Notch Effect in Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) Single-Edge-Notch Bending Specimens Manufactured by Fused Filament Fabrication.

This paper analyses the notch effect in the fracture behaviour of acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) material manufactured by fused filament fabrication (FFF). The research is performed on 72 single-edge-notch bending (SENB) specimens containing U-notches with nominal notch radii varying from 0 mm (crack-like defects) up to 2.0 mm, and fabricated with three different raster orientations (0/90, 45/-45, 30/-60).

Improving mixed-reality neuronavigation with blue-green light: a comparative multimodal laboratory study.

Objective: This study aimed to rigorously assess the accuracy of mixed-reality neuronavigation (MRN) in comparison with magnetic neuronavigation (MN) through a comprehensive phantom-based experiment. It introduces a novel dimension by examining the influence of blue-green light (BGL) on MRN accuracy, a previously unexplored avenue in this domain.

Methods: Twenty-nine phantoms, each meticulously marked with 5-6 fiducials, underwent CT scans as part of the navigation protocol.

Multilevel Corpectomy for Subaxial Cervical Spondylodiscitis: Literature Review and Role of Navigation, Intraoperative Imaging and Augmented Reality.

Background: Subaxial cervical spine spondylodiscitis represents a real challenge in spine surgery. In later stages multiple spinal metamers can the interested by the pathological infection and the alteration of the spinal stability leading to spinal deformity. There is scant literature on subaxial cervical spondylodiscitis management and especially on ≥three-level cervical corpectomies.

Use of BoneScalpel Ultrasonic Bone Dissector in Anterior Clinoidectomy and Posterior Fossa Surgery: Technical Note.

BackgroundFirst popularized by Dolenc, anterior clinoidectomies were performed with rongeurs, before the adoption of modern high-speed drills. We describe a novel application of the piezoelectric BoneScalpel™ in anterior skull base and posterior fossa surgeries. In the literature, to date, there are no mentions of anterior clinoidectomies performed with piezosurgical devices.

A Deep Anomaly Detection System for IoT-Based Smart Buildings.

In recent years, technological advancements in sensor, communication, and data storage technologies have led to the increasingly widespread use of smart devices in different types of buildings, such as residential homes, offices, and industrial installations. The main benefit of using these devices is the possibility of enhancing different crucial aspects of life within these buildings, including energy efficiency, safety, health, and occupant comfort. In particular, the fast progress in the field of the has yielded exponential growth in the number of connected smart devices and, consequently, increased the volume of data generated and exchanged.

Predicting Critical Loads in Fused Deposition Modeling Graphene-Reinforced PLA Plates Containing Notches Using the Point Method.

The use of 3D-printed composites in structural applications beyond current prototyping applications requires the definition of safe and robust methodologies for the determination of critical loads. Taking into account that notches (corners, holes, grooves, etc.) are unavoidable in structural components, the presence of these types of stress risers affects the corresponding load-carrying capacity.

Quantitative Evaluation of Gene Expression: A Comparison between Relative Quantification by Real-Time PCR and Absolute Quantification by Droplet Digital PCR.

In the precision medicine era of cystic fibrosis (CF), therapeutic interventions, by the so-called modulators, target the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The levels of targetable CFTR proteins are a main variable in the success of patient-specific therapy. In turn, the CFTR protein level depends, at least in part, on the level of mRNA.

L1077P CFTR pathogenic variant function rescue by Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis patient-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures and organoids: in vitro guided personalized therapy of non-F508del patients.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defects of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR-modulating drugs may overcome specific defects, such as the case of Trikafta, which is a clinically approved triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor (ETI) that exhibited a strong ability to rescue the function of the most frequent F508del pathogenic variant even in genotypes with the mutated allele in single copy. Nevertheless, most rare genotypes lacking the F508del allele are still not eligible for targeted therapies.

Investigating Real-World Benztropine Usage Patterns in Movement Disorders: Claims Analysis and Health Care Provider Survey Results.

To evaluate real-world treatment patterns for patients initiating benztropine and to understand treatment approaches in patients with drug-induced movement disorders from a health care provider perspective. A retrospective claims analysis was conducted among patients with evidence of benztropine initiation from January 2017 through March 2020 to assess treatment patterns and patient health care resource utilization. Subsequently, a 30-minute, United States-based online survey fielded from December 2021 to January 2022 was sent to physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who reported a primary care or psychiatry specialty currently treating drug-induced movement disorders and prescribed benztropine.

Magnetic seed versus skin tattoo localization of non-palpable breast lesions: a single institution cohort study.

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the accuracy and feasibility of magnetic seed compared to skin tattoo in preoperative localization of impalpable breast lesions in terms of accuracy of placement, re-excision and positive margins rates, and breast/surgical specimen volume ratio.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 77 patients who underwent breast conservative surgery in our center from November 2020 to November 2021, with previous localization with skin tattoo or magnetic seed.

Results: Thirty-seven magnetic seeds were placed in 36 patients (48.

VO-Notches Subjected to Tension-Torsion Loading: Experimental and Theoretical Fracture Study on Polymeric Samples.

In this research, the fracture behavior of brittle specimens weakened by V-shaped notches with end holes (VO-notches) is studied. First, an experimental investigation is conducted to evaluate the effect of VO-notches on fracture behavior. To this end, VO-notched samples of PMMA are made and exposed to pure opening mode loading, pure tearing mode loading, and some combinations of these two loading types.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on preterm delivery.

Objective: Controversies exist on whether the pandemic lockdown has resulted in a lower rate of preterm deliveries. A higher stillbirth rate was also reported. This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the rate of preterm delivery and stillbirth in a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong during COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessment of Microglial Activation in Alzheimer Disease Using 18 F-PBR06 PET.

A 69-year-old woman with progressive short-term memory deficits was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease (MMSE 26/30, CDR 0.5) and underwent PET using 18 F-PBR06, a second-generation 18-kDa translocator protein ligand, targeting brain microglia and astrocytes. SUV and voxel-by-voxel binding potential maps (using simplified reference tissue method and a cerebellar pseudo-reference region) were generated.

Fracture Behavior of AA7075-AA6061 and AA7075-Cu Friction-Stir Welded Joints Containing Blunt V-Notches under Opening-Mode Loading.

The purpose of this study is to predict the load-bearing capacity (LBC) of fracture specimens containing V-notched friction-stir welded (FSWed) joints of AA7075-Cu and AA7075-AA6061 materials and subjected to mode I loading conditions. Due to the resulting elastic-plastic behavior and the corresponding development of significant plastic deformations, the fracture analysis of the FSWed alloys requires elastic-plastic fracture criteria, which are complex and time-consuming. Thus, in this study, the equivalent material concept (EMC) is applied, equating the actual AA7075-AA6061 and AA7075-Cu materials to equivalent virtual brittle materials.

Utility of Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Older Adults With Epilepsy and Cognitive Decline.

In older adults with cognitive decline and epilepsy, diagnosing the etiology of cognitive decline is challenging. We identified 6 subjects enrolled in the Imaging Dementia-Evidence of Amyloid Imaging Scanning (IDEAS) study and nonlesional epilepsy. Three cognitive neurologists reviewed each case to determine the likelihood of underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.

Clinician Perceptions of the Negative Impact of Telehealth Services in the Management of Drug-Induced Movement Disorders and Opportunities for Quality Improvement: A 2021 Internet-Based Survey.

Purpose: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a drug-induced movement disorder (DIMD) seen in patients taking dopamine-receptor blocking agents (DRBAs). Clinicians should regularly monitor patients with or at risk of developing DIMDs; however, telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic presented several significant challenges related to screening and care of these patients. In this observational survey study, respondents compared in-person with video/telephone visits to determine the impact on the evaluation, diagnosis, and monitoring of patients with DIMDs.

Mixed Mode Fracture Investigation of Rock Specimens Containing Sharp V-Notches.

This work aims to assess both experimentally and analytically the fracture behavior of rock specimens containing sharp V-notches (SV-notches) subjected to mixed mode I/II loading. To this end, firstly, several mixed mode fracture tests were conducted on Brazilian disk specimens weakened by an SV-notch (SVNBD sample), performed in their corresponding center and with various notch opening angles. Secondly, the fracture resistance of the tested samples was predicted using a criterion named MTS-FEM.

Staging Breast Cancer with MRI, the T. A Key Role in the Neoadjuvant Setting.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) indications have expanded from inoperable locally advanced to early-stage breast cancer. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) has been proven to be an excellent prognostic marker leading to better disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Efficacy and Accuracy of Using Magnetic Seed for Preoperative Non-Palpable Breast Lesions Localization: Our Experience with Magseed.

In this retrospective study we share our single-center experience using a magnetic seed for the preoperative localization of non-palpable breast lesions. Patients who underwent a preoperative localization with Magseed (Endomagnetics, Cambridge, UK) placement between 2020 and 2022 were enrolled. Indications to Magseed placement have been established during multidisciplinary meetings prior to surgery and all patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS).