256 research outputs found
Learnable despeckling framework for optical coherence tomography images
No full textOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a prevalent, interferometric, high-resolution imaging method with broad biomedical applications. Nonetheless, OCT images suffer from an artifact called speckle, which degrades the image quality. Digital filters offer an opportunity for image improvement in clinical OCT devices, where hardware modification to enhance images is expensive. To reduce speckle, a wide variety of digital filters have been proposed; selecting the most appropriate filter for an OCT image/image set is a challenging decision, especially in dermatology applications of OCT where a different variety of tissues are imaged. To tackle this challenge, we propose an expandable learnable despeckling framework, we call LDF. LDF decides which speckle reduction algorithm is most effective on a given image by learning a figure of merit (FOM) as a single quantitative image assessment measure. LDF is learnable, which means when implemented on an OCT machine, each given image/image set is retrained and its performance is improved. Also, LDF is expandable, meaning that any despeckling algorithm can easily be added to it. The architecture of LDF includes two main parts: (i) an autoencoder neural network and (ii) filter classifier. The autoencoder learns the FOM based on several quality assessment measures obtained from the OCT image including signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, equivalent number of looks, edge preservation index, and mean structural similarity index. Subsequently, the filter classifier identifies the most efficient filter from the following categories: (a) sliding window filters including median, mean, and symmetric nearest neighborhood, (b) adaptive statistical-based filters including Wiener, homomorphic Lee, and Kuwahara, and (c) edge preserved patch or pixel correlation-based filters including nonlocal mean, total variation, and block matching three-dimensional filtering
Adult stem cells and their trans-differentiation potential-perspectives and therapeutic applications
No full textStem cells are self-renewing multipotent progenitors with the broadest developmental potential in a given tissue at a given time. Normal stem cells in the adult organism are responsible for renewal and repair of aged or damaged tissue. Adult stem cells are present in virtually all tissues and during most stages of development. In this review, we introduce the reader to the basic information about the field. We describe selected stem cell isolation techniques and stem cell markers for various stem cell populations. These include makers for endothelial progenitor cells (CD146/MCAM/MUC18/S-endo-1, CD34, CD133/prominin, Tie-2, Flk1/KD/VEGFR2), hematopoietic stem cells (CD34, CD117/c-Kit, Sca1), mesenchymal stem cells (CD146/MCAM/MUC18/S-endo-1, STRO-1, Thy-1), neural stem cells (CD133/prominin, nestin, NCAM), mammary stem cells (CD24, CD29, Sca1), and intestinal stem cells (NCAM, CD34, Thy-1, CD117/c-Kit, Flt-3). Separate section provides a concise summary of recent clinical trials involving stem cells directed towards improvement of a damaged myocardium. In the last part of the review, we reflect on the field and on future developments
Enhancing health outcomes for Māori elders through an intergenerational cultural exchange and physical activity programme: a cross-sectional baseline study
No full textBACKGROUND: The study offers baseline data for a strengths-based approach emphasizing intergenerational cultural knowledge exchange and physical activity developed through a partnership with kaumātua (Māori elders) and kaumātua service providers. The study aims to identify the baseline characteristics, along with correlates of five key outcomes.
METHODS: The study design is a cross-sectional survey. A total of 75 kaumātua from six providers completed two physical functioning tests and a survey that included dependent variables based in a holistic model of health: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-rated health, spirituality, life satisfaction, and loneliness.
RESULTS: The findings indicate that there was good reliability and moderate scores on most variables. Specific correlates included the following: (a) HRQOL: emotional support (β = 0.31), and frequent interaction with a co-participant (β = 0.25); (b) self-rated health: frequency of moderate exercise (β = 0.32) and sense of purpose (β = 0.27); (c) spirituality: sense of purpose (β = 0.46), not needing additional help with daily tasks (β = 0.28), and level of confidence with cultural practices (β = 0.20); (d) life satisfaction: sense of purpose (β = 0.57), frequency of interaction with a co-participant (β = -0.30), emotional support (β = 0.25), and quality of relationship with a co-participant (β = 0.16); and (e) lower loneliness: emotional support (β = 0.27), enjoyment interacting with a co-participant (β = 0.25), sense of purpose (β = 0.24), not needing additional help with daily tasks (β = 0.28), and frequency of moderate exercise (β = 0.18).
CONCLUSION: This study provides the baseline scores and correlates of important social and health outcomes for the He Huarahi Tautoko (Avenue of Support) programme, a strengths-based approach for enhancing cultural connection and physical activity.fals
Low Temperature Physics V. 31, I. 06
No full textLow Temperature Physics -- June 2005
Volume 31, Issue 6, pp. 459-545
QUANTUM LIQUIDS AND QUANTUM CRYSTALS
Three-phonon relaxation in isotropic and anisotropic phonon systems of liquid helium at different pressures
I. N. Adamenko, K. E. Nemchenko, V. A. Slipko, Yu. A. Kitsenko, and A. F. G. Wyatt
Full Text: PDF (202 kB)
Heat capacity of a p-H2–p-D2–Ne solid solution: Effect of (p-D2)Ne clusters
M. I. Bagatskii, I. Ya. Minchina, and V. M. Bagatskii
Full Text: PDF (57 kB)
Multi-echo in phase-separated 3He–4He solid solutions under NMR conditions
N. P. Mikhin and V. A. Maidanov
Full Text: PDF (66 kB)
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY, INCLUDING HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
Electrical resistivity of Ti41.5Zr41.5Ni17 quasicrystals in the temperature region 0.3–300 K
V. M. Azhazha, G. Ya. Khadzhay, B. A. Merisov, S. V. Malikhin, A. T. Pugachov, H. R. Ott, and A. V. Sologubenko
Full Text: PDF (81 kB)
Stationary Josephson effect in a weak link between nonunitary triplet superconductors
G. Rashedi and Yu. A. Kolesnichenko
Full Text: PDF (89 kB)
On the influence of magnetic and nonmagnetic impurities on the properties of yttrium-based high-Tc superconductors
J. G. Sanikidze, R. G. Kokhreidze, A. N. Mestvirishvili, G. A. Mumladze, S. V. Odenov, N. A. Papunashvili, and M. Ya. Chubabria
Full Text: PDF (58 kB)
On the theory of the electron spectrum and superconductivity of copper oxides as antiferromagnetic metals
V. M. Loktev
Full Text: PDF (105 kB)
Nonlinear interaction of an electromagnetic wave with a transport current in a hard superconductor
M. L. Nesterov, T. M. Slipchenko, and V. A. Yampol'skii
Full Text: PDF (100 kB)
LOW-TEMPERATURE MAGNETISM
Short-period oscillations of the resistivity and magnetoresistance in Co/Cu(111) superlattices on mica
V. V. Zorchenko, A. N. Stetsenko, A. G. Anders, and K. V. Kutko
Full Text: PDF (181 kB)
Description of a Heisenberg ferromagnet above the Curie point as a spin liquid
E. V. Kuz'min
Full Text: PDF (105 kB)
Phase transitions in a ferromagnet with biquadratic exchange and hexagonal single-ion anisotropy
Yu. A. Fridman, O. A. Kosmachev, and B. L. Eingorn
Full Text: PDF (88 kB)
Interplay between the spin state of manganese and the stability of the crystal structure of MnAs and MnP compounds
V. I. Valkov and A. V. Golovchan
Full Text: PDF (135 kB)
LOW-DIMENSIONAL AND DISORDERED SYSTEMS
Energy pumping in a quantum nanoelectromechanical system
T. Nord and L.Y. Gorelik
Full Text: PDF (143 kB)
Nondissipative current in a quantum wire
N. M. Guseinov and S. M. Seyid-Rzayeva
Full Text: PDF (46 kB)
LOW-TEMPERATURE PHYSICS OF PLASTICITY AND STRENGTH
Low-temperature anomalies of the physico-mechanical characteristics of pseudoamorphous titanium nickelide
A. S. Bakai, V. V. Brik, V. M. Kuzmenko, M. V. Lazareva, I. M. Neklyudov, Ya. D. Starodubov, T. P. Chernyaeva, and V. M. Gorbatenko
Full Text: PDF (310 kB)
PERSONALIA
Viktor Nikitich Grigor'ev (on his 75th birthday)
Full Text: PDF (105 kB)Archived web conten
Priming Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Enhance their Regenerative Potential
No full textMSCs show promise for cell therapy due to their immune-suppressive and regenerative properties. Consequently, MSCs have been widely used in an increasing number of clinical trials to treat a variety of pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases and disorders with dysregulated immune function. The outcome of prospective MSC therapy trials however, has shown marginal benefit warranting further investigation to develop strategies to enhance their therapeutic potential. The latter requires better understanding of the mechanisms by which MSCs exert their effects, and studying MSCs under conditions resembling the in vivo microenvironment will help to develop such understanding. The focus of this thesis is to explore the effect of a collagen-based matrix (successfully used in bioengineering approaches for tissue regeneration including for cardiac repair) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation (providing an in vitro model of an inflammatory environment and widely used for priming MSCs in vitro) on the regenerative properties of MSCs. The first aim of this study (discussed in Chapter 3) involves a comparative analysis of the regenerative properties of MSCs cultivated as a monolayer or on collagen scaffolds, or activated with TLR3 or TL4 agonists. I found that MSCs developed a more cardioprotective phenotype on scaffolds, although no functional changes were detectable when analyzing MSCs in a bioengineered model of heart tissue. The findings of this chapter provide a mechanistic explanation for the potential contribution of MSCs primed with cardiomyogenic cues or TLR agonists. In the second aim (discussed in Chapter 4), signaling through TLR3 was dissected and the effects on MSC phenotype were investigated. The knowledge created in this aim provide some insight into the dynamics of TLR3 signaling, which can be further used to develop preconditioning strategies. In Aim 3 (discussed in Chapter 5), the effects of TLR3 and TLR4 activation on immunomodulatory function of MSCs were further explored. I discovered that activation of either TLR3 or TLR4 enhanced the capacity of MSCs to generate regulatory T lymphocytes. The findings in this aim are applicable to a variety of settings, including tissue regeneration, organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders in which boosting immune suppression can prevent disease development and/or progression.Ph.D.2018-11-17 00:00:0
Priming Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Enhance their Regenerative Potential
No full textMSCs show promise for cell therapy due to their immune-suppressive and regenerative properties. Consequently, MSCs have been widely used in an increasing number of clinical trials to treat a variety of pathological conditions including cardiovascular diseases and disorders with dysregulated immune function. The outcome of prospective MSC therapy trials however, has shown marginal benefit warranting further investigation to develop strategies to enhance their therapeutic potential. The latter requires better understanding of the mechanisms by which MSCs exert their effects, and studying MSCs under conditions resembling the in vivo microenvironment will help to develop such understanding. The focus of this thesis is to explore the effect of a collagen-based matrix (successfully used in bioengineering approaches for tissue regeneration including for cardiac repair) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation (providing an in vitro model of an inflammatory environment and widely used for priming MSCs in vitro) on the regenerative properties of MSCs. The first aim of this study (discussed in Chapter 3) involves a comparative analysis of the regenerative properties of MSCs cultivated as a monolayer or on collagen scaffolds, or activated with TLR3 or TL4 agonists. I found that MSCs developed a more cardioprotective phenotype on scaffolds, although no functional changes were detectable when analyzing MSCs in a bioengineered model of heart tissue. The findings of this chapter provide a mechanistic explanation for the potential contribution of MSCs primed with cardiomyogenic cues or TLR agonists. In the second aim (discussed in Chapter 4), signaling through TLR3 was dissected and the effects on MSC phenotype were investigated. The knowledge created in this aim provide some insight into the dynamics of TLR3 signaling, which can be further used to develop preconditioning strategies. In Aim 3 (discussed in Chapter 5), the effects of TLR3 and TLR4 activation on immunomodulatory function of MSCs were further explored. I discovered that activation of either TLR3 or TLR4 enhanced the capacity of MSCs to generate regulatory T lymphocytes. The findings in this aim are applicable to a variety of settings, including tissue regeneration, organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders in which boosting immune suppression can prevent disease development and/or progression.Ph.D.2018-11-17 00:00:0
Examining Budget Policies for New and Existing Facilities: A System Dynamics Approach
No full textSustaining acceptable service in large facility networks is a complex task, particularly under limited budgets, rapid deterioration, and increasing service demands. Policy-makers are, therefore, challenged to make efficient balance between the construction of new facilities and the renewal of existing ones to suit both the short and the long-term needs. To support policy-makers, this paper proposes an efficient decision support system using the System Dynamics (SD) simulation technique to analyse the impact of various budget allocation policies and to optimize policy decisions. The proposed system dynamics model was tested using a case study from the Toronto District school Board involving more than 400 schools. It can find the optimum budgeting strategy that minimizes the overall facility condition index and total life cycle cost over a long-term strategic plan. The system dynamics model proved its ability to find a budget allocation policy with much better results than the typical enrolment-based approach.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
Health care staff's experiences of caring for refugees : A literature study
No full textBakgrund: Under de senaste decennierna har Sverige förändrats till ett samhälle med olika nationaliteter. Att vårda flyktingar ställer ökade krav på vårdpersonalen då flyktingar är en heterogen grupp med komplexa vårdbehov, vården sker i tvärkulturella interaktioner i system som inte är strukturerade för flyktingar. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva vårdpersonalens upplevelser av att vårda flyktingar med särskilt fokus på sjuksköterskors upplevelser. Metod: Litteraturstudien innehållande tolv vetenskapliga artiklar har analyserats med kvalitativ innehållsanalys med manifest ansats. Samtliga artiklar var publicerade mellan åren 2012–2018 och skrivna på engelska. De var av hög kvalitet. Resultat: Vårdpersonalens upplevelser av att vårda flyktingar beskrivs i sju kategorier: Att förekomsten av kulturella skillnader är utmanande, Att mötet med personer med annan kulturell bakgrund bidrar till känslor av osäkerhet, Att nyfikenhet och respekt gör att man kommer närmare, Att diskriminering påverkar bedömningen av den enskilde patienten, Att strukturell diskriminering orsakar hinder och frustration, Att begränsas av språkbarriärer, Att hantera utmaningar. Slutsats: Vårdpersonal upplever känslor av osäkerhet, frustration, maktlöshet, emotionell stress och motivation och är i behov av ökad förståelse för kulturell kompetens och hur diskriminering kan yttra sig, ökad känslomässig självmedvetenhet, mod och copingmekanismer. Fortsatt forskning behövs för att utveckla förståelsen för vårdpersonalens upplevelse av att vårda flyktingar.
Proizvodnja hidrolizata proteina hidrolizom bromelaina iz stabljike gljiva, kao mogućeg dodatka za aromatiziranje pileće juhe
No full textThe pleasant taste of edible mushrooms, which is attributed to their high protein content, makes them an attractive source for the production of protein hydrolysates with good taste properties. In the present work, different mushroom protein hydrolysates were produced from shiitake, oyster, bunashimeji and enoki mushrooms using stem bromelain hydrolysis at 0.5 % (m/m) enzyme/substrate ratio at pH=6.5 and 40 °C for 20 h. The produced liquid mushroom protein hydrolysate yielded 0.77–0.92 % crude protein (p>0.05). Bunashimeji mushroom protein hydrolysate was the lightest in colour, while shiitake mushroom protein hydrolysate was the darkest (p0.05), with the highest yield of bunashimeji and the lowest of shiitake mushroom protein hydrolysate (pJestive su gljive, zbog njihovog ugodnog okusa koji se pripisuje visokom udjelu proteina, privlačna sirovina za proizvodnju hidrolizata proteina. U ovom su radu hidrolizom bromelaina iz stabljike u omjeru enzima i supstrata od 0,5 % (m/m) pri pH=6,5 i 40 °C tijekom 20 h dobiveni hidrolizati proteina sljedećih gljiva: shiitake, bukovače, bunashimeji i enoki. Dobiveni je tekući hidrolizat proteina gljiva sadržavao 0,77-0,92 % sirovih proteina (p>0,05). Hidrolizat proteina gljive bunashimeji bio je najsvjetliji, a onaj gljive shiitake najtamniji (p0,05), pri čemu je najviše hidrolizata proizvedeno iz gljive bunashimeji, a najmanje iz gljive shiitake (
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