A high performance hardware architecture for one bit transform based motion estimation

Motion Estimation (ME) is the most computationally intensive part of video compression and video enhancement systems. One bit transform (IBT) based ME algorithms have low computational complexity. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a high performance systolic hardware architecture for IBT based ME. The proposed hardware performs full search ME for 4 Macroblocks in parallel and it is the fastest IBT based ME hardware reported in the literature. In addition, it uses less on-chip memory than the previous IBT based ME hardware by using a novel data reuse scheme and memory organization. The proposed hardware is implemented in Verilog HDL. It consumes %34 of the slices in a Xilinx XC2VP30-7 FPGA. It works at 115 MHz in the same FPGA and is capable of processing 50 1920x1080 full High Definition frames per second. Therefore, it can be used in consumer electronics products that require real-time video processing or compression

A case of nonconvulsive status epilepticus presenting as dissociative fugue

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus is characterised by changes in behaviour, memory, affect or level of consciousness. We report a case of nonconvulsive status epilepticus precipitated by carbamazepine that presented as dissociative fugue. The patient was a 49-year-old man. He first experienced a tonic-clonic seizure nine years previously and was diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy. He had been using carbamazepine 800 mg daily for the last eight years. He had not had any tonic-clonic seizures since carbamazepine was introduced but began to display behavioural disturbances periodically. He also left home many times, and remembered nothing about the period he had been away after he returned. He was hospitalised with a preliminary diagnosis of dissociative fugue. He had recurrent episodes with dissociative symptoms during his stay in the hospital. An electroencephalogram (EEG) and a 24-hour video EEG revealed nothing abnormal. An EEG recording taken during an episode indicated complex partial status epilepticus. Carbamazepine was substituted with valproate, and the patient was discharged in remission

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection through CAR-T-like bispecific T cell engagers incorporating ACE2.

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in antibody treatments and vaccines, COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major health problem resulting in excessive morbidity and mortality and the emergence of new variants has reduced the effectiveness of current vaccines. METHODS: Here, as a proof-of-concept, we engineered primary CD8 T cells to express SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific CARs, using the extracellular region of ACE2 and demonstrated their highly specific and potent cytotoxicity towards Spike-expressing target cells. To improve on this concept as a potential therapeutic, we developed a bispecific T cell engager combining ACE2 with an anti-CD3 scFv (ACE2-Bite) to target infected cells and the virus. RESULTS: As in CAR-T cell approach, ACE2-Bite endowed cytotoxic cells to selectively kill Spike-expressing targets. Furthermore, ACE2-Bite neutralized the pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 wild-type, and variants including Delta and Omicron, as a decoy protein. Remarkably, ACE2-Bite molecule showed a higher binding and neutralization affinity to Delta and Omicron variants compared to SARS-CoV-2 wild-type Spike proteins. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these results suggest the potential of this approach as a variant-proof, therapeutic strategy for future SARS-CoV-2 variants, employing both humoral and cellular arms of the adaptive immune response

Evaluation of 3D Printed Soft Robots in Radiation Environments and Comparison With Molded Counterparts

Robots have an important role during inspection, clean-up, and sample collection in unstructured radiation environments inaccessible to humans. The advantages of soft robots, such as body morphing, high compliance, and energy absorption during impact, make them suitable for operating under extreme conditions. Despite their promise, the usefulness of soft robots under a radiation environment has yet to be assessed. In this work, we evaluate the effectiveness of soft robots fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a common fabrication material, under radiation for the first time. We investigated gamma-induced mechanical damage in the PDMS materials' mechanical properties, including elongation, tensile strength, and stiffness. We selected three radiation environments from the nuclear industry to represent a wide range of radiation and then submerged a 3D printed hexapus robot into a radiation environment to estimate its operation time. Finally, to test the reliability of the 3D printed soft robots, we compared their performances with molded counterparts. To analyze performance results in detail, we also investigated dimensional errors and the effects of fabrication methods, nozzle size, and print direction on the stiffness of PDMS material. Results of this study show that with increasing exposure to gamma irradiation, the mechanical properties of PDMS decrease in functionality but are minimally impacted up to 20 kGy gamma radiation. Considering the fractional changes to the PDMS mechanical properties, it is safe to assume that soft robots could operate for 12 h in two of the three proposed radiation environments. We also verified that the 3D printed soft robots can perform better than or equal to their molded counterparts while being more reliable

SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody and neutralization assays reveal the wide range of the humoral immune response to virus.

Development of antibody protection during SARS-CoV-2 infection is a pressing question for public health and for vaccine development. We developed highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and neutralization assays. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein or Nucleocapsid protein specific IgG antibodies at titers more than 1:100,000 were detectable in all PCR+ subjects (n = 115) and were absent in the negative controls. Other isotype antibodies (IgA, IgG1-4) were also detected. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization was determined in COVID-19 and convalescent plasma at up to 10,000-fold dilution, using Spike protein pseudotyped lentiviruses, which were also blocked by neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Hospitalized patients had up to 3000-fold higher antibody and neutralization titers compared to outpatients or convalescent plasma donors. Interestingly, some COVID-19 patients also possessed NAbs against SARS-CoV Spike protein pseudovirus. Together these results demonstrate the high specificity and sensitivity of our assays, which may impact understanding the quality or duration of the antibody response during COVID-19 and in determining the effectiveness of potential vaccines

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Supramolecular solvent microextraction of Sudan blue II in environmental samples prior to its spectrophotometric determination

A liquid phase microextraction method-based conformation of supramolecular assembly was developed for the separation and preconcentration of trace levels of Sudan blue II. Various analytical parameters such as pH, supramolecular solvent type and volume, sample volume and matrix effect etc. were optimised. Sudan blue II concentration in the extraction phase was determined by UV-visible spectrophotometer. Under the optimised conditions, detection limit and preconcentration factor was found as 2.16 mu gL(-1) and 80, respectively. Relative standard deviation value was found 5%. The developed procedure was successfully applied for the determination of trace levels of Sudan blue II in environmental samples

Urinary trehalase activitiy in contrast-associated acute kidney injury

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is the third most common cause of hospital-acquired AKI. Sensitive biomarkers can detect kidney injury early on because kidney damage begins immediately after the administration of a contrast medium. Due to its proximal tubule specificity, urinary trehalase can be a useful and early marker for detecting tubular damage. This study aimed to reveal the power of urinary trehalase activity in diagnosing CA-AKI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, observational, and diagnostic validity study. The study was performed in an academic research hospital’s emergency department. Patients aged 18 years and over who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography in the emergency department were included in the study. Urinary trehalase activities were measured before and 12, 24, and 48 hours after the administration of a contrast medium. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CA-AKI, while the secondary outcomes were risk factors for CA-AKI, duration of hospital stay after contrast use, and the mortality rate in the hospital. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference between the CA-AKI group and the non-AKI group was found in the activities measured 12 hours after the administration of the contrast medium. Notably, the mean age of the patient group with CA-AKI was considerably higher than that of the non-AKI group. The risk of mortality was found to be remarkably more elevated in patients with CA-AKI. Further, there was a positive correlation between trehalase activity and HbA1c. In addition, a crucial correlation was found between trehalase activity and poor glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary trehalase activity can be useful as a marker of acute kidney injuries due to proximal tubule damage. In the diagnosis of CA-AKI, especially the activity of trehalase in the 12th hour might be useful