GravelSens: A Smart Gravel Sensor for High-Resolution, Non-Destructive Monitoring of Clogging Dynamics.

Engineers, geomorphologists, and ecologists acknowledge the need for temporally and spatially resolved measurements of sediment clogging (also known as colmation) in permeable gravel-bed rivers due to its adverse impacts on water and habitat quality. In this paper, we present a novel method for non-destructive, real-time measurements of pore-scale sediment deposition and monitoring of clogging by using wire-mesh sensors (WMSs) embedded in spheres, forming a smart gravel bed (GravelSens). The measuring principle is based on one-by-one voltage excitation of transmitter electrodes, followed by simultaneous measurements of the resulting current by receiver electrodes at each crossing measuring pores.

A Magnetoelectric Distance Estimation System for Relative Human Motion Tracking.

Clinical motion analysis plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of mobility-limiting diseases. Within this assessment, relative (point-to-point) tracking of extremities could benefit from increased accuracy. Given the limitations of current wearable sensor technology, supplementary spatial data such as distance estimates could provide added value.

Determination of Vibration Properties and Reliable Frequency Estimation for Synchronous Vibrations Through Improved Blade Tip Timing Techniques Without a Once-per-Revolution Sensor.

Synchronous vibrations, which are caused by periodic excitations, can have a severe impact on the service life of impellers. Blade Tip Timing (BTT) is a promising technique for monitoring synchronous vibrations due to its non-intrusive nature and ability to monitor all blades at once. BTT generally employs a Once-per-Revolution (OPR) sensor that is mounted on the shaft for blade identification and deflection calculation.

An Over-Actuated Hexacopter Tilt-Rotor UAV Prototype for Agriculture of Precision: Modeling and Control.

This paper focuses on the modeling, control, and simulation of an over-actuated hexacopter tilt-rotor (HTR). This configuration implies that two of the six actuators are independently tilted using servomotors, which provide high maneuverability and reliability. This approach is predicted to maintain zero pitch throughout the trajectory and is expected to improve the aircraft's steering accuracy.

Enhancing Localization Accuracy and Reducing Processing Time in Indoor Positioning Systems: A Comparative Analysis of AI Models.

This paper presents a comparative study of different AI models for indoor positioning systems, emphasizing improvements in localization accuracy and processing time. This study examines Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and the Kalman filter using a real Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and 9-axis ICM-20948 sensor. An in-depth analysis is provided in this paper for data cleaning and feature selection to reduce errors for all the models.

A Hybrid Approach for Sports Activity Recognition Using Key Body Descriptors and Hybrid Deep Learning Classifier.

This paper presents an approach for event recognition in sequential images using human body part features and their surrounding context. Key body points were approximated to track and monitor their presence in complex scenarios. Various feature descriptors, including MSER (Maximally Stable Extremal Regions), SURF (Speeded-Up Robust Features), distance transform, and DOF (Degrees of Freedom), were applied to skeleton points, while BRIEF (Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features), HOG (Histogram of Oriented Gradients), FAST (Features from Accelerated Segment Test), and Optical Flow were used on silhouettes or full-body points to capture both geometric and motion-based features.

Combining a Standardized Growth Class Assessment, UAV Sensor Data, GIS Processing, and Machine Learning Classification to Derive a Correlation with the Vigour and Canopy Volume of Grapevines.

Assessing vines' vigour is essential for vineyard management and automatization of viticulture machines, including shaking adjustments of berry harvesters during grape harvest or leaf pruning applications. To address these problems, based on a standardized growth class assessment, labeled ground truth data of precisely located grapevines were predicted with specifically selected Machine Learning (ML) classifiers (Random Forest Classifier (RFC), Support Vector Machines (SVM)), utilizing multispectral UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) sensor data. The input features for ML model training comprise spectral, structural, and texture feature types generated from multispectral orthomosaics (spectral features), Digital Terrain and Surface Models (DTM/DSM- structural features), and Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) calculations (texture features).

Multi-Person Localization Based on a Thermopile Array Sensor with Machine Learning and a Generative Data Model.

Thermopile sensor arrays provide a sufficient counterbalance between person detection and localization while preserving privacy through low resolution. The latter is especially important in the context of smart building automation applications. Current research has shown that there are two machine learning-based algorithms that are particularly prominent for general object detection: You Only Look Once (YOLOv5) and Detection Transformer (DETR).

TARREAN: A Novel Transformer with a Gate Recurrent Unit for Stylized Music Generation.

Music generation by AI algorithms like Transformer is currently a research hotspot. Existing methods often suffer from issues related to coherence and high computational costs. To address these problems, we propose a novel Transformer-based model that incorporates a gate recurrent unit with root mean square norm restriction (TARREAN).

Graphene/TiO Heterostructure Integrated with a Micro-Lightplate for Low-Power NO Gas Detection.

Low-power gas sensors that can be used in IoT (Internet of Things) systems, consumer devices, and point-of-care devices will enable new applications in environmental monitoring and health protection. We fabricated a monolithic chemiresistive gas sensor by integrating a micro-lightplate with a 2D sensing material composed of single-layer graphene and monolayer-thick TiO. Applying ultraviolet (380 nm) light with quantum energy above the TiO bandgap effectively enhanced the sensor responses.

Clinical Whole-Body Gait Characterization Using a Single RGB-D Sensor.

Instrumented gait analysis is widely used in clinical settings for the early detection of neurological disorders, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating fall risk. However, the gold-standard marker-based 3D motion analysis is limited by high time and personnel demands. Advances in computer vision now enable markerless whole-body tracking with high accuracy.

Piezoresistive Cantilever Microprobe with Integrated Actuator for Contact Resonance Imaging.

A novel piezoresistive cantilever microprobe (PCM) with an integrated electrothermal or piezoelectric actuator has been designed to replace current commercial PCMs, which require external actuators to perform contact-resonance imaging (CRI) of workpieces and avoid unwanted "forest of peaks" observed at large travel speed in the millimeter-per-second range. Initially, a PCM with integrated resistors for electrothermal actuation (ETA) was designed, built, and tested. Here, the ETA can be performed with a piezoresistive Wheatstone bridge, which converts mechanical strain into electrical signals by boron diffusion in order to simplify the production process.

Spatial Characterization of Woody Species Diversity in Tropical Savannas Using GEDI and Optical Data.

Developing the capacity to monitor species diversity worldwide is of great importance in halting biodiversity loss. To this end, remote sensing plays a unique role. In this study, we evaluate the potential of Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data, combined with conventional satellite optical imagery and climate reanalysis data, to predict in situ alpha diversity (Species richness, Simpson index, and Shannon index) among tree species.

Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives on Sepsis Care Pathways-Qualitative Pilot Expert Interviews.

: Despite recent decades' rapid advances in the management of patients with sepsis and septic shock, global sepsis mortality and post-acute sepsis morbidity rates remain high. Our aim was, therefore, to provide a first overview of sepsis care pathways as well as barriers and supportive conditions for optimal pre-clinical, clinical, and post-acute sepsis care in Germany. : Between May and September 2023, we conducted semi-structured, video-based, one-to-one pilot expert interviews with healthcare professionals representing pre-hospital, clinical, and post-acute care settings.

The Role of Impella in Cardiogenic Shock Complicated by an Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis.

Emerging evidence suggests the role of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices in the therapy of refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). However, largerandomized trials addressing the role of Impella in the therapy of infarct-associated CS are sparse. As such, evidence coming from comprehensive retrospective studies or meta-analyses is of major importance in order to clarify the role of the Impella device in this setting.

Prevalence of Osteochondral Lesions on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Following Simple Elbow Dislocations.

Literature regarding osteochondral lesions in patients following elbow dislocation is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine osteochondral lesions on MRI in patients following simple elbow dislocations and evaluate inter-rater reliability between radiologists and orthopedic surgeons at different levels of experience. In this retrospective, single-center study, 72 MRIs of patients following simple elbow dislocations were evaluated.

Emerging Healthcare Trends in Prosthetic Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis.

: For many years, advancements in hand joint replacement (JR) were relatively minor compared to those for large joints. However, the caution previously exercised due to high complication rates is gradually being replaced by the expanding use of JR therapies for small joints in the hand. Despite this progress, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the outcomes of hand JR and on the optimal infrastructure required to meet the growing demand for these therapies.

Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes of Two-Stage Revision Arthroplasty for Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Shoulder.

: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after shoulder arthroplasty is often treated with a two-stage approach, but the data on the mid- to long-term outcomes remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of two-stage revision arthroplasty for shoulder PJI with a minimum follow-up of five years. : This retrospective study identified 59 shoulders in 58 patients who underwent the first stage of a two-stage revision arthroplasty for shoulder PJI at our institution between 2007 and 2018.

Mid-Term Outcomes of a Rectangular Stem Design with Metadiaphyseal Fixation and a 135° Neck-Shaft Angle in Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

: Classical reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with a high neck-shaft angle (NSA) of 155° has shown satisfactory outcomes. However, newer RSA designs aim to improve results by modifying the stem design. This study evaluates the 5-year outcomes of a stem design featuring a rectangular metadiaphyseal fixation and a 135° NSA.

Genetic Risk Profiling Reveals Altered Glycosyltransferase Expression as a Predictor for Patient Outcome in Neuroblastoma.

: Neuroblastoma is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer that arises from immature nerve cells and exhibits a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. While low- and intermediate-risk neuroblastomas often have favorable outcomes, high-risk neuroblastomas are associated with poor prognosis and significant treatment challenges. The complex genetic networks driving these high-risk cases remain poorly understood.

Changes in the Microcirculation and Physiologic Perfusion Dynamics of Free DIEP Flaps in the First 72 h After Breast Reconstruction.

The autologous reconstruction of the female breast using a microsurgical DIEP flap is a reliable and safe method. To detect impairments early and preserve the microvascular flap through timely revision, a better understanding of physiologic perfusion dynamics is necessary. This exploratory study examines changes in microcirculation in free DIEP flaps within the first 72 h after vascular anastomosis using laser Doppler flowmetry and white-light spectrophotometry.

Hyperphosphorylated Tau and Cognition in Epilepsy.

In light of the growing interest in the bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and dementia, this review aims to provide an overview of the role of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) in cognition in human epilepsy. A literature search identified five relevant studies. All of them examined pTau burden in surgical biopsy specimens from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Short-Term Safety and Efficacy of PreserFlo™ Microshunt in Patients with Refractory Intraocular Pressure Elevation After Dexamethasone Implant Intravitreal Injection.

: The PreserFlo™ MicroShunt (PFMS) is a bleb-forming device considered to be less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery such as trabeculectomy. This study evaluates the 1-year success rates as well as safety profile of PFMS in patients having high intraocular pressure (IOP) and/or glaucoma refractory to drop therapy with a history of prior intravitreal dexamethasone therapy. : A total of 16 eyes after PFMS implantation due to elevated IOP after intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX-I) administration were included in this retrospective cohort study.

Post COVID-19 and Long COVID Symptoms in Otorhinolaryngology-A Narrative Review.

Post/Long COVID (syndrome) is defined as a condition with symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks after the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection that cannot be explained otherwise. The prevalence of self-reported otorhinolaryngological Post/Long COVID symptoms is high. The aim of this review was to analyze the current literature regarding the actual prevalence, knowledge of the etiopathology, and evidence-based treatment recommendations of otorhinolaryngology-related Post/Long COVID symptoms.

Analysis of Calcium Patterns in the Thoracic Aorta and Clinical Outcomes of TAVR Patients Presenting with Porcelain Aorta.

: In the presence of porcelain aorta (PA), transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a class I therapeutic indication for the treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis. To date, few studies have analyzed the clinical outcomes of TAVR in PA patients. We aim to analyze the calcification patterns of the thoracic aorta in PA patients and to evaluate their clinical implications for TAVR procedures.