3,539 research outputs found
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Plastic compression of collagen: development and assessment of a new biomaterial in nerve repair
Nerve reconstruction is a surgical challenge. Current neural conduits provide sub-optimal clinical results. We have developed a device from a composite material comprising a fibronectin core and a collagen outer layer, using collagen made by a new technique called plastic compression. This collagen element has the strength to improve the mechanical properties of nerve repair devices which is an important design consideration. Preliminary studies have been performed to assess the suitability of the new collagen material for use in nerve repair conduits
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Investigating the mechanical behaviour at a core-sheath interface in peripheral nerves
Published without an abstract
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Medical implantable devices for the controlled release of anti-TGF-beta1 in the repair of peripheral nerve injuries
The development of novel bioartificial nerve grafts which release soluble therapeutic agents, shows great promises guiding the extension of the injured axons and optimizing and improving the degree and specificity of neural outgrowth. The TGF-â family cytokines are polypeptides involved in pathogenesis of neuropathies during nerve lesion. In particular, studies carried out on TGF-â1 have demonstrated its key-role as a humoral stimulus in scar formation. The use of neutralising antibodies to this pro-fibrotic factor, incorporated and released by medical devices, could be potentially useful to get improved results in nerve repair. The aim of this study was to characterise the uptake and release of antibodies, structurally no different from the anti-TGFâ1 specific ones, by innovative constructs based on the use of biodegradable and biocompatible compounds with which to support and improve peripheral nerve repair
Lattice QCD at finite isospin density at zero and finite temperature
We simulate lattice QCD with dynamical and quarks at finite chemical
potential, , for the third component of isospin (), at both zero
and at finite temperature. At zero temperature there is some ,
say, above which and parity are spontaneously broken by a charged pion
condensate. This is in qualitative agreement with the prediction of effective
(chiral) Lagrangians which also predict . This transition appears
to be second order, with scaling properties consistent with the mean-field
predictions of such effective Lagrangian models. We have also studied the
restoration of symmetry at high temperature for . For
sufficiently large, this finite temperature phase transition appears to
be first order. As is decreased it becomes second order connecting
continuously with the zero temperature transition.Comment: 23 pages, Revtex, 9 figures. Major revision of sections 3 and 4 to
include new analyses of critical scaling which we now find to be in the
universality class of mean-field theor
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Investigating the effect of photodynamic therapy on nerves using tissue engineered culture models
Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows potential as an effective treatment for prostate cancer. Clinical observations indicate that this approach causes fewer nerve damage related side-effects than conventional treatments. The aim here is to investigate the effect of PDT on nerve tissue using engineered 3-dimensional cell culture models. Initial experiments focussed on establishing photosensitiser localisation in neurones and Schwann cells, then developing a model for simulating nerve PDT in culture
Portable LED fluorescence instrumentation for the rapid assessment of potable water quality
Characterising the organic and microbial matrix of water are key issues in ensuring a safe potable water supply.
Current techniques only confirm water quality retrospectively via laboratory analysis of discrete samples. Whilst
such analysis is required for regulatory purposes, it would be highly beneficial to monitor water quality in-situ in
real time, enabling rapid water quality assessment and facilitating proactive management of water supply
systems.
A novel LED-based instrument, detecting fluorescence peaks C and T (surrogates for organic and microbial matter,
respectively), was constructed and performance assessed. Results from over 200 samples taken from source
waters through to customer tap from three UK water companies are presented. Excellent correlation was
observed between the new device and a research grade spectrophotometer (r
2 = 0.98 and 0.77 for peak C and
peak T respectively), demonstrating the potential of providing a low cost, portable alternative fluorimeter. The
peak C/TOC correlation was very good (r
2 = 0.75) at low TOC levels found in drinking water. However, correlations
between peak T and regulatory measures of microbial matter (2 day/3 day heterotrophic plate counts
(HPC), E. coli, and total coliforms) were poor, due to the specific nature of these regulatory measures and the general
measure of peak T. A more promising correlation was obtained between peak T and total bacteria using flow
cytometry. Assessment of the fluorescence of four individual bacteria isolated from drinking water was also considered
and excellent correlations found with peak T (Sphingobium sp. (r
2 = 0.83); Methylobacterium sp. (r
2 =
1.0); Rhodococcus sp. (r
2 = 0.86); Xenophilus sp. (r
2 = 0.96)). It is notable that each of the bacteria studied exhibited
different levels of fluorescence as a function of their number. The scope for LED based instrumentation for insitu,
real time assessment of the organic and microbial matrix of potable water is clearly demonstrated
WILL NFTS BE THE BEST DIGITAL ASSET FOR THE METAVERSE?
The purpose of the current research is to explore the concept of non-fungible tokens created by blockchain technology and its applicability in the Metaverse. Metaverse is a hypothesized and an iteration of the real world. Metaverse is not a new concept. The concept itself has appeared in the 1990s and some of the online games tried to realize the Metaverse world (e.g., Second Life and Cyworld). Nowadays, Metaverse becomes feasible under supported by technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, cloud computing, Internet-of-Things, 5G, and Big Data. In Metaverse, there is no doubt that residents in Metaverse may trade or transact assets or goods with one another. Our research tries to tie the concept of non-fungible tokens in Metaverse as the best digital asset to secure the originality of the goods in Metaverse. Detailed discussions are made in the following section
An unexpected cause of pericardial effusion
We present a case of pericardial effusion due to embolization of a fragment of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter, with subsequent perforation of the right ventricle. This is a rare and unexpected cause of pericardial effusion. Fracture or embolization of IVC filters is a relatively uncommon complication, but these events may have serious clinical implications. Although IVC filters are often placed with the intent of removal, the device in many patients is never removed. The long-term implications of IVC filter placement must be kept in mind when making decisions about device placement and subsequent removal
Metamaterials proposed as perfect magnetoelectrics
Magnetoelectric susceptibility of a metamaterial built from split ring
resonators have been investigated both experimentally and within an equivalent
circuit model. The absolute values have been shown to exceed by two orders of
magnitude that of classical magnetoelectric materials. The metamaterial
investigated reaches the theoretically predicted value of the magnetoelectric
susceptibility which is equal to the geometric average of the electric and
magnetic susceptibilities.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
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