Microstructured Arrayed Microfluidic Waveguide Structure for Infrared Radiation Focusing and Transfer

A microstructured arrayed microfluidic waveguide structure for infrared radiation focussing and transfer is proposed and demonstrated. The arrayed waveguide structure comprises Masterbond UV-curable epoxy UV15 optimised using ZEMAX optical design software to achieve high efficiency of heat capture through far-infrared light focussing and subsequent absorption of the radiation on a centralised fluid medium. A high degree of alignment of the precision-positioned fluidic microchannels with the symmetry axes and the focal plane locations of the cylindrical microlens array is demonstrated, which maximises the efficiency of absorption of the incident IR light energy within the moving fluid. Observation of ink flows through the initial device prototype confirms the suitability of our microfluidic channel fabrication technology for the transfer of far-infrared light (heat) transfer. This microstructured arrayed waveguide structure has application for development of a textile fabric that enhances surface heat removal

Estimating an individual's oxygen uptake during cycling exercise with a recurrent neural network trained from easy-to-obtain inputs: A pilot study

Measurement of oxygen uptake during exercise ([Formula: see text]) is currently non-accessible to most individuals without expensive and invasive equipment. The goal of this pilot study was to estimate cycling [Formula: see text] from easy-to-obtain inputs, such as heart rate, mechanical power output, cadence and respiratory frequency. To this end, a recurrent neural network was trained from laboratory cycling data to predict [Formula: see text] values. Data were collected on 7 amateur cyclists during a graded exercise test, two arbitrary protocols (Prot-1 and -2) and an "all-out" Wingate test. In Trial-1, a neural network was trained with data from a graded exercise test, Prot-1 and Wingate, before being tested against Prot-2. In Trial-2, a neural network was trained using data from the graded exercise test, Prot-1 and 2, before being tested against the Wingate test. Two analytical models (Models 1 and 2) were used to compare the predictive performance of the neural network. Predictive performance of the neural network was high during both Trial-1 (MAE = 229(35) mlO2min-1, r = 0.94) and Trial-2 (MAE = 304(150) mlO2min-1, r = 0.89). As expected, the predictive ability of Models 1 and 2 deteriorated from Trial-1 to Trial-2. Results suggest that recurrent neural networks have the potential to predict the individual [Formula: see text] response from easy-to-obtain inputs across a wide range of cycling intensities

Transthoracic ultrasound-guided biopsy in the hands of chest physicians – a stepwise approach

Background: The evaluation of patients with lung lesions is challenging. The nature of the lesion can be determined by pathological evaluation of biopsies. The pulmonologists will be met by increasing demands with regard to biopsy techniques including ultrasound-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (US-TTNB).Objective: The aim of this paper is to present the pulmonologist to a systematic step-by-step guide for performing US-TTNB and to assess the evidence for this approach. Method/results: Indications, contraindications and a step-by-step guide for the techniques used when performing US-TTNB are presented, and major complications and handling of these are described. Conclusion: US-TTNB performed by pulmonologists is a safe and feasible procedure

Effect of two-weeks endurance training wearing additional clothing in a temperate outdoor environment on performance and physiology in the heat

This investigation assessed performance, physiological and perceptual responses to wearing additional clothing during endurance training for two-weeks in temperate environments, to determine if this approach could be used as a practical, alternative, heat acclimation strategy for athletes. Fifteen trained male triathletes assigned to performance-matched groups completed a two-week unsupervised endurance cycling and running program in either (i) shorts and a short sleeve top (CON; n = 8) or (ii) additional clothing of full-length pants, a “winter” jacket and gloves made from nylon, polyurethane and polyester (AC; n = 7). Participants completed three separate (i.e. familiarisation, pre-program and post-program), identical, pre-loaded cycling time-trials (20 min at 180 W followed by a 40 min self-paced time trial) in 32.5 ± 0.1°C and 55 ± 6% RH. Core and skin temperatures, heart rate, sweat rate, perceived exertion, thermal sensation and thermal comfort were measured across the pre-loaded time trials, and heart rate and thermal sensation were measured across the training program. All of the participants recorded in their diaries that they completed all of the programmed training sessions in the required attire. Mean thermal sensation was most likely hotter in AC (5.5 ± 0.4 AU) compared to CON (4.4 ± 0.4 AU; ES = 1.61, ± 0.68) during the training sessions. However, follow up tests revealed no physiological or perceptual signs of heat acclimation, and the change in time-trial performance from pre-post between groups was trivial (CON: −3.5 ± 12.0 W, AC: −4.1 ± 9.6 W; difference = -0.7%, ± 5.4%). Training in additional clothing for two-weeks in a temperate environment was not an effective heat acclimation strategy for triathletes

The prevalence of tumour markers in malignant pleural effusions associated with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma:a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Oncological treatment of primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AC) includes drugs targeting the pathways involving programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). The aim of the study was to report the prevalence of these tumour markers in pleural fluid with cytology positive for pulmonary AC and the potential influence of volume pleural fluid tested. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all thoracenteses performed in a two-year period at our interventional unit at Department of Respiratory Medicine at Zealand University Hospital Naestved, Denmark. ALK and PD-L1 testing was done using immunohistochemistry and EGFR testing using next-generation sequencing. We included pleural fluid specimens containing malignant cells originating from primary pulmonary AC and with at least one tumour marker requested by the clinicians. RESULTS: When screening 927 pleural fluid specimens, we identified 57 in accordance with the inclusion criteria. PD-L1, ALK and EGFR were obtained in 35/55 (64%), 38/57 (67%) and 26/47 (55%), respectively. The prevalence did not increase when analysing volumes > 50 mL (p = 0.21–0.58) CONCLUSION: Tumour markers in pleural fluid specimens containing cells from pulmonary AC can be demonstrated in more than half of the cases. Therefore, supplementary invasive procedures than thoracentesis could potentially await these analyses

Effects of a very low-carbohydrate high-fat diet and high-intensity interval training on visceral fat deposition and cardiorespiratory fitness in overfat individuals: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Purpose: This randomized controlled parallel-group study examined the effects of a very low-carbohydrate high-fat (VLCHF) diet and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program over 12 weeks on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) level in overfat individuals.Methods: Ninety-one participants were randomly allocated to the HIIT (N = 22), VLCHF (N = 25), VLCHF+HIIT (N = 25), or control (N = 19) groups for 12 weeks. Body composition and CRF were analyzed before the experimental period and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and graded exercise test (GXT) to volitional exhaustion were used for the body composition and CRF assessments, respectively.Results: There were significant between-group differences in the VAT mass and body composition outcome changes. VAT mass decreased after 12 weeks only in the VLCHF and VLCHF+HIIT groups (p < 0.001, median [95% CI]: VLCHF: -142.0 [-187.0; -109.5] g; VLCHF+HIIT: -104.0 [-135.0; -71.0] g). Similarly, changes in body mass, total body fat, trunk fat mass, waist and hip circumferences were distinctly decreased in the VLCHF and VLCHF+HIIT groups, when compared to HIIT and Control groups. Total lean mass significantly decreased in the VLCHF and VLCHF+HIIT groups (-2.1 [-3.0; -1.6] kg and -2.5 [-3.6; -1.8] kg, respectively) after 12 weeks. While the HIIT program significantly increased total time to exhaustion in the GXT, peak oxygen uptake was unchanged.Conclusions: A VLCHF diet, either in isolation or in combination with HIIT, was shown to induce a significant reduction in VAT mass and body composition variables. HIIT alone did not cause such effects on body composition, but improved exercise capacity. Our findings indicate that the VLCHF diet and exercise training provoked different and isolated effects on body composition and CRF.Web of Science8art. no. 78569

The effect of dietary nitrate supplementation on physiology and performance in trained cyclists

Purpose: To determine the effect of dietary nitrate (NO₃⁻) supplementation on physiology and performance in well-trained cyclists following six to eight-days of NO₃⁻ supplementation. Methods: Eight competitive male cyclists (mean ± SD; age = 26 ± 8 y; body mass = 76.7 ± 6.9 kg; VO2peak = 63 ± 4 ml.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study in which participants ingested 70 ml beetroot juice containing ~4 mmol NO₃⁻ (NIT) or a NO₃⁻ depleted placebo (PLA) , each for 8-days. Replicating pre-treatment measures, participants undertook an incremental ramp assessment to determine VO₂peak, first (VT₁), and second (VT₂) ventilatory thresholds on day 6 (NIT6 and PLA6), moderate-intensity cycling economy on day 7 (NIT7 and PLA7), and a 4-km time-trial on day 8 (NIT8 and PLA8). Results: Relative to PLA, 6 days of NIT supplementation produced unclear effects for VO2peak (mean ±95%CL: 1.8 ±5.5%) and VT1 (3.7 ±12.3%) and trivial effects for both VT2 (-1.0 ±3.0%) and exercise economy on day 7 (-1.0 ±1.6%). However, effects for time-trial performance time (0.7 ±0.9%), and power (2.4 ±2.5%), on day 8 were likely beneficial. Conclusions: Despite mostly unclear outcomes for standard physiological determinants of performance, 8-days of NO₃⁻ supplementation resulted in likely beneficial improvements to 4-km time-trial performance in well trained male endurance cyclists

Model-Checking Real-Time Control Programs. Verifying LEGO Mindstorms Systems Using UPPAAL

In this paper, we present a method for automatic verificationof real-time control programs running on LEGO RCX bricks using the verification tool UPPAAL. The controlprograms, consisting of a number of tasks running concurrently,are automatically translated into the timed automatamodel of UPPAAL. The fixed scheduling algorithmused by the LEGO RCX processor is modeled in UPPAAL,and supply of similar (sufficient) timed automatamodels for the environment allows analysis of the overallreal-time system using the tools of UPPAAL. To illustrateour techniques we have constructed, modeled and verifieda machine for sorting LEGO bricks by color