Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Software System Maintainability using Structural Measures and Expert Assessments

Software maintenance is often expensive; hence, strategies for assessing the maintainability of complete software systems are important. Nevertheless, a software client usually has few means of assessing the maintainability of a software system as part of the acquisition process. Assessing the maintainability of complete systems is difficult due to the influence of many factors, such as the people, tasks and tools, in addition to the code. Furthermore, most research on maintainability focuses on individual classes of individual systems. This paper describes an empirical study in which the maintainability of four functionally equivalent systems developed in Java was assessed using both structural measures and expert assessments. The results suggest that such a combination may be useful. Although the assessment based on structural measures mostly corresponded with the expert assessments, there were several examples of potential problems regarding maintainability that were not captured by the structural measures.
Emission Characteristics of Primary Brown Carbon Absorption From Biomass and Coal Burning: Development of an Optical Emission Inventory for China

Brown carbon (BrC) affects the Earth's radiative balance due to its strong light absorption at short wavelengths. A custom‐made combustion chamber was used to simulate biomass and coal burning and to investigate the emission characteristics of BrC absorption. Absorption Ångström exponents (AAEs) at the wavelength pair of 370 and 880 nm ranged from 1.19 to 3.25, suggesting the possible existence of BrC in biomass‐ and coal‐burning emissions. Based on the assumption that AAEBC = 1.0, BrC from biomass burning contributed to 41–85% of the total particles light absorption at 370 nm, which is much higher than that from coal burning (15–18%). The estimated absorption emission factors of BrC at 370 nm for biomass and coal burning were 15–47 and 2–13 m2/kg, respectively. A 10 × 10 km gridded BrC optical emission inventory for biomass and coal burning in China for 2015 was developed based on the measured absorption emission factors of BrC values and high‐resolution activity data. The total annual BrC absorption cross section emissions from biomass and residential coal burning were 4,194 Gm2 (relative uncertainty at the 95% confidence level of −33.2, 41.2%) and 615 Gm2 (−39.3, 40.1%), respectively. These results should be useful for improving estimates of the radiative effects of BrC in China.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer: lesbian and heterosexual women.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To compare the distribution of risk factors for developing ovarian cancer in lesbian and heterosexual women. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a retrospective medical record review. SETTING Urban health clinic with special outreach to lesbians. SAMPLE Typical participant (N = 1,019) was 42.9 years old and white (70%). Most were without health insurance, and 99% were poor (< $15,780 annual income). The majority (58%, n = 586) described themselves as heterosexual; 42% (n = 433) said they were lesbian. METHODS Data were collected from medical records and analyzed using analysis of covariance and logistic regression techniques. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Ovarian cancer risk factors (parity, exogenous hormone use, smoking, body mass index [BMI], and tubal ligation/hysterectomy). FINDINGS Lesbians had a higher BMI; heterosexual women had higher rates of current smoking and a higher incidence of the protective factors of pregnancy, children, miscarriages, abortions, and use of birth control pills. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that lesbians may have an increased risk for developing ovarian cancer. A study designed specifically to explore the risk factors of lesbian and heterosexual women for developing ovarian cancer must be undertaken to confirm these findings. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Differences in risk levels may exist for lesbians; therefore, healthcare providers must become comfortable asking questions about sexual orientation and behavior.
T Cell Epitope Mimicry in Antiglomerular Basement Membrane Disease1

Antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease or Goodpasture’s syndrome is among the earliest recognized human autoimmune diseases. Although collagen 4α3 NC1 (Col4α3NC1) has been identified as the responsible autoantigen, it remains unknown how autoimmunity to this autoantigen is provoked. We have demonstrated in our rat model that a single nephritogenic T cell epitope pCol28–40 of Col4α3NC1 induces glomerulonephritis. We hypothesized that microbial peptides that mimic this T cell epitope could induce the disease. Based on the critical residue motif (xxtTxNPsxx) of pCol28–40, seven peptides derived from human infection-related microbes were chosen through GenBank search and synthesized. All peptides showed cross-reactivity with pCol28–40-specific T cells at various levels. Only four peptides induced transient proteinuria and minor glomerular injury. However, the other three peptides induced severe proteinuria and modest to severe glomerulonephritis in 16–25% of the immunized rats. Unexpectedly, the most nephritogenic peptide, pCB, derived from Clostridium botulinum, also induced modest (25%) to severe (25%) pulmonary hemorrhage, another important feature of anti-GBM disease; this was not correlated with the severity of glomerulonephritis. This finding suggests that subtle variations in T cell epitope specificity may lead to different clinical manifestations of anti-GBM disease. In summary, our study raises the possibility that a single T cell epitope mimicry by microbial Ag may be sufficient to induce the anti-GBM disease.
Incorporating online teaching in an introductory pharmaceutical practice course: a study of student perceptions within an Australian University

Objective To examine student perceptions regarding online lectures and quizzes undertaken during a pharmaceutical practice course for first year undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy course at an Australian University. Methods The University uses a standard instrument to collect feedback from students regarding unit satisfaction. Data were collected for three different teaching modalities: traditional face-to-face, online and partially online. Results Descriptive statistics support that, from a student's perspective, partial online delivery is the preferred teaching methodology for an introductory pharmaceutical practice unit. Conclusions This study has served to highlight that while there are a few points of significant difference between traditional and online teaching and learning, a combination of the two provides a reasonable avenue for teaching exploration. This result has implications for teaching practice generally, and within the pharmacy discipline, specifically.
A New Pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea: Azhdarchidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco

The Kem Kem beds in South Eastern Morocco contain a rich early Upper (or possibly late Lower) Cretaceous vertebrate assemblage. Fragmentary remains, predominantly teeth and jaw tips, represent several kinds of pterosaur although only one species, the ornithocheirid Coloborhynchus moroccensis, has been named. Here, we describe a new azhdarchid pterosaur, Alanqa saharica nov. gen. nov. sp. , based on an almost complete well preserved mandibular symphysis from Aferdou N'Chaft. We assign additional fragmentary jaw remains, some of which have been tentatively identified as azhdarchid and pteranodontid, to this new taxon which is distinguished from other azhdarchids by a remarkably straight, elongate, lance-shaped mandibular symphysis that bears a pronounced dorsal eminence near the posterior end of its dorsal (occlusal) surface. Most remains, including the holotype, represent individuals of approximately three to four meters in wingspan, but a fragment of a large cervical vertebra, that probably also belongs to A. saharica, suggests that wingspans of six meters were achieved in this species. The Kem Kem beds have yielded the most diverse pterosaur assemblage yet reported from Africa and provide the first clear evidence for the presence of azhdarchids in Gondwana at the start of the Late Cretaceous. This, the relatively large size achieved by Alanqa, and the additional evidence of variable jaw morphology in azhdarchids provided by this taxon, indicates a longer and more complex history for this clade than previously suspected.
Feature extraction from colour and stereo images using ICA

Previous work has shown that independent component analysis (ICA) applied to natural image data yields features resembling Gabor functions and simple-cell receptive fields. This article considers the effects of including chromatic and stereo information. The inclusion of colour leads to features divided into separate red/green, blue/yellow, and bright/dark channels. Stereo image data, on the other hand, leads to binocular receptive fields which are tuned to various disparities. The similarities between these results and observed properties of simple cells in primary visual cortex are further evidence for the hypothesis that visual cortical neurons perform some type of redundancy reduction, which was one of the original motivations for ICA in the first place. In addition, ICA provides a principled method for feature extraction from colour and stereo images, such features could be used in image processing operations such as denoising, compression, and pattern recognition.
Liver iron concentration measurements by MRI in chronically transfused children with sickle cell anemia: baseline results from the TWiTCH trial

Noninvasive, quantitative, and accurate assessment of liver iron concentration (LIC) by MRI is useful for patients receiving transfusions, but R2 and R2* MRI techniques have not been systematically compared in sickle cell anemia (SCA). We report baseline LIC results from the TWiTCH trial, which compares hydroxyurea with blood transfusion treatment for primary stroke prophylaxis assessed by transcranial Doppler sonography in pediatric SCA patients. Liver R2 was collected and processed using a FDA‐approved commercial process (FerriScan®), while liver R2* quality control and processing were performed by a Core Laboratory blinded to clinical site and patient data. Baseline LIC studies using both MRI techniques were available for 120 participants. LICR2* and LICR2 results were highly correlated (r2 = 0.93). A proportional bias of LIC(R2*)/LIC(R2), decreasing with average LIC, was observed. Systematic differences between LICR2* and LICR2 were also observed by MRI manufacturer. Importantly, LICR2* and LICR2 estimates had broad 95% limits of agreement with respect to each other. We recommend LICR2 and LICR2* not be used interchangeably in SCA patients to follow individual patient trends in iron burden.Am. J. Hematol. 90:806–810, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automated computational framework for the analysis of electrostatic similarities of proteins

Charge plays an important role in protein–protein interactions. In the case of excessively charged proteins, their electrostatic potentials contribute to the processes of recognition and binding with other proteins or ligands. We present an automated computational framework for determining the contribution of each charged amino acid to the electrostatic properties of proteins, at atomic resolution level. This framework involves computational alanine scans, calculation of Poisson–Boltzmann electrostatic potentials, calculation of electrostatic similarity distances (ESDs), hierarchical clustering analysis of ESDs, calculation of solvation free energies of association, and visualization of the spatial distributions of electrostatic potentials. The framework is useful to classify families of mutants with similar electrostatic properties and to compare them with the parent proteins in the complex. The alanine scan mutants introduce perturbations in the local electrostatic properties of the proteins and aim in delineating the contribution of each mutated amino acid in the spatial distribution of electrostatic potential, and in biological function when electrostatics is a dominant contributing factor in protein–protein interactions. The framework can be used to design new proteins with tailored electrostatic properties, such as immune system regulators, inhibitors, and vaccines, and in guiding experimental studies. We present an example for the interaction of the immune system protein C3d (the d‐fragment of complement protein C3) with its receptor CR2, and we discuss our data in view of a binding site controversy. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2011
Utility of cytokeratin 20 in identifying the origin of metastatic carcinomas in effusions

Using a commercially available monoclonal antibody (Ks20.1) and the avidin‐biotin peroxidase method on cytospins and cell blocks, we analyzed cytokeratin (CK) 20 expression in 169 serous effusions. Cytoplasmic staining was observed in 44/151 malignant fluids. Colon, gastric, and pancreatic adenocarcinomas and mucinous ovarian tumors were most frequently positive. Single cases of transitional‐cell and squamous cell carcinomas were reactive as well. Lung and breast cancers were mostly negative. Nonmucinous ovarian tumors were invariably unlabeled as were mesotheliomas and normal mesothelial cells. the study shows that CK 20 is valuable in distinguishing tumor cell origin in effusions. in particular, it identifies a set of carcinomas with the majority arising from the gastrointestinal tract, and represents a highly characteristic marker for colorectal cancer. © 1995 Wiley‐ Liss, Inc.
Studies on Agronomic Bio-fortification with Micronutrients in Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seed Crop

In the present investigations, carried out at experimental farm and laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP during 2015-2017, seed crop of onion cv. Palam Lohit was sprayed with zinc, boron, molybdenum and their combinations. Foliar application of micronutrients was given as zinc sulphate, boric acid and sodium molybdate at a concentration of 5%, 1% and 0.05%, respectively, at 3 stages i.e. vegetative stage, prior to flowering and at seed set stage. The sprays of zinc @ 5% and boron @ 1% showed maximum values with respect to number of leaves plant-1 (12.67), leaf length (49.53 cm), plant height at final harvest (54.60 cm), number of umbel plant-1 (7.60), number of flower umbel-1 (465), number of seeds umbel-1 (386.67), seed yield (222.67 g plot-1 of 3.24 m2 i.e. 618.52 kg ha-1), 1000 seed weight (3.97 g) and minimum for ovule to seed ratio (7.21) and days to bolting (113.43). The present studies revealed that onion seed crop sprayed with zinc @ 5% and boron @ 1% at vegetative stage, prior to flowering and at seed set stage significantly enhanced plant growth, yield contributing characters and seed yield.
Stroke patients in south Madrid: function and motor recovery, resource utilization, and family support.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to describe the epidemiology of stroke disability and the use of health resources in South Madrid. METHODS Among a population of 665 168 residents in South Madrid, patients with an acute stroke of clinical onset during March to July 1996 who were seen at a general hospital or at 1 of 3 primary care centers were evaluated at baseline (n=147) and at 3 months (n=110) and 6 months (n=112) after stroke. We assessed the frequencies of stroke and stroke-related residual disability per population unit, as well as the impairment, disability, secondary complications, use of health resources, and impact on quality of life. RESULTS In patients > or =60 years old, the incidence of stroke with severe residual disability after 6 months was 75 per 10 000, was higher in men, and increased with age; the proportion of survivors among those examined at baseline was 20%. The use of hospital days per population unit was similar to that of reported European data, but the use of other health care resources was less. Patients frequently used bladder and nasal catheters and presented with shoulder pain. Social activities were infrequent and decreased after stroke. Access to technical aids was limited, and home adaptations were exceptional. The impact of stroke on health-related quality of life among patients and main caregivers was modest. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that in South Madrid, (1) the use of health resources after stroke is low; (2) patients with stroke register low activities of daily living scores with a comparatively small impact on quality of life; and (3) relative to need, the use of rehabilitation, aids, and home adaptations and services was low.
Properties of internally perfused, voltage-clamped, isolated nerve cell bodies

The membrane properties of isolated neurons from Helix aspersa were examined by using a new suction pipette method. The method combines internal perfusion with voltage clamp of nerve cell bodies separated from their axons. Pretreatment with enzymes such as trypsin that alter membrane function is not required. A platinized platinum wire which ruptures the soma membrane allows low resistance access directly to the cell's interior improving the time resolution under voltage clamp by two orders of magnitude. The shunt resistance of the suction pipette was 10-50 times the neuronal membrane resistance, and the series resistance of the system, which was largely due to the tip diameter, was about 10(5) omega. However, the peak clamp currents were only about 20 nA for a 60-mV voltage step so that measurements of membrane voltage were accurate to within at least 3%. Spatial control of voltage was achieved only after somal separation, and nerve cell bodies isolated in this way do not generate all-or-none action potentials. Measurements of membrane potential, membrane resistance, and membrane time constant are equivalent to those obtained using intracellular micropipettes, the customary method. With the axon attached, comparable all-or-none action potentials were also measured by either method. Complete exchange of Cs+ for K+ was accomplished by internal perfusion and allowed K+ currents to be blocked. Na+ currents could then be blocked by TTX or suppressed by Tris-substituted snail Ringer solution. Ca2+ currents could be blocked using Ni2+ and other divalent cations as well as organic Ca2+ blockers. The most favorable intracellular anion was aspartate-, and the sequence of favorability was inverted from that found in squid axon.
Bone tissue modelling and remodelling following guided bone regeneration in combination with biphasic calcium phosphate materials presenting different microporosity.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate bone regeneration following application of a novel biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP I) composed of microstructured granules of 90% β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)/10% hydroxyapatite (HA) compared to BCP non-microstructured biphasic calcium phosphate with a composite of 60% hydroxyapatite/40% β-TCP (BCP II) and a deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) at surgically created defects in the mandible of minipigs in a combined approach with guided bone regeneration (GBR). MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixteen minipigs were used for the study. Lower premolars P2, P3, P4 and first molar M1 were extracted. Following 3 months of healing, two defects with a width and depth of 7 mm were created bilaterally in the mandible. The different grafting materials were randomly placed in the created defects and covered by means of a collagen membrane. After 3 and 8 weeks, biopsies were sampled. All specimens were evaluated with descriptive histology and histomorphometric evaluations complemented by micro-CT scan analysis. RESULTS All three biomaterials presented with higher bone volume at 8 weeks compared to 3 weeks (P < 0.0442). BCP I and DBBM demonstrated a significant higher amount of bone formation compared to BCP II at 8 weeks (P < 0.0328). BCP I also demonstrated a significant higher percentage of remaining graft volume compared to the other test groups both at 3 and 8 weeks (P < 0.0001 to P < 0.0003). Congruently, defects containing BCP I showed a significant higher amount of mineralized tissue compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS All the three test materials performed well with regard to bone formation at 8 weeks. BCP I showed significant higher amounts of newly formed bone despite a higher remaining graft volume compared to the other groups. With regard to the regenerative outcome, all the three materials can be recommended for clinical use.
Revascularization following the lateral sliding flap procedure.

Two young adult rhesus monkeys, with an average weight of 12 pounds were used. Anesthesia with Nembutal 30 mg/kg of body weight was given to perform the surgeries. Artificial defects were created by raising a flap and removing about 5 X 7 mm of the buccal alveolar plate and suturing the flaps exposing the alveolar crest. These defects were left untreated for 2 months. Then, mucogingival lateral sliding flaps were performed to cover the recessions. Postoperative periods of 1, 9, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days were obtained when the animals were killed. A combined solution of Pelikan carbon black and 10% buffered formalin was perfused through the exposed and cannulated external carotid arteries to evaluate revascularization. After killing, blocks, including the operated teeth and the surrounding tissues, were fixed in 10% formalin and then partially decalcified in EDTA. Two blocks per time interval were obtained. One of the blocks was processed for regular histology, and sectioned bucco-lingually. In these sections it was found that the new attachment to the root was mediated by a combination of connective tissue attachment and a long junctional epithelium. The other blocks were cut cross-sectionally at about 1-mm thickness. Sections were selected from three different areas: (a) at the most coronal part of the laterally displaced flap, (b) at the middle of the localized defect and (c) at the bottom of the defect. They were cleared following the Spalteholtz method. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acromioclavicular joint reconstruction using a tendon graft: a biomechanical study comparing a novel “sutured throughout” tendon graft to a standard tendon graft

Background: With a recurrence rate of over 30%, techniques that offer stronger acromioclavicular (AC) joint reconstruction through increased graft strength may provide longevity. The purpose of our study was to determine the biomechanical strength of a novel tendon graft sutured throughout compared to a native tendon graft in Grade 3 anatomical AC joint reconstruction. Methods: For this in vitro experiment, nine paired (n = 18) embalmed cadaveric AC joints of three males and six females (age 86 years, range 51–94 years) were harvested. Anatomic repair with fresh bovine Achilles tendon grafts without bone block was simulated. Specimens were divided into two groups; with group 1 using grafts with ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) suture ran throughout the entire length. In group 2, reconstruction with only native allografts was performed. The distal scapula and humerus were casted in epoxy compound and mounted on the mechanical testing machine. Tensile tests were performed using a mechanical testing machine at the rate of 50 mm/min. Maximum load and displacement to failure were collected. Results: The average load to failure was significantly higher for group 1 compared to group 2, with mean values of 437.5 N ± 160.7 N and 94.4 N ± 43.6 N, (p = 0.001). The average displacement to failure was not significantly different, with 29.7 mm ± 10.6 mm in group 1 and 25 mm ± 9.1 mm in group 2 (p = 0.25). Conclusion: We conclude that a UHMWPE suture reinforced graft can provide a 3.6 times stronger AC joint reconstruction compared to a native graft.