The Petri dish under the ice: permafrost pathogens and their impact on global healthcare and antibiotic resistance.

Background: A shallow active layer of soil above the permafrost thaws during the summer months which promotes microbial growth and releases previously confined pathogens which result in bacterial epidemics in circumpolar regions. Furthermore, these permafrost sources harbor several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) which may disseminate and pose a challenge for pharmacologists worldwide.

Aims: The authors examined the potential association between climate change-induced permafrost thawing, and the resulting release of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as the potential impact this can have on global healthcare systems in the long run.

A high sensitivity, low cost and fully decoupled multi-axis capacitive tactile force sensor for robotic surgical systems.

This paper presents the design of a multi-axis capacitive tactile force sensor with a fully decoupled output response for input normal and shear forces. A patterned elastomer is used as a dielectric layer between capacitive electrodes of the sensor that allows to achieve relatively higher sensitivity. The sensor is fabricated utilizing a low-cost rapid prototyping technique and is characterized for normal and shear forces in the range of 0 ~ 10 N and 0 ~ 3.

Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Context: COVID-19 has substantial effects on respiratory health and overall well-being. Recent studies suggest vitamin D as a potential treatment, but the results are inconclusive.

Objective: The authors conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the link between vitamin D and patients with COVID-19.

Development and characterization of non-proprietary ultra high performance concrete.

This paper presents the developmental process of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), the most advanced form of concrete. The entire process exclusively utilized locally available materials. The mixes were prepared without using any specialized mixer or treatments, such as elevated pressure, etc.

Deep Learning Based Multiresponse Optimization Methodology for Dual-Axis MEMS Accelerometer.

This paper presents a deep neural network (DNN) based design optimization methodology for dual-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive accelerometer. The proposed methodology considers the geometric design parameters and operating conditions of the MEMS accelerometer as input parameters and allows to analyze the effect of the individual design parameters on the output responses of the sensor using a single model. Moreover, a DNN-based model allows to simultaneously optimize the multiple output responses of the MEMS accelerometers in an efficient manner.

Guided Endodontic Surgery: A Narrative Review.

: Endodontic surgery has evolved over the last two decades. The use of state-of-the-art guided endodontic surgical procedures produces a predictable outcome in the healing of lesions of endodontic origin. The main objective of this review paper is to define and characterize guided surgical endodontics as well as its benefits and drawbacks by reviewing the most recent relevant scientific literature.

The Evaluation of Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Malignant Tumors Involving the Maxillary Sinus: Recommendation of an Examination Sieve and Risk Alarm Score.

This observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms of maxillary sinus tumors and to propose a clinical examination sieve and a unique risk alarm score to be used for timely patient referral and vigilance. The study consisted of 70 patients between 20 to 82 years of age from both sexes. The clinical information gained was collected from the upper dentoalveolar segment, orbit, and nasal sites.

Mixed Dimensional ZnO/WSe Piezo-gated Transistor with Active Millinewton Force Sensing.

This work demonstrates a mixed-dimensional piezoelectric-gated transistor in the microscale that could be used as a millinewton force sensor. The force-sensing transistor consists of 1D piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) as the gate control and multilayer tungsten diselenide (WSe) as the transistor channel. The applied mechanical force on piezoelectric NRs can induce a drain-source current change (Δ) on the WSe channel.

A Soft Multi-Axis High Force Range Magnetic Tactile Sensor for Force Feedback in Robotic Surgical Systems.

This paper presents a multi-axis low-cost soft magnetic tactile sensor with a high force range for force feedback in robotic surgical systems. The proposed sensor is designed to fully decouple the output response for normal, shear and angular forces. The proposed sensor is fabricated using rapid prototyping techniques and utilizes Neodymium magnets embedded in an elastomer over Hall sensors such that their displacement produces a voltage change that can be used to calculate the applied force.

Analyzing global inequality in access to energy: Developing policy framework by inequality decomposition.

Energy poverty is a critical policymaking problem in the world, while the outlined solutions in academic and policy literature talks about the solutions, without addressing the possible cause of the problem. The interaction between labor and energy market might pave a way to address the issue. Within the context of energy poverty, this interaction might turn out to be a major roadblock in the way to attain the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A Systematic Design Optimization Approach for Multiphysics MEMS Devices Based on Combined Computer Experiments and Gaussian Process Modelling.

This paper presents a systematic and efficient design approach for the two degree-of-freedom (2-DoF) capacitive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer by using combined design and analysis of computer experiments (DACE) and Gaussian process (GP) modelling. Multiple output responses of the MEMS accelerometer including natural frequency, proof mass displacement, pull-in voltage, capacitance change, and Brownian noise equivalent acceleration (BNEA) are optimized simultaneously with respect to the geometric design parameters, environmental conditions, and microfabrication process constraints. The sampling design space is created using DACE based Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) technique and corresponding output responses are obtained using multiphysics coupled field electro-thermal-structural interaction based finite element method (FEM) simulations.

Integration of ZnO nanorods with MOS capacitor for self-powered force sensors and nanogenerators.

In this work, we present a novel force-sensing device with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) integrated with a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor and encapsulated with Kapton tape. The details of the fabrication process and working principle of the integrated ZnO NRs-MOS capacitor as a force sensor and nanogenerator have been discussed. The fabricated ZnO-MOS device is tested for both the open-circuit and resistor-connected mode.

Gradient-based impedance synthesis for breast and lung cancer cell screening deploying planar and nano-structured electrodes.

World Health Organization articulated 9.8 million casualties globally in 2018 due to cancer. Cancer, as the world's second most fatal disease, can be recuperated well if diagnosed at an early stage.

Huge Abdominal Mass in a Young Unmarried Lady - A Social and Psychotherapeutic Challenge.

Large ovarian tumours are rare. Various diagnostic modalities are used to help in confirming the size and type of ovarian tumours. Laparotomy in a lateral decubitus position under general anaesthesia is the most common treatment approach.

A Low-g MEMS Accelerometer with High Sensitivity, Low Nonlinearity and Large Dynamic Range Based on Mode-Localization of 3-DoF Weakly Coupled Resonators.

This paper presents a new design of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based low-g accelerometer utilizing mode-localization effect in the three degree-of-freedom (3-DoF) weakly coupled MEMS resonators. Two sets of the 3-DoF mechanically coupled resonators are used on either side of the single proof mass and difference in the amplitude ratio of two resonator sets is considered as an output metric for the input acceleration measurement. The proof mass is electrostatically coupled to the perturbation resonators and for the sensitivity and input dynamic range tuning of MEMS accelerometer, electrostatic electrodes are used with each resonator in two sets of 3-DoF coupled resonators.

Microfabrication Process-Driven Design, FEM Analysis and System Modeling of 3-DoF Drive Mode and 2-DoF Sense Mode Thermally Stable Non-Resonant MEMS Gyroscope.

This paper presents microfabrication process-driven design of a multi-degree of freedom (multi-DoF) non-resonant electrostatic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope by considering the design constraints of commercially available low-cost and widely-used silicon-on-insulator multi-user MEMS processes (SOIMUMPs), with silicon as a structural material. The proposed design consists of a 3-DoF drive mode oscillator with the concept of addition of a collider mass which transmits energy from the drive mass to the passive sense mass. In the sense direction, 2-DoF sense mode oscillator is used to achieve dynamically-amplified displacement in the sense mass.

Experience with Haemorrhoidal artery ligation under direct vision at a tertiary care hospital: A case series.

This study aims to share the results of haemorrhoidal artery ligation under direct vision in the management of symptomatic haemorrhoids. We conducted a case series of 70 patients at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi & Quetta, from January 2015 to October 2017. All patients underwent Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation (HAL) and Recto Anal Repair (RAR).

Failure rates of miniscrews inserted in the maxillary tuberosity.

Introduction: Anchorage conservation in orthodontics has always been a challenge.

Objective: The aim of this current study was to find out the failure rate of miniscrews inserted in the maxillary tuberosity (MT) region.

Methods: This pilot study consisted of 40 patients (23 female, 17 male; mean age = 20.

Failure rates of mini-implants inserted in the retromolar area.

Objective: Anchorage reinforcement is an important issue in orthodontic treatment. There is a lack of evidence regarding the failure rate of mini-implants inserted in the retromolar (RM) area, therefore the purpose of this present study was to evaluate the failure rates of mini-implants inserted in the RM area and to evaluate the factors affecting their stability.

Material And Methods: This retrospective cohort study of 102 patients (52 female, 55 male; mean age: 18.