Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On RGB-D face recognition using Kinect

Face recognition algorithms generally use 2D images for feature extraction and matching. In order to achieve better performance, 3D faces captured via specialized acquisition methods have been used to develop improved algorithms. While such 3D images remain difficult to obtain due to several issues such as cost and accessibility, RGB-D images captured by low cost sensors (e.g. Kinect) are comparatively easier to acquire. This research introduces a novel face recognition algorithm for RGB-D images. The proposed algorithm computes a descriptor based on the entropy of RGB-D faces along with the saliency feature obtained from a 2D face. The probe RGB-D descriptor is used as input to a random decision forest classifier to establish the identity. This research also presents a novel RGB-D face database pertaining to 106 individuals. The experimental results indicate that the RGB-D information obtained by Kinect can be used to achieve improved face recognition performance compared to existing 2D and 3D approaches.
Effect of Fatty Degeneration of the Infraspinatus on the Efficacy of Arthroscopic Patch Autograft Procedure for Large to Massive Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: In a 2013 study involving 24 patients whose shoulders had large or massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and low-grade fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus (Goutallier stage 1 or 2), we reported significantly improved clinical results after an arthroscopic fascia lata autograft patch procedure, with a 79.2% rate of intact repairs. Based on that study, we began applying the fascia lata autograft patch procedure to shoulders with stage 3 or 4 degeneration of the supraspinatus and stage 3 or 4 degeneration of the infraspinatus. Purpose: To investigate the effects of the fascia lata autograft patch procedure on massive RCTs in shoulders with high-grade degeneration of the infraspinatus by comparing the clinical outcomes and structural features with those in shoulders with low-grade degeneration of the infraspinatus. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A case series of 45 consecutive patients with large to massive RCTs with high-grade fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus and either low-grade (group L; n = 26 [the same patients as in our previous study plus 2 additional patients]) or high-grade (group H; n = 19) fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus were treated with the fascia lata autograft patch procedure. Clinical (Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES]) scores, structural outcomes on MRI, and muscle strength were assessed at a minimum 2-year follow-up and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Patients in group L had a higher frequency of intact repairs than did those in group H (73.1% vs 10.6%; P < .001), as assessed by MRI. Clinical scores, range of motion, and muscle strength ratios were improved after surgery in both groups. However, at the final follow-up, the mean Constant (78.4 in group L vs 63.9 in group H; P < .0001) and ASES (91.3 in group L vs 73.6 in group H; P < .001) scores were significantly higher in group L than in group H. Moreover, there were significant between-group differences in the mean muscle strength ratio of the affected to healthy sides for both abduction (0.68 in group L vs 0.54 in group H) and external rotation (0.67 in group L vs 0.50 in group H) for abduction at the final follow-up (P < .0001 for both). Conclusion: The arthroscopic fascia lata autograft patch procedure was not as beneficial for massive RCTs with high-grade fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus as other treatment options that produce similar functional results.
New insights into induction of early‐stage neovascularization in an improved tissue‐engineered model of psoriasis

We have previously shown that putrescine induces a psoriatic phenotype in tissue‐engineered skin. The initial aim of this study was to further develop this in vitro model by introducing endothelial cells to mimic the increased vascularization found in psoriasis. Human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which did not express CD34 or CD31 in 2D culture, were added to de‐epidermised acellular human dermis and cultured for 4 weeks. For induction of a psoriatic phenotype, putrescine was added during this period. We report that after 4 weeks of culture, and particularly when exposed to putrescine, this model showed expression of vertically organised clusters of CD31 positive cells in the dermis in the absence of any exogenous endothelial cells. Further investigation in 2D cell cultures showed an indirect effect of putrescine on normal keratinocytes causing them to produce soluble factors that increased expression of CD133, CD34 and CD31 in cultured human dermal fibroblasts, previously negative for these antigens. This study reports a new and improved model of psoriasis for in vitro studies and offers a new insight into early stage neovascularization, which is of relevance not only to psoriasis, but to tissue engineering and wound healing in general. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of culture conditions for osteogenically‐induced mesenchymal stem cells in β‐tricalcium phosphate ceramics with large interconnected channels

The aim of this study was to optimize culture conditions for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in β‐tricalcium phosphate ceramics with large interconnected channels. Fully interconnected macrochannels comprising pore diameters of 750 µm and 1400 µm were inserted into microporous β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds by milling. Human bone marrow‐derived MSCs were seeded into the scaffolds and cultivated for up to 3 weeks in both static and perfusion culture in the presence of osteogenic supplements (dexamethasone, β‐glycerophosphate, ascorbate). It was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic investigations and histological staining that the perfusion culture resulted in uniform distribution of cells inside the whole channel network, whereas the statically cultivated cells were primarily found at the surface of the ceramic samples. It was also determined that perfusion with standard medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) led to a strong increase (seven‐fold) of cell numbers compared with static cultivation observed after 3 weeks. Perfusion with low‐serum medium (2% FCS) resulted in moderate proliferation rates which were comparable to those achieved in static culture, although the specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased by a factor of more than 3 compared to static cultivation. Gene expression analysis of the ALP gene also revealed higher levels of ALP mRNA in low‐serum perfused samples compared to statically cultivated constructs. In contrast, gene expression of the late osteogenic marker bone sialoprotein II (BSPII) was decreased for perfused samples compared to statically cultivated samples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Avaliação da capacidade funcional dos trabalhadores de enfermagem

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade funcional dos trabalhadores de enfermagem de um complexo hospitalar e sua relacao com caracteristicas individuais e de trabalho. METODOS: Estudo epidemiologico transversal com 885 individuos. Foi utilizado um questionario auto-aplicavel padronizado para o calculo do indice de capacidade para o trabalho, baseado em informacoes ocupacionais, de morbidade, dados demograficos e socioeconomicos. Obtiveram-se valores de odds ratio e seus respectivos intervalos de confianca de 95% pelo teste de qui-quadrado. As associacoes foram testadas por modelo de regressao logistica multipla obtendo-se medidas de odds ratio ajustadas. RESULTADOS: A populacao estudada foi composta principalmente por mulheres (87,3%), com idade entre 35 e 68 anos (media 43±6,3), exercendo as funcoes de auxiliares, tecnicos e enfermeiros, distribuidos em sete hospitais que compoem o complexo hospitalar. A capacidade para o trabalho foi considerada boa em mais de 80% dos trabalhadores. As analises estatisticas mostraram que aqueles trabalhadores com maior escolaridade (OR: 0,4; IC: 0,2-1,0; p=0,05 e ORaj: 0,4; IC: 0,2-1,0; p=0,04) e que praticam algum tipo de esporte ou atividade fisica (OR: 0,5; IC: 0,3-0,9; p=0,02 e ORaj: 0,5; IC: 0,3-0,9, p=0,02) tem maiores chances de apresentar boa capacidade para o trabalho. No grupo com reduzida capacidade para o trabalho verificou-se alta prevalencia de doencas musculo-esqueleticas. CONCLUSOES: O programa de saude do trabalhador da empresa devera incluir orientacao e acompanhamento do profissional de enfermagem em atividades fisicas e de lazer visando a manter a boa capacidade para o trabalho, bem como implementar a adocao de medidas preventivas relacionadas as doencas musculo-esqueleticas.
Risk Factors and Predictors of Subsequent ACL Injury in Either Knee After ACL Reconstruction

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reinjury results in worse outcomes and increases the risk of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Purpose: To identify the risk factors for both ipsilateral and contralateral ACL tears after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON), a prospective longitudinal cohort, were used to identify risk factors for ACL retear. Subjects with primary ACLR, no history of contralateral knee surgery, and a minimum of 2-year follow-up data were included. Age, sex, Marx activity score, graft type, lateral meniscal tear, medial meniscal tear, sport played at index injury, and surgical facility were evaluated to determine their contribution to both ipsilateral retear and contralateral ACL tear. Results: A total of 2683 subjects with average age of 27 ± 11 years (1498 men; 56%) met all study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Overall there were 4.4% ipsilateral graft tears and 3.5% contralateral ACL tears. The odds of ipsilateral ACL retear were 5.2 times greater for an allograft (P < .01) compared with a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft; the odds of retear were not significantly different between BTB autograft and hamstring autograft (P = .12). The odds of an ipsilateral ACL retear decreased by 0.09 for every yearly increase in age (P < .01) and increased by 0.11 for every increased point on the Marx score (P < .01). These odds were not significantly influenced by sex, smoking status, sport played, medial or lateral meniscal tear, or consortium site (P > .05). The odds of a contralateral ACL tear decreased by 0.04 for every yearly increase in age (P = .04) and increased by 0.12 for every increased point on the Marx score (P < .01); these odds were not significantly different between sex, smoking status, sport played, graft type, medial meniscal tear, or lateral meniscal tear (P > .05). Conclusion: Younger age, higher activity level, and allograft graft type were predictors of increased odds of ipsilateral graft failure. Higher activity and younger age were found to be risk factors in contralateral ACL tears.
Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Non-Tuberculous Bronchial Anthracofibrosis

연구배경: 기관지내시경 시행 시 기관지점막에 탄분침착을 보이는 경우가 종종 있다. 이러한 기관지탄분섬유증은 결핵과 연관이 있다고 여겨지는데 최근 논문들에 의하면 결핵 이외의 만성폐쇄성 폐질환이나 폐렴 등의 다양한 폐질환과 관련이 있음이 보고되어 진다. 방법: 2003년 1월부터 2006년 7월까지 강남성모병원에서 기관지내시경 검사를 시행 받은 환자들 중 기관지 탄분침착이 있는 환자들을 대상으로 진료기록지를 통해 후향적 분석을 하였다. 기저질환, 임상소견, 폐기능 검사 및 조직소견, 방사선소견을 분석하였고 비결핵성 기관지탄분섬유증 환자에서 기관지협착이 동반된 경우 스테로이드 투여 시 그 치료성적을 분석하였다. 결과: 총 74명 중 비결핵성 기관지탄분섬유증 환자가 54명(73%)이었다. 이 중 41명(76%)에서 협착이 동반되었고 13명(24%)은 탄분침착만 보였다. 비결핵성 기관지탄분섬유증 환자 중 협착이 동반된 경우 14명에서 고식적 치료로 스테로이드를 투여하였는데 이 중 9명(64%)에서 임상적인 호전을, 6명(43%)에서 방사선학적인 호전을 보였다. 결론: 기관지 탄분섬유증은 결핵뿐만 아니라 만성폐쇄성 폐질환, 폐렴등의 다양한 호흡기 질환과 관련이 있다. 비결핵성 기관지 탄분섬유증 환자에서 고식적인 치료에 잘 반응하지 않을 경우 스테로이드를 고려해 볼 수 있다.
Spin Crossover in Ferropericlase at High Pressure: A Seismologically Transparent Transition?

An iron spin transition has no effect on the seismologic properties of lower-mantle minerals. Seismic discontinuities in Earth typically arise from structural, chemical, or temperature variations with increasing depth. The pressure-induced iron spin state transition in the lower mantle may influence seismic wave velocities by changing the elasticity of iron-bearing minerals, but no seismological evidence of an anomaly exists. Inelastic x-ray scattering measurements on (Mg0.83Fe0.17)O-ferropericlase at pressures across the spin transition show effects limited to the only shear moduli of the elastic tensor. This explains the absence of deviation in the aggregate seismic velocities and, thus, the lack of a one-dimensional seismic signature of the spin crossover. The spin state transition does, however, influence shear anisotropy of ferropericlase and should contribute to the seismic shear wave anisotropy of the lower mantle.
A Dynamic Knockout Reveals That Conformational Fluctuations Influence the Chemical Step of Enzyme Catalysis

An Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase mutant is catalytically defective, because motions in the active site are impaired. Conformational dynamics play a key role in enzyme catalysis. Although protein motions have clear implications for ligand flux, a role for dynamics in the chemical step of enzyme catalysis has not been clearly established. We generated a mutant of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase that abrogates millisecond-time-scale fluctuations in the enzyme active site without perturbing its structural and electrostatic preorganization. This dynamic knockout severely impairs hydride transfer. Thus, we have found a link between conformational fluctuations on the millisecond time scale and the chemical step of an enzymatic reaction, with broad implications for our understanding of enzyme mechanisms and for design of novel protein catalysts.
Development of a flexible coupled spine mechanism for a small quadruped robot

Quadruped animals realize dynamic motions such as fast running and high and long jumping with the utilization of the flexibility of their bodies. It is known that the motions of their front and rear legs couple with the flexion and extension of their spine when running or jumping. In recent years, quadruped robots inspired by cats and cheetahs have been developed. In our group, a small quadruped robot has been developed with leg mechanisms which consist of spring and damper systems inspired by bi-articular muscle-tendon complexes of animals. The robot is able to perform various motions such as walking, running and jumping. In this paper, flexibility features as in animal bodies are to be introduced to make the robot run fast and jump long (or high) by coupling the motions of their spine and legs. In our design, the flexion and extension of the spine are realized by a spine joint with a torsion spring, and the coupling to the front and rear legs has been realized by cables. Driving the scapula or hip joints causes flexion of the spine and stores the elastic energy in the spring. The extension of the spine with the spring assists in driving the scapula or hip joints. As a result, in the jump experiment, the robot with a flexible spine can realize longer jump distance than that by a robot with a rigid spine.
Negative Linear Compressibility and Massive Anisotropic Thermal Expansion in Methanol Monohydrate

At low temperatures, a simple molecular crystal can shrink along one axis when heated and expand along it when compressed. The vast majority of materials shrink in all directions when hydrostatically compressed; exceptions include certain metallic or polymer foam structures, which may exhibit negative linear compressibility (NLC) (that is, they expand in one or more directions under hydrostatic compression). Materials that exhibit this property at the molecular level—crystalline solids with intrinsic NLC—are extremely uncommon. With the use of neutron powder diffraction, we have discovered and characterized both NLC and extremely anisotropic thermal expansion, including negative thermal expansion (NTE) along the NLC axis, in a simple molecular crystal (the deuterated 1:1 compound of methanol and water). Apically linked rhombuses, which are formed by the bridging of hydroxyl-water chains with methyl groups, extend along the axis of NLC/NTE and lead to the observed behavior.
Diet Drives Convergence in Gut Microbiome Functions Across Mammalian Phylogeny and Within Humans

The normal range of physiological and metabolic phenotypes has been shaped by coevolution with microbial symbionts. Coevolution of mammals and their gut microbiota has profoundly affected their radiation into myriad habitats. We used shotgun sequencing of microbial community DNA and targeted sequencing of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes to gain an understanding of how microbial communities adapt to extremes of diet. We sampled fecal DNA from 33 mammalian species and 18 humans who kept detailed diet records, and we found that the adaptation of the microbiota to diet is similar across different mammalian lineages. Functional repertoires of microbiome genes, such as those encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes and proteases, can be predicted from bacterial species assemblages. These results illustrate the value of characterizing vertebrate gut microbiomes to understand host evolutionary histories at a supraorganismal level.
Arthroscopic Versus Open Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement

Background: Surgical treatment of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) aims to improve symptoms and potentially delay initiation of hip osteoarthritis and prevent progression to end-stage hip osteoarthritis and possible total hip arthroplasty (THA). Hip arthroscopy and open surgical hip dislocations are the 2 most common surgical approaches used for this condition. Purpose: To perform a comparative systematic review to determine whether there is a significant difference in clinical outcomes and progression to THA between hip arthroscopy and open surgical hip dislocation treatment for FAI at minimum medium-term follow-up. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic review of the MEDLINE database by use of the PubMed interface was performed. Minimum mean follow-up for included studies was set at 36 months. English-language studies with a minimum mean medium-term time frame evaluating outcome after arthroscopic or open treatment of FAI were included. Independent t tests, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and weighted mean pooled cohort statistics were performed. Results: A total of 16 studies met inclusion criteria. There were 9 open surgical hip dislocation studies and 7 hip arthroscopy studies. Open studies included 600 hips at a mean follow-up of 57.6 months (4.8 years; range, 6-144 months). Arthroscopic studies included 1484 hips at a mean follow-up of 50.8 months (4.2 years; range, 12-97 months). With THA as an outcome endpoint, there was an overall survival rate of 93% for open and 90.5% for arthroscopic procedures (P = .06). Advanced age and preexisting chondral injury were risk factors for progression to THA after both treatments. Direct comparison among disease-specific outcome instruments between the 2 procedures was limited by outcome measure heterogeneity; however, both treatments demonstrated good outcomes in their respective scoring systems. Notably, hip arthroscopy was associated with a higher general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) score on the 12-Item Short-Form Survey physical component score (P < .001). Conclusion: Both hip arthroscopy and open surgical hip dislocation showed excellent and equivalent hip survival rates at medium-term follow-up with hip-specific outcome measures, demonstrating equivalence between groups. However, hip arthroscopy was shown to have superior results regarding general HRQoL in comparison to open treatment. An increased understanding of the natural history of FAI remains warranted, with further studies needed to assess long-term outcomes for patients with FAI.
Second-Order Selection for Evolvability in a Large Escherichia coli Population

Descendants of bacterial lineages that retained adaptation potential outcompeted competitors of higher fitness. In theory, competition between asexual lineages can lead to second-order selection for greater evolutionary potential. To test this hypothesis, we revived a frozen population of Escherichia coli from a long-term evolution experiment and compared the fitness and ultimate fates of four genetically distinct clones. Surprisingly, two clones with beneficial mutations that would eventually take over the population had significantly lower competitive fitness than two clones with mutations that later went extinct. By replaying evolution many times from these clones, we showed that the eventual winners likely prevailed because they had greater potential for further adaptation. Genetic interactions that reduce the benefit of certain regulatory mutations in the eventual losers appear to explain, at least in part, why they were outcompeted.
Specificity of Drosophila Cytonemes for Distinct Signaling Pathways

Signaling protein receptors are segregated into different cell protrusions in Drosophila cells. Cytonemes are types of filopodia in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc that are proposed to serve as conduits in which morphogen signaling proteins move between producing and target cells. We investigated the specificity of cytonemes that are made by target cells. Cells in wing discs made cytonemes that responded specifically to Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and cells in eye discs made cytonemes that responded specifically to Spitz (the Drosophila epidermal growth factor protein). Tracheal cells had at least two types: one made in response to Branchless (a Drosophila fibroblast growth factor protein, Bnl), to which they segregate the Bnl receptor, and another to which they segregate the Dpp receptor. We conclude that cells can make several types of cytonemes, each of which responds specifically to a signaling pathway by means of the selective presence of a particular signaling protein receptor that has been localized to that cytoneme.