gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of soft‐tissue response around laser microgrooved titanium percutaneous devices (2019)

Percutaneous devices are prone to epidermal downgrowth and sinus tract formation, which can serve as a nidus for bacterial colonization and increase the risk of peri-prosthetic infection. A laser microgrooved topography has been shown to limit gingival epidermal downgrowth around dental implants. However, the efficacy of this laser microgrooved topography to limit epidermal downgrowth around nongingival percutaneous devices is yet to be investigated. In this study, devices with a porous-coated subdermal component and a percutaneous post were designed and manufactured. The proximal 2 mm section of the percutaneous post were left smooth, or were textured with either a porous coating, or with the laser microgrooved topography. The smooth and porous topographies served as controls. The devices were tested in a hairless guinea pig back model, where 18 animals were randomly assigned into three groups, with each group receiving one implant type (n = 6/group). Four weeks postimplantation, the devices with surrounding soft-tissues were harvested and processed for histological analyses. Results indicated that the laser microgrooved topography failed to prevent epidermal downgrowth (23 ± 4%) around percutaneous posts in this model. Furthermore, no significant differences (p = 0.70) in epidermal downgrowth were present between the three topographies, with all the groups exhibiting similar measures of downgrowth. Overall, these findings suggest that the laser microgrooved topography may not halt downgrowth around percutaneous devices for dermal applications.
A phase II study of itraconazole in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. (2018)

362 Background: A subset of patients (pts) with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (BRPC) are at risk for metastasis and lethal outcomes, yet many pts wish to defer or avoid androgen deprivation therapy in this setting. Itraconazole has previously demonstrated anti-tumor activity in castration-resistant prostate cancer independent of modulation of circulating androgen levels. We therefore evaluated itraconazole in a phase 2 study in BRPC as a potentially non-castrating treatment approach. Methods: Pts with BRPC and PSA doubling time (PSADT) ≤ 15 months, without metastases on conventional imaging (whole body bone scan + CT/MRI of the abdomen/pelvis), were enrolled in a single arm phase 2 study. Itraconazole was dosed at 300 mg PO BID until PSA progression by PCWG2 criteria, unacceptable toxicity, or pt withdrawal. The primary endpoint was the proportion of pts who achieved ≥ 50% decline from baseline in serum PSA after 12 weeks of protocol therapy. Secondary endpoints included change in PSADT, adverse events (AEs) by CTCAE version 4.0, and change in serum androgens (including testosterone (T) and androstenedione (ASD) from baseline to week 12. Results: 21 pts were enrolled. The median age was 72 (range 54-76), median baseline PSA was 7.6 ng/mL (range 1.5 – 45.5), and median PSADT was 5.7 months (1.2 – 13.0). Median baseline serum T was 336 ng/dL (165-626). Among the 19 evaluable pts, 9 pts (47%) experienced a PSA decline (mean decline 25.0 %, range 2 – 60 %) by week 12, including one patient (5%) with &gt; 50% PSA decline. Among the 10 pts without a PSA decline, the mean on-treatment vs. pre-treatment PSADT was numerically longer (13.2 vs. 4.8 months, p = 0.17). There was no significant change from baseline to week 12 serum T (mean change = 1.9%, p = 0.77) or ASD levels (mean change = 6.1%, p = 0.83). The most common grade ≥ 3 AE was hypertension (29%); hypokalemia of any grade was also common (24%). Conclusions: Itraconazole can modulate serum PSA levels without lowering serum T in pts with BRPC. However, the magnitude of effect is modest and treatment carries an appreciable risk of toxicities related to mineralocorticoid excess. Exploration of the relationship between mineralocorticoid-related AEs, itraconazole drug levels, and clinical outcomes is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01787331.
Blood flow in the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane as assess by laser Doppler Blood Flowmetry (2000)

INTRODUCTION: Procedures within the external meatus and tympanum constitute a large part of otological surgery. Successful healing after procedures on the tympanic membrane will in large part be dependent on the integrity of local blood flow. However, there appear to have been relatively few studies investigating blood flow in the external auditory meatus and tympanum in normal subjects and those with conditions requiring surgery, e.g. tympanoplasty. The aim of this study is to obtain such data using Laser Doppler Blood Flowmetry. METHOD: Control volunteers (n = 30) and patients requiring tympanoplasty (n = 20) were recruited for the study. Laser Doppler Blood Flowmetry was performed in all patients using a commercially available system (Periflux 5000, Perimed AB, Sweden) at four sites: (1) preauricular skin; (2) cartilaginous ear canal; (3) bony ear canal; and (4) tympanic membrane. Mesotympanic temperature was also measured using a Braun Infrared thermometer. Blood flow (flux) was measured as RBC density 'speed following internal calibration. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that in both the control subjects and pretympanoplasty patients, the ranking of blood flow at the sites was 3, 2, 1 and 4 (highest to lowest). Comparing matched sites, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The amplitude of flow was not found to be correlated with mesotympanic temperature. CONCLUSION: Grafts applied to repair perforations of the tympanic membrane are likely to obtain the majority of their blood supply from the bony external auditory meatus rather than that tympanic membrane. Further studies are ongoing to define local blood flow patterns in order to optimize the results of tympanoplasty.
Incremental Focus of Attention: A Layered Approach to Robust Vision and Control (2009)

<P>Robust sensing is a crucial ingredient for robust robotics. This chapter considers an architecture called Incremental Focus of Attention (IFA) for real-time robot vision that robustly recovers from failures to track a target object. IFA is a state-based architecture for combining different tracking algorithms into a single system that is cognizant of its own degree of success.</P> <P>The states of an IFA system are used to issue <I>action prohibitions</I>, in which certain robot actions are suppressed when sensory information required to perform the actions is unavailable. Action prohibition is an intuitive way to integrate robust, failure-cognizant vision systems with almost any type of robot planning scheme. We present three examples of robot tasks with IFA and action prohibition, where the robots implement a range of planning paradigms, from reactive agents to more centrally controlled planners.</P>
Laryngeal sensitivity evaluation and dysphagia: Hospital Sírio-Libanês experience (2004)

Even considering that these results are preliminary, the endoscopic findings from laryngoscopy seem to be important in the diagnosis of proximal gastroesophageal reflux. Study of laryngeal sensitivity may have the potential for improving the knowledge and clinical management of dysphagia.
Real-time monitoring of thermal lensing of a multikilowatt fiber laser optical system (2012)

A laser beam waist analyzer system has been developed that permits the real time focal spot measurement of a high power fiber laser in excess of ten of kilowatts and the ability to monitor thermal lensing of a laser and its optical system. The analyzer can provide a laser's spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M-squared values inclusive of the optics used in the process application. The system is very compact, measures in real time with no moving parts by incorporating an all passive optical design to obtain spot diameter, M-squared, Rayleigh length, beam waist position at power levels in excess of 20 kW in less than one second from laser off to laser on.
&lt;title&gt;Shell manipulation: interactive alteration of multiple-material fuzzy structures&lt;/title&gt; (1995)

Shell rendering uses a recently described data structure, called a shell, for representing semi- transparent volumes. The shell is a generalization of the semi-boundary representation used for fast visualization, manipulation, and analysis of binary volumetric objects. Shell manipulation is an extension of the previously developed manipulation operations on binary objects to fuzzily defined objects. The paper describes algorithms for plane and curved cut-away, separation, and segmental movement operations. These operations are done interactively on volume renditions of the objects in a standard workstation environment using portable software.
Critical Heat Flux of Multi-Nozzle Spray Cooling (2004)

Tiny nozzles are developed that are capable of creating the swirling flow necessary to generate a full cone spray. Eight miniature nozzles are embedded in a multi-nozzle plate used to generate a spray array for the cooling of high heat flux laser diodes. The target spray cooling area is a 1×2 cm2 flat surface of a copper heater plate. A closed loop spray cooling test setup is established. FC-87, FC-72 and methanol are used as the working fluids. Critical heat flux (CHF) is experimentally investigated at various spray saturation temperatures and nozzle pressure drops (from 0.690 bar to 3.10 bar). It is demonstrated that the spray cooler can reach the CHF levels up to 91.5 W/cm2 with FC-87 and 490 W/cm2 with methanol.
Metastatic Osseous Pain Control: Bone Ablation and Cementoplasty (2017)

Nociceptive and/or neuropathic pain can be present in all phases of cancer (early and metastatic) and are not adequately treated in 56 to 82.3% of patients. In these patients, radiotherapy achieves overall pain responses (complete and partial responses combined) up to 60 and 61%. On the other hand, nowadays, ablation is included in clinical guidelines for bone metastases and the technique is governed by level I evidence. Depending on the location of the lesion in the peripheral skeleton, either the Mirels scoring or the Harrington (alternatively the Levy) grading system can be used for prophylactic fixation recommendation. As minimally invasive treatment options may be considered in patients with poor clinical status or limited life expectancy, the aim of this review is to detail the techniques proposed so far in the literature and to report the results in terms of safety and efficacy of ablation and cementoplasty (with or without fixation) for bone metastases. Percutaneous image-guided treatments appear as an interesting alternative for localized metastatic lesions of the peripheral skeleton.
Stray field ring resonators and a novel trough guide resonator for precise microwave moisture and density measurements (2007)

The paper first describes the design and construction of two different kinds of quasi-planar stray field ring resonators for microwave moisture and density measurements, which are typical for the state of the art, and then the practical performance of such sensors. The changes in resonant frequency and resonator bandwidth are utilized for the determination of the moisture content or the material's density. Nonlinear temperature behaviour is identified as a critical property of conventional stray field resonators, which restricts their measurement accuracy. A novel trough guide resonator is then presented which is entirely manufactured from a ring of alumina oxide ceramics and overcomes the temperature problems. The ring is metallized at its surface except at the front face, which permits a stray field to come into contact with the material under test. The described resonator is capable of withstanding considerable abrasive forces without having a protective cover. At the same time it shows excellent linear and predictive temperature behaviour, which allows precise compensation of the inherent temperature dependence of the resonator. Under constant environmental conditions, the sensibility and accuracy of the old and new resonator designs are exactly the same. However, at varying temperature, an error can be removed to a much higher extent for the new resonators, restricting deviations in the moisture content caused by temperature to typically less than 0.1%, as compared to errors of up to several per cent for the previous designs over a temperature range of ∼20–50 °C.
A <i>Pseudomonas stutzeri</i> gene cluster encoding the biosynthesis of the CCl <sub>4</sub> ‐dechlorination agent pyridine‐2,6‐bis(thiocarboxylic acid) (2000)

A spontaneous mutant of Pseudomonas stutzeri strain KC lacked the carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) transformation ability of wild‐type KC. Analysis of restriction digests separated by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) indicated that the mutant strain CTN1 differed from strain KC by deletion of approximately 170 kb of chromosomal DNA. CTN1 did not produce pyridine‐2,6‐bis(thiocarboxylic acid) (PDTC), the agent determined to be responsible for CCl 4 dechlorination in cultures of strain KC. Cosmids from a genomic library of strain KC containing DNA from within the deleted region were identified by hybridization with a 148 kb genomic Spe I fragment absent in strain CTN1. Several cosmids identified in this manner were further screened for complementation of the PDTC biosynthesis‐negative (Pdt − ) phenotype. One cosmid (pT31) complemented the Pdt − phenotype of CTN1 and conferred CCl 4 transformation activity and PDTC production upon other pseudomonads. Southern analysis showed that none of three other P. stutzeri strains representing three genomovars contained DNA that would hybridize with the 25 746 bp insert of pT31. Transposon mutagenesis of pT31 identified open reading frames (ORFs) whose disruption affected the ability to make PDTC in the strain CTN1 background. These data describe the pdt locus of strain KC as residing in a non‐essential region of the chromosome subject to spontaneous deletion. The pdt locus is necessary for PDTC biosynthesis in strain KC and is sufficient for PDTC biosynthesis by other pseudomonads but is not a common feature of P. stutzeri strains.
Myocardial tagging during real-time MRI (2005)

The advent of high performance gradients and parallel imaging schemes has made real-time MRI a stable mode of scanning. Cardiac tagging techniques have been shown to give extremely precise and accurate estimates of the evaluation of myocardial function. We have implemented a real-time mode of MRI that allows myocardial tagging to be performed without breath-holds, or gating. This will make the quantitative evaluation of myocardial function simpler in those patients with arrhythmias and those who cannot hold their breath.
Understanding Anaplasmataceae pathogenesis using â€œOmicsâ€ approaches (2014)

This paper examines how "Omics" approaches improve our understanding of Anaplasmataceae pathogenesis, through a global and integrative strategy to identify genes and proteins involved in biochemical pathways key for pathogen-host-vector interactions. The Anaplasmataceae family comprises obligate intracellular bacteria mainly transmitted by arthropods. These bacteria are responsible for major human and animal endemic and emerging infectious diseases with important economic and public health impacts. In order to improve disease control strategies, it is essential to better understand their pathogenesis. Our work focused on four Anaplasmataceae, which cause important animal, human and zoonotic diseases: Anaplasma marginale, A. phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and E. ruminantium. Wolbachia spp. an endosymbiont of arthropods was also included in this review as a model of a non-pathogenic Anaplasmataceae. A gap analysis on "Omics" approaches on Anaplasmataceae was performed, which highlighted a lack of studies on the genes and proteins involved in the infection of hosts and vectors. Furthermore, most of the studies have been done on the pathogen itself, mainly on infectious free-living forms and rarely on intracellular forms. In order to perform a transcriptomic analysis of the intracellular stage of development, researchers developed methods to enrich bacterial transcripts from infected cells. These methods are described in this paper. Bacterial genes encoding outer membrane proteins, post-translational modifications, eukaryotic repeated motif proteins, proteins involved in osmotic and oxidative stress and hypothetical proteins have been identified to play a key role in Anaplasmataceae pathogenesis. Further investigations on the function of these outer membrane proteins and hypothetical proteins will be essential to confirm their role in the pathogenesis. Our work underlines the need for further studies in this domain and on host and vector responses to infection.
Multilateral Transference Relationship and Therapeutic Regression–A Case Report (1995)

In this work, we have presented the treatment of a young woman with a psychotic character disorder, and we have described the multilateral transference configuration that derived from the treatment of this disorder. We have described some of the manifestations of this multivalent transference, and have described some aspects of its role in the patient's treatment. The theoretical background has been outlined. Although this transference configuration is relatively unique, we think that the nature of the treatment team that arose in this situation might have treatment implications for others with this disorder.
Software-Based Phase Control, Video-Rate Imaging, and Real-Time Mosaicing With a Lissajous-Scanned Confocal Microscope (2019)

We present software-based methods for automatic phase control and for mosaicing high-speed, Lissajous-scanned images. To achieve imaging speeds fast enough for mosaicing, we first increase the image update rate tenfold from 3 to 30 Hz, then vertically interpolate each sparse image in real-time to eliminate fixed pattern noise. We validate our methods by imaging fluorescent beads and automatically maintaining phase control over the course of one hour. We then image fixed mouse brain tissues at varying update rates and compare the resulting mosaics. Using reconstructed image data as feedback for phase control eliminates the need for phase sensors and feedback controllers, enabling long-term imaging experiments without additional hardware. Mosaicing subsampled images results in video-rate imaging speeds, nearly fully recovered spatial resolution, and millimeter-scale fields of view.
Three-Dimensional Stereophotogrammetry in the Evaluation of Craniosynostosis: Current and Potential Use Cases (2021)

Three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry is a novel imaging technique that has gained popularity in the medical field as a reliable, non-invasive, and radiation-free imaging modality. It uses optical sensors to acquire multiple 2D images from different angles which are reconstructed into a 3D digital model of the subject's surface. The technique proved to be especially useful in craniofacial applications, where it serves as a tool to overcome the limitations imposed by conventional imaging modalities and subjective evaluation methods. The capability to acquire high-dimensional data in a quick and safe manner and archive them for retrospective longitudinal analyses, provides the field with a methodology to increase the understanding of the morphological development of the cranium, its growth patterns and the effect of different treatments over time.This review describes the role of 3D stereophotogrammetry in the evaluation of craniosynostosis, including reliability studies, current and potential clinical use cases, and practical challenges. Finally, developments within the research field are analyzed by means of bibliometric networks, depicting prominent research topics, authors, and institutions, to stimulate new ideas and collaborations in the field of craniofacial 3D stereophotogrammetry.We anticipate that utilization of this modality's full potential requires a global effort in terms of collaborations, data sharing, standardization, and harmonization. Such developments can facilitate larger studies and novel deep learning methods that can aid in reaching an objective consensus regarding the most effective treatments for patients with craniosynostosis and other craniofacial anomalies, and to increase our understanding of these complex dysmorphologies and associated phenotypes.
Color correction in the infrared using gradient-index materials (2013)

The ability of gradient index (GRIN) materials to correct color in the infrared is explored. An overview of GRIN materials is provided, including a review of the most common index profiles (axial, radial, and spherical). Due to the high potential for color correction, a design study is carried out to compare a single ZnS/ZnSe GRIN element’s imaging performance to that of homogeneous singlets and doublets. A radial GRIN element is able to correct axial color and provide superior performance over an aspheric homogeneous singlet and offer a reduction in weight when compared to a homogeneous doublet. The ZnS/ZnSe GRIN is also shown to be superior to other infrared GRIN materials between 3 and 5 μm.
First In-Human Burst Wave Lithotripsy for Kidney Stone Comminution: Initial Two Case Studies (2020)

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> To test the effectiveness (Participant A) and tolerability (Participant B) of urinary stone comminution in the first-in-human trial of a new technology, burst-wave lithotripsy (BWL). <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> An investigational BWL and ultrasonic propulsion system was used to target a 7-mm kidney stone in the operating room before ureteroscopy (Participant A). The same system was used to target a 7.5 mm ureterovesical junction stone in clinic without anesthesia (Participant B). <b><i>Results:</i></b> For Participant A, a ureteroscope inserted after 9 minutes of BWL observed fragmentation of the stone to <2 mm fragments. Participant B tolerated the procedure without pain from BWL, required no anesthesia, and passed the stone on day 15. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The first-in-human tests of BWL pulses were successful in that a renal stone was comminuted in <10 minutes, and BWL was also tolerated by an awake subject for a distal ureteral stone. Clinical Trial NCT03873259 and NCT02028559.
Texture-lobes for tree modelling (2011)

We present a lobe-based tree representation for modeling trees. The new representation is based on the observation that the tree's foliage details can be abstracted into canonical geometry structures, termed lobe-textures. We introduce techniques to (i) approximate the geometry of given tree data and encode it into a lobe-based representation, (ii) decode the representation and synthesize a fully detailed tree model that visually resembles the input. The encoded tree serves as a light intermediate representation, which facilitates efficient storage and transmission of massive amounts of trees, e.g., from a server to clients for interactive applications in urban environments. The method is evaluated by both reconstructing laser scanned trees (given as point sets) as well as re-representing existing tree models (given as polygons).
Single parameter model for cosmic scale photon redshift in a closed Universe (2021)

Abstract A successful single parameter model has been formulated to match the observations of photons from type 1a supernovae which were previously used to corroborate the standard 𝛬 cold dark matter model. The new single parameter model extrapolates all the way back to the cosmic background radiation (CMB) without requiring a separate model to describe inflation of the space dimensions after the Big Bang. The model for the redshift progression of a photon is: 1 + z =\(\frac{\text{sin}\left(\frac{13.8}{T}\right)\pi /2}{\text{sin}\left(\frac{t}{T}\right)\pi /2}\) T is the fitted parameter and t is the time when the photon was emitted, both measured in billions of years from time zero in the Big Bang. The angle is expressed in radians. The number 13.8 should be updated if an improved estimate for the time elapsed since the Big Bang is found. The single parameter model assumes that spacetime forms a finite symmetrical manifold with positive curvature.