Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of surface roughness between polyamide , thermoplastic polymethyl methacrylate and acetal resins flexible denture base materials before and after polishing

The aim of this study was to compare the surface roughness of different types of flexible thermoplastic materials (polyamide, polymethyl methacrylate and acetal resins) before & after polishing. Materials and methods: seven specimens were made for each group. One surface was polished using the conventional laboratory polishing technique, while the other surface remain unpolished. A profilometer was used to measure the surface roughness. Results: one way anova was used to compare surface roughness of the three materials before and after polishing. The test revealed that the surface roughness was decreased in all materials after polishing with a statistical difference, and Polyamide (Breflex) exhibited the least surface roughness values. Conclusion: All tested materials exhibited a little degree of roughness, below the threshold Ra=0. 2 μm. The surface smoothness of all resin specimens, was produced successfully by conventional laboratory polishing. [Maha A Mekkawy, Lamis A Hussein, Mohamed A. Elsharawy. Comparative study of surface roughness between polyamide, thermoplastic polymethyl methacrylate and acetal resins flexible denture base materials before and after polishing. Life Sci J 2015;12(10):90-95]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 11
THE EFFICACY OF DIVERGENCE HITCHHIKING IN GENERATING GENOMIC ISLANDS DURING ECOLOGICAL SPECIATION

Genes under divergent selection flow less readily between populations than other loci. This observation has led to verbal “divergence hitchhiking” models of speciation in which decreased interpopulation gene flow surrounding loci under divergent selection can generate large regions of differentiation within the genome (genomic islands). The efficacy of this model in promoting speciation depends on the size of the region affected by divergence hitchhiking. Empirical evidence is mixed, with examples of both large and small genomic islands. To address these empirical discrepancies and to formalize the theory, we present mathematical models of divergence hitchhiking, which examine neutral differentiation around selected sites. For a single locus under selection, regions of differentiation do not extend far along a chromosome away from a selected site unless both effective population sizes and migration rates are low. When multiple loci are considered, regions of differentiation can be larger. However, with many loci under selection, genome‐wide divergence occurs and genomic islands are erased. The results show that divergence hitchhiking can generate large regions of differentiation, but that the conditions under which this occurs are limited. Thus, speciation may often require multifarious selection acting on many, isolated and physically unlinked genes. How hitchhiking promotes further adaptive divergence warrants consideration.
Multiple feature sets and genetic search based discrimination of pathological voices

The effectiveness of ten different feature sets in classification of voice recordings of the sustained phonation of the vowel sound /a/ into a healthy and pathological classes is investigated as well as a new approach to building a sequential committee of support vector machines (SVM) for the classification is proposed. The optimal values of hyper-parameters of the committee and the feature sets providing the best performance are found during the genetic search. In the experimental investigations performed using 444 voice recordings of the sustained phonation of the vowel sound /a/ coming from 148 subjects, three recordings from each subject, the correct classification rate of over 92% was obtained. The classification accuracy has been compared with the accuracy obtained from four human experts. Keywords—voice pathology; feature selection; genetic search; support vector machine
Locus-Specific Rescue of GluRϵ1 NMDA Receptors in Mutant Mice Identifies the Brain Regions Important for Morphine Tolerance and Dependence

Tolerance and physical dependence caused by chronic treatment of narcotics are good models to study basic neuronal plasticity. Activation of the NMDA subtype of the glutamate receptor has been implicated as an anti-opioid system in the development of morphine analgesic tolerance and dependence. The present study examines the specific role of the ϵ1 subunit of the NMDA receptor using mice lacking the gene encoding ϵ1 subunit of the NMDA receptor (GluRϵ1-/- mice). GluRϵ1-/- mice showed significant enhancement and prolongation of morphine anti-nociception, compared with wild-type GluRϵ1+/+ mice. GluRϵ1-/- mice also showed a marked loss of the analgesic tolerance after repeated morphine treatments. In C57BL/6J mice treated with chronic morphine after tolerance paradigm, the GluRϵ1 protein expression significantly increased in periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), but not amygdala or hippocampus. The rescue of GluRϵ1 protein by electroporation into the PAG and VTA, but not NAc of GluRϵ1-/- mice significantly reversed morphine analgesic tolerance liability. Similar attempts were also performed in the naloxone-precipitated physical dependence paradigm. GluRϵ1-/- mice showed marked loss of typical withdrawal abstinence behaviors, and significant enhancement of GluRϵ1 protein expression was only observed in NAc by chronic morphine treatments after dependence paradigm. The rescue of GluRϵ1 protein by electroporation into the NAc of GluRϵ1-/- mice significantly reversed the loss of abstinence behaviors. These findings suggest that GluRϵ1 has locus-specific roles in the development of morphine analgesic tolerance and physical dependence.
An emerging opportunistic infection: fatal astrovirus (VA1/HMO‐C) encephalitis in a pediatric stem cell transplant recipient

Neuroinvasive astrovirus (VA1‐HMO‐C) is an emerging life‐threatening infection in immunocompromised hosts. We describe an 8‐month‐old child who died of VA1/HMO‐C encephalitis following bone marrow transplantation. The diagnosis was only made post‐mortem using RNA deep sequencing of the brain. Repeat analysis of the post‐mortem brain tissue using polymerase chain reaction specific primers for VA1/HMO‐C was positive. Astrovirus VA1/HMO‐C should be included in the evaluation of patients with similar encephalitis.
The site of cellulose synthesis. Hormone treatment alters the intracellular location of alkali-insoluble beta-1,4-glucan (cellulose) synthetase activities

Membrane preparations from growing regions of 8-day old Pisum sativum epicotyls contain multiple beta-1,4-glucan (cellulose) synthetase activities (UDP- or GDP-glucose: beta-1,4-glucan-glucosyl transferase), and the levels of some of these are influenced by treatments with the growth hormone, indoleacetic acid (IAA). When membranes from control epicotyl segments (zero time) are fractionated by isopycnic sedimentation in sucrose density gradients, all of the synthetase activities are associated mainly with Golgi membrane (density 1.55 g/cm3). After decapitation and treatment of epicotyls with IAA, synthetases also appear in a smooth vesicle fraction (density 1.11 g/cm3) which is rich in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker enzyme. Major fractions of these synthetases are not recovered in association with plasma membrane or washed cell walls. When [14-C]sucrose is supplied in vivo to segments +/- IAA, radioactive cellulose is deposited only in the wall. Cellulose or cellodextrin precursors do not accumulate in those membranes in which synthetase activities are recovered in vitro. In experiments where tissue slices containing intact cells are supplied with [14C]sugar nucleotide in vitro, alkali-insoluble beta-1,4-glucan is synthesized (presumably outside the protoplast) at rates which greatly exceeded (20-30 times) those obtained using isolated membrane preparations. Progressive disruption of cell structure results in increasing losses of this high activity. These results are consistent with the interpretation that Golgi and ER-associated synthetases are not themselves loci for cellulose synthesis in vivo, but represent enzymes in transit to sites of action at the wall:protoplast omterface. There they operate only if integrity of cellular organization is maintained.
Measuring Interviewer Characteristics Pertinent to Social Surveys: A Conceptual Framework

Interviewer effects are found across all types of interviewer-mediated surveys crossing disciplines and countries. While studies describing interviewer effects are manifold, identifying characteristics explaining these effects has proven difficult due to a lack of data on the interviewers. This paper proposes a conceptual framework of interviewer characteristics for explaining interviewer effects and its operationalization in an interviewer questionnaire. The framework encompasses four dimensions of interviewer characteristics: interviewer attitudes, interviewers’ own behaviour, interviewers’ experience with measurements, and interviewers’ expectations. Our analyses of the data collected from interviewers working on the fourth wave of SHARE Germany show that the above measures distinguish well between interviewers.
Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi Infection in Mice Induces Strong B Cell Responses and Striking But Temporary Changes in Splenic Cell Distribution1

B cells and Abs play a key role in controlling the erythrocytic stage of malaria. However, little is known about the way the humoral response develops during infection. We show that Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi causes major, but temporary changes in the distribution of leukocytes in the spleen. Despite these changes, an ordered response to infection develops, which includes vigorous extrafollicular growth of plasmablasts and germinal center formation. Early in the response, the lymphocytes in the T zone and follicles become widely spaced, and the edges of these compartments blur. This effect is maximal around the peak of parasitemia. Germinal centers are apparent by day 8, peak at day 20, and persist through day 60. Extrafollicular foci of plasmablasts are visible from day 4 and initiate a very strong plasma cell response. Initially, the plasma cells have a conventional red pulp distribution, but by day 10 they are unconventionally sited in the periarteriolar region of the white pulp. In this region they form clusters occupying part of the area normally filled by T cells. B cells are absent from the marginal zone for at least 30 days after the peak of infection, although flow cytometry shows their continued presence in the spleen throughout infection. Relatively normal splenic architecture is regained by day 60 of infection. These results show that the changes in splenic cell distribution are linked to the presence of parasites and do not seem to interfere with the development of the humoral response.
Responses of Escherichia coli Bacteria to Two Opposing Chemoattractant Gradients Depend on the Chemoreceptor Ratio

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli chemotaxis has long served as a simple model of environmental signal processing, and bacterial responses to single chemical gradients are relatively well understood. Less is known about the chemotactic behavior of E. coli in multiple chemical gradients. In their native environment, cells are often exposed to multiple chemical stimuli. Using a recently developed microfluidic chemotaxis device, we exposed E. coli cells to two opposing but equally potent gradients of major attractants, methyl-aspartate and serine. The responses of E. coli cells demonstrated that chemotactic decisions depended on the ratio of the respective receptor number of Tar/Tsr. In addition, the ratio of Tar to Tsr was found to vary with cells’ growth conditions, whereby it depended on the culture density but not on the growth duration. These results provide biological insights into the decision-making processes of chemotactic bacteria that are subjected to multiple chemical stimuli and demonstrate the importance of the cellular microenvironment in determining phenotypic behavior.
Dosimetric feasibility of intensity modulated proton therapy in a transverse magnetic field of 1.5 T

Proton therapy promises higher dose conformality in comparison with regular radiotherapy techniques. Also, image guidance has an increasing role in radiotherapy and MRI is a prime candidate for this imaging. Therefore, in this paper the dosimetric feasibility of Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) in a magnetic field of 1.5 T and the effect on the generated dose distributions compared to those at 0 T is evaluated, using the Monte Carlo software TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS). For three different anatomic sites IMPT plans are generated. It is shown that the generation of an IMPT plan in a magnetic field is feasible, the impact of the magnetic field is small, and the resulting dose distributions are equivalent for 0 T and 1.5 T. Also, the framework of Monte Carlo simulation combined with an inverse optimization method can be used to generate IMPT plans. These plans can be used in future dosimetric comparisons with e.g. IMRT and conventional IMPT. Finally, this study shows that IMPT in a 1.5 T magnetic field is dosimetrically feasible.
Construct Validity of the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale

The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered to 684 gifted students randomly selected from 1500 students enrolled in the Future Problem Solving for Gifted/Talented students. Teachers rated 569 gifted students on a Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) for students' abilities, skills, and motivations required for self directed learning. A principal component analysis of the SDLRS resulted in eight factors. These factors were labeled: attitude toward and joy of learning; self-confidence in abilities and skills for learning; complexity, adventure, and independence in learning; attraction to new and unusual situations; internal control; self-understanding; and responsibility for own learning. Another principal component analysis for the TRS resulted in one factor. The TRS total scores were correlated with the estimated eight SDLRS scores (using unit weights). Significant relationships were found between TRS scores and the first seven and total SDLRS scores. These results give some support for the validity of the SDLRS.
Visceral fat area-defined obesity and periodontitis among Koreans.

AIM Although the association of periodontitis with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity has been studied, it remains controversial. Hence, this study aims to determine whether the obesity is associated with periodontitis among Koreans and to determine the most significant indicator of the obesity on the link. MATERIALS AND METHODS From the Sihwa-Banwol Environmental Health Cohort, 1046 subjects 15 years of age or older were cross-sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent periodontal and medical health examinations. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing and physical activity were evaluated through interviews. The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess periodontitis. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio and visceral fat area (VFA) were used to assess obesity. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied. RESULTS BMI, WC and VFA had a dose-effect relationship with the number of sextants with periodontitis. Although subgroup analysis revealed several significant associations between obesity and periodontitis (CPI 3-4), the greatest association between VFA and periodontitis was found in males, age 45-54 (odds ratio=3.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-7.09). CONCLUSIONS Obesity was associated with periodontitis. VFA was the most suitable indicator of obesity in relation to periodontitis. Obesity may be a substantial risk factor for periodontitis.
Among the risk factors of myocardial infarction, anthropometry has no association: A case control study in the central region of Sri Lanka

Background: In the face of rising incidence of cardiovascular disease in the globe, the associated risk factors could be country or area specific. This study aimed to identify the important risk factors of myocardial infarction (MI) prevailing in the Kandydistrict of Sri Lanka. Methods: In a case control design, the cases were recruited from the Coronary Care Unit, General Hospital Kandy, with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Matched controls were selected from the Out Patient Department with other ailments, unrelated to cardiovascular diseases. Results: There were 205 cases and 197 controls with the mean age of 56 years (SD ± 8.4 years) and 54 years (SD ± 9.8 years) respectively with male: female ratio of 1:0.2. In analysis, hypertension (OR = 5.09, CI = 2.64 - 9.83), type 11 diabetes (OR = 3.45, CI = 1.90 - 6.10), smoking (OR = 1.95, CI= 1.44 - 2.65) and high LDL cholesterol levels (OR = 1.06, CI = 1.04 - 1.06) were identified as the independent risk factors of myocardial infarction. However, the anthropometric measurements, waist hip ratio (OR = 0.64, CI = 0.33 - 1.34) and body mass index ≥ 25 (OR = 0.75, CI = 0.46 - 1.22) did not show an association with myocardial infarctions. Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements did not qualify as risk factors of myocardial infarction in the local setting even though hypertension, diabetes, smoking and high LDL levels showed a significant association in par with the established data.
Reflections on emotions, imagination, and moral reasoning: Toward an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to moral cognition

Beginning with the problem of integrating diverse disciplinary perspectives on moral cognition we argue that the various disciplines have an interest in developing a common conceptual framework for moral cognition research. We discuss issues arising in the other chapters in this volume that might serve as focal points for future investigation and as the basis for the eventual development of such a framework. These include the role of theory in binding together diverse phenomena, and the role of philosophy in the construction of moral theory. We discuss the problem of distinguishing descriptive and normative issues, and the importance of systematic normative analysis for empirical research. We argue that theories of cognitive architecture should play an important role as a backdrop for investigation into specific aspects of moral cognition, and we consider some of the taxonomic issues that will arise for moral cognition research, including types of moral agents, forms of moral cognition, and the nature of morality itself. Finally, we discuss some key issues in moral development, including the importance of understanding the fine-grained structure of moral motivation and emerging conceptual schemas, and the role of active interpretation and problem solving as children acquire moral skill.
Implication of vascular endothelial growth factor and p53 status for angiogenesis in noninvasive colorectal carcinoma

It still is unclear when angiogenic potential, which is believed to be a prerequisite for tumor development, is acquired. The current study was designed 1) to clarify when the phenotypic change of angiogenicity occurs during the development of colon carcinoma and 2) to investigate the possible roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 in angiogenesis.
High glucose uptake unexpectedly is accompanied by high levels of the mitochondrial β-F1-ATPase subunit in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

A hallmark of solid tumors is the consumption of large amounts of glucose and production of lactate, also known as Warburg-like metabolism. This metabolic phenotype is typical for aggressive tumor growth, and can be visualized by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake detected by positron emission tomography (PET). High 18F-FDG uptake inversely correlates with survival and goes along with reduced expression of the catalytic beta-subunit of the H+-ATP synthase (β-F1-ATPase) in several tumor entities analyzed so far. For this study we characterized a series of 15 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by (i) determining 18F-FDG-uptake; (ii) quantitative expression analysis of β-F1-ATPase (Complex V), NDUF-S1 (Complex I) and COX1 (Complex IV) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), as well as Hsp60 (mitochondrial mass) and GAPDH (glycolysis) in tumor cells; (iii) sequencing of the mtDNA of representative tumor samples. Whereas high 18F-FDG-uptake also correlates with poor prognosis in HNSCC, it surprisingly is accompanied by high levels of β-F1-ATPase, but not by any of the other analyzed proteins. In conclusion, we here describe a completely new phenotype of metabolic adaptation possibly enabling those tumors with highest levels of β-F1-ATPase to rapidly proliferate even in hypoxic zones, which are typical for HNSCC.
The mental health of unaccompanied refugee minors on arrival in the host country.

Despite increasing numbers of unaccompanied refugee minors (UM) in Europe and heightened concerns for this group, research on their mental health has seldom included the factor "time since arrival. " As a result, our knowledge of the mental health statuses of UM at specific points in time and over periods in their resettlement trajectories in European host countries is limited. This study therefore examined the mental health of UM shortly after their arrival in Norway (n = 204) and Belgium (n = 103) through the use of self-report questionnaires (HSCL-37A, SLE, RATS, HTQ). High prevalence scores of anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were found. In addition, particular associations were found with the number of traumatic events the UM reported. The results indicate that all UM have high support needs on arrival in the host country. Longitudinal studies following up patterns of continuity and change in their mental health during their trajectories in the host country are necessary.
Antidepressants: Controversies about their efficacy in depression, their effect on suicidality and their place in a complex psychiatric treatment approach

The paper will highlight and discuss some of the important issues and controversies of current depression treatment like the efficacy of antidepressants, their effect on suicidality, their place in a complex psychiatric treatment strategy including psychotherapy and other psychosocial activities. The efficacy of antidepressants is clinically significant, but often monotherapy with one drug has to be followed by others or by comedication/augmentation therapy approaches. Psychosocial therapy, predominantly focused on psychotherapeutic strategies, can also contribute in a relevant way to the therapeutic success. Generally, antidepressants reduce suicidality, but under special conditions like young age or personality disorder, they can also be harmful in this respect. However, under the conditions of good clinical practice, the risk–benefit relationship of treatment with antidepressants can be judged as favourable. In addition, the paper tries to analyse the question about how to reach individualised, evidence and value oriented decision making in the complex treatment of depressive patients. The capacity of psychiatrists to individualise treatment decisions in terms of “the right drug/treatment for the right patient” is still restricted since there are currently not enough powerful clinical or biological predictors, which help to achieve this goal. There is hope that in future pharmacogenetics will contribute significantly to a personalised treatment. The ideal that all steps of classical decision making can be based on the strict rule of evidence-based medicine is far away from reality. Individualised decision making is so complex that the rigorous expectations of evidence-based medicine can hardly be fulfilled. Finally, it should be considered that clinical decision making is not only evidence but also value oriented.