License Plate Super-Resolution Using Diffusion Models

In surveillance, accurately recognizing license plates is hindered by their often low quality and small dimensions, compromising recognition precision. Despite advancements in AI-based image super-resolution, methods like Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) still fall short in enhancing license plate images. This study leverages the cutting-edge diffusion model, which has consistently outperformed other deep learning techniques in image restoration. By training this model using a curated dataset of Saudi license plates, both in low and high resolutions, we discovered the diffusion model's superior efficacy. The method achieves a 12.55\% and 37.32% improvement in Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) over SwinIR and ESRGAN, respectively. Moreover, our method surpasses these techniques in terms of Structural Similarity Index (SSIM), registering a 4.89% and 17.66% improvement over SwinIR and ESRGAN, respectively. Furthermore, 92% of human evaluators preferred our images over those from other algorithms. In essence, this research presents a pioneering solution for license plate super-resolution, with tangible potential for surveillance systems

The Role of Poly(Acrylic Acid) in Conventional Glass Polyalkenoate Cements

Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) have been used in dentistry for over 40 years. These novel bioactive materials are the result of a reaction between a finely ground glass (base) and a polymer (acid), usually poly (acrylic acid) (PAA), in the presence of water. This article reviews the types of PAA used as reagents (including how they vary by molar mass, molecular weight, concentration, polydispersity and content) and the way that they control the properties of the conventional GPCs (CGPCs) formulated from them. The article also considers the effect of PAA on the clinical performance of CGPCs, including biocompatibility, rheological and mechanical properties, adhesion, ion release, acid erosion and clinical durability. The review has critically evaluated the literature and clarified the role that the polyacid component of CGPCs plays in setting and maturation. This review will lead to an improved understanding of the chemistry and properties of the PAA phase which will lead to further innovation in the glass-based cements field

A Novel Tantalum-Containing Bioglass. Part II. Development of a Bioadhesive for Sternal Fixation and Repair

With over a million median sternotomy surgeries performed worldwide every year, sternal wound complications have posed a serious risk to the affected patients. A rigid therapeutic sternal fixation device has therefore become a necessity. In this work, the incorporation of up to 0.5 mol% of tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), in exchange for zinc oxide (ZnO), into the SiO2-ZnO-CaO-SrO-P2O5 glass system is presented. The effect of Ta incorporation on the physical, chemical and biological properties of the glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) prepared from them have been presented in this manuscript. The data obtained have confirmed that Ta2O5 incorporation into the reference glass system results in increased working times, radiopacity, ion solubility, and long-term mechanical stability. The formulated glass systems have also shown clear antibacterial and antifungal activity against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive prokaryotes (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus epidermidis), as well as eukaryotes (Fusarium solani). Cytotoxicity testing showed that Ta incorporation results in no toxicity effect and may simulate osseo-integration when tested in animal models. These new metallic-containing biomaterial adhesives have been developed for sternal fixation and repair. As a permanent implant, the formulated adhesives can be used in conjunction with sternal cable ties to offer optimal fixation for patients and reduce post-operative complications such as bacterial infection and pain from micro-motion

The Effect of Calcination Rate on the Structure of Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses

Mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are designed to have high specific surface area. They are formulated by a sol–gel process to formulate the glass followed by calcination. This study evaluates how calcination heating rate influences the porous architecture, and thereby the specific surface area, of MBGs. MBGs of molar ratio 80:15:5 for SiO2 :CaO:P2 O 5 were calcined using both low (1 °C/min) and high (20 °C/min) heating rates, termed as L-MBG and H-MBG, respectively. The results obtained from small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) confirm that the MBGs possess 2D hexagonal (P6mm) spacing groups and wide-angle XRD confirms the amorphicity of both MBGs. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm that both batches of MBGs have similar chemical composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identifies the same functional groups present in both batches. However, transmission electron microscopy indicates that H-MBG samples exhibited discontinuities in their ordered channel structure, confirmed by the lower SAXRD peak intensity of H-MBG compared to L-MBG. These discontinuities led to a reduced surface area. L-MBG exhibits more than quadruple the surface area and double the pore volume (373.87 m2 /g and 0.27 cm3 /g) of H-MBG (85.91 m2 /g and 0.13 cm3 /g), measured through Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller nitrogen adsorption analysis. This higher surface area resulted in a significant (p \u3c 0.05) increase in the quantity of ion release from the L-MBGs compared to the H-MBGs. It is concluded that the application of a low heating rate during calcination, of the order of 1 °C/min, is more likely to result in ordered mesoporous bioactive glasses with high surface area and pore volume than MBG samples processed at a higher heating rate. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

The Effect of Tantalum Incorporation on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Ternary Silicon–calcium–phosphorous Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses

Synthesis and characterization of the first mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) containing tantalum are reported here, along with their potential application as hemostats. Silica MBGs were synthesized using with the molar composition of (80-x)% Si, 15% Ca, 5% P, and x% Ta. It was found that incorporation of \u3e1 mol % Ta into the MBGs changes their physical and chemical properties. Increasing Ta content from 0 to 10 mol % causes a decrease in the surface area and pore volume of ~20 and ~35%, respectively. This is due to the increase in nonbridging oxygens and mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient which created discontinuities in the ordered channel structure. However, the effect is not significant on the amount of ions (Si, Ca, P, and Ta) released, from the sample into deionized water, for short durations (\u3c60 \u3emin). In a mouse tail-cut model, a significant decrease in bleeding time (≥50% of average bleeding time) was found for Ta-MBGs compared to having no treatment, Arista, and MBG without Ta. Further studies are proposed to determine the mechanism of Ta involvement with the hemostatic process. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2229–2237, 2019

The role of poly(methyl methacrylate) in management of bone loss and infection in revision total knee arthroplasty: A review

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is widely used in joint arthroplasty to secure an implant to the host bone. Complications including fracture, bone loss and infection might cause failure of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), resulting in the need for revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). The goals of this paper are: (1) to identify the most common complications, outside of sepsis, arising from the application of PMMA following rTKA, (2) to discuss the current applications and drawbacks of employing PMMA in managing bone loss, (3) to review the role of PMMA in addressing bone infection following complications in rTKA. Papers published between 1970 to 2018 have been considered through searching in Springer, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, Engineering village, PubMed and weblinks. This review considers the use of PMMA as both a bone void filler and as a spacer material in two-stage revision. To manage bone loss, PMMA is widely used to fill peripheral bone defects whose depth is less than 5 mm and covers less than 50% of the bone surface. Treatment of bone infections with PMMA is mainly for two-stage rTKA where antibiotic-loaded PMMA is inserted as a spacer. This review also shows that using antibiotic-loaded PMMA might cause complications such as toxicity to surrounding tissue, incomplete antibiotic agent release from the PMMA, roughness and bacterial colonization on the surface of PMMA. Although PMMA is the only commercial bone cement used in rTKA, there are concerns associated with using PMMA following rTKA. More research and clinical studies are needed to address these complications

A Review of Sternal Closure Techniques

Sternotomy and sternal closure occur prior to and post cardiac surgery, respectively. Although post-operative complications associated with poor sternal fixation can result in morbidity, mortality, and considerable resource utilization, sternotomy is preferred over other methods such as lateral thoracotomy. Rigid sternal fixation is associated with stability and reduced incidence of post-operative complications. This is a comprehensive review of the literature evaluating in vivo, in vitro, and clinical responses to applying commercial and experimental surgical tools for sternal fixation after median sternotomy. Wiring, interlocking, plate-screw, and cementation techniques have been examined for closure, but none have experienced widespread adoption. Although all techniques have their advantages, serious post-operative complications were associated with the use of wiring and/or plating techniques in high-risk patients. A fraction of studies have analyzed the use of sternal interlocking systems and only a single study analyzed the effect of using kryptonite cement with wires. Plating and interlocking techniques are superior to wiring in terms of stability and reduced rate of post-operative complications; however, further clinical studies and long-term follow-up are required. The ideal sternal closure should ensure stability, reduced rate of post-operative complications, and a short hospitalization period, alongside cost-effectiveness. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav

The Effect of ZnO 虠 Ta2O5 Substitution on the Structural and Thermal Properties of SiO2-ZnO-SrO-CaO-P2O5 Glasses

A series of glasses based on the system 48SiO2-(36-X) ZnO-6CaO-8SrO-2P2O5-XTa2O5 with X varying from 0 mol% (Ta0) to 8 mol% (Ta4) were fabricated. The structural features as a function of Ta2O5 content were investigated by network connectivity (NC) calculations, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal properties of the glasses were obtained by performing simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). XRD showed that all compositions were predominantly amorphous, however the incorporation of tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) resulted in a small degree of crystallinity within the sample. Replacing ZnO with Ta2O5 increases the glass transition, crystallization and melting temperatures. Further, Ta2O5 incorporation results in higher thermal stability suggesting a greater glass forming tendency and the insertion of Ta in the glass network. XPS and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that Ta behaves as a glass former and that Zn has an intermediary role in the vitreous network