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Applications of Electroencephalography in Detecting Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
No full textCerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) involves pathophysiological changes in the function and anatomy of the brain that affect its activity. Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals reflect the electrophysical activities of the brain and can be non-invasively measured with wearable devices. EEG has been used in the detection of CSVD-related cognitive impairment. Recently, development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies provides new potential for EEG-enhanced diagnosis of CSVD. In this chapter, we review the state of the art and summarize the recent advancements as well as limitations to provide future directions for the EEG-based detection of CSVD. This chapter provides a reference for clinicians, physiologists, and biomedical engineers
A novel simplification method for vehicle crashworthiness simulation subject to side impact
Full text linkSide impacts have been a grave concern to automobile engineers, as they injure and kill numerous people each year. The high computational cost of numerical models with full-size vehicles, however, challenges engineers to find the optimal crashworthiness structural design solution. This study aims to reduce the computational cost of side impact simulations by proposing a novel sub-modeling simplification approach with the double mass points (DMP) method. This method splits the in which the vehicle is split in front and back areas, about the B pillar, and in ‘struck’ and ‘unstruck’ sides. The full vehicle structure (but its 2 wheels) from the unstruck side are removed about the vehicle centreline. The front and rear areas of this removed unstruck side are replaced each by their equivalent mass (DMP) each at their centre of gravity.These masses are then connected the wheels of the unstruck structure as well as the centreline of the remaining structure of the struck side. This method has for purpose to reduce the model size for faster computation. Validated Rogue, Yaris and Caravan full-size numerical finite element models, provided in the literature, are utilized to create generate side impact cases, which include including a moving deformation barrier (MDB) and a pole-side impact scenarios. The vehicle deformation, B-pillar intrusion and acceleration, and door inner panel intrusion of the full-size and simplified models are compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the simplified modeling methods. Results demonstrate that the crushing response of DMP simplified models is captured well compared to full-size computer models, providing a 46.6830.87% and 76.7543.32% average computation runtime reduction in MDB and pole impact, respectively. The DMP simplified model development approach significantly reduces vehicle model simulation time, accelerating the development of side impact structures. During the vehicle concept stage, where understanding structural packaging, such as reinforcement locations and size, is crucial. This news method should invaluable in defining and validating vehicle architecture at the earliest design phase. This novel simplification approach is innovative, practical and can lead to the improvement in the design optimisation of safer vehicles.<br/
Doxorubicin increases G-protein coupled receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in coronary arteries via the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 pathway
No full textAnthracyclines are one of the most effective chemotherapy drugs, but are associated with cardiotoxicity, including hypertension, however, little is known about the effect of anthracyclines on the vascular tone. Emerging data indicate that the anthracycline doxorubicin induces increases in vascular tone via endothelin subtype A (ETA) and B (ETB), serotonin (5-HT) subtype 1B (5-HT1B), and thromboxane prostanoid (TP) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in coronary arteries. This study examined for the first time whether the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK 1/2) pathway is involved in the doxorubicin-induced increase of vasoconstriction. This study used an organ culture model, where left anterior descending arteries (LAD) from rats were incubated with doxorubicin (0.5 µM) in the absence and presence of the MEK 1/2 specific inhibitor U0126 (5 µM), and GPCR-mediated vasoconstriction was analysed by wire-myography. GPCR mRNA levels and GPCR expression and localisation on LAD arteries were investigated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Doxorubicin treatment increased the vasoconstriction through ETA (278% increase at 10-8.5 M endothelin-1 (ET-1), 5-HT1B (193% increase at 10-5.5 M 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT)) and TP (32% increase at 10-6.5 M U46619) receptors, and decreased ETB-mediated vasoconstriction (37% decrease at 10-7.5 M Sarafotoxin 6c (S6c)), however, a decrease in ETB mRNA was detected. Co-incubation with U0126 decreased doxorubicin-mediated increased vasoconstriction through ETA, 5-HT1B, and TP receptors. This novel study shows that doxorubicin treatment of LAD arteries increases vasoconstriction through ETA, 5-HT1B, and TP receptors through the MEK 1/2 pathway
Postdigital Intimacies: Relational Lives in the Networked Public-Private
No full textPostdigital Intimacies: Relational Lives in the Networked Public-Private provides a unique and timely collection of research exploring postdigital intimacies, offering the reader original accounts of postdigital intimacies. Situated at the intersection of the increasing and ubiquitous normalisation of digital technology, cultures, algorithms, and AI in our relationships with ourselves and with others, the contributors explore the social, political and cultural implications of an interconnected, networked and algorithmic public-private. The book does so through sections that explore: postdigital feelings; postdigital connections and collectivities; postdigital violences and vulnerability; and postdigital kindship, domesticity and hospitality. Each chapter provides a different lens on these themes, and are informed by an orientation towards intersectional feminist, queer and anti-racist, postcolonial theory. They are built on a hope that research can – if not provide ‘future’ directions for research – then instead create more hopeful, affirmative, collective and prefigurative ones that are more equitable and socially just
Synthesis of equilibrated geochemical systems using extended Debye-Huckel and Pitzer activity models for enhanced CO2 storage modelling
Full text linkCarbon capture and storage is a critical technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Ensuring the safe, long-term CO2 storage in geological formations requires accurate modelling of geochemical reactions between CO2-saturated water and rock-forming minerals. Reactive-transport simulators represent these processes over extended timescales, but geochemical equilibrium must first be established, analogous to gravitational equilibrium in pressure initialization. This study presents a practical workflow for synthesizing equilibrated CO2-rock-water systems, demonstrated for the Bunter Sandstone Formation. To ensure realistic initial pressure distributions that govern pressure-dependent trapping processes, gravitational equilibrium was first established. The mineralogy was then engineered to maintain a non-negative degree of freedom for chemically consistent equilibrium calculations. Long-term batch simulations using ideal, extended Debye-Huckel, and Pitzer activity models revealed significant discrepancies between activity-model-based equilibrium concentrations and short-term laboratory values, even though predictions of salinity and pH were consistent. These discrepancies highlight the importance of deriving equilibrium concentrations from long-term simulations for chemical initialization, as short-term laboratory measurements may not reflect true equilibrium conditions. The Pitzer model provided the most accurate predictions under high salinity but increased simulation time by over 100%, whereas the extended Debye-Huckel model required only 30% additional time but neglected short-range ionic interactions. The reduced-salinity scenario decreased equilibrium concentrations by approximately 20–100%, enhancing CO2 dissolution and promoting mineral dissolution, thereby influencing structural, solubility, and mineral trapping mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of careful activity model selection and accurate salinity characterization to balance computational efficiency with predictive accuracy and improve confidence in equilibrium predictions
Enhancing Tourism Accessibility for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing with XR Technology:A Systematic Literature Review
No full textIn recent years, Extended Reality (XR) technology has become more and more prevalent in all facets of life. It can be applied to enhance deaf and hard-of-hearing accessibility in tourism environments. The goals of this review are to determine the challenges to accessibility that the hard-of-hearing and deaf community must overcome, the usefulness of such technology to this group, and the degree to which it can improve accessibility for this population when travelling. 16 papers have been assessed based on the keyword search of the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The methodologies, difficulties, and advantages of XR technology in tourism for the hard-of-hearing are assessed in relation to these studies. Lastly, a number of areas where the existing methods could be improved upon are identified, and recommendations are made for additional research.</p
Estimation of cardiac output based on PRAM algorithm and ARX model from noninvasive radial pressure wave
No full textThere is an increasing need for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Reduced cardiac output (CO) is frequently associated with CVD. Thus, accurate measurement of CO aids its diagnosis and helps to guide treatment. A convenient, real-time, noninvasive way to estimate CO is the Pressure Recording Analytic Method (PRAM). It is based on the non-invasive detection of the pressure wave in a peripheral artery and does not require invasive measurements to calibrate the model parameters. Unfortunately, its accuracy is limited due to its dependence on the patient's height, weight, heart rate, and the mechanical properties of each individual's arteries. Furthermore, compared to the peripheral arterial pressure wave, the aortic pressure wave provides a more accurate and efficient means of estimating CO. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of the original PRAM method, this study incorporates height, weight, and heart rate measurements, as well as an Auto-Regressive with eXogenous input (ARX) model, enabling adaptive estimation of the aortic pressure waveform from radial artery pressure wave measurement. The CO estimations of the original peripheral PRAM (COPRAMper), the improved peripheral PRAM (COIPRAMper) and the improved central PRAM (COIPRAMcen) were compared to MRI results (COMRI), as the ground truth. The correlation coefficients (R2) between the CO estimates using the 3 algorithms and COMRI were 0.271, 0.548 and 0.757, respectively. These R2 values were statistically significant and showed that COIPRAMcen performed best. The mean difference between the CO estimates using the 3 algorithms and COMRI were −0.15 ± 0.44, −0.07 ± 0.24 and −0.04 ± 0.17 L/min, respectively.</p
Acting on Good Intentions? A Longitudinal Study of Prosocial Lending Intentions and Behaviours
Full text linkResearch examining potential drivers of lender intentions and behaviours in prosocial lending platforms has often ignoredethical considerations in such decisions. We suggest a new model in this context which marries the components of thetheory of planned behaviour with two additional variables: sense of moral obligation and platform trust. We apply structuralequational modelling to a novel longitudinal dataset that combines information derived from a survey of 2398 individuallenders and data obtained directly from the UK-based platform Lendwithcare. Our analysis demonstrates that lender intentionsand behaviour are positively and significantly associated with ethical factors, including moral obligation and platformtrust. These relationships are shown to be consistent when using different measures of lending behaviour, as well as acrossdifferent time periods pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence highlights the importance of ethical considerationsin understanding intention and behaviour in prosocial lending crowdfunding
Enhanced gold recovery from e-waste by biological thiosulfate leaching and trace gold extraction with UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub>
No full textThe recycling of precious metals from electronic waste (e-waste) is essential to respond to the increasing demand for strategic metal. Compared to the cyanide method, the thiosulfate bioleaching method is considered a greener and cleaner approach for gold recovery. However, gold recovery from thiosulfate bioleaching solutions remains a challenge. This study addressed these challenges by optimizing the production of biogenic thiosulfate from Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans using a combination of NaN₃ and KCN at the optimal ratio of 4:1.The thiosulfate bioleaching process achieved a 30% extraction efficiency (0.6 mg/L) of gold, from 10 g/L of spent printed circuit boards. The adsorption of gold was explored using UiO-66-NH2, a highly porous metal–organic framework (MOF) with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 1840 m2/g and a pore size of 5–15 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of amino functional groups, enhance the gold-binding affinity. The synthesized metal–organic framework, UiO-66-NH2, demonstrated a 50% gold adsorption capacity from the bioleaching solution within 2 h. The electrostatic attraction between the NH3+ groups of UiO-66-NH2 and AuS2O323-, combined with internal Zr-OH complexes, played a crucial role in the adsorption mechanism. Gold ions (Au3+) were reduced to elemental gold (Au0) via an oxidation–reduction reaction facilitated by amino groups, as confirmed through FTIR, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), mapping and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. Adsorption kinetics analysis indicated that the process followed a pseudo-second-order model. These results demonstratea sustainable method for recovering gold directly from e-waste bioleaching solutions.</p
Recovery of platinum from spent reforming catalysts by coupled leaching and solvent extraction using deep eutectic solvents
No full textPlatinum recovery from spent reforming catalysts is both an economic imperative and an environmental necessity. In this study, we demonstrate a more sustainable alternative to conventional acid leaching by employing a choline chloride–ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvent (DES) system. Two Fractional Factorial Designs (FFD) were applied to screen and analyze the significant parameters for the leaching and solvent extraction (SX) processes. To identify the most influential parameters, statistical analyses were performed on the obtained results revealing that the choline chloride to ethylene glycol ratio plays a critical role by increasing the availability of chloride species for platinum complexation. Under optimized conditions, 10% w/w solids, a 1:1 choline chloride to ethylene glycol ratio, 25% w/w water, 90 °C, and 10% w/w nitric acid, over 92% platinum dissolution was achieved. To further refine the process, solvent extraction with trioctylamine (TOA) was employed, achieving 99.93% recovery of platinum under optimal conditions (10% v/v TOA in kerosene, a 1:1 M ratio of choline chloride to ethylene glycol, 25 °C, 5 min contact time). A key advantage is the inherent selectivity of the DES leach, which results in a significantly cleaner pregnant leach solution (∼200× less iron, ∼3× less aluminum) compared to conventional HCl leaching. This work establishes a combination of DES-SX as a highly effective method for the recovery and purification of platinum from spent catalysts, offering a scalable pathway toward more sustainable metallurgical practices.</p