Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises An integrated framework for intellectual capital measurement and knowledge management

This paper presents a model for measuring intellectual capital (IC) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in correlation with the key factors for the successful implementation of knowledge management (KM). Most of the existing IC measurement models are intended to cover general aspects. The kernel of these models could be customized/extended to handle more specific aspects, like KM. The focus of this study is the integration between an IC measurement model and the key factors for successful implementing of KM. The paper identifies, analyses and compares IC elements that are relevant for SMEs and how they can be linked with the IC measurement methods for determining if a company is ready for KM. For this purpose, a general IC measurement model is taken as reference for the study.
Bariatric Surgery, Exercise, and Inpatient Glycemia Treatment

The American Diabetes Association's 57th Annual Advanced Postgraduate Course was held 5–7 February 2010 in San Francisco, California. Free webcasts of the talks from the 57th Annual Advanced Postgraduate Course are available at http://professional.diabetes. org/pg10. ### Bariatric surgery in diabetes Lee Kaplan (Boston, MA) discussed new information based on studies of bariatric surgery in diabetes. Surgery is performed in 0.25% of Americans with obesity, so it is unlikely that it in itself can address the U.S. diabetes or obesity issues, but lessons from its use may shed light on the approach to obesity and diabetes for the overall population. The biology of obesity suggests that it is caused by inactivity and overnutriton and likely stress as well. There is a huge burden of obesity-associated illness, including malignancy, and obesity has a devastating effect on quality of life and also on what is termed societal “efficacy” and socioeconomic status. The physiology of obesity involves central regulation of food intake, nutrient handling, and energy expenditure, with adipose tissue energy stores regulating levels of signals such as leptin, and information from liver, muscle, and bone on metabolic needs coupled with information from the gastrointestinal tract and sensory organs regarding the quantity and quality of nutrient intake. A unifying theme is the body's defense of fat (rather than of total body weight). Surgery includes the Roux-en-Y combination gastric restriction and bypass (RYGB) of distal stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum, which is the most effective, and may be the most appropriate, for diabetes treatment. Adjustable gastric banding is a gastric restriction procedure, while vertical sleeve gastrectomy removes the greater curvature of the stomach, acting in a fashion very different from gastric banding, causing more rapid gastric emptying. In the Swedish Obesity Study, lifestyle was compared with bariatric procedures. Gastric banding led to ∼20% weight loss initially, which decreased to 14% …
Negative velocity dependence of friction for poly(2‐Acrylamido‐2‐methyl propanesulfonic acid) hydrogel sliding against a glass surface in the low‐velocity region

The frictional behavior of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) hydrogel sliding against a glass substrate in water over a wide sliding velocity (v) region has been investigated. The results showed that the frictional behavior of PAMPS gel conformed to a hydrodynamic lubrication mechanism only at relatively high sliding velocities. At low sliding velocities, a “negative” velocity dependence of friction was observed, which we believe not to be attributable to the experimental friction-measuring mode used. This wider and weak mixed region at low sliding velocities is in contrast to the extremely narrow mixed region in the case of solid friction with a lubricant. The area of the PAMPS hydrogel surface subject to shearing decreased with increasing sliding velocity, and this would seem to be responsible for the weakly negative dependence of friction on velocity. In addition, the friction was found to increase with increasing the compressive modulus (E) of the gels attributing to the shearing exerted on the gel surface, in which the shear stress increased with E. The hydration layer between the sliding surfaces also contributes to the friction and weakens the dependence of friction on E to some extent. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 765–772
Strengthening of Oxide Ceramics by Transformation‐Induced Stress

Alumina-zirconia composites were fabricated by isostatic pressing and sintering of powder mixtures in such a way that bar-shaped specimens consisted of three layers. The outer layers contained A12O3 and unstabilized ZrO2 while the central layer contained A12O3 and partially stabilized ZrO2 (with 2 mol% Y2O3). When cooled from the sintering temperature, some of the zirconia in the outer layers transformed to the monoclinic form while zirconia in the central layer was retained in the tetragonal form. The transformation of zirconia in the outer layers led to the establishment of surface compressive stresses and balancing tensile stresses in the bulk. The existence of surface compressive stresses was verified by a strain gauge technique and bending strength measurements on samples with varying thickness of the outer layers. The layered composites exhibited greater strength in comparison with monolithic Al2O3-ZrO2 specimens. Further, variation of strength in bending with outer layer thickness (for a fixed total thickness) indicated that failure occurred from internal flaws. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces revealed that strength-limiting flaws were voids located in the central layer near the interface separating the central and the outer layers.
Trends in Patterns of Posterior Uveitis and Panuveitis in a Tertiary Institution in Singapore

Abstract Purpose: The study aims to analyze the trends of posterior uveitis and panuveitis patients seen by a tertiary eye center in Singapore between 2004 and 2012. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 363 consecutive new cases of posterior uveitis and panuveitis. The cases were segregated into idiopathic, infectious, or noninfectious. Results: We found statistically significant differences between etiologies and ethnicity (p = 0.014). We noticed a statistically significant downward trend (Spearman's rho (ρ) = −0.812, p = 0.008) for dengue uveitis, and an upward trend for the idiopathic category (Spearman's rho (ρ) = 0.753, p = 0.019). Conclusions: We observed differences between etiologies and ethnicity, pointing toward potential susceptibility variations. There was an upward trend of idiopathic causes, possibly due to better control of systemic and infectious etiologies. The dengue uveitis incidence correlates well with our national statistics. The downward trend of dengue uveitis could be due to the introduction of Singapore's dengue surveillance in 2005, emphasizing the importance of controlling the disease.
Effect of Fiber Cross-Sectional Shape and Nano ZnO/Modified Chitosan Loading on Antibacterial Properties

Antibacterial polypropylene cross-sectional shape fibers were melt spun with adding nano ZnO and modified chitosan. Two types of fiber cross-section, round and worm cross-sectional shape were studied including with nano ZnO and modified chitosan loading. Antibacterial properties, surface area, and fiber crystalization were investigated. The surface area of the fiber and antibacterial properties were directly related to the cross-sectional shape. The greater antibacterial properties was found at lower modified chitosan loading compared ZnO.
Early-onset treadmill training reduces mechanical allodynia and modulates calcitonin gene-related peptide fiber density in lamina III/IV in a mouse model of spinal cord contusion injury

Abstract Below-level central neuropathic pain (CNP) affects a large proportion of spinal cord injured individuals. To better define the dynamic changes of the spinal cord neural network contributing to the development of CNP after spinal cord injury (SCI), we characterized the morphological and behavioral correlates of CNP in female C57BL/6 mice after a moderate T11 contusion SCI (50 kdyn) and the influence of moderate physical activity. Compared with sham-operated animals, injured mice developed mechanical allodynia 2 weeks post injury when tested with small-diameter von Frey hair filaments (0.16 g and 0.4 g filament), but presented hyporesponsiveness to noxious mechanical stimuli (1.4 g filament). The mechano-sensory alterations lasted up to 35 days post injury, the longest time point examined. The response latency to heat stimuli already decreased significantly 10 days post injury reaching a plateau 2 weeks later. In contrast, injured mice developed remarkable hyposensitivity to cold stimuli. Animals that underwent moderate treadmill training (2 × 15 minutes; 5 d/wk) showed a significant reduction in the response rate to light mechanical stimuli as early as 6 days after training. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) labeling in lamina III-IV of the dorsal horn revealed significant increases in CGRP-labeling density in injured animals compared with sham control animals. Importantly, treadmill training reduced CGRP-labeling density by about 50% (P < 0.01), partially reducing the injury-induced increases. Analysis of IB4-labeled nonpeptidergic sensory fibers revealed no differences between experimental groups. Abnormalities in temperature sensation were not influenced by physical activity. Thus, treadmill training partially resolves signs of below-level CNP after SCI and modulates the density of CGRP-labeled fibers.
Effects of regular aerobic exercise on post-exercise vagal reactivation in young female

Abstract Regular aerobic exercise accelerates post-exercise cardiovagal reactivation. However, little is known about the potentially favourable modulatory effects of regular aerobic exercise on cardiovagal reactivation in young female. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of regular aerobic exercise on post-exercise vagal reactivation in young female. Our study consisted of 8 female endurance-trained athletes (athlete group) and 10 untrained females (control group). Resting heart rate (HR), HR variability and post-exercise cardiovagal reactivation were measured during the subjects’ early follicular (EF) and middle luteal (ML) phases. Post-exercise cardiovagal reactivation was estimated by T 30: the time constant of HR decline for the first 30 s after the 4-min cycle ergometer exercise (intensity: 80% of ventilation threshold). In both groups, T 30 was more accelerated in the EF phase than in the ML phase (P<0.05). In the EF phase, T 30 was lower in the athletes than in the controls (P<0.05). A significant correlation between maximum oxygen uptake ( O2max) and T 30 was observed in the EF phase (r=0.545, P<0.05). Our results suggest that regular aerobic exercise accelerates post-exercise cardiovagal reactivation in the EF phase in young female.
A New Method of Medical Image Retrieval Based on Color-Texture Correlogram and Gti Model

This paper presents a method for endoscopic image retrieval based on color–texture correlogram and Generalized Tversky's Index (GTI) model. First we define a new image feature named color–texture correlogram, which is the extension of color correlogram. The texture image extracted by texture spectrum algorithm is combined with color feature vector, and then we calculate the spatial correlation of color–texture feature vector. Similarity metric is also the key technology during domain of image retrieval, GTI model is used in medical image retrieval for similarity metric, and the technique of relevance feedback is used in the algorithm to enhance the efficiency of retrieval. Experimental results show that the method discussed in this paper is much more effective.
Effect of recombinant ApoA-I Milano on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Although low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increase risk for coronary disease, no data exist regarding potential benefits of administration of HDL-C or an HDL mimetic. ApoA-I Milano is a variant of apolipoprotein A-I identified in individuals in rural Italy who exhibit very low levels of HDL. Infusion of recombinant ApoA-I Milano-phospholipid complexes produces rapid regression of atherosclerosis in animal models. OBJECTIVE We assessed the effect of intravenous recombinant ApoA-I Milano/phospholipid complexes (ETC-216) on atheroma burden in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). DESIGN The study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter pilot trial comparing the effect of ETC-216 or placebo on coronary atheroma burden measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). SETTING Ten community and tertiary care hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS Between November 2001 and March 2003, 123 patients aged 38 to 82 years consented, 57 were randomly assigned, and 47 completed the protocol. INTERVENTIONS In a ratio of 1:2:2, patients received 5 weekly infusions of placebo or ETC-216 at 15 mg/kg or 45 mg/kg. Intravascular ultrasound was performed within 2 weeks following ACS and repeated after 5 weekly treatments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary efficacy parameter was the change in percent atheroma volume (follow-up minus baseline) in the combined ETC-216 cohort. Prespecified secondary efficacy measures included the change in total atheroma volume and average maximal atheroma thickness. RESULTS The mean (SD) percent atheroma volume decreased by -1.06% (3.17%) in the combined ETC-216 group (median, -0.81%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.53% to -0.34%; P =.02 compared with baseline). In the placebo group, mean (SD) percent atheroma volume increased by 0.14% (3.09%; median, 0.03%; 95% CI, -1.11% to 1.43%; P =.97 compared with baseline). The absolute reduction in atheroma volume in the combined treatment groups was -14.1 mm3 or a 4.2% decrease from baseline (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS A recombinant ApoA-I Milano/phospholipid complex (ETC-216) administered intravenously for 5 doses at weekly intervals produced significant regression of coronary atherosclerosis as measured by IVUS. Although promising, these results require confirmation in larger clinical trials with morbidity and mortality end points.
Using Contact Forces and Robot Arm Accelerations to Automatically Rate Surgeon Skill at Peg Transfer

OBJECTIVE Most trainees begin learning robotic minimally invasive surgery by performing inanimate practice tasks with clinical robots such as the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci. Expert surgeons are commonly asked to evaluate these performances using standardized five-point rating scales, but doing such ratings is time consuming, tedious, and somewhat subjective. This paper presents an automatic skill evaluation system that analyzes only the contact force with the task materials, the broad-bandwidth accelerations of the robotic instruments and camera, and the task completion time. METHODS We recruited N = 38 participants of varying skill in robotic surgery to perform three trials of peg transfer with a da Vinci Standard robot instrumented with our Smart Task Board. After calibration, three individuals rated these trials on five domains of the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skill (GEARS) structured assessment tool, providing ground-truth labels for regression and classification machine learning algorithms that predict GEARS scores based on the recorded force, acceleration, and time signals. RESULTS Both machine learning approaches produced scores on the reserved testing sets that were in good to excellent agreement with the human raters, even when the force information was not considered. Furthermore, regression predicted GEARS scores more accurately and efficiently than classification. CONCLUSION A surgeon's skill at robotic peg transfer can be reliably rated via regression using features gathered from force, acceleration, and time sensors external to the robot. SIGNIFICANCE We expect improved trainee learning as a result of providing these automatic skill ratings during inanimate task practice on a surgical robot.
The toughening mechanism of nacre and structural materials inspired by nacre

Abstract The structure and the toughening mechanism of nacre have been the subject of intensive research over the last 30 years. This interest originates from nacre’s excellent combination of strength, stiffness and toughness, despite its high, for a biological material, volume fraction of inorganic phase, typically 95%. Owing to the improvement of nanoscale measurement and observation techniques, significant progress has been made during the last decade in understanding the mechanical properties of nacre. The structure, microscopic deformation behavior and toughening mechanism on the order of nanometers have been investigated, and the importance of hierarchical structure in nacre has been recognized. This research has led to the fabrication of multilayer composites and films inspired by nacre with a layer thickness below 1 μm. Some of these materials reproduce the inorganic/organic interaction and hierarchical structure beyond mere morphology mimicking. In the first part of this review, we focus on the hierarchical architecture, macroscopic and microscopic deformation and fracture behavior, as well as toughening mechanisms in nacre. Then we summarize recent progress in the fabrication of materials inspired by nacre taking into consideration its mechanical properties.
Numerical Investigation of Extreme Wave-Induced Loading on Box Girder in Marine Environment

In this paper, a 2D numerical model for wave-girder interaction was proposed to estimate the maximum wave forces on the box girder of a coastal bridge under extreme wave conditions. The Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were applied to simulate water wave motion and the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was used to track the free surface. In this study, the developed 2D numerical model was validated by first comparing with experimental data. Then, a set of parametric studies was conducted to examine the effects of the wave heights, wave periods, water depths and submerged coefficients on the wave force on the box girder under extreme wave conditions. Finally, a function to predict the extreme wave-induced forces on the box girder under various wave conditions was proposed for engineering practice.
Animals in a bacterial world, a new imperative for the life sciences

In the last two decades, the widespread application of genetic and genomic approaches has revealed a bacterial world astonishing in its ubiquity and diversity. This review examines how a growing knowledge of the vast range of animal–bacterial interactions, whether in shared ecosystems or intimate symbioses, is fundamentally altering our understanding of animal biology. Specifically, we highlight recent technological and intellectual advances that have changed our thinking about five questions: how have bacteria facilitated the origin and evolution of animals; how do animals and bacteria affect each other’s genomes; how does normal animal development depend on bacterial partners; how is homeostasis maintained between animals and their symbionts; and how can ecological approaches deepen our understanding of the multiple levels of animal–bacterial interaction. As answers to these fundamental questions emerge, all biologists will be challenged to broaden their appreciation of these interactions and to include investigations of the relationships between and among bacteria and their animal partners as we seek a better understanding of the natural world.
Detection of functional structures in isolated perfused pig heart: methods and technical principles

Light scattering in living heart tissue is mainly caused by mitochondria, but also by actin and myosin filaments, glycogen particles and others. In living tissue these subcellular structures are not stable but rather in a permanent change. Thus, one should be able to perceive the status of scattering structures by measurement of backscattered light in microvolumes. Our recent efforts aimed at detecting these structures by use of micro lightguides and scanning tissue spectroscopy technique (EMPHO II SSK) at isolated perfused pig hearts. The paper describes the technical principles of the scanning technique and gives an overview of our latest results.
Autonomous Vehicle Speed Control for Safe Navigation of Occluded Pedestrian Crosswalk

Both humans and the sensors on an autonomous vehicle have limited sensing capabilities. When these limitations coincide with scenarios involving vulnerable road users, it becomes important to account for these limitations in the motion planner. For the scenario of an occluded pedestrian crosswalk, the speed of the approaching vehicle should be a function of the amount of uncertainty on the roadway. In this work, the longitudinal controller is formulated as a partially observable Markov decision process and dynamic programming is used to compute the control policy. The control policy scales the speed profile to be used by a model predictive steering controller.
A next-generation antimicrobial wound dressing: a real-life clinical evaluation in the UK and Ireland.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of a new, next-generation antimicrobial dressing (NGAD; AQUACEL Ag+ EXTRA dressing) in managing wound exudate, infection and biofilm, and facilitating progression toward healing. METHOD Clinicians from the UK and Ireland selected stalled or deteriorating wounds that were considered to be compromised by infection and/or biofilm. Only the primary dressing was replaced by the NGAD, for up to 4 weeks or as deemed clinically appropriate; otherwise, standard protocols of care were used. Evaluation forms captured the baseline and final assessment characteristics of wound status, exudate levels, skin health, wound bed appearance, signs of infection and biofilm, and wound dimensions. RESULTS In all, 29 wounds were suitable for inclusion in the final analysis. Following the NGAD evaluation, wound statuses were shifted from stagnant/deteriorating to mainly improved, exudate levels were shifted from moderate/high to moderate/low, and skin health was improved in 20 wounds (69%). Wound bed tissue types were shifted from largely suspected biofilm/sloughy tissue (76%) to largely granulation tissue (53%). All signs of clinical infection were reduced in average frequency, with biofilm suspicion falling from 76% to 45% of the cases. The median management period with the NGAD was 4.5 weeks, after which 26 wounds (90%) became smaller in size and 10 wounds (34%) completely healed. CONCLUSION This real-life clinical evaluation of the NGAD suggests that its successful management of exudate, infection and biofilm is generally accompanied by notable improvements in wound health and size, and in some cases, complete healing. DECLARATION OF INTEREST The authors are all employed by ConvaTec Ltd. but have no other conflict of interest to declare. Dressings were provided to the clinicians free of charge.