Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequential epiretinal membrane removal with internal limiting membrane peeling in brilliant blue G-assisted macular surgery

Purpose To assess the selectivity of brilliant blue G (BBG) staining by analysing the morphological components of unstained and stained tissue obtained during epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in BBG-assisted macular surgery. Methods Twenty-six surgical specimens were removed from 13 eyes with epiretinal gliosis during vitrectomy using BBG for ERM and ILM peeling. We included eyes with idiopathic macular pucker, idiopathic macular hole and vitreomacular traction syndrome. The dye was injected into the fluid-filled globe. Unstained and stained epiretinal tissue was harvested consecutively and placed into separate containers. All specimens were processed for conventional transmission electron microscopy. Results The first surgical specimen of all eyes showed no intraoperative staining with BBG and corresponded to masses of cells and collagen. The second surgical specimen demonstrated good staining characteristics and corresponded to the ILM in all patients included. In seven eyes, the ILM specimens were seen with minor cell proliferations such as single cells or a monolayer of cells. Myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and astrocytes were present. In five cases, native vitreous collagen fibrils were found at the ILM. In six of the eyes, ILM specimens were blank. Conclusion Our clinicopathological correlation underlines the selective staining properties of BBG. The residual ILM is selectively stained by BBG even when a small amount of cells and collagen adheres to its vitreal side. To reduce the retinal exposure to the dye, the surgeon might choose to remove the ERM without using the dye, followed by a BBG injection to identify residual ILM.
Phosphopeptide enrichment by IEF

In our efforts to improve the identification of phosphopeptides by MS we have used peptide IEF on IPG strips. Phosphopeptides derived from trypsin digests of single proteins as well as complex cellular protein mixtures can be enriched by IEF and recovered in excellent yields at the acidic end of an IPG strip. IPG peptide fractionation in combination with MS/MS analysis has allowed us to identify phosphopeptides from tryptic digests of a cellular protein extract.
Chitosan/bioactive glass nanoparticles composites for biomedical applications

Nanocomposite films based on a chitosan blend with bioactive glass nanoparticles (BG-NPs) with different formulations, namely SiO2:CaO:P2O5(mol.%) = 55:40:5 and SiO2:CaO:P2O5:MgO(mol.%) = 64:26:5:5 were produced in order to develop systems with applicability in guided tissue regeneration. The zeta (ζ)-potential of the BG-NPs containing magnesium was found to be lower than the other formulation and the corresponding composite with chitosan was the most hydrophilic. The bioactive character of the biomaterials was also assessed in vitro by immersion of the materials in simulated body fluid, followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy evaluations. SaOs-2 osteoblastic-like cells were seeded on the different nanocomposites and their behavior was followed by SEM observations, cytotoxicity assessments, DNA quantification and alkaline phosphatase analysis. The introduction of the inorganic component in the chitosan matrix had a positive effect on the biological response of the membranes. The developed nanocomposite films are potential candidates for regenerating damaged bone tissue and could be useful in orthopedic and maxillo-facial applications.
GGF2 (Nrg1‐β3) treatment enhances NG2+ cell response and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury

The adult spinal cord contains a pool of endogenous glial precursor cells, which spontaneously respond to spinal cord injury (SCI) with increased proliferation. These include oligodendrocyte precursor cells that express the NG2 proteoglycan and can differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. Thus, a potential approach for SCI treatment is to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of these cells to yield more functional mature glia and improve remyelination of surviving axons. We previously reported that soluble glial growth factor 2 (GGF2)‐ and basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)‐stimulated growth of NG2+ cells purified from injured spinal cord in primary culture. This study examines the effects of systemic administration of GGF2 and/or FGF2 after standardized contusive SCI in vivo in both rat and mouse models. In Sprague‐Dawley rats, 1 week of GGF2 administration, beginning 24 h after injury, enhanced NG2+ cell proliferation, oligodendrogenesis, chronic white matter at the injury epicenter, and recovery of hind limb function. In 2′,3′‐cyclic‐nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase‐enhanced green fluorescent protein mice, GGF2 treatment resulted in increased oligodendrogenesis and improved functional recovery, as well as elevated expression of the stem cell transcription factor Sox2 by oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Although oligodendrocyte number was increased chronically after SCI in GGF2‐treated mice, no evidence of increased white matter was detected. However, GGF2 treatment significantly increased levels of P0 protein‐containing peripheral myelin, produced by Schwann cells that infiltrate the injured spinal cord. Our results suggest that GGF2 may have therapeutic potential for SCI by enhancing endogenous recovery processes in a clinically relevant time frame. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and Experimental Verification of the Nonlinear Distortion in a Technique for Measuring the Relative Velocity Between Micromachined Structures in Normal Translational Motion

Applications exist for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices where the measurement or estimation of the relative velocity, or at least the direction of instantaneous relative velocity, between two microstructures in normal translational motion is required. A technique for directly measuring the relative velocity has not been available. This paper presents a technique for directly measuring the relative velocity between two microstructures in normal translational motion. The technique consists of measuring the current flowing into the capacitance formed between the two microstructures when a constant voltage is applied across them. The technique and the resulting nonlinear distortion in the velocity measurement are characterized. A prototype relative velocity sensor is fabricated and evaluated to verify the measurement technique
Micro- and Macrointegration Profiles for Medical Devices and Medical IT Systems

Collecting, saving, and providing patient data are essential processes of documentation in a hospital. Many IT systems have evolved to provide solutions in this area. The automatic transfer of medical device data to these information systems is a new challenge for hospital IT systems. Some vendors are focused on the integration of medical IT systems and medical devices. They provide great solutions with magnificent features. Nevertheless, those integration solutions are proprietary and isolated, limiting the operator's selection of his medical devices and medical IT systems. Standardizing communication processes within the operating room and between medical devices and medical IT systems brings benefits for both patient and hospital staff. This work identifies and proposes micro- and macrointegration profiles as a basis for new IHE Integration Profiles for both medical IT systems and medical devices of the operating room.
An overview of psychological functioning in systemic lupus erythematosus

This article provides an overview of the role of psychological factors and psychiatric disorders in the adjustment to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and how to conceptualize their relationship with disease activity. Depression and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in SLE. Depression poses a variety of health risks for afflicted patients and is associated with increased healthcare utilization and work disability. In addition, research has also shown that factors such as illness beliefs, coping, social support and life stress affect SLE health outcomes, highlighting the need for psychological screening and management. The contribution of psychological factors and disease activity to lupus fatigue is analyzed, emphasizing the importance of a multidimensional approach to understanding this troublesome symptom that affects the majority of SLE patients. At present, there is little behavioral intervention research in SLE. The findings suggest that a closer alliance between rheumatology, behavioral medic.
[Improved accuracy and precision of the automated shaver (navigated control) in functional endoscopic sinus surgery].

BACKGROUND The feasibility of a navigate-controlled Shaver for the paranasal sinus surgery was proven in an initial study. Deficits showed up in the conversion of the planed cavity. Goal of this study is (1) the development and evaluation of a FESS demonstrator for the investigations to the surgical accuracy and (2) the evaluation of the resulting surgical accuracy for registration and conversion of the work space with an improved rigidity of the Shaver and a completely revised study design. METHODS As a demonstrator for the navigate-controlled resection of a volume through the Shaver a two-piece plastic head with an anatomical head and soft tissue model was designed. The investigation of the surgical accuracy takes place with 417 measurements to 4 different fiducial markers on the demonstrator head. The measurements for the deviation of the resulting cavity from the planned volume was realised with a work space by 24 x 24 x 30 mm. The 5 walls of the cavity were seized with 80 measuring points for each level and thus altogether 2000 measured values (5 models x 5 levels x 200 points). RESULTS The described demonstrator showed itself suitable for the close-to-application attempts to the surgical accuracy. The maximum deviation A (max) indicated position of the Shaver from the reference value amounted to 1,93 mm. The maximum average value of the exceeding of a planned cavity amounts to 1,62 mm. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results a virtual safety passage of 2.00 mm is sufficient. The study refers the clinical serviceability of the navigate-controlled Shaver in paranasal sinus surgery.
Benchmarking a Wide Range of Chemical Descriptors for Drug‐Target Interaction Prediction Using a Chemogenomic Approach

The identification of drug‐target interactions, or interactions between drug candidate compounds and target candidate proteins, is a crucial process in genomic drug discovery. In silico chemogenomic methods are recently recognized as a promising approach for genome‐wide scale prediction of drug‐target interactions, but the prediction performance depends heavily on the descriptors and similarity measures of drugs and proteins. In this paper, we investigated the performance of various descriptors and similarity measures of drugs and proteins for the drug‐target interaction prediction using a chemogenomic approach. We compared the prediction accuracy of 18 chemical descriptors of drugs (e.g., ECFP, FCFP,E‐state, CDK, KlekotaRoth, MACCS, PubChem, Dragon, KCF‐S, and graph kernels) and 4 descriptors of proteins (e.g., amino acid composition, domain profile, local sequence similarity, and string kernel) on about one hundred thousand drug‐target interactions. We examined the combinatorial effects of drug descriptors and protein descriptors using the same benchmark data under several experimental conditions. Large‐scale experiments showed that our proposed KCF‐S descriptor worked the best in terms of prediction accuracy. The comparative results are expected to be useful for selecting chemical descriptors in various pharmaceutical applications.
Controlling action research projects

Action research (AR), which emphasises collaboration between researchers and practitioners, is a qualitative research method that has much potential for the information systems (IS) field. AR studies of IS phenomena are now beginning to be published in the IS research literature. However, the rigour of many AR studies in IS can be improved. When AR has been published, the findings have frequently been emphasised at the expense of the process. In this article, we look at the process in AR projects, and look at some of the key choices and alternatives in controlling AR. We discuss three aspects of control: the procedures for initiating an AR project, those for determining authority within the project, and the degree of formalisation. We analyse seven recent AR projects in IS and from this analysis distil recommendations for determining these control structures.
Simulation of matrix converter based DC-DC converter

This paper presents simulation of DC-DC converter with matrix converter as its basic topology. The proposed converter performs the four quadrant chopper operation. This topology can perform many different converter functions. This DC-DC converter can be utilized in speed control of dc motor in electric automobiles and traction where supply is dc voltage. The simulation model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Pulse width modulation technique is used for output synthesis of the converter. The analysis of converter was done considering resistive and inductive both loads separately.
Diplacusis. I. Historical review.

DIPLACUSIS or double hearing is the phenomenon of hearing the same tone at a different pitch in each ear. It is far more prevalent than formerly realized and can now be detected with considerable accuracy by expressing the degree of diplacusis as the percentage of deviation from the other ear. A person with normal hearing may have from 1% to 2% deviation of their tone perception which may vary with fatigue and exposure to noise. Tuning forks have long been used to indicate the presence of diplacusis. Variable frequency audio-oscillators permit accurate measurements for matching identical tones. Diplacusis was first reported in 1907 by Shambaugh, Sr., 1 to be caused by a slight alteration in the mass of the delicate tectorial membrane causing it to respond in a different area than normal. He claimed that temporary "tinnitus aurium" was due to increased endolymphatic pressure whether caused by stapedial displacement, hypertension,
Latent classes of posttraumatic stress and growth

Background and Objectives: Potentially traumatic events may lead to different patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth. The objective of the present study was to identify subgroups with different patterns of posttraumatic reactions, and to determine whether these subgroups differed in terms of personal and social resources and indicators of adjustment. Design: This study used survey data collected 10 months after the 2011 Oslo bombing attack to investigate patterns of reactions among ministerial employees (N = 1970). Methods: We applied latent class analyses with covariates to extract subgroups of individuals. Results: Three classes of individual reactions were extracted, and these were similar among those who were and those who were not physically proximate to the bombing attack: “High stress/high growth” (27% and 11%, respectively), “Low stress/high growth” (74% and 42%, respectively), and “Low stress/low growth” (only among the not physically proximate: 47%). The classes differed in terms of gender, neuroticism, and social support as well as life satisfaction and daily functioning. Conclusions: Heterogeneous patterns of posttraumatic reactions were found. Physical proximity is not necessary to experience posttraumatic stress or growth after political violence. Among individuals with low stress, posttraumatic growth may not encompass higher life satisfaction or functioning.
Design of Ultrathin LTCC Coupled Inductors for Compact DC/DC Converters

It is found out that using reverse coupled inductors could effectively improve power density and dynamic performance of multiphase interleaved point of load converters. Thus, it is of great significance to conduct a research about design and fabrication of ultrathin coupled inductors for system 3-D integration. The aim of this paper is to explore the structures, modeling, and fabrication of ultrathin coupled inductors based on low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. Four structures classified by shapes and relative positions of windings are introduced and compared. Simple but effective analytic models are set up to calculate self-inductance, leakage inductance, and coupling coefficient for quick design, and a design guideline is summarized according to the models. We made a 1.3-mm-thick LTCC coupled inductor and two competing coil coupled inductors, and compared their characteristics and performance. They are tested in a 12-V input and 1.2-V/40-A output two-phase interleaved buck converter at three different switching frequencies. Core loss and winding loss of the inductors are quantified by simulation. Compared with conventional coil coupled inductors, the LTCC coupled inductor has higher power density and light load efficiency. Besides, it could also help to improve the transient performance of converters for its higher coupling coefficient.
Protection mechanisms for blast furnace crucible using titanium oxides

In modern steelmaking the duration of a working campaign for a blast furnace is related to the life of the crucible. Adding titanium oxide has been a frequent practice in the operation routines for modern blast furnaces, seeking the protection of the crucible walls, independently from its physical or chemical characteristics. These practices, as conventional operation of iron and steelmaking installations, present both advantages as well as undesirable consequences. The work proposes the incorporation of rutile (TiO2) or illmenite (FeO·TiO2) in the refractory matrix of the linings, as a practice that results in a protection of the crucible without altering, under any circumstance, the regular operation of the installation.
Performance and reliability analysis of Small Cell Networks with retrials and different breakdowns disciplines: A computational approach

The ever-increasing number of customers and the need for higher data rates and multimedia services require the deployment of Small Cell Networks. In this paper, we propose a new computational approach to study performance and reliability of Small Cell Networks, taking into account the retrial phenomenon, the finite number of customers (mobiles) served in a cell and the random breakdowns of the base station channels, using the Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets (GSPNs) model as a support. However, one of the major drawbacks of this high-level formalism in performance evaluation of large networks is the state space explosion problem which increases when considering repeated calls and multiple unreliable channels. Hence, the novelty of this investigation is the presentation of an approach which allows a direct computing of the infinitesimal generator describing the customers behavior and channels allocation in as small cell, without generating nor storing the reachability set. In addition, we develop the formulas of the main stationary reliability and performance indices as a function of the network parameters, the stationary probabilities and independently of the reachability set markings.
Ulam herbs: A review on the medicinal properties of Anacardium occidentale and Barringtonia racemosa

In Southeast Asia, the young leaves of ulam herbs are consumed raw as condiment. The regular intake of ulam is believed to assist in preventing degenerative diseases, delaying aging and improving overall health. In this review, the current knowledge on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of two ulam herbs of Anacardium occidentale (cashew) and Barringtonia racemosa (putat) is updated with some description of their botany and uses. Flavonoids and phenolic acids are the major metabolites of leaves in both species. Leaves of A. occidentale possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-tyrosinase and anti-quorum sensing activities. Methyl gallate isolated from cashew leaves showed potent anti-quorum sensing properties. Other pharmacological properties of cashew leaves include cytotoxic, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, anti-cholesterolemic, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-hypertensive, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These bioactivities affirm that cashew leaves have medicinal values, and confer their traditional uses as food and medicine. For B. racemosa, only pharmacological properties of antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities have been reported in the leaves unlike other plant parts that have many more bioactivities. However, excessive consumption of these two ulam herbs may be detrimental to human health due to their toxic effects.
Wdr5 Is Essential for Osteoblast Differentiation*

Wdr5 is developmentally expressed in osteoblasts and accelerates osteoblast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. To address whether Wdr5 is essential for osteoblast differentiation, plasmid-based small interfering RNAs were used to stably suppress endogenous Wdr5 protein levels in MC3T3-E1 cells. Reduction of endogenous Wdr5 levels markedly inhibited osteoblast differentiation, evidenced by a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity, Runx-2 and osteocalcin mRNAs, and absence of mineralized matrix formation. Wdr5 suppression also resulted in a reduction of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation, confirming its critical role in this modification. Because Wdr5 overexpression enhances canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblasts in vivo, the effects of Wdr5 silencing on this pathway were examined. The expression of the canonical Wnt target gene, c-myc, was decreased, whereas that of sfrp2, which is repressed by Wnt signaling, was increased with Wdr5 knockdown. Although only a minimal increase in apoptosis was observed, the antiapoptotic effect of Wnt signaling was also impaired with Wdr5 silencing. The expression of canonical Wnts was significantly decreased with Wdr5 knockdown, resulting in a decrease in nuclear β-catenin protein levels. Activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway did not overcome the effects of Wdr5 knockdown on the expression of Wnt target genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that Wdr5 is present on the Wnt1 promoter and on canonical Wnt response elements of the c-myc and Runx-2 promoters. These studies demonstrate that Wdr5 suppression interferes with the canonical Wnt signaling pathway at multiple stages and that optimal Wdr5 levels are required for induction of the osteoblast phenotype.
Morton's Neuroma: A Microscopic Evaluation

Microscopic evaluation of the interdigital neuroma is described in 24 nerves which were evaluated at six cross-section areas for size of the nerve and width of the perineural along with the fascicle diameter and the size and number of blood vessels inside each fascicle. A relationship was noted between the level of the distal edge of the intermetatarsal ligament. Cross-section that was taken at that area showed changes distally in nerve diameter, fascicle number and size, blood vessel number and size, and perineural width. These changes are consistent with the interdigital neuroma as an entrapment condition.