128 research outputs found
Fate of Bone Marrow-Derived Stromal Cells injected into Cell- depleted Intervertebral Disc in Physiological Organ Culture
No full textCell Repopulation of the frozen intervertebral disc by bone marrow derived stromal cells
No full textThe influence of surface canopy water on the relationship between L-band backscatter and biophysical variables in agricultural monitoring
No full textThe presence of surface water on the canopy affects radar backscatter. However, its influence on the relationship between radar backscatter and crop biophysical parameters has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to quantify the influence of surface canopy water (SCW) on the relationship between L-band radar backscatter and biophysical variables of interest in agricultural monitoring. In this study, we investigated the effect of SCW on the relationship between co- and cross-polarized radar backscatter, cross ratios (VH/VV and HV/HH), and radar vegetation index (RVI) and dry biomass, vegetation water content (VWC), plant height and leaf area index (LAI). In addition, the effect of SCW on estimated vegetation optical depth (VOD) and its relationship with internal VWC was investigated. The analysis was based on data collected during a field experiment in Florida, USA in 2018. A corn field was scanned with a truck-mounted, fully polarimetric, L-band radar along with continuous monitoring of SCW (dew, interception) and soil moisture every 15 min for 58 days. In addition, pre-dawn destructive sampling was conducted to measure internal vegetation water content and dry biomass. Results showed that the presence of SCW can increase the radar backscatter up to 2 dB and this effect was lower for cross ratios (CRs) and RVI. The Spearman's rank correlations between radar observables and biophysical parameters were, on average, 0.2 higher for dry vegetation compared to wet vegetation. The estimated VOD from wet vegetation was generally higher than those from dry vegetation, which led to different fitting parameter (so-called b) values in the linear fit between VOD and VWC. The results presented here underscore the importance of considering the influence of SCW on the retrieval of biophysical variables of interest in agricultural monitoring. In particular, they highlight the importance of overpass time, and the impact that daily patterns in dew and interception can have on the retrieval of biophysical variables of interest.Mathematical Geodesy and PositioningWater Resource
Economic Evaluation of New Technologies and Promotions in the Australian Sheep and Wool Industries
No full textKnowledge about the size and distribution of returns from alternative broad types of R&D and promotion investments permit strategic-level decisions about resource allocation, both within and across research programs. The Australian sheep meat and wool industries are characterised by strong cross-commodity relationships due to the joint product nature of the industries. An equilibrium displacement model of the Australian sheep meat and wool industries was developed to account for these relationships and any indirect benefits and costs arising from spill-over and feedback effects between the industries as a result of research-induced innovation or promotion. The potential annual returns and their distribution among the various industry sectors were estimated from different hypothetical investment scenarios to demonstrate the model's relevance to R&D and promotion policy and decision-making.Australian sheep and wool industries, equilibrium displacement model, cross-commodity relationships, R&D and promotion evaluation, Livestock Production/Industries,
An update on cancer after kidney transplantation
No full textThe emergence of onconephrology in recent years highlights the importance of the interaction between kidney disease and cancer. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cancer are linked with each other in different ways bidirectionally: cancer can cause CKD, whereas CKD itself may be a risk factor for cancer. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have a 2- to 3-fold increased cancer risk when compared with the general population. The elevated risk covers a wide range of cancers. Some are related to CKD, including cancers of the kidney, urinary tract and thyroid, whereas others are related to oncogenic viruses that include non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cervical cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma. There is no standard protocol regarding how immunosuppressive drugs should be adjusted in patients who develop posttransplant cancers. However, any modification of immunosuppressive regimens should be balanced against the risk of allograft rejection or deterioration in kidney function. Cancer surveillance can be used as a strategy to improve the clinical outcome in KTRs. Although guidelines adopted in the general population have been used as the reference, a personalized approach based on individual cancer risk, life expectancy and concurrent comorbidities has to be adopted.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
Oncology in nephrology comes of age: A focus on chronic dialysis patients
No full textDialysis is the commonest modality of renal replacement therapy for patients suffering from end‐stage kidney disease. Different registry studies showed that the risks of overall cancer occurrence were significantly higher in chronic dialysis patients than in the age‐matched general population. However, the frequency and pattern of different cancers may vary among different geographical areas. Since chronic dialysis patients tend to have multiple comorbidities and a shorter life expectancy, routine cancer screening in all dialysis patients may not be cost‐effective; rather screening should be personalized according to the patient's expected survival, candidacy for kidney transplant together with patient preferences.link_to_OA_fulltex
Life cycle assessment of stone buildings in the Taihang mountains of Hebei province: Evolution towards cleaner production and operation
No full textThe building sector has gained significant attention due to its remarkably high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In China's rural areas, stone is a popular building material, but there are unprecedented demands to improve the life-cycle performance of stone buildings. It is essential to preserve the original architectural features while evolving towards a cleaner production and operation. This study implements a field survey in the Taihang Mountains of Hebei province. The improvement of stone extraction methods and the evolution of three stone wall styles are collected and developed. Thermal transmittances of three stone walls are measured and modeled. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is conducted, and the results are compared to show their environmental performance in the embodiment and operation phases. Their life cycle inventories, including stone extraction, are developed. One representative building style sample is developed for the cooling and heating energy requirement simulation in the DesignBuilder. Based on the inventories, conducting life cycle impact assessment shows various environmental profiles in their whole life cycles. From the outcomes, the stone cladding wall (SCW) outperforms the other stone walls in both the embodiment and operation phases. However, its relatively high cost is a challenge for an individual house owner. This study proves the SCW is more sustainable, providing a basis for the choice of stone wall style in the future construction.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Architectural Technolog
The corrosion behavior of mild steel in soft alkaline cooling water in relation to phosphorus-free corrosion inhibitors
No full textWater as a coolant for industrial products or processes is widely used. Efficient operation of Open Recirculating Cooling Water Systems (ORCWS) relies on controlled cooling water conditioning programs that prevent corrosion, fouling, scaling and microbial growth. Water intensive industries feel greater pressure to decrease their water demand as water resources become increasingly stressed and discharge restrictions become more stringent. Soft alkaline cooling water (SACW) might be a good alternative for the conventional water and chemicals intensive ORCWS operation. However, this type of water requires complete reevaluation of the conditioning programs. Therefore, this research focused on the corrosion processes in SACW and a beginning was made in evaluating non-toxic and phosphorus-free corrosion inhibitors.The research comprised the production of synthetic cooling water (SCW) and the evaluation of corrosion of mild steel in this type of water, with and without inhibitors. The selected corrosion inhibitors were NovoTraqua® without phosphorus (NT0) and sodium silicate (Si200). PHREEQC simulation were used to validate the SCW composition. A desk study was carried out to evaluate the applicability of corrosion indices. The average corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency were determined by mass loss tests of mild steel specimens with an immersion time of up to 4 weeks. The development of passivity was followed by open circuit potential (OCP) measurements. The pitting susceptibility was tested using cyclic potentiodynamic anodic polarization (CPP) measurements. 3D digital microscopy, SEM/EDS and XRD were used to evaluate the surface morphology and the composition of the top layer. The addition of NT0 or Si200 to the SCW resulted in the inhibition of uniform corrosion but no complete protection against localized corrosion was realized. Si200 was the best performing inhibitor, also for inhibiting crevice corrosion. The immersion of mild steel in SCW resulted in natural passivation by the formation of a Fe2O3 oxide layer. The SCW did not have the ability to immediately repassivate the specimens after localized breakdown of the protecting passivating layer. The addition of NT0 or Si200 reduced the aggressiveness of the environments at the pits but did not accomplish complete repassivation. Lab experiments with SCW can provide initial insights in the behavior of mild steel and can contribute to the decision making in more cost intensive research on alternative operation of ORCWS. Better understanding of the protection mechanisms would be obtained when more advanced techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) are used. Although cooling water corrosion inhibition by means of silica is a mature research topic, it is recommended to proceed with research on silica as a corrosion inhibitor in the specific conditions of SACW. Water Management | Sanitary Engineerin
Minimizing cryopreservation-induced loss of disc cell activity for storage of whole intervertebral discs
No full textSevere intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration often requires disc excision and spinal fusion, which leads to loss of spinal segment mobility. Implantation of an allograft disc or tissue engineered disc construct emerges as an alternative to artificial disc replacement for preserving the motion of the degenerated level. Establishment of a bank of cadaveric or engineered cryopreserved discs enables size matching, and facilitates clinical management. However, there is a lack of understanding of the behaviour of disc cells during cryopreservation, as well as how to maximize their survival, such that disc graft properties can be preserved. Here, we report on the effect of alterations in cooling rates, cryoprotective agents (CPAs), and duration of pre-cryopreservation incubation in CPA on cellular activity in whole porcine lumbar discs. Our results indicated that cooling rates of -0.3°C/min and -0.5°C /min resulted in the least loss of metabolic activity in nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) respectively, while metabolic activity is best maintained by using a combination of 10% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and 10% propylene-glycol (PG) as CPA. By the use of such parameters, metabolic activity of the NP and the AF cells could be maintained at 70% and 45%, respectively, of that of the fresh tissue. Mechanical testing and histological evaluation showed no significant differences in mechanical properties or alterations in disc structure compared to fresh discs. Despite the limitations of the animal model, our findings provide a framework for establishing an applicable cryopreservation protocol for human disc allografts or tissue-engineered disc constructs
First in the Nation in Education : Final Report,1984.
No full textThis report is one step in an ongoing process of change and is a plea for commitment for high standards in education in Iowa. Contains the final reports of the six subcommittees as adopted by the Excellence in Education Task Force, and the five recommendations made by the Task Force
- …
