Stretchable electronic strips for electronic textiles enabled by 3D helical structure.

The development of stretchable electronic devices is a critical area of research for wearable electronics, particularly electronic textiles (e-textiles), where electronic devices embedded in clothing need to stretch and bend with the body. While stretchable electronics technologies exist, none have been widely adopted. This work presents a novel and potentially transformative approach to stretchable electronics using a ubiquitous structure: the helix. A strip of flexible circuitry ('e-strip') is twisted to form a helical ribbon, transforming it from flexible to stretchable. A stretchable core-in this case rubber cord-supports the structure, preventing damage from buckling. Existing helical electronics have only extended to stretchable interconnects between circuit modules, and individual components such as printed helical transistors. Fully stretchable circuits have, until now, only been produced in planar form: flat circuits, either using curved geometry to enable them to stretch, or using inherently stretchable elastomer substrates. Helical e-strips can bend along multiple axes, and repeatedly stretch between 30 and 50%, depending on core material and diameter. LED and temperature sensing helical e-strips are demonstrated, along with design rules for helical e-strip fabrication. Widely available materials and standard fabrication processes were prioritized to maximize scalability and accessibility.

Nanoarchitectonics of Bactericidal Coatings Based on CaCO3-Nanosilver Hybrids.

Antimicrobial coatings provide protection against microbes colonization on surfaces. This can prevent the stabilization and proliferation of microorganisms. The ever-increasing levels of microbial resistance to antimicrobials are urging the development of alternative types of compounds that are potent across broad spectra of microorganisms and target different pathways. This will help to slow down the development of resistance and ideally halt it. The development of composite antimicrobial coatings (CACs) that can host and protect various antimicrobial agents and release them on demand is an approach to address this urgent need. In this work, new CACs based on microsized hybrids of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were designed using a drop-casting technique. Polyvinylpyrrolidone and mucin were used as additives. The CaCO3/AgNPs hybrids contributed to endowing colloidal stability to the AgNPs and controlling their release, thereby ensuring the antibacterial activity of the coatings. Moreover, the additives PVP and mucin served as a matrix to (i) control the distribution of the hybrids, (ii) ensure mechanical integrity, and (iii) prevent the undesired release of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to characterize the 15 µm thick CAC. The antibacterial activity was determined against Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three bacteria responsible for many healthcare infections. Antibacterial performance of the hybrids was demonstrated at concentrations between 15 and 30 µg/cm2. Unloaded CaCO3 also presented bactericidal properties against MRSA. In vitro cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the hybrids at bactericidal concentrations did not affect human dermal fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cell viability. In conclusion, this work presents a simple approach for the design and testing of advanced multicomponent and functional antimicrobial coatings that can protect active agents and release them on demand.

Risk Factors for Empyema Following Penetrating Diaphragmatic Injuries.

Empyema resulting as a complication of penetrating diaphragmatic injuries is a subject that requires further investigation, and the aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with empyema in patients with penetrating trauma. Consecutive adult trauma patients from a level 1 trauma center were searched for penetrating diaphragm injuries. Data were collected on patient demographics, pre-existing conditions, injury type and severity, hospital interventions, in-hospital complications, and outcomes. Patients were stratified by empyema formation and univariant analyses were performed. 164 patients were identified, and 17 patients (10.4%) developed empyema. Empyema was associated with visible abdominal contamination (35.3% vs 15%, P = .04), thoracotomy (35.5% vs 13.6%, P = .03), pneumonia (41.2% vs 14.3%, P = .01), sepsis (35.3% vs 8.8%, P = .006), increased hospital length of stay (25.5 vs 10.1 days, p =<.001), increased intensive care unit length of stay (9.6 vs 4.3 days, P = .01), and decreased in-hospital mortality (0% vs 20.4%, P = .04).

Chest Tube Size Selection: Evaluating Provider Practices, Treatment Efficacy, and Complications in Management of Thoracic Trauma.

BACKGROUND: The standard for managing traumatic pneumothorax (PTX), hemothorax (HTX), and hemopneumothorax (HPTX) has historically been large-bore (LB) chest tubes (>20-Fr). Previous studies have shown equal efficacy of small-bore (SB) chest tubes (≤19-Fr) in draining PTX and HTX/HPTX. This study aimed to evaluate provider practice patterns, treatment efficacy, and complications related to the selection of chest tube sizes for patients with thoracic trauma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on adult patients who underwent tube thoracostomy for traumatic PTX, HTX, or HPTX at a Level 1 Trauma Center from January 2016 to December 2021. Comparison was made between SB and LB thoracostomy tubes. The primary outcome was indication for chest tube placement based on injury pattern. Secondary outcomes included retained hemothorax, insertion-related complications, and duration of chest tube placement. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-one patients were included and 297 (87.1%) received LB tubes. No significant differences were found between the groups concerning tube failure and insertion-related complications. LB tubes were more frequently placed in patients with penetrating MOI, higher average ISS, and higher average thoracic AIS. Patients who received LB chest tubes experienced a higher incidence of retained HTX. DISCUSSION: In patients with thoracic trauma, both SB and LB chest tubes may be used for treatment. SB tubes are typically placed in nonemergent situations, and there is apparent provider bias for LB tubes. A future randomized clinical trial is needed to provide additional data on the usage of SB tubes in emergent situations.

Temperature eigenfunction basis for accelerated transverse mode instability simulation.

This work presents a model for the simulation of transverse mode instability (TMI) in rare earth doped optical fiber amplifiers. The model evaluates the internal temperature of a fiber using a superposition of a finite number of thermal eigenmodes. This simplification greatly enhances the speed of calculation with negligible impact on calculation accuracy. This new method is described and quantitatively compared to an older model that uses standard, spatially resolved FDTD to integrate the heat diffusion equation. When tested over a range of spatial and temporal resolutions, this model reduces runtime by a factor of ∼13.9 on average relative to identical simulations using the spatially resolved model.

Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Usage Following Bullet Embolism to the Pulmonary Artery.

Background: Pulmonary artery embolus is a rare complication following gunshot wounds that creates a unique and serious challenge for trauma surgeons. While the majority of bullets that embolize through the vascular system end in the peripheral circulation, approximately one-third enter the central venous circulation. Case Report: We present the case of a bullet embolus to the left pulmonary artery following gunshot wounds to the right chest and the abdomen, with the abdominal ballistic traversing the liver before entering the vena cava and embolizing. The patient's course was complicated by the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome that was successfully managed by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusion: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome after bullet embolization to the pulmonary tree and surgical embolectomy is a viable option in appropriately selected patients.

Discrepancies in Mass Shootings and Access to Trauma Care Across the United States, 2014-2018.

INTRODUCTION: The United States has one of the highest rates of gun violence and mass shootings. Timely medical attention in such events is critical. The objective of this study was to assess geographic disparities in mass shootings and access to trauma centers. METHODS: Data for all Level I and II trauma centers were extracted from the American College of Surgeons and the Trauma Center Association of America registries. Mass shooting event data (4+ individuals shot at a single event) were taken from the Gun Violence Archive between 2014 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 564 trauma centers and 1672 mass shootings were included. Ratios of the number of mass shootings vs trauma centers per state ranged from 0 to 11.0 mass shootings per trauma center. States with the greatest disparity (highest ratio) included Louisiana and New Mexico. CONCLUSION: States in the southern regions of the US experience the greatest disparity due to a high burden of mass shootings with less access to trauma centers. Interventions are needed to increase access to trauma care and reduce mass shootings in these medically underserved areas.

The Impact of Pre-Trauma Steroid Use on Wound Healing and Outcomes.

This study presents data on pre-trauma steroid use, a topic underrepresented in the trauma literature. Long-term steroid use has been linked to impaired wound healing, compromised immune responses, and hindrance of bone healing, alongside the potential for adrenal insufficiency during traumatic events. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes for trauma patients with chronic steroid use. Examining adult trauma cases with pre-trauma steroid use at a level 1 trauma center (January 2016-September 2023), we identified 18 patients (58.6 ± 19.4 years, 55.6% males). All were on prednisone prior to trauma activation and 66.7% had autoimmune disease. Complications included orthopedic fractures (72.2%), ICU admissions (16.7%), and low mortality (5.6%). Future larger, multi-center studies are needed to determine the impact of immunosuppression and pre-trauma steroids on clinical outcomes.

Male song structure predicts offspring recruitment to the breeding population in a migratory bird.

Bird song is a classic example of a sexually selected trait, but much of the work relating individual song components to fitness has not accounted for song typically being composed of multiple, often-correlated components, necessitating a multivariate approach. We explored the role of sexual selection in shaping complex male song of house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) by simultaneously relating its multiple components to fitness using multivariate selection analysis, which is widely used in insect and anuran studies but not in birds. The analysis revealed significant variation in the form and strength of selection acting on song across different selection episodes, from nest-site defense to recruitment of offspring to the breeding population. Males that sang more song typically employed in close communication sired more offspring that subsequently recruited to the breeding population than those that sang more far-communication song. However, this relationship was not consistent across earlier selection episodes, as evidenced by non-linear selection acting on these song components in other contexts. Collectively, our results present a complex picture of multivariate selection on male song structure that would not be evident using univariate approaches and suggest possible trade-offs within and among song components at different points of the breeding season.

The evolution of life span and aging in response to dietary macronutrients in male and female decorated crickets.

Dietary macronutrients regulate life span and aging, yet little is known about their evolutionary effects. Here, we examine the evolutionary response of these traits in decorated crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus) maintained on diets varying in caloric content and protein-to-carbohydrate ratio. After 37 generations, each population was split: half remained on the evolution diet, and half switched to a standardized diet. Crickets lived longer and aged slower when evolving on high-calorie (both sexes) and carbohydrate-biased (females only) diets and had lower baseline mortality on high-calorie (females only) diets. However, on the standardized diet, crickets lived longer when evolving on high-calorie diets (both sexes), aged slower on high-calorie (females only) and carbohydrate-biased (both sexes) diets, and had lower baseline mortality on high-calorie (males only) and protein-biased (both sexes) diets. Life span was longer, and baseline mortality was lower when provided with the evolution vs. the standardized diet, but the aging rate was comparable. Moreover, life span was longer, aging slower (females only), and baseline mortality was lower (males only) compared to our evolved baseline, suggesting varying degrees of dietary adaptation. Collectively, we show dietary components influence the evolution of life span and aging in different ways and highlight the value of combining experimental evolution with nutritional geometry.

Systematic enhancement of protein crystallization efficiency by bulk lysine-to-arginine (KR) substitution.

Structural genomics consortia established that protein crystallization is the primary obstacle to structure determination using x-ray crystallography. We previously demonstrated that crystallization propensity is systematically related to primary sequence, and we subsequently performed computational analyses showing that arginine is the most overrepresented amino acid in crystal-packing interfaces in the Protein Data Bank. Given the similar physicochemical characteristics of arginine and lysine, we hypothesized that multiple lysine-to-arginine (KR) substitutions should improve crystallization. To test this hypothesis, we developed software that ranks lysine sites in a target protein based on the redundancy-corrected KR substitution frequency in homologs. This software can be run interactively on the worldwide web at https://www.pxengineering.org/. We demonstrate that three unrelated single-domain proteins can tolerate 5-11 KR substitutions with at most minor destabilization, and, for two of these three proteins, the construct with the largest number of KR substitutions exhibits significantly enhanced crystallization propensity. This approach rapidly produced a 1.9 Å crystal structure of a human protein domain refractory to crystallization with its native sequence. Structures from Bulk KR-substituted domains show the engineered arginine residues frequently make hydrogen-bonds across crystal-packing interfaces. We thus demonstrate that Bulk KR substitution represents a rational and efficient method for probabilistic engineering of protein surface properties to improve crystallization.

The reproducibility of dendritic cell and T cell counts to a 30-min high-intensity cycling protocol as a tool to highlight overtraining.

Heavy training has been reported to be immunosuppressive in athletes and lead to blunted cortisol responses to exercise. Cortisol elevates the number of dendritic cells (DCs), key antigen-presenting cells that interact with T cells to initiate an immune response. Reproducible cortisol responses to a 30-min cycle test have been identified but were based on percentage of work rate maximum. To ensure physiological consistency, submaximal anchors, that is, ventilatory threshold (VT1 ) should prescribe intensity. This study aims to assess the reproducibility of the DC and T cell responses to an adapted stress test to assess its usefulness in assessing DC dysfunction with intensified training. Twelve males cycled for 1 min at 20% below VT1 and 4 min at 50% between VT1 and V ̇ O 2 max ${\dot{V}}_{{{\mathrm{O}}}_{\mathrm{2}}\max }$ , for 30 min (20/50), with blood samples pre-, post- and 30 min post-exercise. This was repeated twice, 2-7 days apart. Flow cytometry assessed total DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, myeloid DCs, total T cells, T helper cells and T cytotoxic cells. No significant trial or interaction effects were found for any variable. A significant main effect of time for all variables was found; immune cells increased from pre- to post-exercise and decreased to baseline 30 min post-exercise, apart from plasmacytoid DCs, which remained elevated 30 min post-exercise. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed overall good-to-excellent reliability for all immune cells, with smallest real difference and Bland-Altman analysis verifying high reproducibility between trials. These results suggest that the 20/50 exercise test induces reproducible DC and T cell count changes, which, implemented before and after a period of intensified training, may highlight the negative states of overtraining.

Experimental evolution under varying sex ratio and behavioral plasticity in response to perceived competitive environment independently affect calling effort in male crickets.

The operational sex ratio (OSR) is a key component influencing the magnitude of sexual selection driving the evolution of male sexual traits, but males often also retain the ability to plastically modulate trait expression depending on the current environment. Here we employed an experimental evolution approach to determine whether the OSR affects the evolution of male calling effort in decorated crickets, a costly sexual trait, and whether plasticity in calling effort is altered by the OSR under which males have evolved. Calling effort of males from 2 selection regimes maintained at different OSRs over 18-20 generations (male vs. female biased) was recorded at 2 different levels of perceived competition, in the absence of rivals or in the presence of an experimentally muted competitor. The effect of the OSR on the evolution of male calling effort was modest, and in the opposite direction predicted by theory. Instead, the immediate competitive environment strongly influenced male calling effort as males called more in the presence of a rival, revealing considerable plasticity in this trait. This increased calling effort came at a cost, however, as males confined with a muted rival experienced significantly higher mortality.

Internal dosimetric analyser to assist routine, confirmatory and special radiobioassays.

The IAEA Radiation Safety Technical Services Laboratory has developed and validated an Internal Dosimetric Analyser (IDA) software tool to facilitate access to dosimetric data and perform calculations related to individual monitoring for intakes of radionuclides and occupational radiation protection. IDA serves to correlate measurements from routine, confirmatory and special internal monitoring with data obtained from the Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides series of recommendations published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The purpose of IDA is to keep the internal dosimetry data in the background and allow the dosimetrist to make the necessary calculations to be able to decide (1) whether the bioassay method and monitoring period are appropriate for routine, confirmatory or special monitoring; (2) whether the method and period will allow the recording level to be detected; (3) whether previous intakes are contributing to the current measurement; and (4) whether measurement uncertainties affect the dose assessment.

Beauty or function? The opposing effects of natural and sexual selection on cuticular hydrocarbons in male black field crickets.

Although many theoretical models of male sexual trait evolution assume that sexual selection is countered by natural selection, direct empirical tests of this assumption are relatively uncommon. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are known to play an important role not only in restricting evaporative water loss but also in sexual signalling in most terrestrial arthropods. Insects adjusting their CHC layer for optimal desiccation resistance is often thought to come at the expense of successful sexual attraction, suggesting that natural and sexual selection are in opposition for this trait. In this study, we sampled the CHCs of male black field crickets (Teleogryllus commodus) using solid-phase microextraction and then either measured their evaporative water loss or mating success. We then used multivariate selection analysis to quantify the strength and form of natural and sexual selection targeting male CHCs. Both natural and sexual selection imposed significant linear and stabilizing selection on male CHCs, although for very different combinations. Natural selection largely favoured an increase in the total abundance of CHCs, especially those with a longer chain length. In contrast, mating success peaked at a lower total abundance of CHCs and declined as CHC abundance increased. However, mating success did improve with an increase in a number of specific CHC components that also increased evaporative water loss. Importantly, this resulted in the combination of male CHCs favoured by natural selection and sexual selection being strongly opposing. Our findings suggest that the balance between natural and sexual selection is likely to play an important role in the evolution of male CHCs in T. commodus and may help explain why CHCs are so divergent across populations and species.

Comparative genetic, biochemical, and biophysical analyses of the four E. coli ABCF paralogs support distinct functions related to mRNA translation.

Multiple paralogous ABCF ATPases are encoded in most genomes, but the physiological functions remain unknown for most of them. We herein compare the four Escherichia coli K12 ABCFs - EttA, Uup, YbiT, and YheS - using assays previously employed to demonstrate EttA gates the first step of polypeptide elongation on the ribosome dependent on ATP/ADP ratio. A Δ uup knockout, like Δ ettA , exhibits strongly reduced fitness when growth is restarted from long-term stationary phase, but neither Δ ybiT nor Δ yheS exhibits this phenotype. All four proteins nonetheless functionally interact with ribosomes based on in vitro translation and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments employing variants harboring glutamate-to-glutamine active-site mutations (EQ 2 ) that trap them in the ATP-bound conformation. These variants all strongly stabilize the same global conformational state of a ribosomal elongation complex harboring deacylated tRNA Val in the P site. However, EQ 2 -Uup uniquely exchanges on/off the ribosome on a second timescale, while EQ 2 -YheS-bound ribosomes uniquely sample alternative global conformations. At sub-micromolar concentrations, EQ 2 -EttA and EQ 2 -YbiT fully inhibit in vitro translation of an mRNA encoding luciferase, while EQ 2 -Uup and EQ 2 -YheS only partially inhibit it at ~10-fold higher concentrations. Moreover, tripeptide synthesis reactions are not inhibited by EQ 2 -Uup or EQ 2 -YheS, while EQ 2 -YbiT inhibits synthesis of both peptide bonds and EQ 2 -EttA specifically traps ribosomes after synthesis of the first peptide bond. These results support the four E. coli ABCF paralogs all having different activities on translating ribosomes, and they suggest that there remains a substantial amount of functionally uncharacterized "dark matter" involved in mRNA translation.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on mass shootings in six major US cities.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significant impacts on the US socioeconomic structure. Gun violence is a major public health issue and the effects on this area have not been well-elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of the pandemic on mass shootings in six major United States cities with historically high rates of gun violence. METHODS: Mass shooting data were extracted from an open-source database, Gun Violence Archive. Mass shooting was defined as four or more people shot at a single event. Data from six cities with the highest incidence of mass shootings were analyzed in 2019 versus 2020 (Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and St. Louis). Geographic data were examined to assess changes in each city's mass shooting geographic distribution over time. Quantitative changes were assessed using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and qualitative data were assessed using ArcGIS. RESULTS: In 2020, the overall percentage of mass shootings increased by 46.7% though there was no change in the distribution of these events when assessed quantitatively (no change in average ADI) nor qualitatively (using ArcGIS). In the six cities analyzed, the total proportion of mass shooting events was unchanged during the pandemic (21.8% vs 20.6%, p = 0.64). Chicago, the US city with the highest incidence of mass shootings, did not experience a significant change in 2020 (n = 34/91, 37.3% vs. n = 53/126, 42.1%, p = 0.57). Baltimore had a significant decrease in mass shooting events (n = 18/91, 19.8% vs. 10/126, 7.9%, p = 0.01). The other four cities had no significant change in the number of mass shootings (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to use ArcGIS technology to describe the patterns of mass shooting in six major US cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of mass shootings in six US cities remained largely unchanged which suggests that changes in mass shootings is likely occurring in smaller cities. Future studies should focus on the changing patterns of homicides in at-risk communities and other possible social influences.

Comparison of rampage and non-rampage mass shootings in the U.S.: A 5-year demographic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rampage mass shootings (RMS) are a subset of mass shootings occurring in public involving random victims. Due to rarity, RMS are not well-characterized. We aimed to compare RMS and NRMS. We hypothesized that RMS and NRMS would be significantly different with respect to time/season, location, demographics, victim number/fatality rate, victims being law enforcement, and firearm characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: Mass shootings (4 or more victims shot at a single event) from 2014-2018 were identified in the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). Data were collected from the public domain (e.g. news). Crude comparisons between NRMS and RMS were performed using Chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. Parametric models of victim and perpetrator characteristics were conducted at the event level using negative binomial regression and logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 46 RMS and 1626 NRMS. RMS occurred most in businesses (43.5%), whereas NRMS occurred most in streets (41.1%), homes (28.6%), and bars (17.9%). RMS were more likely to occur between 6AM-6PM (OR=9.0 (4.8-16.8)). RMS had more victims per incident (23.6 vs. 4.9, RR: 4.8 (4.3,5.4)). Casualties of RMS were more likely to die (29.7% vs. 19.9%, OR: 1.7 (1.5,2.0)). RMS were more likely to have at least one police casualty (30.4% versus 1.8%, OR: 24.1 (11.6,49.9)) or police death (10.9% versus 0.6%, OR: 19.7 (6.4,60.3)). RMS had significantly greater odds that casualties were adult (OR: 1.3 (1.0,1.6)) and female (OR: 1.7 (1.4,2.1)). Deaths in RMS were more likely to be female (OR: 2.0 (1.5,2.5)) and White (OR: 8.6 (6.2,12.0) and less likely to be children (OR: 0.4 (0.2,0.8)). Perpetrators of RMS were more likely to die by suicide (34.8%), be killed by police (28.3%), or be arrested at the scene (26.1%), while more than half of perpetrators from NRMS escaped without death or apprehension (55.8%). Parametric models of perpetrator demographics indicated significant increases in the odds that a RMS shooter was White (OR: 13.9 (7.3,26.6)) or Asian (OR: 16.9 (3.7,78.4)). There was no significant difference in weapon type used (p=0.35). CONCLUSION: The demographics, temporality, and location differ between RMS and NRMS, suggesting that they are dissimilar and require different preventive approaches.