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Erroneous calibration of esophageal pressure in case of airway closure
Get PDFAbstract Airway closure results in a lack of communication between proximal and distal airways unless the airway pressure (Paw) overcomes the airway opening pressure (AOP). This has been described in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation with acute respiratory distress syndrome, obesity, hydrostatic pulmonary edema and during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In these categories of patients, esophageal pressure (Pes) can guide the personalization of mechanical ventilation and calibration of the esophageal balloon is necessary to obtain reliable Pes measurements. The impact of airway closure has never been envisaged. This study investigated the impact of airway closure on the calibration of the esophageal balloon by the ∆Paw/∆Pes following a positive pressure occlusion test during passive mechanical ventilation. The calibration test was performed in twelve human cadavers with airway closure at end-expiration at different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and at end-inspiration. The ∆Paw/∆Pes measured at end-expiration and at end-inspiration were significantly different when total PEEP was lower than AOP (estimated means 0.42 [0.40; 0.44] vs. 0.95 [0.92; 0.97], P < 0.001), while this difference was not observed when total PEEP was higher than AOP (estimated means 0.99 [0.92; 1.05] vs. 0.99 [0.92; 1.06], P = 0.854). These results were corroborated by observations during esophageal balloon calibration in two patients requiring Pes monitoring for clinical management. In case of airway closure, compression of the chest is not fully transmitted to the airways. This can lead to a conspicuous underestimation of the ∆Paw/∆Pes and poor reliability of this monitoring technique when the test takes place below AOP. Our results favor a positive pressure occlusion test performed during an end-inspiratory occlusion as the new standard of operative procedures for positioning and calibrating the esophageal balloon
Design and analysis of an end-of-arm robotic drilling tool for aerospace manufacturing with active vibration control
Get PDFAutomated drilling is crucial in aerospace manufacturing, significantly impacting production efficiency, quality, and safety. This thesis presents the design, prototyping, and analysis of the Advanced Collaborative Multifunctional End-Effector (ACME), a robotic drilling tool specifically developed for aerospace applications. ACME addresses key industry challenges by integrating lightweight design, collaborative robot (cobot) compatibility, precise positional control, and advanced vibration suppression capabilities.
ACME utilizes mechanisms for efficient planar movement, combined with a passive self-normalizing drilling head capable of maintaining normality on complex, double-curvature surfaces. The device is engineered to provide high clamping forces essential for multi-layered material stacks, while remaining within the payload limits of commercially available cobots. Experimental verification confirmed ACME’s operational efficacy, achieving target performance metrics including a maximum clamping force exceeding 1000 N, rapid drilling cycles of approximately 12 seconds per hole, and an optimal workspace suitable for typical aerospace panel configurations. Despite minor deviations in geometric hole quality compared to CNC benchmarks, results were within acceptable aerospace standards.
A comprehensive dynamic model, developed and verified experimentally through frequency response functions (FRF), effectively characterizes system behaviors and supports precise vibration control. The thesis further investigates active vibration control (AVC) methods employing voice coil actuators (VCAs), demonstrating significant reductions in operational vibration amplitudes and enhancing overall drilling precision. The outcomes highlight ACME’s potential as a cost-effective, flexible, and high-precision automated drilling solution for aerospace manufacturing, laying the groundwork for future advancements in robotic automation and vibration control strategies.October 202
Influence of Pathogen Strain, Barley Cultivar, and HYD5 Protein on Fusarium Head Blight Progression and Fusarium-Barley Interactions During Malting
Get PDFFusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in barley, primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum, leading to significant yield loss and mycotoxin contamination, with major economic impacts on the malting and brewing industries. This study hypothesized that variation in Fusarium-related issues during malting may be partially due to differences among F. graminearum strains. Field trials conducted from 2019–2021 used barley cultivars with varying levels of FHB resistance (Newdale and AAC Goldman) inoculated with seven F. graminearum isolates. Disease severity, pathogen density, and deoxynivalenol (DON) content were assessed across years, cultivars, and pathogen strains. Results showed that pathogen strain identity significantly influenced F. graminearum density and DON levels in barley and malt, with Newdale showing higher susceptibility than AAC Goldman.
The study also focused on the role of the hydrophobin protein HYD5 from F. graminearum, a surface-active protein associated with fungal pathogenesis and beer gushing. Using a CRISPR-Cas9 system, a ΔHyd5 knockout strain of F. graminearum was generated. The knockout strain showed no significant effect on visual disease severity but resulted in reduced gushing in F. graminearum infected malt. Hyd5 gene expression was elevated during steeping and germination stages of malting, suggesting production of the protein during these phases. Purified HYD5 protein from F. graminearum was sufficient to induce beer gushing, highlighting its potential role in this malting defect. Sequence analysis of HYD5 across Fusarium species revealed interspecies variability, although no intraspecies variation was observed. The findings suggest that managing Fusarium-related malting issues, including beer gushing, requires a deeper understanding of the role of hydrophobins like HYD5 across F. graminearum strains and other Fusarium species that are active in malting environments.EvoFunPath training program
American Society of Brewing Chemists Research CouncilMay 202
Impact of dietary inclusion of field peas (Pisum sativum) on the production, rumen fermentation, and composition of rumen bacterial community of lactating dairy cows
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of partially substituting a corn grain-based concentrate diet with coarsely ground field peas on milk yield and composition, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation parameters, and rumen bacterial community composition in lactating dairy cows. This study used 12 mid-lactation Holstein cows in a repeated 3 × 3 Latin square experimental design with three 21-d periods. The third week of each period is designated for sampling. The cows were fed either a control total mixed ration (TMR) or TMR mixed diets containing field peas at a 3.9% dry matter (DM) inclusion (LP) or a 7.8% DM inclusion (HP). Increasing inclusion rates of field peas in the diet linearly increased ruminal ammonia nitrogen (P = 0.02), milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.01), plasma urea (P = 0.01), and total concentration of ruminal branched-chain volatile fatty acid (P = 0.05) concentrations. Dry matter intake (DMI) increased quadratically (P = 0.03), and milk fat percentage increased linearly (P = 0.05) with higher milk C16:0 fatty acids and lower C18:2 isomers without impacting milk yield, protein, lactose levels, ruminal pH, and short-chain volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. However, increasing inclusion rates of field peas in the diet linearly decreased (P < 0.01) the total tract digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Although the alpha diversity indices of the rumen bacterial community remained unchanged, a comparison of the Euclidean distances of the rumen bacterial community revealed a trend (P = 0.07) between cows fed field pea diets and those in the control group. Additionally, differential abundance analyses revealed changes (P < 0.05) in the relative abundances of several bacterial genera and ASVs in response to the field pea diets. This study demonstrated that field peas (up to 7.8% DM) can replace corn grain-based concentrate diets as a potential alternative protein and energy source for lactating dairy cows. Their inclusion can enhance microbial protein degradation and milk fat percentage without negatively affecting milk production and rumen fermentation.Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Dairy Farmers of ManitobaMay 202
Adolescent pregnancy in rural communities: a multifunctional support center
Get PDFThis research explores the application of Roger S. Ulrich’s Supportive Design
theory to a multi-functional support center for adolescent mothers. Ulrich’s theory posits that well-being is enhanced by environments that reduce stress through factors like control, social support, and positive distractions. The research acknowledges the significant stress faced by adolescent mothers due to unplanned pregnancies, including emotional turmoil, educational uncertainties, and relationship challenges. The proposed support center aims to mitigate these stressors by incorporating key elements of Supportive Design, including:
Control: Providing residents with agency over their environment through
features like personalized living spaces, adjustable temperature controls and flexible access to various spaces within the center.
Social Support: Fostering a sense of community through shared spaces,
opportunities for peer interaction and access to supportive services.
Positive Distraction: Integrating Biophilic design principles, such as natural light, views of nature, and the incorporation of natural materials, to enhance environment’s calming and restorative qualities.
Biophilic design, drawing on the work of Edward O. Wilson and Stephen Kellert, emphasizes the innate human connection to nature. By incorporating natural elements and fostering a connection to the natural world, the center aims to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being for the adolescent mothers. The research emphasizes the crucial role of social support in the lives of adolescent mothers, drawing on theories by Francis Cullen and others. It highlights the link between social support and improved mental health, effective parenting, and better educational and employment
outcomes. By integrating Supportive Design principles, incorporating Biophilic design elements, and addressing the critical need for social support, the proposed center aims to create a nurturing and empowering environment that enables adolescent mothers to thrive and break the cycle of poverty and adversity.May 202
Empowering pediatric sibling hematopoietic stem cell donor voices through digital storytelling
Get PDFThis participatory, arts-based qualitative study aimed to elucidate the sibling donor experience in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Six sibling donors aged 12-21 years of age who were under 18 at time of donation, participated as research partners and used digital storytelling (DS) to express their donation experiences. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was employed as a framework to ensure that research partners' voices were heard. Research partners were actively involved in three research meetings (get to know you, digital storytelling workshop, data analysis), collaborating and contributing to the meeting dynamics while offering feedback on the participatory process and the creation of digital stories. During meeting three (data analysis), research partners viewed each other's digital stories and wrote words, thoughts, and ideas on Post-it notes to reflect their interpretations of the sibling donor experience. The primary researcher (AWK) conducted participatory data analysis with sibling donor research partners and six themes were identified and explored: 1) pessimism and acceptance, 2) after-procedure thoughts, 3) sibling support, 4) family experience, 5) connections, and 6) hope. Throughout the process, AWK and a secondary researcher (CHW, doctoral advisor) wrote field notes to capture the research process of using the digital storytelling method to empower pediatric sibling donors to express donation stories. Interpretive description was employed to analyze field notes and research partner meeting transcripts, leading to the identification of four themes: 1) community and connection; 2) digital storytelling - new and fresh; 3) therapeutic process; and 4) privacy. Digital storytelling is an arts-based approach that can assist sibling donors to express their donation experiences and offer support for growth and strength in the context of sibling donation and encourage children’s meaningful engagement and participation in research by exploring their HSCT donation experiences.Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research
Red River College Polytech Faculty Tuition ReimbursementOctober 202
The presence of the Belle Époque in Roché's novel Jules and Jim and its film adaptation by Truffaut
Get PDFThe French expression Belle Époque designates a period, spanning from the late 19th century to the beginning of the First World War, of profound social, cultural, and technological change. This period continues to evoke a sense of nostalgia for future generations. This thesis explores the representation of the Belle Époque in Henri-Pierre Roché’s 1953 novel Jules et Jim and its 1962 film adaptation by François Truffaut, starring Henri Serre, Oskar Werner, and Jeanne Moreau. The aim is to examine how Roché and Truffaut each think and depict the Belle Époque in their respective works, in accordance with their own context and commitments. The study is organized into four chapters: the relation between Belle Époque and nostalgia; the innovation and technology of the era; the utopic friendship between Jules and Jim; and the role and representation of women during this period.
L’expression Belle Époque désigne une période de profonds bouleversements sociaux, culturels et technologiques, allant de la fin du XIXᵉ siècle au début de la Première Guerre mondiale. Cette époque suscite un sentiment de nostalgie chez les générations suivantes. Cette thèse explore la représentation de la Belle Époque dans le roman Jules et Jim d’Henri-Pierre Roché (1953) ainsi que dans son adaptation cinématographique réalisée par François Truffaut en 1962, avec Henri Serre, Oskar Werner et Jeanne Moreau. Elle vise à analyser comment Roché et Truffaut considèrent chacun la Belle Époque et la mettent en scène dans leurs œuvres respectives, en tenant compte de leur propre contexte et de leurs engagements personnels. L’étude s’articule autour de quatre chapitres : le rapport entre Belle Époque et nostalgie ; l’innovation et les avancées technologiques ; l’amitié utopique entre Jules et Jim ; enfin, le rôle et la représentation des femmes au cours de cette période.October 202
IADL for identifying cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults: insights from cross-lagged panel network analysis
Get PDFAbstract Background As China has entered an aging society, the prevention of cognitive impairment is of great importance. The progression of cognitive impairment is usually a slow and continuous process, with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) serving as a sensitive indicator for early prediction of cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to utilize longitudinal network analysis to pinpoint the most sensitive indicators of IADLs to identify cognitive impairment in different populations, and to offer practical recommendations for preventing cognitive impairment among older adults in China. Methods A total of 2,781 participants were selected from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS 2014–2018). Cognitive function and IADLs were assessed by Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and Chinese modified Lawton scale, respectively. In this study, the cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) model was employed to construct three separate networks for all Chinese older adults, male Chinese older adults, and female Chinese older adults, respectively. Two centrality indices were used to quantify symptom centrality in directed CLPN: In-Expected-Influence (IEI) and Out-Expected-Influence (OEI). Results In the IADLs and cognitive function networks, “Use public transit,” “Make food” and “Walk 1 km” emerged as the most influential and important indicators. The edge “Use public transit → Attention and Calculation” was the strongest edge connection in all three networks. Among older adult males, “General ability” exhibited the most influence on other cognitive domains, followed by “Language,” while “Attention and Calculation” had a weaker influence. Conversely, among older adult females, “Attention and Calculation” was the most influential factor, followed by “General ability” and “Language.” Conclusions This study provides new insights into the associations between specific IADL activities and cognitive function domains among Chinese older adults. Concentrate on monitoring limitations related to “Use public transit,” “Make food” and “Walk 1 km,” and promoting broader life-space mobility may be beneficial to preventing the decline of cognitive function. The findings underscore the importance of targeting interventions not only by specific cognitive domains, but also potentially by gender. Clinical trial number Not applicable
Ergogenic effects of creatine monohydrate on blood-flow restricted resistance exercise performance: double-blind, randomised, crossover trial.
No full textCreatine monohydrate (CM) is a supplement which enhances performance during high-intensity, short-duration resistance exercise. Its ergogenic effects are primarily attributed to increased intramuscular phosphocreatine (PCr) availability, facilitating ATP resynthesis during repeated bouts of muscular work. While CM has consistently demonstrated performance-enhancing effects in traditional resistance training, its efficacy during blood-flow restricted resistance exercise (BFR-RE) remained unexplored. The proposed study evaluated the ergogenic effects of CM during BFR-RE, with the aim of expanding current understanding of its utility in emerging resistance-training modalities.
Thirteen participants (7 males, 6 females) completed the crossover protocol. Participants performed four sets of three lower-body BFR-RE exercises (leg press, knee flexion, knee extension) under both CM and placebo conditions. A 4-way mixed ANOVA was conducted to determine significant effects. There was a significant main effect of treatment, with participants completing more total repetitions under CM (277.38 ± 83.06) compared to placebo (251.62 ± 91.73), p = .004. A significant main effect of exercise was observed, with repetition performance highest during the leg press, followed by knee flexion, and lowest during knee extension (p < .001). A significant main effect of set was also found, with repetitions decreasing progressively from set 1 through set 4 (p < .001).
Significant two-way interactions included treatment × exercise (p = .033), where CM led to higher repetitions in the leg press (p < .001) and knee extension (p = .015), but not knee flexion (p = .710); and treatment × set (p = .038), where CM increased repetitions primarily in set 1 (p = .02). A three-way interaction between sex × treatment × exercise (p = .038) indicated that males experienced a greater ergogenic benefit from CM in the leg press, while females showed no significant differences between conditions across exercises. Additionally, a sex × treatment × set interaction (p = .009) showed CM improved male performance in sets 1 and 2, but not in later sets, with no significant effects observed in females.
In summary, CM supplementation acutely enhanced repetition performance during BFR-RE, particularly in multi-joint exercises and early sets, with more pronounced effects in males. These findings suggest CM may be an effective strategy for augmenting BFR-RE performance, which may result in greater outcomes following BFR-RE training programs.October 202
Comparison of vegetable powders as ingredients of flatbreads: technological and nutritional properties
No full textHealth-driven innovation is transforming bakery products, particularly with non-conventional ingredients. This study aimed to produce healthy and technologically acceptable flatbreads, exploring the inclusion (2%) of vegetable powders (black and green olives, orange peel, lemon, tomato, beetroot, carrot, onion, artichoke, spinach, chard, kale and pak choi). Spinach and chard increased the mineral content (1.42 and 1.30 g/ 100 g) respect to control (1.01 g/100 g). Fibre content ranged from 9.33 to 11.18 g/100 g when added onion, chard, pak choi, tomato or artichoke. Beetroot was the most effective changing the colour (ΔE* 43.09), while tomato reduced the hardness (4.06 vs 5.29 N in the control). Lemon and tomato were
effective reducing the extent of starch enzymatic hydrolysis by 65% and 34%, respectively. Vegetable powders can be innovative, natural, sustainable and healthy ingredients in the breadmaking of flatbreads. The incorporation of these non-conventional ingredients opens new opportunities for the bakery industry