Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Bone Fusion in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design Retrospective case series. Purpose To examine the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for bone fusion in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using local bone grafting. Overview of Literature Several authors have reported the efficacy of PRP for bone union in animal models. However, the use of PRP for bone fusion in TLIF surgery has not been fully explored. Methods Twenty patients underwent single-level TLIF surgery because of L4 spondylolisthesis. An interbody fusion cage and local bone were used in nine patients (control group) and an interbody fusion cage, local bone, and PRP were used in 11 patients (PRP group). PRP was prepared from the patients' blood samples (400 mL) immediately before surgery. The duration of bone union and postoperative bone fusion rate were assessed using plain radiography at every 3 months postoperatively and computed tomography at 12 or 24 months postoperatively, respectively. Lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness were evaluated using the visual analog scale preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Results The platelet count was 8.7 times higher in PRP than in blood. The bone union rate was significantly superior in the PRP group than in the control group (91% and 77%, respectively; p=0.035), whereas the average duration of bone union was not significantly different between the groups (7.7±0.74 and 10.0±2.00 months, respectively; p=0.131). There was no significant difference in lower back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness in both groups during follow-up (p>0.05). Conclusions Our study suggests that the use of PRP in TLIF surgery increases bone fusion rate.
Transmyocardial revascularization with a carbon dioxide laser in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND The construction of subendocardial channels to perfuse ischemic areas of the myocardium has been investigated since the 1950s. We assessed the safety and efficacy of transmyocardial revascularization with a carbon dioxide laser in patients with refractory angina and left ventricular free-wall ischemia that was not amenable to direct coronary revascularization. METHODS In a prospective, controlled, multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 91 patients to undergo transmyocardial revascularization and 101 patients to receive continued medical treatment. The severity of angina (according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS] classification), quality of life, and cardiac perfusion (as assessed by thallium-201 scanning) were evaluated at base line and 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. RESULTS At 12 months, angina had improved by at least two CCS classes in 72 percent of the patients assigned to transmyocardial revascularization, as compared with 13 percent of the patients assigned to medical treatment who continued medical treatment (P<0.001). Patients in the transmyocardial-revascularization group also had a significantly improved quality of life as compared with the medical-treatment group. Myocardial perfusion improved by 20 percent in the transmyocardial-revascularization group and worsened by 27 percent in the medical-treatment group (P=0.002). In the first year of follow-up, 2 percent of patients assigned to undergo transmyocardial revascularization were hospitalized because of unstable angina, as compared with 69 percent of patients assigned to medical treatment (P<0.001). The perioperative mortality rate associated with transmyocardial revascularization was 3 percent. The rate of survival at 12 months was 85 percent in the transmyocardial-revascularization group and 79 percent in the medical-treatment group (P=0.50). CONCLUSIONS In patients with angina refractory to medical treatment and coronary artery disease that precluded coronary-artery bypass surgery or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, transmyocardial revascularization improved cardiac perfusion and clinical status over a 12-month period.
Investigating Aeroelastic Performance of Multi-MegaWatt Wind Turbine Rotors Using CFD

Recent trends in wind power technology are focusing on increasing power output through an increase in rotor diameter. As the rotor diameter increases, aeroelastic effects become increasingly important in the design of an efficient blade. A detailed understanding of the fluid elastic coupling can lead to improved designs; yielding more power, reduced maintenance, and ultimately leading to an overall reduction in the cost of electricity. In this work, a high fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology is presented for performing fully coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations of wind turbine blades and rotors using a commercially available flow solver, AcuSolve. We demonstrate the technique using a 13.2 MW blade design.
Executive functioning and processing speed in age-related differences in time estimation: a comparison of young, old, and very old adults

ABSTRACT Age-related differences in time estimation were examined by comparing the temporal performance of young, young–old, and old–old adults, in relation to two major theories of cognitive aging: executive decline and cognitive slowing. We tested the hypothesis that processing speed and executive function are differentially involved in timing depending on the temporal task used. We also tested the assumption of greater age-related effects in time estimation in old–old participants. Participants performed two standard temporal tasks: duration production and duration reproduction. They also completed tests measuring executive function and processing speed. Findings supported the view that executive function is the best mediator of reproduction performance and inversely that processing speed is the best mediator of production performance. They also showed that young–old participants provide relatively accurate temporal judgments compared to old–old participants. These findings are discussed in terms of compensation mechanisms in aging.
Influence of machining parameters on the surface integrity in electrical discharge machining

Purpose: The aim of this research is to make a study of the influence of machining parameters on the surface integrity in electrical discharge machining. The material used for this study is the X200Cr15 and 50CrV4 steel for dies and moulds, dies castings, forging dies etc. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology consists of the analysis and determination of the white layer thickness WLT, the material removal rate MRR, the electrode wear ratio EWR and the micro hardness of each pulse discharge energy and parameters of electrical discharge machining. Findings: The Results of the tests undertaken in this study show that increasing energy discharge increase instability and therefore, the quality of the workpiece surface becomes rougher and the white layer thickness increases. This is due to more melting and recasting of material.With the increase of the discharge energy, the amount of particles in the gap becomes too large and can form electrically conducting paths between the tool electrode and the workpiece, causing unwanted discharges, which become electric arcs (arcing). these electric arcs damage the electrodes surfaces (tool and workpiece surfaces) and can occur microcracks. Research limitations/implications: A possible future work would be the development of a general the phenomenal of the residual stress of the wire electrical discharge machining in titanium alloys. The behavior is of the residual stress studies are planed in the future. Practical implications: The relationship found between the total energy of discharge pulses, composition of the steels and the type of machining on the surface integrity (the surface texture, the metallurgical surface aspect, the microhardness in the heat affected zone, HAZ) of different workpiece materials has an important practical implication since it allows selecting the best cutting condition combination from the points of view both the security and the economy for the established requirements in each case. Results are of great importance for aerospace and automotive industry. Originality/value: The paper is original since the bibliographical review has allowed testing that, although works about these themes exist, none approaches the problem like it has been made in this work. The paper could be an interesting source of information for engineers and researchers who work with machining dies and also significant complex parts in aeronautics.
Performance of LBSap Vaccine after Intradermal Challenge with L. infantum and Saliva of Lu. longipalpis: Immunogenicity and Parasitological Evaluation

In the last decade, the search for new vaccines against canine visceral leishmaniasis has intensified. However, the pattern related to immune protection during long periods after experimental infection in vaccine trials is still not fully understood. Herein, we investigated the immunogenicity and parasitological levels after intradermal challenge with Leishmania infantum plus salivary gland extract in dogs immunized with a vaccine composed of L. braziliensis antigens plus saponin as an adjuvant (LBSap vaccine). The LBSap vaccine elicited higher levels of total anti-Leishmania IgG as well as both IgG1 and IgG2. Furthermore, dogs vaccinated had increased levels of lymphocytes, particularly circulating B cells (CD21+) and both CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. LBSap also elicited an intense in vitro cell proliferation associated with higher levels of CD4+ T lymphocytes specific for vaccine soluble antigen and soluble lysate of L. infantum antigen even 885 days after experimental challenge. Furthermore, LBSap vaccinated dogs presented high IFN-γ and low IL-10 and TGF-β1 expression in spleen with significant reduction of parasite load in this tissue. Overall, our results validate the potential of LBSap vaccine to protect against L. infantum experimental infection and strongly support further evaluation of efficiency of LBSap against CVL in natural infection conditions.
Projection onto the Manifold of Elongated Structures for Accurate Extraction

Detection of elongated structures in 2D images and 3D image stacks is a critical prerequisite in many applications and Machine Learning-based approaches have recently been shown to deliver superior performance. However, these methods essentially classify individual locations and do not explicitly model the strong relationship that exists between neighboring ones. As a result, isolated erroneous responses, discontinuities, and topological errors are present in the resulting score maps. We solve this problem by projecting patches of the score map to their nearest neighbors in a set of ground truth training patches. Our algorithm induces global spatial consistency on the classifier score map and returns results that are provably geometrically consistent. We apply our algorithm to challenging datasets in four different domains and show that it compares favorably to state-of-the-art methods.
Applicability of Flax and Hemp as Raw Materials for Production of Cotton-like Fibres and Blended Yarns in Poland

This paper contains a review of basic research and new concepts in flax and hemp fibre processing for flax and hemp cotton-like and wool-like yarns spun by different spinning systems. The review covers the trends and economical conditions since the beginning of the 20th century. We present the advantages and disadvantages of flax and hemp as raw materials for the production of cottonised fibres from the agricultural and economical point of view. Some significant morphological differences between flax and hemp are highlighted regarding the applicability of these fibres to the cottonisation process and spinning in blends with cotton by the pneumatic-mechanical spinning system. The content of mechanically obtained flax and hemp cottonised fibres in blends with cotton and the range of linear density of yarns is discussed. Examples of blended yarns with flax and hemp cottonised fibres applied in ready-made products are also presented.
3D culture models of tissues under tension

ABSTRACT Cells dynamically assemble and organize into complex tissues during development, and the resulting three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix in turn feeds back to regulate cell and tissue function. Recent advances in engineered cultures of cells to model 3D tissues or organoids have begun to capture this dynamic reciprocity between form and function. Here, we describe the underlying principles that have advanced the field, focusing in particular on recent progress in using mechanical constraints to recapitulate the structure and function of musculoskeletal tissues. Summary: Engineered 3D cultures of cells have mainly focused on epithelial tissues. In this Commentary, advances in engineered microtissue systems to model fibrous tissues under mechanical load are discussed.
Improving quality, one process change at a time

We report on one organization's experience making process changes in a suite of projects. The changes were motivated by clients' requests for better time estimates, better quality, better stability and more reliable test scheduling resulting from the high number of bug reports and constant delivery delays. The teams embarked on a series of top-down process changes inspired by the IBM Rational Unified Process. Changes included adopting the Rational Tools, introducing iterative development, and later the hiring of a formal manual testing team and support for refactoring activities. To assess the impact of these changes we have collected fault data from 23 releases of the systems including releases from before and after these changes were introduced. In this report we discuss the challenges and impact of these process changes, and how the development teams leveraged these successes to gradually introduce other process improvements in a bottom-up fashion.
Open Access Research Article Transcriptional Profiling of Bovine Intervertebral Disc Cells: Implications for Identification of Normal and Degenerate Human Intervertebral Disc Cell Phenotypes

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract Introduction: Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells have a phenotype similar to articular cartilage (AC) cells. However, the matrix of the NP is clearly different to that of AC suggesting that specific cell phenotypes exist. The aim of this study was to identify novel genes that could be used to distinguish bovine NP cells from AC and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells, and to further determine their expression in normal and degenerate human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells. Methods: Microarrays were conducted on bovine AC, AF and NP cells, using Affymetrix Genechip ® Bovine Genome Arrays. Differential expression levels for a number of genes were confirmed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) on bovine, AC, AF and NP cells, as well as separated bovine NP and notochordal (NC) cells. Expression of these novel markers were further tested on normal human AC, AF and NP cells, and degenerate AF and NP cells. Results: Microarray comparisons between NP/AC&AF and NP/AC identified 34 NP-specific and 49 IVD-specific genes respectively that were differentially expressed ≥100 fold. A subset of these were verified by qRT-PCR and shown to be expressed in bovine NC cells. FBLN1) were also differentially expressed in normal human NP cells, although to a lesser degree. Four genes (SNAP25, KRT8, KRT18 and CDH2) were significantly decreased in degenerate human NP cells, while three genes (VCAN, TNMD and BASP1) were significantly increased in degenerate human AF cells. The IVD negative marker FBLN1 was significantly increased in both degenerate human NP and AF cells. Conclusions: This study has identified a number of novel genes that characterise the bovine and human NP and IVD transcriptional profiles, and allows for discrimination between AC, AF and NP cells. Furthermore, the similarity in expression profiles of the separated NP and NC cell populations suggests that these two cell types may be derived from a common lineage. Although interspecies variation, together with changes with IVD degeneration were noted, use of this gene expression signature will benefit tissue engineering studies where defining the NP phenotype is paramount. Introduction Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and sick leave in the UK and it has been estimated that more than 80% of the population will report LBP at some point during their lifetime [1]. Each year as a result of sick leave,
The 2013 face recognition evaluation in mobile environment

Automatic face recognition in unconstrained environments is a challenging task. To test current trends in face recognition algorithms, we organized an evaluation on face recognition in mobile environment. This paper presents the results of 8 different participants using two verification metrics. Most submitted algorithms rely on one or more of three types of features: local binary patterns, Gabor wavelet responses including Gabor phases, and color information. The best results are obtained from UNILJ-ALP, which fused several image representations and feature types, and UC-HU, which learns optimal features with a convolutional neural network. Additionally, we assess the usability of the algorithms in mobile devices with limited resources.
Scaling algebras and renormalization group in algebraic quantum field theory

For any given algebra of local observables in Minkowski space an associated scaling algebra is constructed on which renormalization group (scaling) transformations act in a canonical manner. The method can be carried over to arbitrary space-time manifolds and provides a framework for the systematic analysis of the short distance properties of local quantum field theories. It is shown that every theory has a (possibly non-unique) scaling limit which can be classified according to its classical or quantum nature. Dilation invariant theories are stable under the action of the renormalization group. Within this framework the problem of wedge (Bisognano-Wichmann) duality in the scaling limit is discussed and some of its physical implications are outlined.
Non-invasive monitoring of CO2 levels in patients using NIV for AECOPD

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is the treatment of choice for persistent hypercapnic ventilatory failure during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), despite optimal medical treatment.1,2 Assessment of the partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (Paco2) is the “gold standard” for the evaluation of the adequacy of alveolar ventilation in this setting. However, repeated intermittent invasive arterial puncture carries inherent risks, including pain.3 Transcutaneous measurement of carbon dioxide (TcPco2) theoretically appears more appropriate for monitoring Paco2. This measurement is based on the observation that CO2 has a high tissue solubility and diffuses through the skin. While available data as to the precision of TcPco2 measurements have given conflicting results,4–6 no study has attempted to assess simultaneous recordings of TcPco2 and Paco2 in patients requiring NIV for AECOPD. We prospectively studied the agreement between TcPco2 …
Review of Stress Effects on Dopant Solubility in Silicon and Silicon-Germanium Layers

We present a review of both theoretical and experimental studies of stress effects on the solubility of dopants in silicon and silicon-germanium materials. Critical errors and limitations in early theory are discussed, and a recent treatment incorporating charge carrier induced lattice strain and correct statistics is presented. Considering all contributing effects, the strain compensation energy is the primary contribution to solubility enhancement in both silicon and silicon-germanium for dopants of technological interest. An exception is the case of low-solubility dopants, where a Fermi level contribution is also found. Explicit calculations for a range of dopant impurities in Si are presented that agree closely with experimental findings for As, Sb and B in strained Si. The theoretical treatment is also applied to account for stress effects in strained SiGe structures, which also show close correlation with recently derived experimental results for B-doped strained SiGe which are presented here for the first time.
The effect of BCG vaccination on tuberculin reactivity and the booster effect among hospital employees.

BACKGROUND We estimated the effect of remote BCG vaccination on tuberculin reactivity and the booster effect among hospital employees. METHODS Cross-sectional survey at a university hospital. All personnel employed during a 24-month period were included in the study. Employees were administered 2-step tuberculin testing, and BCG vaccination scars were verified. RESULTS Of 665 hospital employees studied, 239 (36%) had been vaccinated with BCG in childhood. Significant tuberculin reactions (> or =5 mm) were more frequent among BCG-vaccinated (60%) than among nonvaccinated (29%) employees (odds ratio [OR], 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-5.2). The predictive value of tuberculosis infection increased with increasing reaction size and greater age (from 37% in subjects 30 years or younger with indurations > or =5 mm to 100% in subjects 50 years or older with indurations > or =15 mm). Among 374 employees with a negative tuberculin test reaction who underwent a second test, 39 (43%) of 91 vaccinated subjects had a positive booster reaction in contrast to 51 (22%) of 232 nonvaccinated subjects (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2-5.7). Neither different size criteria nor different definitions of the booster effect had an impact on the predictive value of tuberculosis infection. CONCLUSIONS Remote BCG vaccination largely influences the tuberculin reaction and the boosting phenomenon among hospital employees. The interpretation of the results of 2-step tuberculin testing in a BCG-vaccinated subject must take into account age, size of the reaction, and local prevalence of tuberculosis infection. No single criterion, however, can accurately separate reactions caused by true infection from those caused by BCG vaccination.
Numerical Calculation of Sub-Micron Hot Spot in Si Devices

Numerical calculation of silicon MOSFET is performed. Conjugate nature of the thermal and electrical behavior in the device is considered, and the lattice temperatures is solved as well as the electron concentration and the electron temperature. The calculated results shows the importance of considering both the electron and lattice temperatures for device modeling; the electron temperature has a significant impact on the calculated electron concentration and the lattice temperature. Submicron local hot spot is observed in the device, and its characteristics are discussed. © 2003 ASME