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BackgroundCognitive impairment and dementia are frequently under-recognized. Health system strategies anchored in primary care are essential to address gaps in timely, comprehensive diagnosis. The goal of this paper is to describe the adaptation of a tablet-based brain health assessment (TabCAT-BHA) intervention and the study protocol to test its effectiveness in improving the detection of cognitive impairment, including dementia.MethodsThis mixed-methods, pragmatic, cluster randomized, hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial is being conducted in two 18-month waves with 26 Kaiser Permanente Southern California primary care clinics, with 13 serving as intervention clinics and 13 as usual care clinics. Patients 65 years and older with memory concerns (n ~ 180,000) receiving care at the 26 clinics will be included in the analyses. Primary care clinics are provided the following practice supports as part of the TabCAT-BHA intervention: brief education and training on neurocognitive disorders and study workflows; digital tools to assess cognitive function and support clinician decision making and documentation; and registered nurse support during the work-up and post-diagnosis periods for primary care providers, patients, and families. The intervention was adapted based on engagement with multiple levels of clinical and operational leaders in the healthcare system. Effectiveness outcomes include rates of cognitive impairment diagnosis in primary care and rates of completed standardized cognitive assessments and specialist referrals with incident diagnoses. Implementation outcomes include acceptability-appropriateness-feasibility, adoption, and fidelity.ResultsWe identified seven themes organized by system-, provider-, and patient-level domains that were used to adapt the TabCAT-BHA intervention. Accordingly, changes were made to the provider education, diagnostic work-up, and post-diagnostic support. Results will be reported in fall of 2027.ConclusionsOur engagement with multiple primary and specialty care clinical and operational leaders to adapt the TabCAT-BHA intervention to these primary care clinics has informed the protocol to evaluate the interventions effectiveness for improving the detection of cognitive impairment, including dementia, in an integrated healthcare system.Trial registationClinicaltrials.gov: NCT06090578 (registered 10/24/23).

BACKGROUND: The elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) device (DermaSensor Inc., Miami, FL) is a noninvasive, painless, adjunctive tool for skin cancer detection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance of the ESS device in the detection of melanoma. METHODS: A prospective, investigator-blinded, multicenter study was conducted at 8 United States (US) and 2 Australian sites. All eligible skin lesions were clinically concerning for melanoma, examined with the ESS device, subsequently biopsied according to dermatologists standard of care, and evaluated with histopathology. A total of 311 participants with 440 lesions were enrolled, including 44 melanomas (63.6% in situ and 36.4% invasive) and 44 severely dysplastic nevi. RESULTS: The observed sensitivity of the ESS device for melanoma detection was 95.5% (95% CI, 84.5% to 98.8%, 42 of 44 melanomas), and the observed specificity was 32.5% (95% CI, 27.2% to 38.3%). The positive and negative predictive values were 16.0% and 98.1%, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The device was tested in a high-risk population with lesions selected for biopsy based on clinical and dermoscopic assessments of board-certified dermatologists. Most enrolled lesions were pigmented. CONCLUSION: The ESS devices high sensitivity and NPV for the detection of melanoma suggest the device may be a useful adjunctive, point-of-care tool for melanoma detection.

In many research fields, the demand for miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection systems has been increasing. This work has developed a compact LIF detector, employing a laser diode as the excitation source and a photodiode as the photodetector with an adjustable laser focal spot, to meet the diverse requirements of various observation targets, such as capillaries, PCR tubes, and microfluidic chips. It features the functionalities of background fluorescence correction, the adaptive adjustment of the dynamic range, and constant power control for the laser. The influence of the excitation power on the detection limit was studied through experiments, and the configuration results for LED/LD as light sources and 487/450 nm wavelengths were compared and optimized. A fully integrated, compact, modular epifluorescence LIF detector was subsequently constructed, measuring 40 × 22 × 38 mm3 in total size, with a cost of USD 320, and achieving a detection limit of 0.4 nM for fluorescein sodium. Finally, the detector was integrated into a nucleic acid detection system with a microfluidic chip on the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and was also tested with PCR tubes and capillaries, proving its broad practicality and adaptability to various analytical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-cost, handheld centrifugal microfluidic system for multiplexed visual detection based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was developed. A concise centrifugal microfluidic chip featuring four reaction units was developed to run multiplexed RPA amplification in parallel. Additionally, a significantly shrunk-size and cost-effective handheld companion device was developed, incorporating heating, optical, rotation, and sensing modules, to perform multiplexed amplification and visual detection. After one-time sample loading, the metered sample was equally distributed into four separate reactors with high-speed centrifugation. Non-contact heating was adopted for isothermal amplification. A tiny DC motor on top of the chip was used to drive steel beads inside reactors for active mixing. Another small DC motor, which was controlled by an elaborate locking strategy based on magnetic sensing, was adopted for centrifugation and positioning. Visual fluorescence detection was optimized from different sides, including material, surface properties, excitation light, and optical filters. With fluorescence intensity-based visual detection, the detection results could be directly observed through the eyes or with a smartphone. As a proof of concept, the handheld device could detect multiple targets, e.g., different genes of African swine fever virus (ASFV) with the comparable LOD (limit of detection) of 75 copies/test compared to the tube-based RPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although hand-held ultrasound devices (HHUSDs) are currently used for a diverse range of diagnostic and interventional applications the imaging performance of such scanners is rarely considered. The aim of this study was to assess the imaging performance of a wide-range of HHUSDs and compare their imaging performance to cart-based systems utilized for the same clinical applications. The grayscale imaging performances of 19 HHUSDs from eight different manufacturers, manufactured between 2016 and 2021, were measured using a figure-of-merit known as the resolution integral. The imaging performance of the HHUSDs were compared to 142 cart-based ultrasound scanners. The HHUSD with the overall highest resolution integral (66) was a Butterfly (Burlington, MA, USA) wired phased array for small parts applications, followed by a Philips (Bothell, WA, USA) Lumify wired curvilinear transducer (57) for abdominal applications, a Butterfly wired phased array (56) for abdominal applications, a GE (Freiburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) VScan Air wireless linear array (56) for small parts applications, and a Healcerion (Seoul, Korea) Sonon 300L wireless linear array (56) for small parts applications. A GE VScan Extend wired phased array had the highest resolution integral (44) for cardiac applications. The Butterfly phased array had the highest resolution integral of all the 19 HHUSDs, although this value is still less than the majority of cart-based cardiac and abdominal ultrasound scanners manufactured from 2010 to 2017. Clinical users of HHUSDs should be mindful of the limitations in imaging performance of hand-held ultrasound devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial for winegrowers to make informed decisions about the optimum time to harvest the grapes to ensure the production of premium wines. Global warming contributes to decreasing acidity and increasing sugar levels in grapes, resulting in bland wines with high contents of alcohol. Predicting quality in viticulture is thus pivotal. To assess the average ripeness, typically a sample of one hundred berries representative for the entire vineyard is collected. However, this process, along with the subsequent detailed must analysis, is time consuming and expensive. This study focusses on predicting essential quality parameters like sugar and acid content in Vitis vinifera (L.) varieties 'Chardonnay', 'Riesling', 'Dornfelder', and 'Pinot Noir'. A small near-infrared spectrometer was used measuring non-destructively in the wavelength range from 1 100 nm to 1 350 nm while the reference contents were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Chemometric models were developed employing partial least squares regression and using spectra of all four grapevine varieties, spectra gained from berries of the same colour, or from the individual varieties. The models exhibited high accuracy in predicting main quality-determining parameters in independent test sets. On average, the model regression coefficients exceeded 93% for the sugars fructose and glucose, 86% for malic acid, and 73% for tartaric acid. Using these models, prediction accuracies revealed the ability to forecast individual sugar contents within an range of ± 6.97 g/L to ± 10.08 g/L, and malic acid within ± 2.01 g/L to ± 3.69 g/L. This approach indicates the potential to develop robust models by incorporating spectra from diverse grape varieties and berries of different colours. Such insight is crucial for the potential widespread adoption of a handheld near-infrared sensor, possibly integrated into devices used in everyday life, like smartphones. A server-side and cloud-based solution for pre-processing and modelling could thus avoid pitfalls of using near-infrared sensors on unknown varieties and in diverse wine-producing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundPolicies to restrict population mobility are a commonly used strategy to limit the transmission of contagious diseases. Among measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were dynamic stay-at-home orders informed by real-time, regional-level data. California was the first state in the U.S. to implement this novel approach; however, the effectiveness of California's four-tier system on population mobility has not been quantified.MethodsUtilizing data from mobile devices and county-level demographic data, we evaluated the impact of policy changes on population mobility and explored whether demographic characteristics explained variability in responsiveness to policy changes. For each California county, we calculated the proportion of people staying home and the average number of daily trips taken per 100 persons, across different trip distances and compared this to pre-COVID-19 levels.ResultsWe found that overall mobility decreased when counties moved to a more restrictive tier and increased when moving to a less restrictive tier, as the policy intended. When placed in a more restrictive tier, the greatest decrease in mobility was observed for shorter and medium-range trips, while there was an unexpected increase in the longer trips. The mobility response varied by geographic region, as well as county-level median income, gross domestic product, economic, social, and educational contexts, the prevalence of farms, and recent election results.ConclusionsThis analysis provides evidence of the effectiveness of the tier-based system in decreasing overall population mobility to ultimately reduce COVID-19 transmission. Results demonstrate that socio-political demographic indicators drive important variability in such patterns across counties.

This study aimed on the one hand to clarify the quality, authenticity, safety, and other issues related to products of the anabolic-androgenic steroid methandienone advertised on the Internet and personally imported to Japan and on the other hand to evaluate the use of two portable Raman spectrometers in identifying the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The study found that all n = 15 samples purchased from 14 websites were problematic regarding their package, labeling, and/or content. Specifically, one sample (6.7%) was confirmed falsified, twelve samples (80%) were found either to be falsified or unlicensed as pharmaceutical product, and two samples (13.3%) were received without information on the manufacturers' physical address or country of origin, with one sample (6.7%) having no labeling or other accompanying information at all. Both Raman spectrometers were able to identify the API in all samples as confirmed and quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–Fourier transform mass spectrometry. Twelve samples contained on average less than 90% of the declared API content. By contacting national regulatory authorities in 44 countries, methandienone products were found to be approved in 1 country and not approved in 21 countries. To prevent health hazards and abuse, measures against the acquisition of anabolic-androgenic steroids from unknown sources are required. Portable Raman spectrometers may be suitable for the non-destructive and quick identification of methandienone in tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long coherence times at room temperature make the NV center a promising candidate for quantum sensors and quantum computers. The necessary coherent control of the electron spin triplet in the ground state requires microwave π pulses in the nanosecond range, obtained from the Rabi oscillation of the mS spin states of the magnetic resonances of the NV centers. Laboratory equipment has a high temporal resolution for these measurements but is expensive and, therefore, uninteresting for fields such as education. In this work, we present measurement electronics for NV centers that are optimized for microcontrollers. It is shown that the Rabi frequency is linear to the output of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and is used to adapt the time length π of the electron spin flip, to the limited pulse width resolution of the microcontroller. This was achieved by breaking down the most relevant functions of conventional laboratory devices and replacing them with commercially available integrated components. The result is a cost-effective handheld setup for coherent control applications of NV centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments in real‐time, in vivo micro‐imaging have allowed for the visualization of tissue pathological changes, facilitating rapid diagnosis. However, miniaturization, magnification, the field of view, and in vivo image stabilization remain challenging factors to reconcile. A key issue for this technology is ensuring it is user friendly for surgeons, enabling them to use the device manually and obtain instantaneous information necessary for surgical decision‐making. This descriptive study introduces a handheld, actively stabilized, miniaturized epi‐fluorescence widefield microscope (MEW‐M) for real‐time observation in vivo with high resolution. The methodology of MEW‐M system includes high resolution microscopy miniaturization technology, thousandfold shaking suppression (actively stabilized), ultra‐photosensitivity, and tailored image signal processing cell image capture and processing technology, which support for the excellent real‐time imaging performance of MEW‐M system in brain, mammary, liver, lung, and kidney tissue imaging of rats in vivo. With a single‐objective and high‐frame‐rate imaging, the MEW‐M system facilitates roving image acquisition, enabling contiguous analysis of large tissue areas. Research Highlights: A handheld, actively stabilized MEW‐M system was introduced. Excellent real‐time, in vivo imaging with high resolution and active stabilization in brain, mammary, liver, lung, and kidney tissue of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As emergency physicians are looking at handheld devices as alternatives to the traditional, cart-based systems, concerns center around whether they are forsaking image quality for a lower price point and whether the handheld can be trusted for medical decision making. We aimed to determine the feasibility of using a handheld ultrasound device in place of a cart-based system during the evaluation of trauma patients using the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination. This was a prospective study of adult trauma patients who received a FAST examination as part of their evaluation. A FAST examination was performed using a cart-based machine and a handheld device. The results of the examinations were compared with computed tomography imaging. Images obtained from both ultrasound devices were reviewed by an expert for image quality. A total of 62 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) time to perform a FAST examination using the handheld device was 307.3 (65.3) s, which was significantly less (p = 0.002) than the 336.1 (86.8) s with the cart-based machine. There was strong agreement between the examination results of the handheld and cart-based devices and between the handheld and computed tomography. Image quality scores obtained with the handheld device were lower than those from the cart-based system. Most operators and reviewers agreed that the images obtained from the handheld were adequate for medical decision making. Data support that it is feasible to use the handheld ultrasound device for evaluation of the trauma patient in place of the cart-based system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial for winegrowers to make informed decisions about the optimum time to harvest the grapes to ensure the production of premium wines. Global warming contributes to decreasing acidity and increasing sugar levels in grapes, resulting in bland wines with high contents of alcohol. Predicting quality in viticulture is thus pivotal. To assess the average ripeness, typically a sample of one hundred berries representative for the entire vineyard is collected. However, this process, along with the subsequent detailed must analysis, is time consuming and expensive. This study focusses on predicting essential quality parameters like sugar and acid content in Vitis vinifera (L.) varieties ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Riesling’, ‘Dornfelder’, and ‘Pinot Noir’. A small near-infrared spectrometer was used measuring non-destructively in the wavelength range from 1 100 nm to 1 350 nm while the reference contents were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Chemometric models were developed employing partial least squares regression and using spectra of all four grapevine varieties, spectra gained from berries of the same colour, or from the individual varieties. The models exhibited high accuracy in predicting main quality-determining parameters in independent test sets. On average, the model regression coefficients exceeded 93% for the sugars fructose and glucose, 86% for malic acid, and 73% for tartaric acid. Using these models, prediction accuracies revealed the ability to forecast individual sugar contents within an range of ± 6.97 g/L to ± 10.08 g/L, and malic acid within ± 2.01 g/L to ± 3.69 g/L. This approach indicates the potential to develop robust models by incorporating spectra from diverse grape varieties and berries of different colours. Such insight is crucial for the potential widespread adoption of a handheld near-infrared sensor, possibly integrated into devices used in everyday life, like smartphones. A server-side and cloud-based solution for pre-processing and modelling could thus avoid pitfalls of using near-infrared sensors on unknown varieties and in diverse wine-producing regions.

Monitoring blood flow in a buried flap is often challenging. In cases of free jejunal transfer, although exteriorization of a minor jejunal segment has become the standard method, there remain issues such as intestinal fluid management, the need for separation of the monitored jejunum, and high false positive rates. In this study, we performed monitoring using handheld ultrasound (Vscan Extend™; GE Healthcare, Japan) in four patients who had undergone free jejunal transfer between August 2022 and December 2022. The blood flow in the anastomosed vessels and the peristalsis of the jejunum were observed in all patients. There were no cases of reoperation due to early failure such as thrombosis of vascular anastomosis or vessel spasm. The handheld ultrasound made it possible to adequately evaluate both the blood flow in the anastomosed vessels and the peristalsis of the transplanted jejunum. Handheld ultrasound can be useful for monitoring blood flow in a buried flap.

The use of handheld point-of-care ultrasound (HH-POCUS) platforms is rapidly increasing, but the diagnostic performance of HH-POCUS in the emergency department (ED) has not been well-studied. For a period of one year, only a HH-POCUS system that uses a non-piezoelectric array (Butterfly iQ+™) was available for clinical POCUS examinations in our ED. We performed a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent cardiac, thoracic, renal, biliary, or lower extremity venous (DVT) examinations from November 2021–November 2022 and calculated performance characteristics of HH-POCUS relative to radiology imaging. A total of 381 HH-POCUS studies were evaluated. Cardiac image quality was significantly lower than lung (p = 0.002). Over half of the studies (213/381) had imaging available for comparison, and HH-POCUS identified 86.5% (32/37, (95%CI) 70.4–94.9) of prespecified emergent diagnoses, including acute cholecystitis, severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, pericardial effusion or tamponade, moderate or larger pleural effusion, pneumothorax, moderate or larger hydronephrosis, and DVT. For less emergent diagnoses, 84.3% (43/51, (95%CI) 70.9–92.5) were identified. Overall, HH-POCUS using a non-piezoelectric array showed modest real-world performance in the ED for cardiac, thoracic, renal, biliary, and DVT examinations. HH-POCUS may be inadequate to rule out some common ED diagnoses, but had good specificity for certain conditions such as pericardial effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using handheld articulating instruments (HAIs) has emerged as an innovative approach, offering enhanced dexterity and accessibility compared with conventional straight tools. There has been a significant surge in market interest surrounding HAIs. However, the question about the potential benefits of these devices for surgeons and patients in clinical applications remains unclear. Methods: We thoroughly searched relevant literature about the HAIs with clinical applications. This article reviews the feasibility, safety, outcomes, ergonomics, and learning curve associated with utilizing HAIs, including notable commercial products FlexDex, ArtiSential, and HandX. This study also investigates the comparisons of the use of HAIs with traditional laparoscopy and the da Vinci robotic system in terms of surgical outcomes and operational efficiency. Results: Early clinical studies demonstrate the applicability of HAIs across gastrointestinal, urologic, cardiothoracic, and general surgery, with promising results and few complications reported. Comparisons with conventional laparoscopy reveal no significant differences in surgical outcomes. However, HAIs present a more prolonged learning curve than robotic surgery for novice users. Combining three-dimensional visualization techniques facilitate performance. Further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to establish definitive superiority in surgical efficiency and characterize optimal training methodology. Conclusions: Overall, the maneuverability and lower cost of HAIs present new possibilities in MIS, potentially expanding accessibility for smaller health care organizations and benefiting more patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), benefiting from its high sensitivity, relatively large penetration depth, and non-contact and non-invasive imaging capability, is ideal for human skin imaging. However, limited by the size and performance of the reported optical galvanometer scanners, existing portable/handheld OCT probes are still bulky, which makes continuously handheld imaging difficult. Here, we reported a miniaturized electrothermal-MEMS-based SS-OCT microscope that only weighs about 25 g and has a cylinder with a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 40 mm. This MEMS-based handheld imaging probe can achieve a lateral resolution of 25 μm, a 3D imaging time of 5 s, a penetration depth of up to 3.3 mm, and an effective imaging field of view (FOV) of 3 × 3 mm2. We have carried out both calibration plate and biological tissue imaging experiments to test the imaging performance of this microscope. OCT imaging of leaves, dragonfly, and human skin has been successfully obtained, showing the imaging performance and potential applications of this probe on human skin in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and visual problems that arise while using a computer or other Video Display Terminal (DVT). With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these DVTs has become indispensable in the lives of students and teachers. This study aims to identify the prevalence of CVS and associated factors in students and teachers at Lúrio University, in Nampula, during the pandemic period. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, carried out between November 2020 and March 2021. The validated CVS questionnaire (CVS-Q) and another semi-structured questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors were applied. Odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated to measure the association between CVS and computer use conditions. Results The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%, and the female gender, age ≤ 20 years, levels I, II, III of course, lack of knowledge about ergonomics, use the computer to study, use more than 6 hours daily, absence of anti-reflex treatment, use of other devices and sitting in an inappropriate chair were risk factors for the occurrence of CVS, while being a teacher was a protective factor. Conclusion The prevalence of CVS found in this study was high, due to several factors, especially not using ergonomic principles when using computers and other DVTs. There is a need to adopt intervention strategies focused on the most vulnerable groups such as women, age group ≤20 years and students, especially at the first year level, right after entering the University.

In many research fields, the demand for miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection systems has been increasing. This work has developed a compact LIF detector, employing a laser diode as the excitation source and a photodiode as the photodetector with an adjustable laser focal spot, to meet the diverse requirements of various observation targets, such as capillaries, PCR tubes, and microfluidic chips. It features the functionalities of background fluorescence correction, the adaptive adjustment of the dynamic range, and constant power control for the laser. The influence of the excitation power on the detection limit was studied through experiments, and the configuration results for LED/LD as light sources and 487/450 nm wavelengths were compared and optimized. A fully integrated, compact, modular epifluorescence LIF detector was subsequently constructed, measuring 40 × 22 × 38 mm3 in total size, with a cost of USD 320, and achieving a detection limit of 0.4 nM for fluorescein sodium. Finally, the detector was integrated into a nucleic acid detection system with a microfluidic chip on the Chinese Space Station (CSS) and was also tested with PCR tubes and capillaries, proving its broad practicality and adaptability to various analytical systems.

A low-cost, handheld centrifugal microfluidic system for multiplexed visual detection based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was developed. A concise centrifugal microfluidic chip featuring four reaction units was developed to run multiplexed RPA amplification in parallel. Additionally, a significantly shrunk-size and cost-effective handheld companion device was developed, incorporating heating, optical, rotation, and sensing modules, to perform multiplexed amplification and visual detection. After one-time sample loading, the metered sample was equally distributed into four separate reactors with high-speed centrifugation. Non-contact heating was adopted for isothermal amplification. A tiny DC motor on top of the chip was used to drive steel beads inside reactors for active mixing. Another small DC motor, which was controlled by an elaborate locking strategy based on magnetic sensing, was adopted for centrifugation and positioning. Visual fluorescence detection was optimized from different sides, including material, surface properties, excitation light, and optical filters. With fluorescence intensity-based visual detection, the detection results could be directly observed through the eyes or with a smartphone. As a proof of concept, the handheld device could detect multiple targets, e.g., different genes of African swine fever virus (ASFV) with the comparable LOD (limit of detection) of 75 copies/test compared to the tube-based RPA.

Iberian ham is a highly appreciated product and according to Spanish legislation different labels identify different products depending on the genetic purity. Consequently, “100% Iberian” ham from purebred Iberian animals is more expensive than “Iberian” ham from Iberian x Duroc crosses. The hypothesis of this study was that to avoid labelling fraud it is possible to distinguish the breed (Iberian or Iberian x Duroc) of acorn-fed pigs of Iberian ham without any prior preparation of the sample by using spectroscopy that is a rapid and reliable technology. Moreover, portable devices which can be used in situ could provide similar results to those of benchtop equipment. Therefore, the spectra of the 60 samples (24 samples of 100% Iberian ham and 36 samples of Iberian x Duroc crossbreed ham) were recorded only for the fat, only for the muscle, or for the whole slice with two benchtop near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers (Büchi NIRFlex N-500 and Foss NIRSystem 5000) and five portable spectrometers including four portable NIR devices (VIAVI MicroNIR 1700 ES, TellSpec Enterprise Sensor, Thermo Fischer Scientific microPHAZIR, and Consumer Physics SCiO Sensor), and one RAMAN device (BRAVO handheld). The results showed that, in general, the whole slice recording produced the best results for classification purposes. The SCiO device showed the highest percentages of correctly classified samples (97% in calibration and 92% in validation) followed by TellSpec (100% and 81%). The SCiO sensor also showed the highest percentages of success when the analyses were performed only on lean meat (97% in calibration and 83% in validation) followed by microPHAZIR (84% and 81%), while in the case of the fat tissue. Raman technology showed the best discrimination capacity (96% and 78%) followed by microPHAZIR (89% and 81%). Therefore, spectroscopy has proved to be a suitable technology for discriminating ham samples according to breed purity; portable devices have been shown to give even better results than benchtop spectrometers.

Background: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and visual problems that arise while using a computer or other Video Display Terminal (DVT). With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these DVTs has become indispensable in the lives of students and teachers. This study aims to identify the prevalence of CVS and associated factors in students and teachers at Lúrio University, in Nampula, during the pandemic period. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out between November 2020 and March 2021. The validated CVS questionnaire (CVS-Q) and another semi-structured questionnaire on ergonomic risk factors were applied. Odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated to measure the association between CVS and computer use conditions. Results: The prevalence of CVS was 76.6%, and the female gender, age ≤ 20 years, levels I, II, III of course, lack of knowledge about ergonomics, use the computer to study, use more than 6 hours daily, absence of anti-reflex treatment, use of other devices and sitting in an inappropriate chair were risk factors for the occurrence of CVS, while being a teacher was a protective factor. Conclusion: The prevalence of CVS found in this study was high, due to several factors, especially not using ergonomic principles when using computers and other DVTs. There is a need to adopt intervention strategies focused on the most vulnerable groups such as women, age group ≤20 years and students, especially at the first year level, right after entering the University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to directly compare implant placement accuracy and postoperative limb alignment between robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty and navigation-assisted total knee arthroplasty. This retrospective case–control study included a consecutive series of 182 knees (robotic-assisted group, n = 103 knees; navigation-assisted group, n = 79). An image-free handheld robotic system (NAVIO) or an image-free navigation system (Precision N) was used. Component and limb alignment were evaluated on three-dimensional computed tomography scans and full-length standing anterior–posterior radiographs. We compared the errors between the final intraoperative plan and the postoperative coronal and sagittal alignment of the components and the hip–knee–ankle angle between the two groups. The orientation of the femoral and tibial components in the coronal plane were more accurate in the robotic-assisted group than in the navigation-assisted group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the orientation of the femoral and tibial component in the sagittal plane between the two groups. There were fewer outliers in the tibial coronal plane in the robotic-assisted group (p < 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the frequency of outlying values for coronal or sagittal alignment of the femoral component or sagittal alignment of the tibial component or the hip–knee–ankle angle between the two groups. Robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty using a handheld image-free system improved component alignment in the coronal plane compared with total knee arthroplasty using an image-free navigation system. Robotic surgery helps surgeons to achieve personalised alignment that may result in better clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Preventing, detecting, and responding to substandard and falsified vaccines is of critical importance for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and public trust in vaccines. This is of heightened importance in context of public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, in which extreme world-wide shortages of vaccines provided a fertile ground for exploitation by falsifiers. Here, a proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility of using a handheld Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) device to authenticate COVID-19 vaccines through rapid analysis of unopened vaccine vials. The results show that SORS can verify the chemical identity of dominant excipients non-invasively through vaccine vial walls. The ability of SORS to identify potentially falsified COVID-19 vaccines was demonstrated by measurement of surrogates for falsified vaccines contained in vaccine vials. In all cases studied, the SORS technique was able to differentiate between surrogate samples from the genuine COVISHIELD™ vaccine. The genuine vaccines tested included samples from six batches across two manufacturing sites to account for any potential variations between batches or manufacturing sites. Batch and manufacturing site variations were insignificant. In conjunction with existing security features, for example on labels and packaging, SORS provided an intrinsic molecular fingerprint of the dominant excipients of the vaccines. The technique could be extended to other COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other liquid medicines. As handheld and portable SORS devices are commercially available and widely used for other purposes, such as airport security, they are rapidly deployable non-invasive screening tools for vaccine authentication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comparative benchmarking of different beamforming techniques for robust multipath and spoofing mitigation in handheld receivers equipped with a small number of antenna elements. In the field of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), multipath and spoofing have become major sources of signal degradation, whereby the presence of closely spaced replicas of the signal of interest hampers the receiver's performance. Spatial filtering through the use of antenna arrays is one appealing approach to combat these effects. However, the upward trend in device miniaturization poses a serious concern for spatial filtering in handheld devices such as tablets or smartphones, particularly for the case of decimeter-wave signals such as in GNSSs. The terminal size constraints lead to deploying arrays with very few antennas, thus degrading the mitigation performance of the above impairments. This work explores the feasibility of performing robust multipath and spoofing mitigation in GNSS receivers with antenna arrays of very small sizes. Simulation results on four-antenna rectangular and two-antenna linear array distributions are provided, showing that the reduction in array size can be counteracted by the use of advanced beamformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundRapid technological advances offer a possibility to develop cost-effective digital cognitive assessment tools. However, it is unclear whether these measures are suitable for application in populations from Low and middle-income countries (LMIC).ObjectiveTo examine the accuracy and validity of the Brain Health Assessment (BHA) in detecting cognitive impairment in a Cuban population.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 146 participants (cognitively healthy = 53, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) = 46, dementia = 47) were recruited at primary care and tertiary clinics. The main outcomes included: accuracy of the BHA and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in discriminating between controls and cognitively impaired groups (MCI and dementia) and correlations between the BHA subtests of memory, executive functions, and visuospatial skills and criterion-standard paper-and-pencil tests in the same domains.ResultsThe BHA had an AUC of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-0.98) in discriminating between controls and cognitively impaired groups (MCI and dementia, combined) with 0.91 sensitivity at 0.85 specificity. In discriminating between control and MCI groups only, the BHA tests had an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90-0.99) with 0.71 sensitivity at 0.85 specificity. Performance was superior to the MoCA across all diagnostic groups. Concurrent and discriminant validity analyses showed moderate to strong correlations between the BHA tests and standard paper-and-pencil measures in the same domain and weak correlations with standard measures in unrelated domains.ConclusionThe BHA has excellent performance characteristics in detecting cognitive impairment including dementia and MCI in a Hispanic population in Cuba and outperformed the MoCA. These results support potential application of digital cognitive assessment for older adults in LMIC.

Long coherence times at room temperature make the NV center a promising candidate for quantum sensors and quantum computers. The necessary coherent control of the electron spin triplet in the ground state requires microwave π pulses in the nanosecond range, obtained from the Rabi oscillation of the mS spin states of the magnetic resonances of the NV centers. Laboratory equipment has a high temporal resolution for these measurements but is expensive and, therefore, uninteresting for fields such as education. In this work, we present measurement electronics for NV centers that are optimized for microcontrollers. It is shown that the Rabi frequency is linear to the output of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and is used to adapt the time length π of the electron spin flip, to the limited pulse width resolution of the microcontroller. This was achieved by breaking down the most relevant functions of conventional laboratory devices and replacing them with commercially available integrated components. The result is a cost-effective handheld setup for coherent control applications of NV centers.

This study aimed to evaluate radiation doses from handheld X-ray devices, specifically NOMAD Pro 2TM (DvcN), Rextar X (DvcRX), and Diox 602 (DvcD), targeting operator and patient's critical organs and tissues. Calibrated TLD-100H dosimeters were placed on a mannequin and phantom head, focusing on the eyes, thyroid, gonads, hands, and salivary glands. Using a TLD reader, absorbed equivalent doses post irradiation were assessed. Conventional systems yielded higher radiation doses than phosphor plates and digital systems. Notably, implementing protective measures resulted in significant (p < 0.05) dose reductions to the operator. Peak measurements without protection included: gonad 24.4 (DvcN) μGy; thyroid 30.5 (DvcN) μGy; right eye 31.9 (DvcN) μGy; left eye 27.9 (DvcN) μGy; right hand 111.6 (DvcRX) μGy; and left hand 71.7 (DvcD) μGy. Radiation dose reductions ranged from 11.49% to 93.25%, depending on the region and device. It is imperative to adhere to radiological protection protocols, particularly when employing handheld X-ray devices; optimally, these should be used with digital systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the majority of water testing is carried out in the laboratory, and portable field methods for the quantification of elements in natural waters remain to be established. In contrast, portable instruments like portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis and portable laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (pLIBS) have become routine analytical methods for the quantification of elements in solids. This study aims to show that pLIBS can also be used for chemical compositional measurements of natural waters. Bottled mineral waters were selected as sample materials. A surface-enhanced liquid-to-solid conversion technique was used to improve the detection limits and circumvent the physical limitations in liquid analysis. The results show that low to medium mineralised waters can be analysed quantitatively for their ions using the documented method. For more highly concentrated samples, typically above an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1000 µS/cm, further adjustment is required in the form of self-absorption correction. However, water with a conductivity up to this limit can be analysed for the main cations (Li+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, and Sr2+) as well as the main anions (SO42− and Cl−) using the documented method. This study demonstrates that there is significant potential for developing field-based pLIBS as a tool for quantitative water analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relationship between camera movement techniques and cognitive responses in audiences, reporting on an experiment exploring the effects of different camera movement methods on viewers’ degree of immersion and emotional response. This follows directly from preceding experimental literature and is further motivated by accounts and experiences of practicing cinematographers (authors included), which indicates a correspondence between the two. We designed three different cinematic scenes with indifferent moods, and shot each one time with Steadicam, dolly, handheld, and static camera, resulting in 12 different clips. A total of 44 non-professional participants watched the clips and rated their reactions in terms of arousal and degree of involvement. Experimental results are mixed: movement affects the sense of involvement but not necessarily emotional response. We present and discuss some further explorative results and possible future directions to improve the design. We argue in this contribution that there is value in experimental approaches to cinematography, enabling the systematic study of creative intuitions and audience responses in controlled settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association of parent-reported and behaviorally assessed child self-regulation with their use of mobile devices, including mean weekly exposure and age at first use.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and much of this is driven by challenges in its timely diagnosis and treatment. Existing and emerging mobile technologies have been used to successfully identify AF in a variety of clinical and community settings, and while these technologies offer great promise for revolutionizing AF detection and screening, several major barriers may impede their effectiveness. The unclear clinical significance of device-detected AF, potential challenges in integrating patient-generated data into existing healthcare systems and clinical workflows, harm resulting from potential false positives, and identifying the appropriate scope of population-based screening efforts are all potential concerns that warrant further investigation. It is crucial for stakeholders such as healthcare providers, researchers, funding agencies, insurers, and engineers to actively work together in fulfilling the tremendous potential of mobile technologies to improve AF identification and management on a population level.

ObjectivesOpioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed for chronic musculoskeletal pain, despite limited evidence of effectiveness and well-documented adverse effects. We assessed the effects of participating in a structured, personalized self-experiment ("N-of-1 trial") on analgesic prescribing in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.MethodsWe randomized 215 patients with chronic pain to participate in an N-of-1 trial facilitated by a mobile health app or to receive usual care. Medical records of participating patients were reviewed at enrollment and 6 months later to assess analgesic prescribing. We established thresholds of ≥ 50, ≥ 20, and > 0 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per day to capture patients taking relatively high doses only, patients taking low-moderate as well as relatively high doses, and patients taking any dose of opioids, respectively.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the N-of-1 and control groups in the percentage of patients prescribed any opioids (relative odds ratio (ROR) = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61 to 1.80, p = 0.87). There was a clinically substantial but statistically not significant reduction of the percentage of patients receiving ≥ 20 MME (ROR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.33 to 1.04, p = 0.07) and also in the percentage receiving ≥ 50 MME (ROR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.19 to 1.34, p = 0.17). There was a significant reduction in the proportion of patients in the N-of-1 group prescribed NSAIDs compared with control (relative odds ratio = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.29 to 0.96, p = 0.04), with no concomitant increase in average pain intensity. There was no significant change in use of adjunctive medications (acetaminophen, gabapentenoids, or topicals).DiscussionThese exploratory results suggest that participation in N-of-1 trials may reduce long-term use of NSAIDs; there is also a weak signal for an effect on use of opioids. Additional research is needed to confirm these results and elucidate possible mechanisms.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02116621.

Mobile Augmented Reality (AR) is a promising technology for educational purposes. It allows for interactive, engaging, and spatially independent learning. While the didactic benefits of AR have been well studied in recent years and commodity smartphones already come with AR capabilities, concepts and tools for a scalable deployment of AR are still missing. The proposed solution TrainAR combines an interaction concept, a didactic framework and an authoring tool for procedural AR training applications for smartphones. The contribution of this paper is the open-source visual scripting-based authoring tool of TrainAR in the form of a Unity Editor extension. With this approach, TrainAR allows non-programmer domain experts to create ("author") their own procedural AR trainings by offering a customized editor, while at any time programmers may decide to utilize Unity's full capabilities. Furthermore, utility and usability evaluations of several already developed TrainAR trainings (combined n = 317) show that TrainAR trainings provide utility in several contexts and are usable by the target groups. A systematic usability evaluation of the TrainAR Authoring Tool (n = 30) shows that it would be usable by non-programmer domain experts, though the learning curve depends on the media competency of the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While ultrasound assistance for accessing the axillary vein has been established as a reliable method for cardiac pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator leads implantation, there is a lack of information regarding the utilization of portable handheld ultrasound devices within this context. We describe our experience with the systematic use of a pocket-sized handheld ultrasound device during the implantation of transvenous cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

Background: Risk assessment and discussion of lifestyle in primary care are crucial elements of breast cancer prevention and risk reduction. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of a breast cancer risk assessment and education tool on patient-physician discussion of behaviors and breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with an ethnically and linguistically diverse sample of women, ages 40-74, from two primary care practices. Intervention participants completed a tablet computer-based Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Education (BreastCARE) intervention in the waiting room before a scheduled visit. Both patients and physicians received an individualized risk report to discuss during the visit. Control patients underwent usual care. Telephone surveys assessed patient-physician discussion of weight, exercise, and alcohol use 1 week following the visit. Results: Among the 1235 participants, 27.7% (161/580) intervention and 22.3% (146/655) usual-care patients were high risk for breast cancer. Adjusting for clustering by physician, the intervention increased discussions of regular exercise (odds ratios [OR] = 1.94, 1.50-2.51) and weight (OR = 1.56, 1.23-1.96). There was no effect of the intervention on discussion of alcohol. Women with some college education were more likely to discuss their weight than those with high school education or less (OR = 1.75, 1.03-2.96). Similarly, non-English speakers were more likely to discuss their weight compared with English speakers (OR = 2.33, 1.04-5.22). Conclusions: BreastCARE is a feasible risk assessment tool that can successfully promote discussions about modifiable breast cancer risk factors between patients and primary care physicians.

BackgroundPatient portals tethered to electronic health records can improve patient experience, activation, and outcomes. However, adoption of inpatient portals has been challenging. One way to potentially increase inpatient portal usage is to integrate it with a room control (RC) app on a common tablet computer.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of patient usage of an RC app provided on tablet computers in patient rooms of our new inpatient tower.MethodsWe identified all patients who were admitted for >24 hours to our new inpatient tower over a 90-day period from September 1 to November 30, 2017. After excluding newborn patients from our analysis, we then identified patients who used the RC app at least one time during their admission. We linked these data to patient demographics (including age, sex, and race) and admitting service. We then performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to assess patterns of RC app usage.ResultsA total of 3411 patients were admitted over the course of the study period; 2242/3411 (65.73%) used the RC app during their hospitalization. Compared with white patients, other/mixed/unknown race and Asian, Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian race were significantly associated with increased use of the RC app in a multivariable analysis. Increasing age was significantly associated with increased usage of the RC app. Usage of the RC app also varied by admitting services. Compared with general medicine, bone marrow transplant and general surgery patients had increased usage of the RC app. Conversely, critical care, medical specialties, neurology, surgical subspecialties, and obstetrics/gynecology were all associated with decreased usage of the RC app.ConclusionsOur study shows that one-third of patients are not using the RC app for critical room functions. Future initiatives to increase RC usage should take these populations into consideration. Contrary to common belief, older patients may use tablet-enabled RCs just as often, if not more often, than younger patients. Certain admitting services, such as neurology and surgical subspecialties, may have had lower usage rates owing to accessibility issues. Our study allows hospitals to tailor support for specific patient populations to increase RC app usage.

BackgroundPatient experience surveys are widely used to capture the patient-reported quality of care and are increasingly being used for formal reporting purposes. There is evidence that certain patient subgroups are less likely to respond to traditional CAHPS surveys. As patient-facing technologies become more common, it is important to examine whether tablet-based patient experience surveys have the potential to promote responses from more diverse populations.ObjectivesTo develop, gain perspectives about, and pilot an English and Spanish low-literacy adaptation of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems Clinician & Group Survey (CG-CAHPS) administered on a tablet device at the point of care.Research designCognitive testing and evaluation of a quality improvement pilot comparing a tablet-based adaptation and traditional paper-based versions of the CG-CAHPS survey.SubjectsEnglish-speaking and Spanish-speaking patients receiving primary care in an urban community clinic.MeasuresTo compare the acceptability of low-literacy tablet-based and traditional paper-based patient experience surveys, we examined the concordance of responses between survey modes and preferences for modality, as well as perspectives on usability and reporting care experiences. We examined demographic differences in responses to tablet-based versus mailed surveys from a quality improvement pilot.ResultsThe majority of cognitive interview participants preferred a low-literacy, tablet-based survey over a paper-based survey with traditional wording. In a quality improvement pilot comparing tablet-based administration at the point of care versus mailed surveys, respondents to the tablet-based survey were more likely to be younger and Latino.ConclusionsIf designed with patient input, tablet-based surveys have the potential to improve the collection of patient experience data among diverse populations.

Introduction: Mobile learning is one of the innovative teaching techniques that help medical students gain knowledge and skills. One of the factors that expanded the use of this strategy was the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the educational pedagogy of such technology has been neglected. This article aimed to critically review available mobile learning models in medical education to suggest a comprehensive model in the field of mobile learning.Methods: We conducted this critical review based on the five steps of the Carnwell and Daly method. For a comprehensive systematic search from 2000 to April 2021, the following keywords were used: Personal Digital Assistant, m learning, Mobile learning, Ubiquitous learning, U learning, medical students, and medical education. 3176 studies in PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, Magiran, and Web of Science were identified. In total, 8 articles entered the study.Results: Eight models of mobile learning in medical education were identified. The key features of each model were extracted and integrated into the new model for the successful design and implementation of mobile learning. This model includes three main elements of mobile learning: 1-stakeholders, 2-interaction, and 3-technology, which are influenced by external factors including Mobiquette, legitimacy, and awareness.Conclusion: The results of this study are an important contribution to the knowledge collection in mobile learning inmedical education. We introduced a comprehensive model of mobile learning including specific characteristics of strategies in the context of medical education.

Lab-on-a-chip technologies and microfluidics have pushed miniaturized liquid handling to unprecedented precision, integration, and automation, which improved the reaction efficiency of immunoassays. However, most microfluidic immunoassay systems still require bulky infrastructures, such as external pressure sources, pneumatic systems, and complex manual tubing and interface connections. Such requirements prevent plug-and-play operation at the point-of-care (POC) settings. Here we present a fully automated handheld general microfluidic liquid handling automation platform with a plug-and-play ‘clamshell-style’ cartridge socket, a miniature electro-pneumatic controller, and injection-moldable plastic cartridges. The system achieved multi-reagent switching, metering, and timing control on the valveless cartridge using electro-pneumatic pressure control. As a demonstration, a SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody sandwich fluorescent immunoassay (FIA) liquid handling was performed on an acrylic cartridge without human intervention after sample introduction. A fluorescence microscope was used to analyze the result. The assay showed a limit of detection at 31.1 ng/mL, comparable to some previously reported enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In addition to automated liquid handling on the cartridge, the system can operate as a 6-port pressure source for external microfluidic chips. A rechargeable battery with a 12 V 3000 mAh capacity can power the system for 42 h. The footprint of the system is 16.5 × 10.5 × 7 cm, and the weight is 801 g, including the battery. The system can find many other POC and research applications requiring complex liquid manipulation, such as molecular diagnostics, cell analysis, and on-demand biomanufacturing.

Objective: To test the feasibility and reproducibility of a handheld ultrasound device (HUD) compared to a standard ultrasound machine for muscle thickness measurements in healthy participants. Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional study was designed where two novice operators tested the thickness of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus intermedius muscles on recruited asymptomatic participants with no history of muscle diseases. The anterior–posterior thickness of each muscle was measured three times per operator to evaluate intra‐operator reproducibility and using two machines to evaluate inter‐system reproducibility. Scanning started using the HUD followed by the standard system. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and simple linear regression were used to test for reproducibility and proportional bias respectively. Results: A total of 33 male participants volunteered to take part in this study with a mean age of 22.7 years (6.8). Intra‐operator reproducibility was almost perfect for both operators on both machines (ICC > 0.80). The measurements difference percentage between the machines ranged from 1.8% to 6.6% and inter‐system reproducibility ICC ranged from 0.815 to 0.927 showing excellent reproducibility. Inter‐operator reproducibility was poor to moderate on both machines (ICC: 0.522–0.849). Regression analysis showed no proportional bias in the measurements. All measurements were completed successfully using the HUD. Conclusion: The HUD demonstrated excellent accuracy compared to the standard ultrasound machine for measuring thigh muscle thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare a portable ultrasound (US) device and a traditional US for performing transcranial ultrasonography (CCT) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: This is a cross‐sectional, observational, and analytical study. The study recruited a total of 129 individuals from two public hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro in a prospective and non‐randomized manner between September 2019 and July 2021 as follows: group A with 31 patients with PD, group B with 65 patients with PD, and group C with 64 healthy individuals. Group A was used to collect data to establish the agreement analysis of the TCS measurements between the two devices. Groups B and C provided data for constructing the receiver operating characteristic curve for the handheld US. The subjects underwent the assessment of the transtemporal bone window (TW) quality, the mesencephalon area, the size of the third ventricle, and the substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity area. Results: There was a good agreement between the methods regarding the quality of the TW–Kappa concordance coefficient of 100% for the right TW and 83% for the left, the midbrain area—intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 69%, the SN area ICC = 90% for the right SN and 93% for the left and the size of the third ventricle ICC = 96%. The cutoff point for the SN echogenic area in the handheld US was 0.20 cm2. Conclusions: The handheld US is a viable imaging method for performing TCS because it shows good agreement with the measurements performed with traditional equipment, and the measurement of SN echogenic area for PD diagnosis presents good sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray imaging technology can be divided into transmission and backscatter according to the signal receiving method, both are widely used security technology. In scenarios where it is not easy to utilize large equipment, there is a need for integrated handheld X-ray transmission and backscatter imaging equipment. Existing handheld integrated imaging devices often only add transmission signal receivers to handheld backscatter devices, and their transmission imaging capabilities are insufficient. In order to explore whether integrated handheld X-ray imaging equipment can be further optimized, a disk scanner for handheld X-ray integrated imaging system was designed and imaging simulation was performed. To improve the inadequate transmission capability of existing handheld X-ray machines, the transmission performance is strengthened by setting up transmission windows, which is capable of performing both flying line transmission and flying spot backscattering, overcoming the disadvantage of the existing equipment that can only use flying line scanning or flying spot scanning only. A dynamic simulation imaging method is developed to study the feasibility of the system, which includes the ray source simulation, the scanning process simulation, and the imaging simulation. The disk scanner with windows designed for the handheld X-ray transmission and backscattering integrated imaging system greatly enhances the transmission capability by sacrificing the backscattering capability through the addition of a window structure, and has a core advantage in the penetration resolution test. Its performance is evaluated by simulating the final imaging through the simulation of backscatter spatial resolution test, backscatter line resolution test, transmission resolution test and transmission penetration resolution test items. • The physical processes of X-ray transmission and backscattering were simulated. • A simulation model was designed based on realistically accessible equipment. • The simulated images of some standard objects irradiated by a continuous spectrum X-ray source are given. • The simulation has been set to perform on several tests. • A dynamic simulation imaging method is developed to study the feasibility of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of handheld point-of-care ultrasound (HH-POCUS) platforms is rapidly increasing, but the diagnostic performance of HH-POCUS in the emergency department (ED) has not been well-studied. For a period of one year, only a HH-POCUS system that uses a non-piezoelectric array (Butterfly iQ+™) was available for clinical POCUS examinations in our ED. We performed a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent cardiac, thoracic, renal, biliary, or lower extremity venous (DVT) examinations from November 2021–November 2022 and calculated performance characteristics of HH-POCUS relative to radiology imaging. A total of 381 HH-POCUS studies were evaluated. Cardiac image quality was significantly lower than lung (p = 0.002). Over half of the studies (213/381) had imaging available for comparison, and HH-POCUS identified 86.5% (32/37, (95%CI) 70.4–94.9) of prespecified emergent diagnoses, including acute cholecystitis, severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, pericardial effusion or tamponade, moderate or larger pleural effusion, pneumothorax, moderate or larger hydronephrosis, and DVT. For less emergent diagnoses, 84.3% (43/51, (95%CI) 70.9–92.5) were identified. Overall, HH-POCUS using a non-piezoelectric array showed modest real-world performance in the ED for cardiac, thoracic, renal, biliary, and DVT examinations. HH-POCUS may be inadequate to rule out some common ED diagnoses, but had good specificity for certain conditions such as pericardial effusion.

Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), benefiting from its high sensitivity, relatively large penetration depth, and non-contact and non-invasive imaging capability, is ideal for human skin imaging. However, limited by the size and performance of the reported optical galvanometer scanners, existing portable/handheld OCT probes are still bulky, which makes continuously handheld imaging difficult. Here, we reported a miniaturized electrothermal-MEMS-based SS-OCT microscope that only weighs about 25 g and has a cylinder with a diameter of 15 mm and a length of 40 mm. This MEMS-based handheld imaging probe can achieve a lateral resolution of 25 μm, a 3D imaging time of 5 s, a penetration depth of up to 3.3 mm, and an effective imaging field of view (FOV) of 3 × 3 mm2. We have carried out both calibration plate and biological tissue imaging experiments to test the imaging performance of this microscope. OCT imaging of leaves, dragonfly, and human skin has been successfully obtained, showing the imaging performance and potential applications of this probe on human skin in the future.

This paper presents a comparative benchmarking of different beamforming techniques for robust multipath and spoofing mitigation in handheld receivers equipped with a small number of antenna elements. In the field of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), multipath and spoofing have become major sources of signal degradation, whereby the presence of closely spaced replicas of the signal of interest hampers the receiver’s performance. Spatial filtering through the use of antenna arrays is one appealing approach to combat these effects. However, the upward trend in device miniaturization poses a serious concern for spatial filtering in handheld devices such as tablets or smartphones, particularly for the case of decimeter-wave signals such as in GNSSs. The terminal size constraints lead to deploying arrays with very few antennas, thus degrading the mitigation performance of the above impairments. This work explores the feasibility of performing robust multipath and spoofing mitigation in GNSS receivers with antenna arrays of very small sizes. Simulation results on four-antenna rectangular and two-antenna linear array distributions are provided, showing that the reduction in array size can be counteracted by the use of advanced beamformers.