Gel blasters are currently imported and marketed as children\'s toys in Australia. Gel blasters closely imitate the appearance of many genuine firearms of all types and are designed to propel small hydrated gel balls of approximately 7-8 mm in diameter, by means of compressed air or gas. They are considered illegal in all states of Australia except Queensland but these items aren\'t specifically written into most state firearms legislation. However, to be considered as children\'s toys, they must not exceed the recommended kinetic energy (KE) of 2500 J/m2 as outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard Safety of Toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties (Safety of Toys ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019) [1]. The aim of this study was to determine if a range of gel blasters would conform to the Australian & New Zealand Standard and have projectiles with kinetic energy of less than 2500 J/m2. Utilising the testing procedure outlined in ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019 (Australian/New Zealand Standard Safety of Toys - Part 1: Safety Aspects related to Mechanical and Physical Properties (Safety of Toys ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019) [1]), a range of gel blasters were tested. In addition, a number of NERF™ toys and airsoft firearms were tested to provide reference between an accepted child\'s toy and items considered to be a firearm, such as airsoft firearms. A NERF™ toy (commonly referred to as a blaster) fires a foam projectile at very low velocities through direct spring/striker impact to the rear of the dart, battery-powered motorised flywheel, or by compressed air generated by a small piston inside a cylinder. Airsoft firearms are designed to fire hard plastic balls (typically 6 mm in diameter) and can achieve velocities upwards of 90 m/s with the potential to cause injuries to soft tissue. Results showed the KE per unit area of pellets fired from airsoft firearms significantly exceeded the recommended 2500 J/m2 ranging from approximately 10,620 J/m2 to 69,650 J/m2. Twenty of the twenty-four gel blasters tested (83 %) exceeded 2500 J/m2, with values ranging between 2112 J/m2 and 42,645 J/m2. NERF™ toys were found to be notably under 2500 J/m2, ranging from approximately 1230 J/m2 to 2129 J/m2. The results suggest that the majority of gel blasters (items of seizures) tested, currently being imported and marketed as children\'s toys in Australia, easily exceed 2500 J/m2 as outlined in the ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019 and are not safe to be marketed and sold as children\'s toys. Reinforcing the position of most jurisdictions, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra made the following statement in 2019: \'ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Policing is reminding the public that replica firearms known as gel blasters are illegal in the ACT\'. Taking the results determined throughout this research and the statement by AFP into consideration, gel blasters should not be exempt from control under Firearms Legislation because they are claimed to be toy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intracavity left ventricular (LV) blood flow kinetic energy (KE) parameters using four-dimensional (4D) flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
METHODS: Thirty AMI patients and twenty controls were examined via CMR, which included cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and global heart 4D flow imaging. The KE parameters were indexed to LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) to obtain average, systolic and diastolic KE as well as the proportion of LV in-plane KE (%). These parameters were compared between the AMI patients and controls and between the two subgroups.
RESULTS: Analysis of the LV blood flow KE parameters at different levels of the LV cavity and in different segments of the same level showed that the basal level had the highest blood flow KE while the apical level had the lowest in the control group. There were no significant differences in diastolic KE, systolic in-plane KE and diastolic in-plane KE between the anterior wall and posterior wall (p > 0.05), only the systolic KE had a significant difference between them (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the control group, the average (10.7 ± 3.3 µJ/mL vs. 14.7 ± 3.6 µJ/mL, p < 0.001), systolic (14.6 ± 5.1 µJ/mL vs. 18.9 ± 3.9 µJ/mL, p = 0.003) and diastolic KE (7.9 ± 2.5 µJ/mL vs. 10.6 ± 3.8 µJ/mL, p = 0.018) were significantly lower in the AMI group. The average KE in the infarct segment was lower than that in the noninfarct segment in the AMI group (49.5 ± 18.7 µJ/mL vs. 126.3 ± 50.7 µJ/mL, p < 0.001), while the proportion of systolic in-plane KE increased significantly (61.8%±11.5 vs. 42.9%±14.4, p = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The 4D Flow MRI technique can be used to quantitatively evaluate LV regional hemodynamic parameters. There were differences in the KE parameters of LV blood flow at different levels and in different segments of the same level in healthy people. In AMI patients, the average KE of the infarct segment decreased, while the proportion of systolic in-plane KE significantly increased.

Aims and objectives: This research aims to develop a kinetic model that accurately captures the dynamics of nanoparticle impact and penetration into cell membranes, specifically in magnetically-driven drug delivery. The primary objective is to determine the minimum initial kinetic energy and constant external magnetic force necessary for successful penetration of the cell membrane.Model Development: Built upon our previous research on quasi-static nanoneedle penetration, the current model development is based on continuum mechanics. The modeling approach incorporates a finite element method and explicit dynamic solver to accurately represent the rapid dynamics involved in the phenomenon. Within the model, the cell is modeled as an isotropic elastic shell with a hemiellipsoidal geometry and a thickness of 200 nm, reflecting the properties of the lipid membrane and actin cortex. The surrounding cytoplasm is treated as a fluid-like Eulerian body.Scenarios and Results: This study explores three distinct scenarios to investigate the penetration of nanoneedles into cell membranes. Firstly, we examine two scenarios in which the particles are solely subjected to either a constant external force or an initial velocity. Secondly, we explore a scenario that considers the combined effects of both parameters simultaneously. In each scenario, we analyze the critical values required to induce membrane puncture and present comprehensive diagrams illustrating the results.Findings and significance: The findings of this research provide valuable insights into the mechanics of nanoneedle penetration into cell membranes and offer guidelines for optimizing magnetically-driven drug delivery systems, supporting the design of efficient and targeted drug delivery strategies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased, and early cardiovascular disease risk. Changes in hemodynamics within the left ventricle (LV) respond to cardiac remodeling. The LV hemodynamics in nondialysis CKD patients are not clearly understood.
OBJECTIVE: To use four-dimensional blood flow MRI (4D flow MRI) to explore changes in LV kinetic energy (KE) and the relationship between LV KE and LV remodeling in CKD patients.
METHODS: Retrospective.
METHODS: 98 predialysis CKD patients (Stage 3: n = 21, stage 4: n = 21, and stage 5: n = 56) and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
UNASSIGNED: 3.0 T/balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine sequence, 4D flow MRI with a fast field echo sequence, T1 mapping with a modified Look-Locker SSFP sequence, and T2 mapping with a gradient recalled and spin echo sequence.
RESULTS: Demographic characteristics (age, sex, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, aortic regurgitation, and mitral regurgitation) and laboratory data (eGFR, Creatinine, hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin saturation, potassium, and carbon dioxide bonding capacity) were extracted from patient records. Myocardial T1, T2, LV ejection fraction, end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume, LV flow components (direct flow, delayed ejection, retained inflow, and residual volume) and KE parameters (peak systolic, systolic, diastolic, peak E-wave, peak A-wave, E/A ratio, and global) were assessed. The KE parameters were normalized to EDV (KEiEDV). Parameters were compared between disease stage in CKD patients, and between CKD patients and healthy controls.
METHODS: Differences in clinical and imaging parameters between groups were compared using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Walls and Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square test, and Fisher\'s exact test. Pearson or Spearman\'s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis were used to compare the correlation between LV KE and other clinical and functional parameters. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, peak systolic (24.76 ± 5.40 μJ/mL vs. 31.86 ± 13.18 μJ/mL), systolic (11.62 ± 2.29 μJ/mL vs. 15.27 ± 5.10 μJ/mL), diastolic (7.95 ± 1.92 μJ/mL vs. 13.33 ± 5.15 μJ/mL), peak A-wave (15.95 ± 4.86 μJ/mL vs. 31.98 ± 14.51 μJ/mL), and global KEiEDV (9.40 ± 1.64 μJ/mL vs. 14.02 ± 4.14 μJ/mL) were significantly increased and the KEiEDV E/A ratio (1.16 ± 0.67 vs. 0.69 ± 0.53) was significantly decreased in CKD patients. As the CKD stage progressed, both diastolic KEiEDV (10.45 ± 4.30 μJ/mL vs. 12.28 ± 4.85 μJ/mL vs. 14.80 ± 5.06 μJ/mL) and peak E-wave KEiEDV (15.30 ± 7.06 μJ/mL vs. 14.69 ± 8.20 μJ/mL vs. 19.33 ± 8.29 μJ/mL) increased significantly. In multiple regression analysis, global KEiEDV (β* = 0.505; β* = 0.328), and proportion of direct flow (β* = -0.376; β* = -0.410) demonstrated an independent association with T1 and T2 times.
CONCLUSIONS: 4D flow MRI-derived LV KE parameters show altered LV adaptations in CKD patients and correlate independently with T1 and T2 mapping that may represent myocardial fibrosis and edema.
METHODS:
UNASSIGNED: Stage 3.

The effect of ion kinetic energy on gas phase ion reactivity with ICP-MS/MS was investigated in order to explore tuning strategies for interference removal. The collision/reaction gases CO2, N2O and O2 were used to observe the ion product distribution for 48 elements using an Agilent tandem ICP-MS (ICP-MS/MS) as a function of reaction gas flow rate (pressure) and ion kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of the incident ion was varied by adjusting the octopole bias (Voct). The three gases all form oxides (MO+) as the primary product with differing reaction enthalpies that result in distinct differences in the ion energies required for reaction with product ion distributions that vary with Voct. Consequently, by varying the ion kinetic energy (i.e., Voct), differences in interference reactivity can be used to achieve maximum separation. Three practical application examples were reported to demonstrate how the ion kinetic energy can be varied to achieve the ideal ion product distribution for interference resolution: CO2 for the removal of 238U in Pu analyses, CO2 for the removal of 40Ar16O vs. 56Fe, and O2 for the removal of Sm in Eu analyses, analogous to Pu/Am. The results demonstrate how the starting ion energy defined by Voct is an important factor to fully leverage the utility of any given reaction gas to remove interferences in the mass spectrum using ICP-MS/MS.

Coastal lagoons are among the most productive marine ecosystems in the world. Annual primary production varies from 50 to > 500 g C m-2 year-1, being of the same order of magnitude as that of the upwelling areas. Many lagoons lie within the range of eutrophic (300-500 g C m-2 year-1) or hypereutrophic (> 500 g C m-2 year-1) conditions. The high productivity of coastal lagoons makes them subject of exploitation by many marine fishes and invertebrates, that use them as nursery areas and feeding grounds during their early life cycle phases, and most lagoons support important fisheries or maintain aquaculture exploitations. The high levels of their biological production can be explained by some of their common features as shallowness and the strong influence of terrestrial systems. Shallowness favors that the photic zone extends to the lagoon bottom and that wind can promote the resuspension of nutrients and organisms. The interaction with land also introduces significant amounts of nutrients. However, trophic variables can explain < 43 % of the fishing yields, and further than the trophic status of the lagoons, several works showed that the biological productivity of coastal lagoons can be explained by their geomorphological features such as the positive influence of shoreline development and the negative influence of depth. Using the Mar Menor lagoon as a case study, we propose that although nutrient inputs and light can be limiting factors for photosynthetic based productivity, increasing fishing yield up to a certain limit, the productivity of lagoons is mainly promoted by more general forces associated to physical and chemical gradients.

The issues faced by hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) include locating and managing free energy to preserve resource dynamics and constraints while preserving prolonged autonomy. This study assessed a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) equipped with a fuel cell (FC), battery, direct current generators (DCGs), and supercapacitor (SC) to meet the power needs of an automobile utilizing variable power converters. This study examines four HEV energy management strategies (EMSs), increasing clean environmental power penetration by utilizing the HEV\'s kinetic energy, as a new contribution. Strategies for Proportional-Integral (PI), State-Machine (SM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) EMSs are discussed. In addition to implementing direct torque control with a space vector modulation-based ANFIS controller (ANFIS-DTC-SVM), this study proposes to insert DCGs in the front wheels of HEVs for free energy production. Simulations of EMSs yielded approximative findings, achieving a 22.2 (%) free-exploited kinetic energy. The ANN-based EMS surpassed the competition, yielding the highest energy efficiency 98.2 (%) and the lowest fuel consumption 48.68 (SI). As a result of maximizing battery utilization and limiting fuel consumption, the examined HEV\'s dependability and stability were confirmed and reached, highlighting the importance of kinetic energy.

This research implements a fractographic approach to investigate the relationships between kinetic energy, firearm-to-target distance, and various aspects of fracture behavior in gunshot trauma. Gunshot experiments were performed on pig scapulae (n = 30) using three firearms generating different muzzle (initial) kinetic energies, including a 0.32 pistol (103 J), 0.40 pistol (492 J), and 0.308 rifle (2275 J). Specimens were shot from two distances: 10 cm (n = 15) and 110 cm (n = 15). Features evaluated in fractographic analysis such as cone cracks, radiating cracks, crack branching points, and circumferential cracks could be easily identified and measured in flat bones and allowed for statistical comparison of crack propagation behavior under different impact conditions. Higher-energy bullets produced more radiating cracks, more crack branching points, and longer fracture lengths than lower-energy bullets. Distance had no significant effect on fracture morphology at the distances tested. That quantitative measures of crack propagation varied with energy affirms that kinetic energy transfer is important in determining the nature and extent of fracture in gunshot wounds and suggests it may be possible to infer relatively high- versus relatively low-energy transfer using these features. Ranges obtained with the three firearms exhibited considerable overlap, however, indicating that other variables such as bullet caliber, mass, and construction influence the efficiency of energy transfer from bullet to bone. Therefore, fracture morphology cannot be used to identify a specific firearm or to directly reconstruct the muzzle (initial) kinetic energy in forensic cases.

UNASSIGNED: Long-term re-coarctation of the aorta can cause aortic dilatation, hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction due to increased left ventricular (LV) afterload. It is difficult to detect changes in LV function due to increased afterload if the contractile force of the left ventricle is maintained. Herein, we have reported a case of re-coarctation of the aorta, for which four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was obtained both before and after balloon dilatation for aortic re-coarctation. Ultimately, improvement in aortic helical flow and LV haemodynamics was observed.
UNASSIGNED: A 29-year-old female was diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta and a bicuspid aortic valve after birth and underwent surgery at 1 month. At 8 years of age, she underwent balloon dilatation for re-coarctation. At the age of 28 years, she was diagnosed with re-coarctation triggered by hypertension. She underwent balloon dilatation as her cardiac catheterization revealed a systolic pressure gradient of 40 mmHg. Pretreatment 4D flow MRI demonstrated helical flow in the ascending aorta and descending thoracic aorta and LV blood flow analysis revealed a decrease in LV kinetic energy during systole; these improved after treatment.
UNASSIGNED: The use of helical flow evaluation by 4D flow MRI for aortic re-coarctation is well known in clinical practice. However, our report is the first to evaluate intraventricular blood flow before and after the re-coarctation treatment. The MRI evaluation demonstrated that the helical flow and LV blood flow distribution improved after re-coarctation treatment due to the reduction of afterload.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a congenital heart disease characterized by thickening of the heart\'s left ventricle (LV) wall that can lead to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Ventricular wall thickening affects the motion of cardiac walls and blood flow within the heart. Because abnormal cardiac blood flow in turn could lead to detrimental remodeling of heart walls, aberrant ventricular flow patterns could exacerbate HCM progression. How blood flow patterns are affected by hypertrophy and inter-patient variability is not known. To address this gap in knowledge, we present here strategies to generate personalized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the heart LV from patient cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) images. We performed simulations of CFD LV models from three cases (one normal, two HCM). CFD computations solved for blood flow velocities, from which flow patterns and the energetics of flow within the LV were quantified. We found that, compared to a normal heart, HCM hearts exhibit anomalous flow patterns and a mismatch in the timing of energy transfer from the LV wall to blood flow, as well as changes in kinetic energy flow patterns. While our results are preliminary, our presented methodology holds promise for in-depth analysis of HCM patient hemodynamics in clinical practice.