Handgrip Strength in Health Applications: A Review of the Measurement Methodologies and Influencing Factors.

This narrative review provides a comprehensive analysis of the several methods and technologies employed to measure handgrip strength (HGS), a significant indicator of neuromuscular strength and overall health. The document evaluates a range of devices, from traditional dynamometers to innovative sensor-based systems, and assesses their effectiveness and application in different demographic groups. Special attention is given to the methodological aspects of HGS estimation, including the influence of device design and measurement protocols. Endogenous factors such as hand dominance and size, body mass, age and gender, as well as exogenous factors including circadian influences and psychological factors, are examined. The review identifies significant variations in the implementation of HGS measurements and interpretation of the resultant data, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of these factors when using HGS as a diagnostic or research tool. It highlights the necessity of standardizing measurement protocols to establish universal guidelines that enhance the comparability and consistency of HGS assessments across various settings and populations.

Development and Validation of an ANN-Based Approach for Temperature-Dependent Equivalent Circuit Modeling of SAW Resonators.

In this paper, a novel approach is proposed for modeling the temperature-dependent behavior of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator, by using a combination of a lumped-element equivalent circuit model and artificial neural networks (ANNs). More specifically, the temperature dependence of the equivalent circuit parameters/elements (ECPs) is modeled using ANNs, making the equivalent circuit model temperature-dependent. The developed model is validated by using scattering parameter measurements performed on a SAW device with a nominal resonant frequency of 423.22 MHz and under different temperature conditions (i.e., from 0 °C to 100 °C). The extracted ANN-based model can be used for simulation of the SAW resonator RF characteristics in the considered temperature range without the need for further measurements or equivalent circuit extraction procedures. The accuracy of the developed ANN-based model is comparable to that of the original equivalent circuit model.

Emotion Recognition: Photoplethysmography and Electrocardiography in Comparison.

Automatically recognizing negative emotions, such as anger or stress, and also positive ones, such as euphoria, can contribute to improving well-being. In real-life, emotion recognition is a difficult task since many of the technologies used for this purpose in both laboratory and clinic environments, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG), cannot realistically be used. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive technology that can be easily integrated into wearable sensors. This paper focuses on the comparison between PPG and ECG concerning their efficacy in detecting the psychophysical and affective states of the subjects. It has been confirmed that the levels of accuracy in the recognition of affective variables obtained by PPG technology are comparable to those achievable with the more traditional ECG technology. Moreover, the affective psychological condition of the participants (anxiety and mood levels) may influence the psychophysiological responses recorded during the experimental tests.

Performance and Usability Evaluation of an Extended Reality Platform to Monitor Patient's Health during Surgical Procedures.

An extended-reality (XR) platform for real-time monitoring of patients' health during surgical procedures is proposed. The proposed system provides real-time access to a comprehensive set of patients' information, which are made promptly available to the surgical team in the operating room (OR). In particular, the XR platform supports the medical staff by automatically acquiring the patient's vitals from the operating room instrumentation and displaying them in real-time directly on an XR headset. Furthermore, information regarding the patient clinical record is also shown upon request. Finally, the XR-based monitoring platform also allows displaying in XR the video stream coming directly from the endoscope. The innovative aspect of the proposed XR-based monitoring platform lies in the comprehensiveness of the available information, in its modularity and flexibility (in terms of adaption to different sources of data), ease of use, and most importantly, in a reliable communication, which are critical requirements for the healthcare field. To validate the proposed system, experimental tests were conducted using instrumentation typically available in the operating room (i.e., a respiratory ventilator, a patient monitor for intensive care, and an endoscope). The overall results showed (i) an accuracy of the data communication greater than 99 %, along with (ii) an average time response below ms, and (iii) satisfying feedback from the SUS questionnaires filled out by the physicians after intensive use.

Equivalent Circuit Model Extraction for a SAW Resonator: Below and above Room Temperature.

In this work, a SAW resonator is characterized in terms of admittance (Y-) parameters in the temperature range spanning from 0 °C to 100 °C, with the aim of highlighting how its physical properties are affected by the temperature change. A lumped-element equivalent-circuit model is used to represent the device under test at the considered temperature conditions and a parameters extraction process based on a Lorentzian fitting is developed for the determination of the equivalent-circuit elements in the investigated temperature range. A very good agreement is observed between the performed measurements and the model simulations. The characterization process and the subsequent equivalent-circuit parameters extraction at different temperature values are described and discussed.

CNT/Al2O3 core-shell nanostructures for the electrochemical detection of dihydroxybenzene isomers.

We report CNT/Al2O3 core-shell nanostructures for the electrochemical detection of dihydroxybenzene (DHB) isomers. Amorphous films of Al2O3 (1.2-15.4 nm in thickness) are uniformly deposited onto the inner and outer walls of CNTs by atomic layer deposition. The effect of the Al2O3 shell thickness on the electrochemical detection of dihydroxybenzene isomers was explored using cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. The best sensing properties are found at a shell thickness of approx. 2.4 nm (CNT/Al2O3(9) sensor), where the oxidation peak currents (sensor-signal) increased ca. 10 times as compared to a sensor fabricated with non-coated CNTs. All of the three DHB isomers (hydroquinone, catechol and resorcinol) are independently detected in the concentration ranges of 2-1000 µmol L-1, 0.5-700 µmol L-1 and 3.5-500 µmol L-1, respectively. The sensors show reliable repeatability, reproducibility, long-term stability, and applicability in the analysis of real samples. Based on these findings, a plausible mechanism is proposed highlighting the role of the Al2O3-shell.

Design and Performance Evaluation of a "Fixed-Point" Spar Buoy Equipped with a Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Unit for Floating Near-Shore Applications.

In the present work, a spar-buoy scaled model was designed and built through a "Lab-on-Sea" unit, equipped with an energy harvesting system. Such a system is based on deformable bands, which are loyal to the unit, to convert wave motion energy into electricity by means of piezo patch transducers. In a preliminary stage, the scaled model, suitable for tests in a controlled ripples-type wave motion channel, was tested in order to verify the "fixed-point" assumption in pitch and roll motions and, consequently, to optimize energy harvesting. A special type of structure was designed, numerically simulated, and experimentally verified. The proposed solution represents an advantageous compromise between the lightness of the used materials and the amount of recoverable energy. The energy, which was obtained from the piezo patch transducers during the simulations in the laboratory, was found to be enough to self-sustain the feasible on-board sensors and the remote data transmission system.

On the Performance Evaluation of Commercial SAW Resonators by Means of a Direct and Reliable Equivalent-Circuit Extraction.

Nowadays, surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators are attracting growing attention, owing to their widespread applications in various engineering fields, such as electronic, telecommunication, automotive, chemical, and biomedical engineering. A thorough assessment of SAW performance is a key task for bridging the gap between commercial SAW devices and practical applications. To contribute to the accomplishment of this crucial task, the present paper reports the findings of a new comparative study that is based on the performance evaluation of different commercial SAW resonators by using scattering (S-) parameter measurements coupled with a Lorentzian fitting and an accurate modelling technique for the straightforward extraction of a lumped-element equivalent-circuit representation. The developed investigation thus provides ease and reliability when choosing the appropriate commercial device, depending on the requirements and constraints of the given sensing application. This paper deals with the performance evaluation of commercial surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators by means of scattering (S-) parameter measurements and an equivalent-circuit model extracted using a reliable modeling procedure. The studied devices are four TO-39 packaged two-port resonators with different nominal operating frequencies: 418.05, 423.22, 433.92, and 915 MHz. The S-parameter characterization was performed locally around the resonant frequencies of the tested SAW resonators by using an 8753ES Agilent vector network analyzer (VNA) and a home-made calibration kit. The reported measurement-based study has allowed for the development of a comprehensive and detailed comparative analysis of the performance of the investigated SAW devices. The characterization and modelling procedures are fully automated with a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) developed in the Python environment, thereby making the experimental analysis faster and more efficient.

Metal-Oxide Based Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Applications in Electrical and Electrochemical Sensors.

Pure, mixed and doped metal oxides (MOX) have attracted great interest for the development of electrical and electrochemical sensors since they are cheaper, faster, easier to operate and capable of online analysis and real-time identification. This review focuses on highly sensitive chemoresistive type sensors based on doped-SnO2, RhO, ZnO-Ca, Smx-CoFe2-xO4 semiconductors used to detect toxic gases (H2, CO, NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., acetone, ethanol) in monitoring of gaseous markers in the breath of patients with specific pathologies and for environmental pollution control. Interesting results about the monitoring of biochemical substances as dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin and glucose have been also reported using electrochemical sensors based on hybrid MOX nanocomposite modified glassy carbon and screen-printed carbon electrodes. The fundamental sensing mechanisms and commercial limitations of the MOX-based electrical and electrochemical sensors are discussed providing research directions to bridge the existing gap between new sensing concepts and real-world analytical applications.

A novel ultrasound-based approach to investigate extramedullary haematopoiesis in foetal spleen.

Foetal spleen is described as a transient focus of haematopoiesis between the 3rd and 5th month of gestation: this function is however entirely replaced by the bone marrow before the end of pregnancy. This study identifies haematopoiesis in foetal spleen by exploring changes of echogenicity during its development throughout gestation. Two intervals of pregnancy were studied: Mid-Pregnancy (Mid-P, 19-23 weeks) and End-Pregnancy (End-P, 37-41 weeks). The foetal spleen was investigated in 80 pregnant women (41 vs 39). Due to quality criteria the comparison was made between 60 images (30 Mid-P vs 30 End-P). The acquisition of splenic parenchyma was followed by clustering segmentation. We identified two new parameters resulted from the clustering segmentation: Dark Ratio (DR) and Light Ratio (LR). These are related to splenic echogenicity expressing the percentage of dark and light signal in the clustered image, influenced by blood cellularity. The mean of DR value was different among the 2 groups (0.0631 vs 0.0483, P = 0.014), while LR did not show any significant differences. We conclude that DR may represent a reliable radiomic parameter in the determination of extramedullary haematopoiesis in the spleen.

Characterization and Neural Modeling of a Microwave Gas Sensor for Oxygen Detection Aimed at Healthcare Applications.

The studied sensor consists of a microstrip interdigital capacitor covered by a gas sensing layer made of titanium dioxide (TiO2). To explore the gas sensing properties of the developed sensor, oxygen detection is considered as a case study. The sensor is electrically characterized using the complex scattering parameters measured with a vector network analyzer (VNA). The experimental investigation is performed over a frequency range of 1.5 GHz to 2.9 GHz by placing the sensor inside a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) test chamber with a binary gas mixture composed of oxygen and nitrogen. The frequency-dependent response of the sensor is investigated in detail and further modelled using an artificial neural network (ANN) approach. The proposed modelling procedure allows mimicking the measured sensor performance over the whole range of oxygen concentration, going from 0% to 100%, and predicting the behavior of the resonant frequencies that can be used as sensing parameters.

Quantitative assessment of Parkinsonian tremor by using biosensor device.

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease which affects population older than 65 years. Tremor represents one of the main symptomatic triads in PD, particularly in rest state.We enrolled 41 idiopathic PD patients, to validate the assessment of tremor symptoms.To be enrolled in the study, patients had to fulfill the movement disorder society clinical diagnostic criteria for PD.We used an innovative home-made, low-cost device, able to quantify the frequency and amplitude of rest tremor and stress conditionOur results confirmed the presence of tremor during muscular effort in a significant number of patients and the influence of emotional stress.We suppose that this new device should be validated in clinical practice as a support of differential diagnosis and therapeutic management of PD patients.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Nanostructure Based Sensors for Gas Sensing: from Devices to Systems.

The development of solid state gas sensors based on microtransducers and nanostructured sensing materials is the key point in the design of new portable measurement systems with sensing and identification performances comparable with those of most sophisticated analytical techniques. In such a context, a lot of effort must be spent of course in the development of the sensing material, but also in the choice of the transducer mechanism and structure, in the electrical characterization of the sensor prototypes, as well as in the design of suitable measurement setups. [...].

Effects of UV Irradiation on the Sensing Properties of In2O3 for CO Detection at Low Temperature.

In this study, UV irradiation was used to improve the response of indium oxide (In2O3) used as a CO sensing material for a resistive sensor operating in a low temperature range, from 25 °C to 150 °C. Different experimental conditions have been compared, varying UV irradiation mode and sensor operating temperature. Results demonstrated that operating the sensor under continuous UV radiation did not improve the response to target gas. The most advantageous condition was obtained when the UV LED irradiated the sensor in regeneration and was turned off during CO detection. In this operating mode, the semiconductor layer showed an apparent "p-type" behavior due to the UV irradiation. Overall, the effect was an improvement of the indium oxide response at 100 °C toward low CO concentrations (from 1 to 10 ppm) that showed higher results than in the dark, which is promising to extend the detection of CO with an In2O3-based sensor in the sub-ppm range.

Gas sensing properties and p-type response of ALD TiO2 coated carbon nanotubes.

Amorphous titanium dioxide-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and investigated as sensing layers for resistive NO2 and O2 gas sensors. By varying ALD process conditions and CNT structure, heterostructures with different metal oxide grain size, morphology and coating thickness were synthesized. Higher responses were observed with homogeneous and continuous 5.5 nm thick films onto CNTs at an operating temperature of 150 °C, while CNTs decorated with either discontinuous film or TiO2 nanoparticles showed a weak response close to the one of device made of bare CNTs. An unexpected p-type behavior in presence of the target gas was also noticed, independently of the metal oxide morphology and thickness. Based on previous works, hypotheses were made in order to explain the p-type behavior of TiO2/CNT sensors.

CO and NO2 Selective Monitoring by ZnO-Based Sensors.

ZnO nanomaterials with different shapes were synthesized, characterized and tested in the selective monitoring of low concentration of CO and NO2 in air. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and nanofibers (NFs) were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method in supercritical conditions and electrospinning technique, respectively. CO and NO2 sensing tests have demonstrated that the annealing temperature and shape of zinc oxide nanomaterials are the key factors in modulating the electrical and sensing properties. Specifically, ZnO NPs annealed at high temperature (700 °C) have been found sensitive to CO, while they displayed negligible response to NO2. The opposite behavior has been registered for the one-dimensional ZnO NFs annealed at medium temperature (400 °C). Due to their adaptable sensitivity/selectivity characteristics, the developed sensors show promising applications in dual air quality control systems for closed ambient such as automotive cabin, parking garage and tunnels.

Room-temperature hydrogen sensing with heteronanostructures based on reduced graphene oxide and tin oxide.

There's something in the air … A nanocomposite consisting of well-dispersed SnO(2) and Pt nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (see the high-resolution TEM image) exhibited very high responses to hydrogen at concentrations between 0.5 and 3% in air, with response times of 3-7 s and recovery times of 2-6 s. The sensor was prepared by a straightforward microwave-assisted non-aqueous sol-gel approach.

Photoreduction of mesoporous In2O3: mechanistic model and utility in gas sensing.

A model is proposed for the drop in electronic resistance of n-type semiconducting indium oxide (In(2)O(3)) upon illumination with light (350 nm, 3.5 eV) as well as for the (light-enhanced) sensitivity of In(2)O(3) to oxidizing gases. Essential features of the model are photoreduction and a rate-limiting oxygen-diffusion step. Ordered, mesoporous In(2)O(3) with a high specific surface area serves as a versatile system for experimental studies. Analytical techniques comprise conductivity measurements under a controlled atmosphere (synthetic air, pure N(2)) and temperature-resolved in-situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. IR measurements reveal that oxygen vacancies form a donor level 0.18 eV below the conduction band.

Real-time monitoring of breath ammonia during haemodialysis: use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) techniques.

BACKGROUND: The diffusion of high-performance analytical technology has opened prospects for breath diagnosis as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. In this study, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) techniques were used to analyse ammonia gas (NH3) in real-time in breath from patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) treatment and any correlation with blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and Kt/V were investigated. METHODS: We studied 20 patients on intermittent HD treatment. The first breath samples were taken before the start of dialysis and further breath samples were taken every hour during the treatment and after the end of the session. An evaluation was also made of 20 healthy volunteers, acting as controls [healthy subjects (HS)]. RESULTS: Breath ammonia concentrations were higher in CRDS-HD (914.5±301.4 versus 280±120 parts per billion (p.p.b.), P<0.0001) and IMS-HD patients (964.4±402.4 versus 280±120 p.p.b., P<0.0001) than in HS. We assessed real-time variations in the levels of NH(3) and showed a continuous decrease in the levels of NH3. Expired NH3 correlated directly with BUN levels, both in the IMS-HD (P=0.002; r=0.84; P=0.009; r=0.76) and in the CRDS-HD group (P=0.005; r=0.80; P=0.008; r=0.77), respectively, both before and at the end of dialysis. A direct correlation with Kt/V was found in both groups studied (IMS-HD: P=0.003; r=0.82; CRDS-HD: P=0.006; r=0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Breath monitoring of NH3 with IMS and CRDS techniques could be useful to assess the real-time clinical status of patients during HD. By using pre-dialysis ammonia values, an approximate calculation of the Kt/Vurea ratio can be established.

Early resolution of increased nuchal translucency in a fetus with trisomy 18.

The normal timing for first-trimester nuchal translucency screening of aneuploidies is 10 to 14 weeks' gestation. We describe a fetus with trisomy 18 that presented at 11 weeks with increased nuchal thickness. Reevaluation at 12 and 13 weeks showed early return to normal of the increased nuchal measurement.