Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computed Tomography-Based Occipital Condyle Morphometry in an Indian Population to Assess the Feasibility of Condylar Screws for Occipitocervical Fusion

Study Design A retrospective computed tomography (CT)-based morphometric study of 82 occipital condyles in the Indian population, focusing on critical morphometric dimensions with relation to placing condylar screws. Purpose This study focused on determining the feasibility of placing occipital condylar screws in an Indian population using CT anatomical morphometric data. Overview of Literature The occipital condylar screw is a novel technique being explored as one of the options in occipitocervical stabilization. Sex and ethnic variations in anatomical structures may restrict the feasibility of this technique in some populations. To the best of our knowledge, there are no CT-based data on an Indian population that assess the feasibility of occipital condylar screws. Methods We measured the dimensions of 82 occipital condyles in 41 adults on coronal, sagittal, and axial reconstructed CT images. The differences were noted between the right and left sides and also between males and females. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered significant. Results Mean sagittal length and height were 17.2±1.7 mm and 9.1±1.5 mm, respectively. Mean condylar angle/screw angle was 38.0°±5.5° from midline, with mean condylar length and width of 19.6±2.6 mm and 9.5±1.0 mm, respectively. Average coronal height on the anterior and posterior hypoglossal canal was 10.8±1.4 mm and 9.0±1.4 mm, respectively. The values in females were significantly lower than those in males, except for screw angle and condylar width. Based on Lin et al.'s proposed criteria, eight of 82 condyles were not suitable for condylar screws. Conclusions Preliminary CT morphometry data of the occipital condyle shows that condylar screws are anatomically feasible in a large portion of the Indian population. However, because a small number of population may not be suitable for this technique, meticulous study of preoperative anatomy using detailed CT data is advised.
Global remodeling of the mouse DNA methylome during aging and in response to calorie restriction

Aging is characterized by numerous molecular changes, such as accumulation of molecular damage and altered gene expression, many of which are linked to DNA methylation. Here, we characterize the blood DNA methylome across 16 age groups of mice and report numerous global, region‐ and site‐specific features, as well as the associated dynamics of methylation changes. Transition of the methylome throughout lifespan was not uniform, with many sites showing accelerated changes in late life. The associated genes and promoters were enriched for aging‐related pathways, pointing to a fundamental link between DNA methylation and control of the aging process. Calorie restriction both shifted the overall methylation pattern and was accompanied by its gradual age‐related remodeling, the latter contributing to the lifespan‐extending effect. With age, both highly and poorly methylated sites trended toward intermediate levels, and aging was accompanied by an accelerated increase in entropy, consistent with damage accumulation. However, the entropy effects differed for the sites that increased, decreased and did not change methylation with age. Many sites trailed behind, whereas some followed or even exceeded the entropy trajectory and altered the developmental DNA methylation pattern. The patterns we observed in certain genomic regions were conserved between humans and mice, suggesting common principles of functional DNA methylome remodeling and its critical role in aging. The highly resolved DNA methylome remodeling provides an excellent model for understanding systemic changes that characterize the aging process.
Evaluation of cell inkjet printing technique for biofabrication

Abstract The main goal in biofabrication approach is to build living tissue substitutes on demand. In order to create functional tissue structures, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are being increasingly considered. They allow generating functional structures created out of CAD models within a short period of time and with a very high precision. Different techniques are already established to build three-dimensional (3D) complex cell-loaded structures. One of these robotic additive fabrication techniques is the ink jet technology which is highly promising for biofabrication. This technique allows to process very small amounts of liquids or low-viscous polymer solutions e.g. to set biomolecules and cells in a suitable structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate a piezo inkjet printing device which is integrated in a commercial modular instrument platform together with a bioplotting system for biofabrication. The inkjet device is able to print single ink droplets of different volumes by controlling the applied voltage and the number of drops released to the spot. In this work different selective sets of parameters influencing the droplet formation and the spot size have been investigated. It has been proven that inkjet printing process in combination with fibrin hydrogel and bone marrow stromal cells is cytocompatible. In summary, the applied piezo inkjet printing is shown to be completely programmable, accurate and the resolution of the device allowed printing of various patterns with biomaterials and vital cells.
Occurrence and impacts of hollow space under a continuously reinforced concrete pavement

Transverse cracks are common in continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) surfaces and would not impair smooth-riding experiences of vehicles once they are kept tight by longitudinal steels. However, these cracks are vulnerable spots for the occurrence of hollow space underneath, starting from water invasion of existing cracks and traffic loading. Longitudinal cracks developed over a hollow space may lead to punchout, the limit failure of a CRCP. In this paper, efforts have been made to identify possible locations and shapes of hollow space and explore the impacts of hollow spaces. These efforts consist of finite element analysis to evaluate distributions of maximum tensile stresses and vertical deflections within CRCP surfaces that imply hollow space development, and comparisons to current design standards in China neglecting the existence and impacts of hollow space. It is concluded that surface slab corners are not only the most possible locations for hollow space occurrences, but also critical loading positions that lead to maximum tensile stresses and vertical deflections. Sizes of hollow spaces and other parameters such as surface slab thickness are important factors to distributions of tensile stresses and vertical deflections. It is more rational to take the existence of a hollow space into account during CRCP structure design processes.
Overview on Hardware Optimizations for Database Engines

: The key objective of database systems is to e � ciently manage an always increasing amount of data. Thereby, a high query throughput and a low query latency are core requirements. To satisfy these requirements, database engines are highly adapted to the given hardware by using all features of modern processors. Apart from this software optimization, even tailor-made processing circuits running on FGPAs are built to run mostly stateless query plans with a high throughput. A similar approach, which was already investigated three decades ago, is to build customized hardware like a database processor. Tailor-made hardware allows to achieve performance numbers that cannot be reached with software running on general-purpose CPUs, while at the same time, addressing the dark silicon problem. The main disadvantage of custom hardware is the high development cost that comes with designing and verifying a new processor, as well as building respective drivers and the software stack. However, there is actually no need to build a fully-ﬂedged processor from scratch. In this paper, we present our conducted as well as our ongoing research e � orts in the direction of customizing hardware for databases. In detail, we illustrate the potential of instruction set extensions of processors as well as of optimizing memory access by o � oading logic to the main memory controller.
Environmental Sequencing Provides Reasonable Estimates of the Relative Abundance of Specific Picoeukaryotes

ABSTRACT High-throughput sequencing (HTS) is revolutionizing environmental surveys of microbial diversity in the three domains of life by providing detailed information on which taxa are present in microbial assemblages. However, it is still unclear how the relative abundance of specific taxa gathered by HTS correlates with cell abundances. Here, we quantified the relative cell abundance of 6 picoeukaryotic taxa in 13 planktonic samples from 6 European coastal sites using epifluorescence microscopy on tyramide signal amplification-fluorescence in situ hybridization preparations. These relative abundance values were then compared with HTS data obtained in three separate molecular surveys: 454 sequencing of the V4 region of the 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) using DNA and RNA extracts (DNA-V4 and cDNA-V4) and Illumina sequencing of the V9 region (cDNA-V9). The microscopic and molecular signals were generally correlated, indicating that a relative increase in specific 18S rDNA was the result of a large proportion of cells in the given taxa. Despite these positive correlations, the slopes often deviated from 1, precluding a direct translation of sequences to cells. Our data highlighted clear differences depending on the nucleic acid template or the 18S rDNA region targeted. Thus, the molecular signal obtained using cDNA templates was always closer to relative cell abundances, while the V4 and V9 regions gave better results depending on the taxa. Our data support the quantitative use of HTS data but warn about considering it as a direct proxy of cell abundances. IMPORTANCE Direct studies on marine picoeukaryotes by epifluorescence microscopy are problematic due to the lack of morphological features and due to the limited number and poor resolution of specific phylogenetic probes used in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) routines. As a consequence, there is an increasing use of molecular methods, including high-throughput sequencing (HTS), to study marine microbial diversity. HTS can provide a detailed picture of the taxa present in a community and can reveal diversity not evident using other methods, but it is still unclear what the meaning of the sequence abundance in a given taxon is. Our aim is to investigate the correspondence between the relative HTS signal and relative cell abundances in selected picoeukaryotic taxa. Environmental sequencing provides reasonable estimates of the relative abundance of specific taxa. Better results are obtained when using RNA extracts as the templates, while the region of 18S ribosomal DNA had different influences depending on the taxa assayed.
Photoemission Electron Microscopy for Analysis of Dielectric Structures and the Goos-Hänchen Shift

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact pdxscholar@pdx.edu. Recommended Citation Stenmark, Theodore Axel, "Photoemission Electron Microscopy for Analysis of Dielectric Structures and the Goos-Hänchen Shift" (2016). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2991.
Fast and Powerful: Biomechanics and Bite Forces of the Mandibles in the American Cockroach Periplaneta americana

Knowing the functionality and capabilities of masticatory apparatuses is essential for the ecological classification of jawed organisms. Nevertheless insects, especially with their outstanding high species number providing an overwhelming morphological diversity, are notoriously underexplored with respect to maximum bite forces and their dependency on the mandible opening angles. Aiming for a general understanding of insect biting, we examined the generalist feeding cockroach Periplaneta americana, characterized by its primitive chewing mouth parts. We measured active isometric bite forces and passive forces caused by joint resistance over the entire mandibular range with a custom-built 2D force transducer. The opening angle of the mandibles was quantified by using a video system. With respect to the effective mechanical advantage of the mandibles and the cross-section areas, we calculated the forces exerted by the mandible closer muscles and the corresponding muscle stress values. Comparisons with the scarce data available revealed close similarities of the cockroaches’ mandible closer stress values (58 N/cm2) to that of smaller specialist carnivorous ground beetles, but strikingly higher values than in larger stag beetles. In contrast to available datasets our results imply the activity of faster and slower muscle fibres, with the latter becoming active only when the animals chew on tough material which requires repetitive, hard biting. Under such circumstances the coactivity of fast and slow fibres provides a force boost which is not available during short-term activities, since long latencies prevent a specific effective employment of the slow fibres in this case.
Fatty acid–binding protein 5 controls microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) induction during inflammation

Fatty acid–binding proteins (FABPs) are intracellular lipid carriers that regulate inflammation, and pharmacological inhibition of FABP5 reduces inflammation and pain. The mechanism(s) underlying the anti-inflammatory effects associated with FABP5 inhibition is poorly understood. Herein, we identify a novel mechanism through which FABP5 modulates inflammation. In mice, intraplantar injection of carrageenan induces acute inflammation that is accompanied by edema, enhanced pain sensitivity, and elevations in proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Inhibition of FABP5 reduced pain, edema, cytokine, and PGE2 levels. PGE2 is a major eicosanoid that enhances pain in the setting of inflammation, and we focused on the mechanism(s) through which FABP5 modulates PGE2 production. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES-1) are enzymes up-regulated at the site of inflammation and account for the bulk of PGE2 biosynthesis. Pharmacological or genetic FABP5 inhibition suppressed the induction of mPGES-1 but not COX-2 in carrageenan-injected paws, which occurred predominantly in macrophages. The cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) is a major inducer of mPGES-1 during inflammation. Using A549 cells that express FABP5, IL-1β stimulation up-regulated mPGES-1 expression, and mPGES-1 induction was attenuated in A549 cells bearing a knockdown of FABP5. IL-1β up-regulates mPGES-1 via NF-κB, which activates the mPGES-1 promoter. Knockdown of FABP5 reduced the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and attenuated mPGES-1 promoter activity. Deletion of NF-κB–binding sites within the mPGES-1 promoter abrogated the ability of FABP5 to inhibit mPGES-1 promoter activation. Collectively, these results position FABP5 as a novel regulator of mPGES-1 induction and PGE2 biosynthesis during inflammation.
Feasibility and preliminary effects of a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment model to address gender‐based violence among women who use drugs in Kyrgyzstan: Project WINGS (Women Initiating New Goals of Safety)

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Intimate partner violence (IPV) and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) are serious public health threats among women who use drugs or engage in binge drinking in Kyrgyzstan. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a two-session IPV and GBV screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment model (WINGS) with HIV counselling and testing for women who use drugs or engage in binge drinking in Kyrgyzstan, using a pre/post-design. DESIGN AND METHODS We screened 109 women from harm reduction non-government organisations in Kyrgyzstan, of whom 78 were eligible, 73 participated in the intervention study, and 66 completed a 3-month post-intervention follow-up. To assess the effects of the intervention, we used random-effect Poisson and Logistic regression analyses for continuous and dichotomous outcomes respectively. RESULTS At baseline, 73% reported any physical or sexual IPV victimisation, and 60% reported any physical or sexual GBV victimisation in the past year. At the 3-month follow-up, participants reported experiencing 59% fewer physical IPV incidents in the prior 90 days than at baseline (P < 0.001) and 27% fewer physical GBV incidents than at baseline (P < 0.01). From baseline to the 3-month follow-up, participants also reported a 65% reduction in the odds of using any illicit drugs (P < 0.05) and were more likely to report receiving GBV-related services (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The high rates of participation, attendance and retention and significant reductions in IPV and GBV victimisation and drug use from baseline to the 3-month follow-up suggest the feasibility and promising effects of this brief intervention. [Gilbert L, Jiwatram-Negron T, Nikitin D, Rychkova O, McCrimmon T, Ermolaeva I, Sharonova N, Mukambetov A, Hunt T. Feasibility and preliminary effects of a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment model to address gender-based violence among women who use drugs in Kyrgyzstan: Project WINGS (Women Initiating New Goals of Safety). Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:125-133].
To What Extent and Under Which Circumstances Are Growth Mind-Sets Important to Academic Achievement? Two Meta-Analyses

Mind-sets (aka implicit theories) are beliefs about the nature of human attributes (e.g., intelligence). The theory holds that individuals with growth mind-sets (beliefs that attributes are malleable with effort) enjoy many positive outcomes—including higher academic achievement—while their peers who have fixed mind-sets experience negative outcomes. Given this relationship, interventions designed to increase students’ growth mind-sets—thereby increasing their academic achievement—have been implemented in schools around the world. In our first meta-analysis (k = 273, N = 365,915), we examined the strength of the relationship between mind-set and academic achievement and potential moderating factors. In our second meta-analysis (k = 43, N = 57,155), we examined the effectiveness of mind-set interventions on academic achievement and potential moderating factors. Overall effects were weak for both meta-analyses. However, some results supported specific tenets of the theory, namely, that students with low socioeconomic status or who are academically at risk might benefit from mind-set interventions.
Autism spectrum disorder and genetic testing: Parental perceptions and decision‐making

PURPOSE Advances in genomic technology and research have led to genetic testing being recognized as an essential component of the etiological workup for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is a first-tier diagnostic test for patients with ASD, as recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and other professional societies. An accurate underlying medical diagnosis for ASD has many potential benefits, including appropriate medical management, detailed therapeutic recommendations, and accurate recurrence risk. Genetic testing is relatively complicated, expensive, and, currently, in the majority of the cases, does not provide any organic improvement in the management of symptoms. DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted semistructured interviews with 20 parents to explore the decision-making process of genetic testing from the perspectives and experiences of parents of children with ASD. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Parents had limited knowledge of genetic testing for ASD prior to a genetics clinic visit. The majority of the participants thought genetic testing would be beneficial for their child, their reproductive choices, and potential future generations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Various stakeholders (geneticists, primary care providers, nurses, and families) would benefit from future establishment of educational strategies to inform parental decision-making regarding genetic testing for children with ASD.
A Membership-Function-Dependent Approach to Design Fuzzy Pointwise State Feedback Controller for Nonlinear Parabolic Distributed Parameter Systems With Spatially Discrete Actuators

This paper gives a membership-function-dependent approach to solve the design problem of fuzzy pointwise state feedback controller for a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems modeled by semilinear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs), where only a few actuators are discretely distributed in space. In the proposed design method, a Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy PDE model obtained by using the sector nonlinearity method is first utilized to accurately describe the nonlinear spatiotemporal dynamics of the PDE system. As only the state information at some known specified points in the spatial domain (i.e., the pointwise state information) is available for the controller design, the favorable property offered by sharing all the same premises in the fuzzy PDE plant model and fuzzy controller cannot be employed to develop the fuzzy control design method. To overcome this drawback, a linear matrix inequality (LMI) relaxation technique is developed to enhance the stabilization ability of the fuzzy controller. Based on the T–S fuzzy PDE model, a membership-function-dependent fuzzy pointwise state feedback control design is then proposed by employing the Lyapunov technique, integration by parts, the vector-valued Wirtinger’s inequality and the LMI relaxation technique, and presented in term of standard LMIs. Finally, the satisfactory and better performance of the proposed design method are demonstrated by the extensive numerical simulation results of two numerical examples.
Control of Trachoma in Australia: A Model Based Evaluation of Current Interventions

Background Australia is the only high-income country in which endemic trachoma persists. In response, the Australian Government has recently invested heavily towards the nationwide control of the disease. Methodology/Principal Findings A novel simulation model was developed to reflect the trachoma epidemic in Australian Aboriginal communities. The model, which incorporates demographic, migration, mixing, and biological heterogeneities, was used to evaluate recent intervention measures against counterfactual past scenarios, and also to assess the potential impact of a series of hypothesized future intervention measures relative to the current national strategy and intensity. The model simulations indicate that, under the current intervention strategy and intensity, the likelihood of controlling trachoma to less than 5% prevalence among 5–9 year-old children in hyperendemic communities by 2020 is 31% (19%–43%). By shifting intervention priorities such that large increases in the facial cleanliness of children are observed, this likelihood of controlling trachoma in hyperendemic communities is increased to 64% (53%–76%). The most effective intervention strategy incorporated large-scale antibiotic distribution programs whilst attaining ambitious yet feasible screening, treatment, facial cleanliness and housing construction targets. Accordingly, the estimated likelihood of controlling trachoma in these communities is increased to 86% (76%–95%). Conclusions/Significance Maintaining the current intervention strategy and intensity is unlikely to be sufficient to control trachoma across Australia by 2020. However, by shifting the intervention strategy and increasing intensity, the likelihood of controlling trachoma nationwide can be significantly increased.