Search Results (63)

Background: A detailed understanding of cardiac anatomy and physiology is crucial in cardiovascular medicine. However, traditional learning methods often fall short in addressing this complexity. Augmented reality (AR) offers a promising tool to enhance comprehension. To assess its potential integration into the Heidelberger Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed), we conducted a needs assessment among medical students and lecturers at Heidelberg University Medical School. Methods: Our survey aimed to evaluate the perceived benefits of AR-based learning compared to conventional methods and to gather expectations regarding an AR course in cardiovascular medicine. Using LimeSurvey, we developed a questionnaire to assess participants’ prior AR experience, preferred learning methods, and interest in a proposed AR-based, 2 × 90-min in-person course. Results: A total of 101 students and 27 lecturers participated. Support for AR in small-group teaching was strong: 96.3% of students and 90.9% of lecturers saw value in a dedicated AR course. Both groups favored its application in anatomy, cardiac surgery, and internal medicine. Students prioritized congenital heart defects, coronary anomalies, and arrhythmias, while lecturers also emphasized invasive valve interventions. Conclusions: There is significant interest in AR-based teaching in cardiovascular education, suggesting its potential to complement and improve traditional methods in medical curricula. Further studies are needed to assess the potential benefits regarding learning outcomes. Full article

The characterization of airborne submicrometric composite structures’ debris is a challenge in the field of environmental monitoring and control. The work presented here aims to develop a new quantitative method to measure elemental mass concentrations via particle sampling and Transmission Electron Microscopy—Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (TEM-EDS). The principle is to collect airborne particles on a porous TEM grid, then add a certain mass of reference particles, and compare the relative mass percentages of elements from reference and sample particles via EDS. Diverse pairs of airborne particles (RbCl, CsCl, NaCl, SrCl₂, Ga(NO₃)₃, braking particles) were deposited on one TEM grid, and the experimental elemental mass ratios were measured by EDS and compared with the theoretical values. Results show that the quantitative and homogeneous collection of reference particles, such as RbCl, on the TEM grid could be suitable. For all the tested conditions, the absolute deviations between the theoretical elemental mass ratios and the experimental ratios remain lower than 8%. Thus, the mass concentration of Fe from the braking aerosol is calculated as 107 µg/m³. Compared to the cumbersome real-time instrument, this new method for mass characterization appears to be convenient, and requires a short time of aerosol sampling at the workplace. This approach ensures safety and practicability when assessing, e.g., the exposure risk of hazardous materials. Full article

This article focuses on assisting medical professionals in analyzing domain-specific texts and selecting and comparing Named Entity Recognition (NER) frameworks. It details the development and evaluation of a system that utilizes a generic approach alongside the structured Nunamaker methodology. This system empowers medical professionals to train, evaluate, and compare NER models across diverse frameworks, such as Stanford CoreNLP, spaCy, and Hugging Face Transformers, independent of their specific implementations. Additionally, it introduces a concept for modeling a general training and evaluation process. Finally, experiments using various ontologies from the CRAFT corpus are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the current prototype. Full article

Monitoring respiratory parameters is essential in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), yet bedside tidal volume (Vt) measurement is rarely performed due to the need for invasive airflow sensors. We present a real-time, non-contact respiratory monitoring system using the Azure Kinect DK (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) depth camera, specifically designed for use in the PICU. The system automatically tracks thoracic volume variations to derive a comprehensive set of ventilator equivalent parameters: tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, inspiratory/expiratory times, I:E ratio, and peak flows. Results are displayed via an ergonomic web interface for clinical use. This system introduces several innovations: real-time estimation of a complete set of respiratory parameters, a novel infrared-based region-of-interest detection method using YOLO-OBBs, enabling robust operation regardless of lighting conditions, even in total darkness, making it ideal for continuous monitoring of sleeping patients, and a pixel-wise 3D volume computation method that achieves a mean absolute error under 5% on tidal volume. The system was evaluated on both a healthy adult (compared to spirometry) and a critically ill child (compared to ventilator data). To our knowledge, this is the first study to validate such a contactless respiratory monitoring system on a non-intubated child in the PICU. Further clinical validation is ongoing. Full article

This paper presents a cloud-based system that builds upon the FIT4NER framework to support medical experts in training machine learning models for named entity recognition (NER) using Microsoft Azure. The system is designed to simplify complex cloud configurations while providing an intuitive interface for managing and converting large-scale training and evaluation datasets across formats such as PDF, DOCX, TXT, BioC, spaCyJSON, and CoNLL-2003. It also enables the configuration of transformer-based spaCy pipelines and orchestrates Azure cloud services for scalable and efficient NER model training. Following the structured Nunamaker research methodology, the paper introduces the research context, surveys the state of the art, and highlights key challenges faced by medical professionals in cloud-based NER. It then details the modeling, implementation, and integration of the system. Evaluation results—both qualitative and quantitative—demonstrate enhanced usability, scalability, and accessibility for non-technical users in medical domains. The paper concludes with insights gained and outlines directions for future work. Full article

Accurate measurements of upper troposphere humidity are essential to enhance understanding of contrail formation and guiding mitigation efforts. This study evaluates the ability of the IPRAL Raman Lidar, located south of Paris, to provide high-resolution water vapour mixing ratio (WVMR) profiles at contrail-relevant altitudes. Raman signals are screened on hourly bases, and a universal calibration method, independent of acquisition mode, is proposed towards operational Lidar water vapour profiles, using co-located ERA5 data. Calibration factors are derived from comparisons between 4 and 6 km, and nightly coefficients determined from hourly factors. Instrumental stability is monitored through the temporal evolution of calibration factors, and stable-period medians are adopted as final values. The uncertainty of calibrated WVMR profiles is assessed by comparison with GRUAN processed Meteomodem M10 radiosondes and ERA5 data. Results show a high agreement (>90%), with IPRAL exhibiting a small negative bias (~10%) below 8 km, reducing to ~5% up to 10.5 km to radiosondes. ERA5 systematically underestimates water vapour at cruise altitudes, with a dry bias increasing from 10% at 9 km to >20% at 11 km. Recent IAGOS corrections to ERA5, improving supersaturation representation, are validated over Paris. This calibrated Lidar data set supports improved atmospheric modelling and contributes to future air traffic management strategies. Full article

In the dynamic field of gene therapy, recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) have become leading viral vectors due to their safety, long-term expression, and wide-ranging cell and tissue tropism. With numerous FDA approvals and commercial products underscoring their potential, there is a critical need for efficient production processes to achieve high vector titers and quality. A major challenge in rAAV production is the efficient packaging of the genome into the viral capsid, with empty or partially filled capsids often representing over 90% of the produced material. To tackle this issue, we engineered the replication and packaging proteins of an AAV (Rep) to boost their functionality and improve vector titers. We subjected a complex Rep library derived from the AAV serotypes 1–13 to directed evolution in an AAV producer cell line. After each round of selection, single clones were analyzed, showing enrichment of specific hybrid Rep domains. Comparative analysis of these selected clones revealed considerable differences in their ability to package AAV2-based viral genomes, with hybrid Rep proteins achieving up to a 2.5-fold increase in packaging efficiency compared to their parental counterparts. These results suggest that optimizing rep gene variants through directed evolution is an effective strategy to enhance rAAV production efficiency. Full article

This study aims to achieve the classification of the cirrus clouds over the Observatory of Haute-Provence (OHP) in France. Rayleigh–Mie–Raman lidar measurements, in conjunction with the ERA5 dataset, are analyzed to provide geometrical morphology and optical cirrus properties over the site. The method of cirrus cloud climatology presented here is based on a threefold classification scheme based on the cirrus geometrical and optical properties and their formation history. Principal component analysis (PCA) and subsequent clustering provide four morphological cirrus classes, three optical groups, and two origin-related categories. Cirrus clouds occur approximately 37% of the time, with most being single-layered (66.7%). The mean cloud optical depth (COD) is 0.39 ± 0.46, and the mean heights range around 10.8 ± 1.35 km. Thicker tropospheric cirrus are observed under higher temperature and humidity conditions than cirrus observed in the vicinity of the tropopause level. Monthly cirrus occurrences fluctuate irregularly, whereas seasonal patterns peak in spring. Concerning the mechanism of the formation, it is found that the majority of cirrus clouds are of in situ origin. The liquid-origin cirrus category consists nearly entirely of thick cirrus. Overall results suggest that in situ origin thin cirrus, located in the upper tropospheric and tropopause regions, have the most noteworthy occurrence over the site. Full article

In this study, the geomorphological evolution of an inner flank of the Cratère Dolomieu at Piton de La Fournaise/La Réunion was investigated with the help of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data, terrestrial photogrammetric images, and historical webcam photographs. While TLS data and the terrestrial images were recorded during three field surveys, the study was also able to use historical webcam images that were installed for the monitoring of the volcanic activity inside the crater. Although the webcams were originally intended to be used only for visual monitoring of the area, at certain times they captured image pairs that could be analyzed using structure from motion (SfM) and subsequently processed to create digital terrain models (DTMs). With the help of all the data, the geomorphological evolution of selected areas of the crater was investigated in high temporal and spatial resolution. Surface changes were detected and quantified on scree slopes in the upper area of the crater as well as on scree slopes at the transition from the slope to the crater floor. In addition to their quantification, these changes could be assigned to individual geomorphological processes over time. The webcam photographs were a very important additional source of information here, as they allowed the observation period to be extended further into the past. Besides this, the webcam images made it possible to determine the exact dates at which geomorphological processes were active. Full article

Two-month experiments were carried out with carbon steel electrodes buried in an artificial sand wetted at 50–55% of saturation with a 0.07 mol L⁻¹ Na₂SO₄·10H₂O solution. Various protection potentials (corrected from the ohmic drop) were applied from −0.60 to −1.13 V/Cu-CuSO₄. In each case, the behavior of the electrode protected by cathodic polarization was compared with that of an unprotected electrode. The electrochemical study was performed using voltammetry, linear polarization resistance measurements, and EIS. Surface characterization of the coupons was carried out using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. First, cathodic protection was observed to induce a spreading of the electrolyte on the metal surface because of electrocapillary effects. The active area, or more precisely the wet area, of the electrode increased, leading to a decrease in soil electrolyte resistance R_s measured using EIS. This phenomenon was experimentally confirmed via visual observations of the surface of the coupons at the end of the experiments. Secondly, cathodic protection induced a passivation of the steel surface. The passive state persisted for 35 to 85 h after cathodic protection was stopped and could be studied during various periods of interruption of the protection. In each case, the OCP of the previously polarized coupons reached high values, actually 200–250 mV higher than those measured for the unprotected coupons, and was associated with high polarization resistance R_p values (~40 kΩ cm²). Depassivation of the metal finally occurred, a phenomenon revealed by simultaneous important drops of both OCP and R_p. Full article

Background: Iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak (iCSF-L) is a major complication of endonasal surgeries whose occurrence is always a potential adverse event due to anatomical variation/asymmetry of the skull base (SB). The aim of this manuscript is to provide a topographical map of iCSF-L and to investigate the role of SB asymmetry in iCSF-L occurrence. Methods: In this retrospective study, the location of iCSF-L dural defect was studied and compared to patients affected by spontaneous and post-traumatic CSF-L. Considering only iCSF-L, after having collected the SB asymmetry data, the Keros, Gera, distance of the anterior ethmoidal artery from the SB, frontal sinus pneumatization, and Thailand–Malaysia–Singapore score classifications were compared to a control group of patients. Results: A total of 153 CSF-Ls (103 spontaneous, 37 iatrogenic, and 13 traumatic) were included. A significant association was noted (p < 0.001) between the nature of the CSF-L and the areas involved. Considering iCSF-Ls, only the Gera classification was significantly different (p < 0.05) and the most reliable in predicting the risk of dural transgression (AUC = 0.719). Conclusions: ICSF-Ls present peculiar regional SB involvement with the cribriform plate, with the ethmoidal roof being the most involved. After having assessed the asymmetry of the SB, the Gera classification was the most reliable one. Full article

The use of non-piloted eVTOL aircraft in non-segregated airspace requires reliable and deterministic automatic flight guidance systems for the aircraft to remain predictable to all the users of the airspace and maintain a high level of safety. In this paper we present a 3D trajectory generation module based on clothoid transition segments in the horizontal plane and high order polynomial transition segments in the vertical plane. The expressions of the coefficients of the polynomial are derived offline are used to generate the trajectory online, making the system capable of running in real time without requiring enormous computational power. For the horizontal plane, we focus on the flyby transition, and therefore present a thorough analysis of the flyby geometry and the limitations linked to this geometry and the construct of three-segment trajectory generation around a fixed turn rate. We present feasible solutions for these limitations, and show simulation results for the combined horizontal and vertical plane concepts, allowing the system to generate complex 3D trajectories. Full article

In forensic sciences, body fluids, or biological traces, are a major source of information, and their identification can play a decisive role in criminal investigations. Currently, the nature of biological fluids is assessed using immunological, physico-chemical, mRNA and epigenetic methods, but these have limits in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The emergence of next-generation sequencing technologies offers new opportunities to identify the nature of body fluids by determining bacterial communities. The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether analysis of the bacterial communities in isolated and mixed biological fluids could reflect the situation observed in real forensics labs. Several samples commonly encountered in forensic sciences were tested from healthy volunteers: saliva, vaginal fluid, blood, semen and skin swabs. These samples were analyzed alone or in combination in a ratio of 1:1. Sequencing was performed on the Ion Gene Studio^TM S5 automated sequencer. Fluids tested alone revealed a typical bacterial signature with specific bacterial orders, enabling formal identification of the fluid of interest, despite inter-individual variations. However, in biological fluid mixtures, the predominance of some bacterial microbiomes inhibited interpretation. Oral and vaginal microbiomes were clearly preponderant, and the relative abundance of their bacterial communities and/or the presence of common species between samples made it impossible to detect bacterial orders or genera from other fluids, although they were distinguishable from one another. However, using the beta diversity, salivary fluids were identified and could be distinguished from fluids in combination. While this method of fluid identification is promising, further analyses are required to consolidate the protocol and ensure reliability. Full article

The available antipsychotics for schizophrenia (SZ) only reduce positive symptoms and do not significantly modify SZ neurobiology. This has raised the question of the robustness and translational value of methods employed during drug development. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based measures like evoked and spontaneous gamma oscillations are considered robust translational biomarkers as they can be recorded in both patients and animal models to probe a key mechanism underlying all SZ symptoms: the excitation/inhibition imbalance mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) hypofunction. Understanding the effects of commercialized atypical antipsychotics on such measures could therefore contribute to developing better therapies for SZ. Yet, the effects of such drugs on these EEG readouts are unknown. Here, we studied the effect of the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole on the gamma-band auditory steady-state response (ASSR), spontaneous gamma oscillations and behavioral features in a SZ rat model induced by the NMDAr antagonist MK-801. Interestingly, we found that aripiprazole could not normalize MK-801-induced abnormalities in ASSR, spontaneous gamma oscillations or social interaction while it still improved MK-801-induced hyperactivity. Suggesting that aripiprazole is unable to normalize electrophysiological features underlying SZ symptoms, our results might explain aripiprazole’s inefficacy towards the social interaction deficit in our model but also its limited efficacy against social symptoms in patients. Full article

The composition of the juice from grape berries is at the basis of the definition of technological ripeness before harvest, historically evaluated from global sugar and acid contents. If many studies have contributed to the identification of other primary and secondary metabolites in whole berries, deepening knowledge about the chemical composition of the sole flesh of grape berries (i.e., without considering skins and seeds) at harvest is of primary interest when studying the enological potential of widespread grape varieties producing high-added-value wines. Here, we used non-targeted DI-FT-ICR-MS and RP-UHPLC-Q-ToF-MS analyses to explore the extent of metabolite coverage of up to 290 grape juices from four Vitis vinifera grape varieties, namely Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Meunier, and Aligoté, sampled at harvest from 91 vineyards in Europe and Argentina, over three successive vintages. SPE pretreatment of samples led to the identification of more than 4500 detected C,H,O,N,S-containing elemental compositions, likely associated with tens of thousands of distinct metabolites. We further revealed that a major part of this chemical diversity appears to be common to the different juices, as exemplified by Pinot noir and Chardonnay samples. However, it was possible to build significant models for the discrimination of Chardonnay from Pinot noir grape juices, and of Chardonnay from Aligoté grape juices, regardless of the geographical origin or the vintage. Therefore, this metabolomic approach opens access to a remarkable holistic molecular description of the instantaneous composition of such a biological matrix, which is the result of complex interplays among environmental, biochemical, and vine growing practices. Full article