Search results for "testing"
showing 10 items of 1769 documents
The role of biosilica in the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio in human osteoblast-like cells
2010
Abstract Earlier studies have demonstrated that biosilica, synthesized by the enzyme silicatein, induces hydroxyapatite formation in osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Here we study the effect of biosilica on the expressions of osteoprotegerin [OPG] and the receptor activator for NF-κB ligand [RANKL] in the SaOS-2 cell model. We show that during growth of SaOS-2 cells on biosiliceous matrices hydroxyapatite formation is induced, while syntheses of cartilaginous proteoglycans and sulfated glycosaminoglycans are down-regulated. Furthermore, quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed a strong time-depended increase in expression of OPG in biosilica exposed SaOS-2 cells while the steady-state e…
Influence of sutures configuration on the strength of tendon-patch joints for rotator cuff tears treatment
2019
Abstract Purpose Massive rotator cuff tears are common in the aging population. The incidence of failed rotator cuff repairs is still quite high, especially in the treatment of full-thickness tears or revision repairs. In this context, natural and synthetic meshes can be used as augmentation scaffolds or as devices to close the gap between a retracted tendon and the bone. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the ultimate tensile strength of different tendon-patch joints in order to consider their use in the treatment of massive cuff tears. Materials and methods Porcine tendons and a synthetic low-density polypropylene mesh have been used. A preliminary study on the tensile strength of te…
Eight new mutations and the expanding phenotype variability in muscular dystrophy caused by ANO5.
2012
Objective: Description of 8 new ANO5 mutations and significant expansion of the clinical phenotype spectrum associated with previously known and unknown mutations to improve diagnostic accuracy. Methods: DNA samples of 101 patients in 95 kindreds at our quaternary referral center in Finland, who had undetermined limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), calf distal myopathy, or creatine kinase (CK) elevations of more than 2,000 IU/L, were selected for ANO5 genetic evaluation, and the clinical findings of patients with mutations were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 25 patients with muscular dystrophy caused by 11 different recessive mutations in the ANO5 gene were identified. The …
Frequency and Correlates of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Myasthenia Gravis
2023
Background: Antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) can also target nicotinic AChRs that are present throughout the central nervous system, thus leading to cognitive dysfunctions in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the presence of cognitive impairment in MG is controversial, and the factors that may influence this risk are almost completely unknown. In this study, the frequency of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in MG, as well as the clinical, immunological, and behavioral correlates of MCI in MG were evaluated. Methods: A total of 52 patients with MG underwent a comprehensive assessment including motor and functional scales, serological testing, and neuropsychologi…
English language needs and language proficiency of academic professionals as a basis for developing language training : a case study of environmental…
2016
Suomalainen työelämä on monilla aloilla kansainvälistynyt ja sen myötä työtekijöiden kielitarpeet ovat lisääntyneet. Erityisesti tieteellisen tutkimuksen tekeminen vaatii tekijältään laadun ylläpitämiseksi kansainvälistä yhteistyötä ja tutkijat työskentelevät usein tieteellisen tuotoksen julkaisemiseksi englannin kielellä. Euroopassa ja Suomessa, kuten muuallakin maailmassa, lingua franca–asemassa oleva englanti toimii tutkijayhteisöissä tieteellisen kanssakäymisen välineenä. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli kartoittaa suomalaisten ympäristöalalla toimivien tutkijoiden englannin kielen käyttöön liittyviä tarpeita sekä verrata niitä heidän kielitaitoonsa. Vertailua käytettiin lähtökohtana…
Novel non-destructive inspection techniques for laser powder deposition inspection
2013
A novel non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques for inspection of parts and components manufactured by Additive Manufacturing Processes (AMP), in particular Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), has been developed. LMD is a technology that has been maturing over the last 20 years and has found application in repair, coatings, hybrid build and 3D near net shape manufacture of small intricate parts that can be used in aero and automobile engines to improve efficiency. Currently this technology cannot be used to supply some of these parts because absence of flaws, which might be left in the component during manufacture, cannot be guaranteed. Today, quality is assessed by sample destructive testing, w…
Testing for a breakpoint in segmented regression: a pseudo score approach
2011
To overcome the well known oddities in testing for the existence of a breakpoint in segmented regression models, we discuss a novel approach based on the Pearson X2 statistic which can be understood as an approximation of the Score statistic. We describe the method and present results from some simulations.
Direct Visualization of Molecule Deprotonation on an Insulating Surface
2012
Elucidating molecular-scale details of basic reaction steps on surfaces is decisive for a fundamental understanding of molecular reactivity within many fields, including catalysis and on-surface synthesis. Here, the deprotonation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) deposited onto calcite (101;4) held at room temperature is followed in situ by noncontact atomic force microscopy. After deposition, the molecules form two coexisting phases, a transient striped phase and a stable dense phase. A detailed analysis of high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy images indicates the transient striped phase being a bulk-like phase, which requires hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid moie…
Phase-delayed laser diode array allows ultrasonic guided wave mode selection and tuning
2013
Selecting and tuning modes are useful in ultrasonic guided wave non-destructive testing (NDT) since certain modes at various center frequencies are sensitive to specific types of defects. Ideally one should be able to select both the mode and the center frequency of the launched waves. We demonstrated that an affordable laser diode array can selectively launch either the S0 or A0 ultrasonic wave mode at a chosen center frequency into a polymer plate. A fiber-coupled diode array (4 elements) illuminated a 2 mm thick acrylic plate. A predetermined time delay matching the selected mode and frequency was employed between the output of the elements. The generated ultrasound was detected by a 215…
Wiener-Granger Causality in Network Physiology with Applications to Cardiovascular Control and Neuroscience
2016
Since the operative definition given by C. W. J. Granger of an idea expressed by N. Wiener, the Wiener–Granger causality (WGC) has been one of the most relevant concepts exploited by modern time series analysis. Indeed, in networks formed by multiple components, working according to the notion of segregation and interacting with each other according to the principle of integration, inferring causality has opened a window on the effective connectivity of the network and has linked experimental evidences to functions and mechanisms. This tutorial reviews predictability improvement, information-based and frequency domain methods for inferring WGC among physiological processes from multivariate…