm2 radiant exposure) was self-applied by patients daily for 30 minutes for one week before, and 3 times in the week following hospital discharge after TKA. We measured numeric pain ratings, physical function and patient-reported outcomes at baseline one week prior to surgery, the day prior to surgery, at Day 4 after surgery, and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after hospital discharge. The study protocol and methods were found to be feasible and acceptable to participants. No pain was reported by any participants at 6-week follow-up. Functional measures of timed-up-and-go and 30 second chair stands test demonstrated marked improvement over the study period. No patients were requiring opioid analgesia at 6-week follow-up. Limitations included lack of gender diversity, the small number of participants and absence of information about post-hospital discharge opioid analgesic requirements from control group. The results provide confidence in progressing this research in an adequately powered, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial.