Veins, or mineral-filled rock fractures, record information about the stress conditions and fluid flow history of a rock body. Interactions between different vein sets as well as between veins and the host rock can elucidate the relative timing of fracture and vein formation and inform formation mechanisms. Widespread vein networks in Gale crater, Mars document multiple episodes of brittle rock deformation and subsurface fluid flow. In the Sutton Island and Blunts Point members of the Murray formation, at least three prominent vein sets are identified by their orientation, thickness, color, and texture: (a) thin, curviplanar (and sometimes anastomosing) veins that are typically sub-horizontal and sub-parallel to bedding; (b) thin, steeply dipping veins; and (c) thick, multicolored, steeply dipping veins. We infer hydrofracture as the mechanism for formation of the fractures in all three vein sets and provide evidence for hydrofracture formation during both exhumation and burial processes. Cross-cutting relationships indicate that sub-horizontal veins formed first followed by formation of thin, steeply dipping veins and finally, formation of thick, steeply dipping veins. This sequence of fracture and vein forming events provides a new constraint on the depositional, erosional, and diagenetic history of Mount Sharp.
Abstract Introduction Burn injuries trigger both local and systemic inflammation. While systemic effects such as hypermetabolism and generalized bone loss are well documented, little is known about whether bone directly beneath the burn site is affected. Methods We investigated the local impact of hand burns on underlying bone using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Intraindividual comparisons were performed between the deepest burned site and radius of the affected hand with the corresponding unburned regions of the contralateral hand. Results Nine patients were included, and their burned hand was intraindividually compared with the contralateral hand. Total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) was significantly reduced at the site of the deepest burn compared to the control hand (p=.035), with a strong effect size of -0.807 (95% CI: [-1.522, -0.056]). No difference was observed at the radius (p=.764). Additionally, medium effects of burn injuries were found for inner trabecular vBMD (60% of Tb.Ar; 95% CI: [-1.209, 0.143]), trabecular area (Tb.Ar; 95% CI: [-0.066, 1.324]), and cortical vBMD (95% CI: [-1.315, 0.072]). Mean grip strength of the burned hands was slightly higher at 42.6 kg (SD: 10.48) compared to 40.7 kg (SD: 9.73) of the control hands. Conclusions This study provides the first clinical evidence of localized bone loss directly beneath burn sites, that extends beyond the systemic effects. Despite preserved grip strength, these findings highlight the need for early assessment and targeted interventions to preserve skeletal integrity following burns. Applicability of Research to Practice Demonstrating localized bone loss in the hand after a burn highlights the need for early assessment and targeted interventions to preserve skeletal integrity in burn patients. This finding can inform clinical practice by guiding rehabilitation strategies and monitoring protocols to prevent long-term functional impairment. Funding for the study N/A.
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) scheduling imposes a burden on call-center staff due to high call volumes and repetitive data entry. We present MediCall, a voice bot deployed for fully automated return-transport booking at the Vienna Red Cross (VRC). MediCall leverages a hybrid natural language understanding (NLU) architecture that combines rule-based intent recognition and entity extraction with targeted large language model (LLM) prompts. Spoken user input is transcribed by speech-to-text (STT), post-processed, and validated against internal and external databases. In a two-phase evaluation with 171 test calls, completion rate (CR) improved from 62
Despite numerous therapeutic approaches, the inhibition of hypertrophic scar formation remains a major challenge. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been shown to improve wound healing, including remodelling, in vivo. A systematic review was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Medline. The basic research question was formulated with the PICO framework. The aim of this review is to prove the role of ADSCs in the prevention of hypertrophic scar formation based on in vivo studies. Improved macroscopic outcomes with the use of ADSCs have been shown in nine of 10 studies included. Eight studies report inhibition on fibroblast activation, while all studies highlight the efficacy in promoting the extracellular matrix deposition and remodelling process. The immunomodulatory effects of ADSCs during inflammation have been demonstrated in six studies. One study each investigated the effect on adipogenesis or angiogenesis. In all studies the role of ADSCs in the prevention of hypertrophic scarring was conclusive. However, due to their heterogeneity and weighting of disparate outcomes, several investigations only converged upon distinct endpoints. Further research, preferably in pigs, is urgently required in order to assess the role of ADSCs in the prevention of hypertrophic scar.
BACKGROUND:Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a major public health burden, despite widely established preventive interventions. Digital Health solutions focusing on prevention are often fragmented and weakly linked to evidence-based guidelines. OBJECTIVES:This work aimed to develop a systematic approach for translating guideline-based health indicators into the PreNUDGE ecosystem, a digital prevention platform. METHODS:Clinical guidelines for four NCDs were screened to identify prevention-relevant indicators suitable for self-reporting, which were structured using a standardized schema, aligned with HL7 FHIR principles and prepared for integration into qualified apps within the PreNUDGE platform. RESULTS:A core set of disease-specific health indicators was derived and is ready to be translated into apps and ready to be implemented in the PreNUDGE ecosystem. CONCLUSION:The approach demonstrates the feasibility of operationalizing guideline-based health indicators within a digital prevention platform to support personalized prevention and public health analyses.
