A personalised computational model of the impact of COVID-19 on lung function under mechanical ventilation.

This work proposes a modelling framework to analyse flow and pressure distributions throughout the lung of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. The methodology involves: segmentation of the lungs and major airways from patient CT images; a volume filling algorithm that creates a dichotomous airway network in the remaining volume of the lung; an estimate of resistance and compliance within the lung based on Hounsfield unit values from the CT scan; and a computational fluid dynamics model to analyse flow, lung inflation, and pressure throughout the airway network. Mechanically ventilated patients with differing progression and severity of the disease were simulated.

Development of non-invasive biomarkers for pre-eclampsia through data-driven cardiovascular network models.

Computational models can be at the basis of new powerful technologies for studying and classifying disorders like pre-eclampsia, where it is difficult to distinguish pre-eclamptic patients from non-pre-eclamptic based on pressure when patients have a track record of hypertension. Computational models now enable a detailed analysis of how pregnancy affects the cardiovascular system. Therefore, new non-invasive biomarkers were developed that can aid the classification of pre-eclampsia through the integration of six different measured non-invasive cardiovascular signals.

A comparative analysis of pulp-derived nanocelluloses for 3D bioprinting facial cartilages.

Nanocelluloses have attracted significant interest in the field of bioprinting, with previous research outlining the value of nanocellulose fibrils and bacterial nanocelluloses for 3D bioprinting tissues such as cartilage. We have recently characterised three distinct structural formulations of pulp-derived nanocelluloses: fibrillar (NFC), crystalline (NCC) and blend (NCB), exhibiting variation in pore geometry and mechanical properties. In light of the characterisation of these three distinct entities, this study investigated whether these structural differences translated to differences in printability, chondrogenicity or biocompatibility for 3D bioprinting anatomical structures with human nasoseptal chondrocytes.

Development of a Head Acceleration Event Classification Algorithm for Female Rugby Union.

Instrumented mouthguards have been used to detect head accelerations and record kinematic data in numerous sports. Each recording requires validation through time-consuming video verification. Classification algorithms have been posed to automatically categorise head acceleration events and spurious events.

Transient changes during microwave ablation simulation : a comparative shape analysis.

Microwave ablation therapy is a hyperthermic treatment for killing cancerous tumours whereby microwave energy is dispersed into a target tissue region. Modelling can provide a prediction for the outcome of ablation, this paper explores changes in size and shape of temperature and Specific absorption rate fields throughout the course of simulated treatment with different probe concepts. Here, an axisymmetric geometry of a probe embedded within a tissue material is created, solving coupled electromagnetic and bioheat equations using the finite element method, utilizing hp discretisation with the NGSolve library.

Performance of exponential similarity measures in supply of commodities in containment zones during COVID-19 pandemic under Pythagorean fuzzy sets.

Following the breakout of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the government of India was forced to prohibit all forms of human movement. It became important to establish and maintain a supply of commodities in hotspots and containment zones in different parts of the country. This study critically proposes new exponential similarity measures to understand the requirement and distribution of commodities to these zones during the rapid spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe.

Developing a Lung Model in the Age of COVID-19: A Digital Image Correlation and Inverse Finite Element Analysis Framework.

Pulmonary diseases, driven by pollution, industrial farming, vaping, and the infamous COVID-19 pandemic, lead morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Computational biomechanical models can enhance predictive capabilities to understand fundamental lung physiology; however, such investigations are hindered by the lung's complex and hierarchical structure, and the lack of mechanical experiments linking the load-bearing organ-level response to local behaviors. In this study we address these impedances by introducing a novel reduced-order surface model of the lung, combining the response of the intricate bronchial network, parenchymal tissue, and visceral pleura.

Sex differences in neck strength and head impact kinematics in university rugby union players.

Globally, over three million women participate in rugby union, yet injury prevention and training strategies are predominantly based on androcentric data. These strategies may have limited generalisability to females, given the cervical spine is more susceptible to whiplash and less adept at resisting inertial loading. A total of 53 university rugby union players (25 female, 28 male, 20.

Time-resolved in situ synchrotron-microCT: 4D deformation of bone and bone analogues using digital volume correlation.

Digital volume correlation (DVC) in combination with high-resolution micro-computed tomography (microCT) imaging and in situ mechanical testing is gaining popularity for quantifying 3D full-field strains in bone and biomaterials. However, traditional in situ time-lapsed (i.e.

Correlating Local Volumetric Tissue Strains with Global Lung Mechanics Measurements.

The mechanics of breathing is a fascinating and vital process. The lung has complexities and subtle heterogeneities in structure across length scales that influence mechanics and function. This study establishes an experimental pipeline for capturing alveolar deformations during a respiratory cycle using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SR-micro-CT).

Low-cycle full-field residual strains in cortical bone and their influence on tissue fracture evaluated via in situ stepwise and continuous X-ray computed tomography.

As a composite material, the mechanical properties of bone are highly dependent on its hierarchical organisation, thus, macroscopic mechanical properties are dictated by local phenomena, such as microdamage resulting from repetitive cyclic loading of daily activities. Such microdamage is associated with plastic deformation and appears as a gradual accumulation of residual strains. The aim of this study is to investigate local residual strains in cortical bone tissue following compressive cyclic loading, using in situ X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) to provide a deeper insight on the three-dimensional (3D) relationship between residual strain accumulation, cortical bone microstructure and failure patterns.

Soft Robotic Surrogate Lung.

Previous artificial lung surrogates used hydrogels or balloon-like inflatable structures without reproducing the alveolar network or breathing action within the lung. A physiologically accurate, air-filled lung model inspired by soft robotics is presented. The model, soft robotic surrogate lung (SRSL), is composed of clusters of artificial alveoli made of platinum-cured silicone, with internal pathways for air flow.

Evaluating Primary Blast Effects In Vitro.

Exposure to blast events can cause severe trauma to vital organs such as the lungs, ears, and brain. Understanding the mechanisms behind such blast-induced injuries is of great importance considering the recent trend towards the use of explosives in modern warfare and terrorist-related incidents. To fully understand blast-induced injury, we must first be able to replicate such blast events in a controlled environment using a reproducible method.

On the behaviour of lung tissue under tension and compression.

Lung injuries are common among those who suffer an impact or trauma. The relative severity of injuries up to physical tearing of tissue have been documented in clinical studies. However, the specific details of energy required to cause visible damage to the lung parenchyma are lacking.

CD43Lo classical monocytes participate in the cellular immune response to isolated primary blast lung injury.

Background: Understanding of the cellular immune response to primary blast lung injury (PBLI) is limited, with only the neutrophil response well documented. Moreover, its impact on the immune response in distal organs remains poorly understood. In this study, a rodent model of isolated primary blast injury was used to investigate the acute cellular immune response to isolated PBLI in the circulation and lung, including the monocyte response, and investigate distal subacute immune effects in the spleen and liver 6 hours after injury.

Prolonged but not short-duration blast waves elicit acute inflammation in a rodent model of primary blast limb trauma.

Background: Blast injuries from conventional and improvised explosive devices account for 75% of injuries from current conflicts; over 70% of injuries involve the limbs. Variable duration and magnitude of blast wave loading occurs in real-life explosions and is hypothesised to cause different injuries. While a number of in vivo models report the inflammatory response to blast injuries, the extent of this response has not been investigated with respect to the duration of the primary blast wave.