Measurement of vector boson production cross sections and their ratios using pp collisions at √s = 13.6 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract available from publisher's website

Construction requirements for full-term newborn simulation manikin

IntroductionIn the Netherlands, approximately 4500 newborns are admitted each year in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In order to determine and practice optimal treatment for these fragile patients, clinicians increasingly use educative simulation. However, a high-fidelity simulation of the newborn with automated sensing and response is still missing.MethodsIt is our goal to do an assessment of necessary requirements for the construction of such high-fidelity simulation. For this, in-situ observations at one NICU and three neonatal simulation centers are conducted together with interviews with experts (obstetricians, neonatologists, paediatricians, nurses). In addition, a scientific-literature review and product-market research is performed.ResultsCurrent neonatal simulations rely on extensive manual manipulation of physiological variables, as the scenario develops, or on highly rigid scripts. For manikin-based simulations, histological and anatomical properties are usually disregarded, diminishing tactile experience. Such constraints can lead to suboptimal learning, decreasing deductive reasoning and increasing cognitive dissonance.Closer to reality simulations seem achievable via a manikin that accounts for histological and anatomical properties. An integrated mathematical model of the physics, physiology and common pathologies of the newborn combined with embedded sensors and actuators could increase realism and flexibility of the scenario. Focus should be on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as main emergency situations involve ABC (airway, breathing, cardiovascular) intervention protocols.ConclusionWith these requirements, we expect an increase of deductive reasoning and decrease of cognitive dissonance. In this way, quality of medical education can be improved further. This consequently aids in delivering better neonatal care and increasing patient survival.<br/

Construction requirements for full-term newborn simulation manikin

Introduction In the Netherlands, approximately 4500 newborns are admitted each year in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In order to determine and practice optimal treatment for these fragile patients, clinicians increasingly use educative simulation. However, a high-fidelity simulation of the newborn with automated sensing and response is still missing. Methods It is our goal to do an assessment of necessary requirements for the construction of such high-fidelity simulation. For this, in-situ observations at one NICU and three neonatal simulation centers are conducted together with interviews with experts (obstetricians, neonatologists, paediatricians, nurses). In addition, a scientific-literature review and product-market research is performed. Results Current neonatal simulations rely on extensive manual manipulation of physiological variables, as the scenario develops, or on highly rigid scripts. For manikin-based simulations, histological and anatomical properties are usually disregarded, diminishing tactile experience. Such constraints can lead to suboptimal learning, decreasing deductive reasoning and increasing cognitive dissonance. Closer to reality simulations seem achievable via a manikin that accounts for histological and anatomical properties. An integrated mathematical model of the physics, physiology and common pathologies of the newborn combined with embedded sensors and actuators could increase realism and flexibility of the scenario. Focus should be on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as main emergency situations involve ABC (airway, breathing, cardiovascular) intervention protocols. Conclusion With these requirements, we expect an increase of deductive reasoning and decrease of cognitive dissonance. In this way, quality of medical education can be improved further. This consequently aids in delivering better neonatal care and increasing patient survival

Automatic atlas-based segmentation of brain white matter in neonates at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders

Very preterm infants, < 32 weeks gestation, are at high risk for brain injury. Cognitive deficits are often diagnosed at a later stage, since there are no available predictive biomarkers in the neonatal period. The maturation of specific white matter (WM) brain structures is considered a promising early-stage biomarker. With Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) tractography, an in vivo and non-invasive evaluation of these anatomical structures is possible. We developed an automatic tractography segmentation pipeline, which allows for maturation assessment of the different segmented WM structures. Our segmentation pipeline is atlas-based, specifically designed for premature neonates at term equivalent age. In order to better make use of global information from tractography, all processing is done in the fiber domain. Segmented fiber bundles are further automatically quantified with respect to volume and anisotropy. Of the 24 automatically segmented neonatal tractographies, only three contained more than 30% mislabeled fibers. Results show no dependency to WM pathology. By automatically segmenting WM, we reduced the user-dependency and bias characteristic of manual methods. This study assesses the structure of the neonatal brain based on an automatic WM segmentation in the fiber domain method using DTI tractography data

Structural and productive characteristics of Marandu and Xaraés grasses fertilized at different times after harvesting

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of applying N and K2O at different times after harvest on the structure and production characteristics of Marandu and Xaraés cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha. Two greenhouse 4 × 2 factorial experiments using a randomized block design with eight treatments and four replicates were carried out. In experiment 1, the plants in pots were fertilized weekly with 50 mg/dm³ of N and K2O until a week before a uniformity cut, for a total of four applications. After cutting, plants were fertilized with 50 mg/dm³ of N and K2O at 0, 3, 6, and 9 days. Cultivars were evaluated after 44 days of regrowth. In experiment 2, a single 50 mg/dm³ dose of N and K2O was applied a week before the uniformity cut, and 100 mg/dm³ of N and K2O were applied at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days after cutting; cultivars were evaluated after 39 days of regrowth. In experiment 1, the leaf/stem ratio and dry matter yield were influenced by the time at which fertilizers were applied. In the second experiment, the total number of leaves, expanded leaves, dead leaves, and the leaf lamina accumulated length and dry matter production were influenced by the time at which fertilizers were applied. Marandugrass had more leaves and tillers than cv. Xaraés, which, in turn, had greater height, dry matter yield and regrowth vigor. Applying nitrogen and potassium fertilizer immediately after cutting improves the structural characteristics, while the dry matter yield is maximized by applying fertilizers immediately after cutting by using lower doses of N, or at 4.5 days after cutting by using higher doses of N