Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secretome from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Endothelial Cells Promotes Wound Healing in a Type-2 Diabetes Mouse Model

Tissue regeneration is often impaired in patients with metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, exhibiting reduced wound repair and limited regeneration capacity. We and others have demonstrated that wound healing under normal metabolic conditions is potentiated by the secretome of human endothelial cell-differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-EC). However, it is unknown whether this effect is sustained under hyperglycemic conditions. In this study, the wound healing effect of secretomes from undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and hMSC-EC in a type-2 diabetes mouse model was analyzed. hMSC were isolated from human Wharton’s jelly and differentiated into hMSC-EC. hMSC and hMSC-EC secretomes were analyzed and their wound healing capacity in C57Bl/6J mice fed with control (CD) or high fat diet (HFD) was evaluated. Our results showed that hMSC-EC secretome enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and wound healing in vivo when compared with hMSC secretome. Five soluble proteins (angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, Factor de crecimiento fibroblástico, Matrix metallopeptidase 9, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) were enriched in hMSC-EC secretome in comparison to hMSC secretome. Thus, the five recombinant proteins were mixed, and their pro-healing property was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Functional analysis demonstrated that a cocktail of these proteins enhanced the wound healing process similar to hMSC-EC secretome in HFD mice. Overall, our results show that hMSC-EC secretome or a combination of specific proteins enriched in the hMSC-EC secretome enhanced wound healing process under hyperglycemic conditions.
The Social Life of Pigs: Changes in Affiliative and Agonistic Behaviors following Mixing

Simple Summary Aggression in pigs is a major welfare concern in the pig industry as pigs fight when mixed into new social groups. Most attempts to solve this problem have focused on reducing agonistic behavior. However, another approach could be to study positive social behaviors in pigs and examine how these relate to aggressive behaviors. Understanding the full social experience of pigs and how affiliative behaviors may mitigate aggression could lead to better selection and management of pigs. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the prevalence and change in performance of potentially affiliative behaviors in pigs after a mixing event, as well as how these behaviors relate to the amount of aggression shown. In this study, the prevalence of suspected affiliative behaviors changed for up to 9 weeks following mixing pigs into a new social group, with nosing decreasing following mixing, and play and non-agonistic contact increasing. All affiliative behaviors were negatively related to agonistic behavior at mixing but nosing and play behaviors were positively related to agonistic behavior in the weeks after mixing. Non-agonistic physical contact was consistently related to less agonistic behavior and therefore could be an indicator of positive social relationships between pigs. Further research could explore how to promote non-agonistic contact and other positive social behaviors among pigs to help reduce agonistic behaviors. Abstract This study investigated potentially affiliative behaviors in grow-finish pigs, how these behaviors changed over time and their relationship to agonistic behaviors. A total of 257 Yorkshire barrows were observed for agonistic (reciprocal fights, attacks) and affiliative (nosing, play, non-agonistic contact) behaviors after mixing (at 10 weeks of age), and weeks 3, 6, and 9 after mix. The least square means of affiliative behaviors were compared across time points. Relationships among affiliative and agonistic behaviors were assessed using generalized linear mixed models. Non-agonistic contact with conspecifics increased until week 6 then remained stable between weeks 6 and 9. Nosing was highest at mix, then decreased in the following weeks. Play was lowest at mix and highest at week 3. Affiliative behaviors were negatively related with aggression at mix (p < 0.001). Pigs who engaged in play and nosing behaviors were more likely to be involved in agonistic interactions in the weeks after mixing (p < 0.05), while pigs engaging in non-agonistic contact were less likely to be involved in agonistic interactions (p < 0.001). There appear to be relationships between affiliative and agonistic behaviors in pigs, with contact being the most predictive of less aggression. Future studies could focus on promoting positive non-agonistic contact in unfamiliar pigs as a way to mitigate aggressive interactions.
Agile tailoring with scaling agile frameworks in distributed large-scale settings

Agile practices in large-scale distributed organizations are becoming a norm. Current research shows that large-scale projects are betting on agile scaling frameworks to coordinate better the several teams that compose large-scale organizations. However, the literature still needs further investigation on the scaling and tailoring of agile practices that distributed teams use in large-scale settings. Due to it, we aim to conduct a systematic literature review regarding the tailored agile practices used by distributed teams that use scaling agile frameworks in large-scale organizations. Further, we aim to conduct a case study on a large-scale Brazilian fintech company with more than 3000 employees. This company uses the Spotify model to organize its software product development.
Comprehensive Review on Wearable Sweat-Glucose Sensors for Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The incidence of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, and regular glucose monitoring is critical in order to manage diabetes. Currently, glucose in the body is measured by an invasive method of blood sugar testing. Blood glucose (BG) monitoring devices measure the amount of sugar in a small sample of blood, usually drawn from pricking the fingertip, and placed on a disposable test strip. Therefore, there is a need for non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring, which is possible using a sweat sensor-based approach. As sweat sensors have garnered much interest in recent years, this study attempts to summarize recent developments in non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring using sweat sensors based on different approaches with an emphasis on the devices that can potentially be integrated into a wearable platform. Numerous research entities have been developing wearable sensors for continuous blood glucose monitoring, however, there are no commercially viable, non-invasive glucose monitors on the market at the moment. This review article provides the state-of-the-art in sweat glucose monitoring, particularly keeping in sight the prospect of its commercialization. The challenges relating to sweat collection, sweat sample degradation, person to person sweat amount variation, various detection methods, and their glucose detection sensitivity, and also the commercial viability are thoroughly covered.
Geographic Information System-Based Mobile Application Design for Health Care in Older Persons in Rural Community by Village Health Volunteers

Health care for older persons is important for their well-being. In Thailand, village health volunteers (VHVs) play a crucial role in communicating between the older persons and health care professionals. Traditionally, they record and submit a monthly report as papers. This project was aimed to design a geographical information system (GIS)-based mobile application for health care in older persons in rural community by the VHVs. As a part of the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model, health information obtained from 8,348 older persons and 1,125 VHVs living in rural community were analyzed and used for the for iPhone (iOS) and Android devices, and web browser. In summary, this mobile application allows the VHVs locate the older person's addresses and communicate with health care staff online in time-saving manner.
Innovations in circular economy for sustainable urban development

In the past three decades, the concept of sustainable development became the focus of attention in practically all developed and developing countries. This concept aims to balance various economic, ecological, and social aspects that form the key pillars of sustainability. Notwithstanding the growing literature on sustainability, it is still unclear what components impact it. This paper summarizes and systematizes contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches to sustainable development and reviews urban sustainability factors mentioned in the literature to identify which ones are the most common and considered to be the most important. The authors analyzed the theoretical and practical foundations of the circular economy as a relatively new trend in sustainable urban development. Through the literature analysis, this paper concluded that the factors mentioned the most are related to the traditional three pillars of the sustainability model. Overall, 14 factors have been identified and packed into 4 groups: social factors, environmental factors, economic factors, and awareness factors. The research made it clear that the circular economy concept keeps evolving. It could be useful for achieving higher levels of urban sustainability through impact on some of the key urban sustainability factors. The achievement of sustainable development goals is reached within the general modernization processes observed in the economy and society. The technological and managerial innovations currently being implemented take into account the social, economic, and ecological needs of different subjects to the economy. This research paper is limited by its reliance on other scholars' self-reporting results of their studies. The results of this study could be used for further research in this field and perform as a foundation of achieving sustainable development on different levels of management through circular business models, recycled raw materials market, and management of circular production and consumption.
Do Patients with Prostate Cancer Benefit from Exercise Interventions? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Men diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer experience severe adverse effects on quality of life (QoL) and metabolic health, some of which may be preventable or reversible with exercise, the benefits of which healthcare providers and patients increasingly acknowledge, though existing evidence on its effects varies in significance and magnitude. We aimed to review the effect of exercise on QoL and metabolic health in a broad prostate cancer population. A systematic search was conducted in nine databases and eligible trials were included in the meta-analytic procedure. All outcomes were stratified into aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and a combination of both. The review identified 33 randomised controlled trials (2567 participants) eligible for inclusion. Exercise had a borderline small positive effect on cancer-specific QoL (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.01–0.22), and a moderate to large effect on cardiovascular fitness (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI 0.34–0.59) with aerobic exercise being the superior modality (SMD = 0.60, 95% CI 0.29–0.90). A positive significant effect was seen in lower body strength, whole-body fat mass, general mental health, and blood pressure. No significant effect was seen in fatigue, lean body mass, and general physical health. We thereby conclude that exercise is effective in improving metabolic health in men diagnosed with prostate cancer, with aerobic exercise as the superior modality. The effect of exercise on QoL was small and not mediated by choice of exercise modality.
Smart Bioinks for the Printing of Human Tissue Models

3D bioprinting has tremendous potential to revolutionize the field of regenerative medicine by automating the process of tissue engineering. A significant number of new and advanced bioprinting technologies have been developed in recent years, enabling the generation of increasingly accurate models of human tissues both in the healthy and diseased state. Accordingly, this technology has generated a demand for smart bioinks that can enable the rapid and efficient generation of human bioprinted tissues that accurately recapitulate the properties of the same tissue found in vivo. Here, we define smart bioinks as those that provide controlled release of factors in response to stimuli or combine multiple materials to yield novel properties for the bioprinting of human tissues. This perspective piece reviews the existing literature and examines the potential for the incorporation of micro and nanotechnologies into bioinks to enhance their properties. It also discusses avenues for future work in this cutting-edge field.
Risk assessment model of gas explosion in coal mine based on the hazard theory

On the basis of three classes hazard, that is, inherent hazard, temptable hazard and human factor, analyzed the main influencing factors of coal mine's gas explosion accident, built the index system of gas explosion risk forewarning in coal mine. The fuzzy mathematics comprehensive assessment technique was applied to establish a corresponding mathematic assessment model. The dynamic risk assessment on the gas explosion hazard of coal mine was undertaken in the model and so the dangerous grade of accident for coal mine was identified. It is convenient to adopt reasonable forewarning and pre-control measures for coal mine in time. Finally, combined with the practical situation of the five coal mining working faces of Zhongliang Mountain South Mine in Chongqing, China, carried out hazard risk forewarning assessment of coal mining working faces and validated the rationality of the risk assessment model.
Cast selection and non-union rates for acute scaphoid fractures treated conservatively: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Cast selection for conservatively treated acute scaphoid fractures remains controversial. Cast options include short arm versus long arm, and those that include the thumb or leave it free. We sought to investigate the role of how cast choice affects nonunion rates after conservative management of scaphoid fractures. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar from inception through July 14, 2020, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We extracted information of interest, including cast type, and non-union rates at the end of the treatment period. We then performed a meta-analysis using the random-effects model. We identified seven relevant studies. Non-union was observed in 15 out of 156 (9.6%) with short-arm cast and 13 out of the 124 (10.5%) with long-arm cast (OR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.19, 3.26], p = 0.74). Non-union was observed in 18 out of 174 (10.3%) with thumb immobilization cast and 18 out of the 179 (10.1%) without thumb immobilization (OR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.49, 1.94], p = 0.69). In our study, short arm casting was proven non-inferior to long arm casting. Similarly, casts without thumb immobilization were equally as effective as casts with thumb immobilization in terms of non-union rates for acute scaphoid fractures treated non-operatively.
Clinical assessment of breast symmetry and aesthetic outcome: can 3D imaging be the gold standard?

Abstract There is a lack of an accurate standardised objective method to assess aesthetic outcome after breast surgery. In this methodological study, we investigated the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of breast symmetry and volume assessed using three-dimensional surface imaging (3D-SI), evaluated the reproducibility depending on imaging posture, and proposed a new combined volume-shape-symmetry ( ) parameter. Images were acquired using the VECTRA XT 3D imaging system, and analysed by two observers using VECTRA Analysis Module. Breast symmetry was measured through the root mean square distance. All women had undergone bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. The reproducibility and correlations of breast symmetry and volume measurements were compared using Bland–Altman’s plots and tested with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. 3D surface images of 58 women were analysed (348 symmetry measurements, 696 volume measurements). The intra-observer reproducibility of breast symmetry measurements was substantial–excellent, the inter-observer reproducibility was substantial, and the inter-posture reproducibility was substantial. For measurements of breast volumes, the intra-observer reproducibility was excellent, the inter-observer reproducibility was moderate–substantial, and the inter-posture reproducibility was substantial–excellent. The intra-observer reproducibility of was excellent while the inter-observer reproducibility was substantial for both observers, independent of posture. There were no statistically strong correlations between breast symmetry and volume differences. The intra-observer reproducibility was found to be substantial–excellent for several 3D-SI measurements independent of imaging posture. However, the inter-observer reproducibility was lower than the intra-observer reproducibility, indicating that 3D-SI in its present form is not a great assessment for symmetry.
Time-interleaved high-speed D/A converters

The research in this thesis focused on high speed Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs). The typical architecture for these type of converters is the current-steering architecture. The main limitation in the accuracy of such high speed converters is at their behavior at the time when they switch from one output value to the next output value. When this transient behavior has passed, they are very accurate. So ideally we would like to isolate their transient behavior from the actual output to obtain a more accurate DAC. This is realized by using two sub-DACs (sDACs) in parallel: When one of these two sDACs is switching to its next code, the other sDAC is settled and it is connected to the actual output. Once the first sDAC is fully settled, it is connected to the output and the other sDAC can receive a new code. However this architecture also introduces new issues that need to be, and are, dealt with. The amplitude of the two sDACs need to be matched and also the error introduced by the new switches should be sufficiently small. Finally there is a stringent requirement on the timing of the switches that select which sDAC is connected to the output: their timing error should be below the 200fs for the designs in this thesis. This is achieved with a newly developed calibration method that can accurately measure the timing error using only simple DC measurements. With this principle three chips have been developed and characterized: a 65nm, 12-bit, 1.7GS/s DAC, and two 9-bit DACs, one in 65nm that runs at 8.8GS/s, and one in 28nm FDSOI that runs at 11GS/s. These three demonstrators showed that despite requiring two sDACs to create a complete DAC using this architecture, due to the advantages of the architecture the overall DACs could be small and power efficient.
Single‐stage photovoltaic system design based on energy recovery and fuzzy logic control for partial shading condition

Multiple local maximum power points occur in the power–voltage characteristic curve of the photovoltaic (PV) systems due to use of bypass diodes under partial shading conditions, and this also leads to decrease the maximum power level of the PV system. This paper proposes an energy recovery‐based PV system to enhance maximum power level and working efficiency under partial shading conditions. In this study, a 350‐W PV system design and application, which can operate at maximum power point under partial shading condition, is made using two 175‐W PV panels. The main purpose of the system is to maintain power generation from the shaded PV panel by energy recovery circuit without any damage on the PV panels and also connect PV panels to the grid by single power circuit. To perform the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) task for the PV system, a single input variable used fuzzy logic control (FLC)‐based MPPT method is developed. Therefore, this study investigates and analyzes energy recovery connected and fuzzy logic control‐based MPPT controlled PV system under partial shading conditions. Effectiveness of the proposed system has been verified through simulation and experimental results.
On the Financial Autonomy of European Local Governments: The Case of Municipal Bonds in Italy

Purpose: There is broad consensus across different studies in considering decentralisation as a critical factor for increasing the responsiveness of Local Governments (LGs). For this decentralisation process to be operational, financial autonomy is essential. Since LGs may access financial markets to secure their self-sufficiency, this study focuses on the financial autonomy of LGs based on municipal bonds. However, the centralised control of borrowing is supposed to decrease financial autonomy, especially in unitary countries. Focusing on the time when the municipal bonds were wide spreading in Italy, that is unitary indeed, the paper investigates the capacity of municipal bonds to increase the financial autonomy of local governments. Reference is also made to the European fiscal rules, that were getting stricter in the same years, because these constitute an excellent example of this control model. Approach/Methodology/Design: Addressing this goal, this paper relies upon Generalized Least Squares (GLS) regression of longitudinal (panel) data. Findings: Findings show that financial autonomy strictly depends on tax-raising powers, but municipal bonds may help. There is indeed statistical evidence of the relationship between financial autonomy and bond issuing, reinstating the idea that municipal bonds could qualify as an instrument of financial autonomy for LGs. Practical Implications: However, to benefit from this positive relationship between municipal bonds and financial autonomy, the constraints of the centralised model need to be reduced or the model of control to be changed. Originality/Value: The issue is not just whether the use of municipal bonds granted financial autonomy to local governments, but rather that their usage may generate growth and maintenance of financial autonomy within the centralised discipline and control model.
Open‐loop self‐adaptive wireless power transfer system for medical implants

An open‐loop self‐adaptive wireless power transfer system using magnetic resonance coupling for implantable biosensors, which provides stable wireless power regardless of variations in operating distance and lateral misalignment between the transmitting and receiving antennas, is proposed. According to adaptive impedance matching algorithms under the minimum reflected power conditions, the proposed system achieves an improved power transfer efficiency of maximum 47% within the operating distance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1271–1275, 2016