A reinforcement learning-based hybrid modeling framework for bioprocess kinetics identification.

Constructing predictive models to simulate complex bioprocess dynamics, particularly time-varying (i.e., parameters varying over time) and history-dependent (i.

Personal and narrative review of the current management of the injured anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in the UK with reference to surgical treatment versus rehabilitation.

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee is a common injury occurring mostly in young athletic individuals taking part in pivoting, cutting and jumping sports. It is demonstrated by anterolateral rotatory instability on clinical testing. As yet there are no clear guidelines as to whom will benefit from surgical reconstruction as opposed to rehabilitation alone, apart from elite athletes (defined as varsity players or those participating in sport at national or international level).

Integrating Autoencoder and Heteroscedastic Noise Neural Networks for the Batch Process Soft-Sensor Design.

Viscosity represents a key product quality indicator but has been difficult to measure in-process in real-time. This is particularly true if the process involves complex mixing phenomena operated at dynamic conditions. To address this challenge, in this study, we developed an innovative soft sensor by integrating advanced artificial neural networks.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia: survey of severity assessment methods in routine clinical practice and validation of the International Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Cooperative Group measurement guidance.

Background: The lack of validated and responsive outcome measures in the management of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) significantly limits assessment of disease progression and treatment response over time.

Aim: To understand how FFA extent and progression is currently assessed in UK specialist centres, to validate components of the International FFA Cooperative Group (IFFACG) statement on FFA assessment, and to identify pragmatic advice to improve FFA management in clinic.

Methods: Consultant dermatologists with a specialist interest in hair loss (n = 17) were invited to take part.

Moral Status for Malware! The Difficulty of Defining Advanced Artificial Intelligence.

The suggestion has been made that future advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that passes some consciousness-related criteria should be treated as having moral status, and therefore, humans would have an ethical obligation to consider its well-being. In this paper, the author discusses the extent to which software and robots already pass proposed criteria for consciousness; and argues against the moral status for AI on the grounds that human malware authors may design malware to fake consciousness. In fact, the article warns that malware authors have stronger incentives than do authors of legitimate software to create code that passes some of the criteria.

Development and Characterization of a Probe Device toward Intracranial Spectroscopy of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, often affecting individuals at their most economically active yet no primary disease-modifying interventions exist for their treatment. Real-time direct spectroscopic examination of the brain tissue within the context of traumatic brain injury has the potential to improve the understanding of injury heterogeneity and subtypes, better target management strategies and organ penetrance of pharmacological agents, identify novel targets for intervention, and allow a clearer understanding of fundamental biochemistry evolution. Here, a novel device is designed and engineered, delivering Raman spectroscopy-based measurements from the brain through clinically established cranial access techniques.

Genome-wide association study in frontal fibrosing alopecia identifies four susceptibility loci including HLA-B*07:02.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a recently described inflammatory and scarring type of hair loss affecting almost exclusively women. Despite a dramatic recent increase in incidence the aetiopathogenesis of FFA remains unknown. We undertake genome-wide association studies in females from a UK cohort, comprising 844 cases and 3,760 controls, a Spanish cohort of 172 cases and 385 controls, and perform statistical meta-analysis.

Arginase is overactive in psoriatic skin.

Background: Psoriatic keratinocytes are poorly differentiated and hyperproliferative. Low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) induce keratinocyte proliferation, while high concentrations induce differentiation. The NO-producing enzyme inducible NO synthase is overexpressed in psoriatic skin, but so is arginase.

Enzyme-independent NO stores in human skin: quantification and influence of UV radiation.

Nitric oxide (NO) has many functions in the skin, including the mediation of inflammation and antimicrobial defense, wound healing, regulation of keratinocyte homeostasis, and regulation of apoptosis following UV radiation. NO is synthesized by a family of NO synthase enzymes, but its rapid release following UV exposure suggests the existence of preformed stores. NO can be converted into nitrite or nitrosothiols that are stable until cleaved by UV to release NO.

Viewing the fetus following termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly.

Objectives: To determine what evidence exists to support the practice of viewing the deceased fetus by women terminating pregnancy for fetal anomalies.

Data Sources: Electronic databases searched (1966-2007) were Medline, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Dissertation Abstracts Index.

Study Selection: Literature was reviewed that either directly or parenthetically dealt with the emotional effects on women of viewing the fetus post termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies.

Topically applied nitric oxide induces T-lymphocyte infiltration in human skin, but minimal inflammation.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the cutaneous response to UV radiation and in cutaneous inflammation. The presence of inducible NO synthase protein in a number of inflammatory dermatoses, coupled with the induction of an intense cutaneous inflammatory infiltrate following topical application of the NO donor-acidified nitrite (NO2(-)), has set the paradigm of NO being an inflammatory mediator in human skin. Using zeolite NO (Ze-NO), a chemically inert, pure NO donor, we have shown that NO per se produces little inflammation.

Changes in the site distribution of malignant melanoma in South East Scotland (1979-2002).

Scottish Melanoma Group (SMG) data on 2790 melanoma (MM) cases in South East Scotland over a 24-year time period were analysed in four periods each of 6 years duration grouped into frequently exposed, intermittently exposed, and always covered sites. Incidence increased significantly over time with females having a higher incidence rate than males. In both sexes, the proportion of cases seen on the posterior trunk and arm increased significantly (P<0.

Closure of hip wound, clips or subcuticular sutures: does it make a difference?

The purpose of this study was to investigate wound healing and complications following surgery for fracture neck of femur. Seventy-one patients were prospectively divided into two groups, according to the method of skin closure: group A had clips; group B had subcuticular vicryl® sutures. There were 41 patients in group A, and 30 patients in group B.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament surgery using the over-the-top femoral route.

Primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is considered a successful surgical procedure, but the results reported for revision ACL surgery are less satisfactory. The most common cause of technical failure in primary reconstruction is tunnel misplacement, particularly on the femoral side, although an anterior placement of the tibial tunnel may lead to graft impingement and failure. Several technical problems are encountered during revision procedures.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autografts with a polyester fixation device.

Twenty-nine patients who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision were evaluated retrospectively between 1992 and 2000. A similar surgical technique was used in all cases. Twenty-six patients underwent revision following failed primary and revision surgery with the ABC scaffold ligament.

Evaluation of tibial bone tunnel enlargement using MRI scan cross-sectional area measurement after autologous hamstring tendon ACL replacement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate tibial bone tunnel enlargement following four-strand hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, using a new method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment. Correlation with clinical outcome was also examined. In a prospective study following ACL reconstruction, 24 patients underwent MRI and clinical assessment, at a mean follow-up of 6.