Reinforced Labels: Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning for Point-Feature Label Placement.

Over the recent years, Reinforcement Learning combined with Deep Learning techniques has successfully proven to solve complex problems in various domains, including robotics, self-driving cars, and finance. In this article, we are introducing Reinforcement Learning (RL) to label placement, a complex task in data visualization that seeks optimal positioning for labels to avoid overlap and ensure legibility. Our novel point-feature label placement method utilizes Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning to learn the label placement strategy, the first machine-learning-driven labeling method, in contrast to the existing hand-crafted algorithms designed by human experts.

Femoral impaction allografting for significant bone loss in revision hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: Femoral impaction bone allografting in revision hip arthroplasty facilitates physiological reconstruction with restoration of bone stock, allowing implantation of a standard cemented femoral component. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in femoral component revision arthroplasty with impaction morsellised cancellous bone allograft using custom impactors and a cemented triple-taper polished stem.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all cases of femoral component revision hip arthroplasty with impaction bone grafting undertaken by a single surgeon from 2005 to 2011.

Quality of functional movement patterns and injury examination in elite-level male professional football players.

The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of functional movement patterns among one of Hungary's first league soccer clubs, where the elite male football players (N = 20) utilize the well-established Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS) system; a comprehensive functional program designed to determine and identify the quality of movement and the greatest risk factors for non-contact injuries. Furthermore, an additional purpose of this program is to examine injuries over the course of 6 competitive months. Focusing on the mechanisms of injuries and their causes in the lower extremities during this period is one of the key objectives.

Total hip arthroplasty after acetabular fracture: incidence of complications, reoperation rates and functional outcomes: evidence today.

The outcome of THA following acetabular fracture was analyzed on 654 patients with a systematic review approach. An uncemented acetabular and femoral component was used in 80.1% and 59.

Impaction grafted bone chip size effect on initial stability in an acetabular model: Mechanical evaluation.

Introduction: Acetabular bone defect reconstruction is an increasing problem for surgeons with patients undergoing complex primary or revision total hip replacement surgery. Impaction bone grafting is one technique that has favourable long-term clinical outcome results for patients who undergo this reconstruction method for acetabular bone defects. Creating initial mechanical stability of the impaction bone graft in this technique is known to be the key factor in achieving a favourable implant survival rate.

Impaction bone grafting and cemented stem revision in periprosthetic hip fractures: a novel surgical technique.

With an ageing population, and increasing longevity of hip arthroplasty prostheses, the incidence of periprosthetic femoral fractures is rising. We present a simple and easily reproducible technique for reduction of any periprosthetic fracture that requires bone graft augmentation. This method facilitates impaction bone grafting to reconstitute lost bone stock and revision using a cemented implant.

The role of the transverse acetabular ligament in total hip arthroplasty.

We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the role of the transverse acetabular ligament as a reference aid when determining acetabular component anteversion in total hip arthroplasty. We conducted a literature search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Pubmed databases using the key words 'transverse acetabular ligament' and 'arthroplasty'. Four studies published between 2006 and 2011, reporting on 1,217 procedures met our inclusion and exclusion criteria and were eligible for final evaluation.

Implant longevity, complications and functional outcome following proximal femoral arthroplasty for musculoskeletal tumors: a systematic review.

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes and complications following proximal femoral arthroplasty for primary or metastatic tumors affecting the proximal femur. Six hundred sixty-eight patients were available for review. The length of resection ranged from 92 to 212 mm.

Nailed cementoplasty: a salvage technique for rorabeck type II periprosthetic fractures in octogenarians.

Periprosthetic femoral fractures around a total knee arthroplasty present a surgical challenge in octogenarians with advanced osteoporosis. We describe a salvage technique combining retrograde intramedullary nailing augmented with polymethylmethacrylate cement in 5 patients followed up for a median time of 12 months. The nail/cement construct bridges the femoral canal tightly and simulates a stemmed cemented revision component.

Periprosthetic femoral fractures around hip arthroplasty: current concepts in their management.

Peri-prosthetic fractures (PFF) are complex management problems in orthopaedic surgery. Their treatment has evolved with advances in principles of internal fixation and revision hip surgery. Current classification systems look at anatomical location, prosthesis stability and bone quality.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus versus methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus adult haematogenous septic arthritis.

Introduction: Septic arthritis is an orthopaedic emergency and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the number one cause. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing in incidence but how it differs from methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) septic arthritis is unclear. Our aim was to delineate the differences in clinical features and outcomes between patients with MRSA and MSSA septic arthritis.

The calcar femorale in cemented stem fixation in total hip arthroplasty.

The calcar femorale is a vertical plate of bone lying deep to the lesser trochanter and is formed as a result of traction of the iliopsoas which separates the femoral cortex into two distinct layers, the calcar femorale and the medial femoral cortex. They fuse together proximally to form the medial femoral neck. A stem placed centrally will abut against the calcar femorale with little or no space for cement.

Charnley low-friction arthroplasty with an autograft of the femoral head for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The 10- to 15-year results.

Between 1983 and 1988 we carried out 45 Charnley low-friction arthroplasties with autografts from the femoral head in 41 patients for developmental dysplasia of the hip. The preoperative radiographs were assessed for the severity of DDH according to the classifications of Crowe et al, Hartofilakidis et al and Sharp. The postoperative and follow-up radiographs were analysed for coverage of the socket by the graft, for loosening and for the outcome of the fixation of the bone graft.

Fertilisation competence of bovine normally matured or aged oocytes derived from different antral follicles: morphology, protein synthesis, H1 and MBP kinase activity.

We have investigated the fertilisation competence, protein synthesis, histone H1 kinase and myelin basic protein (MBP) kinase activities in three categories of bovine oocytes (derived from three size categories of follicles: M--medium, 2.5-5.0 mm; S--small, 1.

The pattern visual evoked potential. A multicenter study using standardized techniques.

The peak latency of the pattern-reversal visual evoked potential is a sensitive measure of conduction delay in the optic nerve caused by demyelination. Despite its clinical utility, the pattern-reversal visual evoked potential has not previously been used in multicenter clinical trials, presumably because of difficulty in standardizing conditions between centers. To establish whether the pattern-reversal visual evoked potential could be adequately standardized for use as a measure in multicenter therapeutic trials for optic neuropathy or multiple sclerosis, stimulus and recording variables were equated at four centers and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials were recorded from 64 normal subjects and 15 patients with resolved optic neuritis.

Corneal electrode for recording electroretinograms in rats.

The corneal contact lens electrode, because of its convenience, has replaced the cotton-wick electrode for recording electroretinograms from patients and animals such as dogs, rabbits, and cats. The cotton-wick electrode, however, remains popular for rat electroretinogram measurements because small contact lens corneal electrodes that fit rat eyes are difficult to fabricate. We prepared corneal electrodes from disposable needles for use in recording electroretinograms from rats.

Pattern visual evoked potentials in cases of ambiguous acuity loss.

Thirty patients were referred to our visual evoked potential laboratory with complaints of profound acuity loss in one or both eyes. However, the objective ophthalmologic findings were normal, including pupillary reaction, and anterior segment and fundus examinations. Transient visual evoked potentials to a 2.

Absence of genetic linkage between A1BG, PGD and HPX loci in rabbits.

Linkage relationships between A1BG, PGD, and HPX loci of rabbits were studied on segregation data in backcross matings. No sign of linkage between the three studied loci was found.

Effects of light adaptation on the response characteristics of human oscillatory potentials.

We have examined the response characteristics of the oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the human electroretinogram (ERG) obtained to ganzfeld flash stimuli presented against adapting fields. First, we determined the extent to which the OPs obtained to high luminance flashes change during the course of light adaptation to a cone-isolating adapting field. Regardless of the number of OP wavelets, the last OP wavelet increased in amplitude and decreased in implicit time to a greater extent than did the earlier wavelet(s).

Variation of some serum proteins in red deer, Cervus elaphus L.

Various electrophoretic techniques, immunoblotting and inhibitions of trypsin and chymotrypsin were used to study the variability of serum proteins in farmed red deer, Cervus elaphus L., of Czechoslovakian origin. Easily interpretable polymorphisms were observed in transferrin (variants A, B1, B2, C) and vitamin D binding protein, GC (variants D, F, I, S).

The (+/-) reference in pattern electroretinogram recording.

In this communication, the value of using a simultaneously acquired estimate of background noise, the (+/-) reference, is demonstrated in pattern electroretinogram (PERG) recording. During the signal averaging process, the (+/-) reference inverts the polarity of every other sweep; cycle-locked (stimulus-related) activity is thus cancelled out, leaving a noise distribution similar in statistical properties to that of the signal average. Assessing the presence of a PERG response by comparing the spectrum analysis of the PERG trace with that of the (+/-) reference is discussed.

Additional studies of sheep haemopexin: genetic control, frequencies and postnatal development.

This study presents evidence that sheep haemopexin phenotypes are genetically controlled by three alleles, HpxA, HpxB1 and HpxB2, of a single autosomal locus. Frequencies of two alleles, HpxA and HpxB (HpxB encompasses two isoalleles, HpxB1 and HpxB2), were studied in eight sheep breeds in Czechoslovakia. The frequency of the HpxA allele was highest (ranging from 0.

Cortical contrast gain control in human spatial vision.

1. We evaluated human visual cortical contrast gain using visual evoked potential (VEP) measurements. The steady-state VEP was elicited by 7.

Visual evoked potentials to multiple temporal frequencies. Use in the differential diagnosis of optic neuropathy.

The usefulness of the visual evoked potential (VEP) in differential diagnosis increases when stimulus parameters such as check size and grating orientation are varied. In this study we varied the stimulation frequency. Temporal frequency-specific abnormalities were compared in three patient categories, including retrobulbar optic neuritis (eight patients), pseudotumor cerebri (11 patients), and thyroid eye disease (seven patients).

Steady-state visual evoked potentials to asymmetrical contrast.

The temporal frequency components in the steady-state visual evoked response (VEP) depend on the method of stimulus presentation; a first harmonic is generated to "on-off" patterns while a second harmonic occurs to both "on-off" and counterphase patterns. This study examined the VEP response in humans to patterns between these two extremes. In the main experiment, a 1 c/d sinusoidal grating was phase reversed sinusoidally at 8 Hz.