Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No positive effect of autologous platelet gel after total knee arthroplasty

Background and purpose Activated platelets release a cocktail of growth factors, some of which are thought to stimulate repair. We investigated whether the use of autologous platelet gel (PG) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would improve wound healing and knee function, and reduce blood loss and the use of analgesics. Patients and methods 102 patients undergoing TKA were randomly assigned to a PG group (n = 50) or to a control (C) group (n = 52). The primary analysis was based on 73 participants (PG: 32; C: 41) with comparison of postoperative wound scores, VAS, WOMAC, knee function, use of analgesics, and the pre- and postoperative hemoglobin values after a follow-up of 3 months. 29 participants were excluded due to insufficient data. Results The characteristics of the protocol-compliant patients were similar to those of the patients who were excluded. Analysis was per protocol and focused on the remaining 73 patients. At baseline and after 3 months of follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding age, height, weight, sex, side of operation, platelet count, hemoglobin values, severity of complaints (WOMAC), and level of pain. Interpretation In our patients undergoing TKA, application of PG to the wound site did not promote wound healing. Also, we found that PG had no effect on pain, knee function, or hemoglobin values.
A Survey of Peptides with Effective Therapeutic Potential in Alzheimer’s Disease Rodent Models or in Human Clinical Studies

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. Today, only palliative therapies are available. The pathological hallmarks of AD are the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, mainly composed of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), in the brains of the patients. Several lines of evidence suggest that the increased production and/or decreased cleavage of Aβ and subsequent accumulation of Aβ oligomers and aggregates play a fundamental role in the disease progress. Therefore, substances which bind to Aβ and influence aggregation thereof are of great interest. A wide range of Aβ binding peptides were investigated to date for therapeutic purposes. Only very few were shown to be effective in rodent AD models or in clinical studies. Here, we review those peptides and discuss their possible mechanisms of action.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF PLY ORIENTATION AND PLY TYPE OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED LAMINATED COMPOSITES

As the fuel efficiency of vehicles is being increased over the next decade due to both consumer demand and regulations, several automobile manufacturers are incorporating fiber-reinforced composites into their product line due to their high strength to weight ratio. While the fiber-reinforced components are lighter than the traditional aluminum and steel components, the processing and repair of these parts is more complicated. The need for non-destructive testing methods to characterize the as-processed ply configuration compared to the as-designed ply configuration will become essential in next generation vehicle quality control and maintenance. Traditionally, ultrasonic techniques have been focused on locating defects and delaminations within parts. The current study incorporates a novel ultrasonic C-scanning technique to determine the ply type, orientation and thickness of each lamina in a carbon fiber reinforced laminated composite. Initial testing was performed inside of an immersion tank, but the system has since been reconfigured to a non-immersion system which can be placed on the top surface of the carbon fiber reinforced laminate for scanning. This paper presents the results for a variety of parts along with the accuracy associated with this non-destructive testing method.
Chemical evolution of the M82 B fossil starburst

M82 B is an old starburst site located in the eastern part of the M82 disc. We derive the distributions of age and metallicity of the star clusters located in this region of M82 by using theoretical evolutionary population synthesis models. Our analysis is based on the comparison of the BVIJ photometry obtained by de Grijs, O'Connel & Gallagher with the colours of single-generation stellar populations. We show that M82 B went through a chemical enrichment phase up to super-solar metallicities around the time of the last close encounter between M82 and its large neighbour galaxy M81. We date and confirm the event that triggered the enhanced cluster formation about 1 Gyr ago. At almost the same time an additional, distinct subpopulation of metal-poor clusters formed in the part of M82 B nearest to the galactic centre. The formation of these peculiar clusters may be related to infall of circumgalactic gas on to M82 B.
Ne X X-ray Emission due to Charge Exchange in M82

Recent X-ray observations of star-forming galaxies such as M82 have shown the Ly beta/Ly alpha line ratio of Ne X to be in excess of predictions for thermal electron impact excitation. Here we demonstrate that the observed line ratio may be due to charge exchange and can be used to constrain the ion kinetic energy to be <500 eV/u. This is accomplished by computing spectra and line ratios via a range of theoretical methods and comparing these to experiments with He over astrophysically relevant collision energies. The charge exchange emission spectra calculations were performed for Ne[10+] +H and Ne[10+] +He using widely applied approaches including the atomic orbital close coupling, classical trajectory Monte Carlo, and multichannel Landau- Zener (MCLZ) methods. A comparison of the results from these methods indicates that for the considered energy range and neutrals (H, He) the so-called "low-energy l-distribution" MCLZ method provides the most likely reliable predictions.
BeppoSAX temperature maps of galaxy clusters in the Corona Borealis supercluster: A2061, A2067 and A2124

ABSTRACT In this paper we present the analysis of Beppo-SAX observations of the cluster pairsA2061–A2067 and A2122–A2124, located in the Corona Borealis supercluster, whichhave been selected as candidate merging clusters. The aim of this work is to study thephysics of the intracluster medium and to look for the possible presence of mergingsignatures. We derived the global temperatures and abundances and the temperatureproﬁles and maps for these clusters. We do not ﬁnd any signiﬁcant evidence of inter-action between the clusters forming the pairs, but we detect a candidate shock insideA2061. On the basis of the X-ray and optical properties of this cluster we propose ascenario in which a group is falling inside A2061. This interaction is in the phase inwhich the cores have not encountered yet and in which the formation of a shock isexpected.Key words: X-rays: galaxies: clusters - galaxies: clusters: general - galaxies: clusters:individual: A2061 - galaxies: clusters: individual: A2067 - galaxies: clusters: individual:A2122 - galaxies: clusters: individual: A2124 -
IncreasIng ImplIcIt lIfe satIsfactIon

We carried out 3 studies in which methods to increase implicit life satisfaction in collectivist participants were investigated. In Study 1, participants were instructed to recall their day from a positive perspective, each day for a total of 17 days. While some participants explicitly rated their lives as being less negative, this did not result in implicit life satisfaction changes in those participants. In Study 2, the participants were exposed to supraliminal priming of the concept My Life with positive valences, but the effects of this exposure on xplicit and implicit life satisfaction proved not to be significant. In Study 3, an increase in implicit life satisfaction resulted from inducing moods in a fashion consistent with the collectivist cultural framework, but not with the individualist cultural framework. However, no changes in explicit life satisfaction were noted in this study.
Achieving MDG 4 in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Has Contributed to the Accelerated Child Mortality Decline in Ghana?

Background Recent analyses have suggested an accelerated decline in child mortality in Ghana since 2000. This study examines the long-term child mortality trends in the country, relates them to changes in the key drivers of mortality decline, and assesses the feasibility of the country's MDG 4 attainment. Methodology Data from five Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) between 1988 and 2008 and the Maternal Health Survey 2007 were used to generate two-year estimates of under-five mortality rates back to 1967. Lowess regression fitted past and future trends towards 2015. A modified Poisson approach was applied on the person-period data created from the DHS 2003 and 2008 to examine determinants of under-five mortality and their contributions to the change in mortality. A policy-modelling system assessed the feasibility of the country's MDG 4 attainment. Findings The under-five mortality rate has steadily declined over the past 40 years with acceleration since 2000, and is projected to reach between 45 and 69 per 1000 live births in 2015. Preceding birth interval (reference: 36+ months, relative risk [RR] increased as the interval shortened), bed net use (RR 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–0.95), maternal education (reference: secondary/higher, RR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.18–2.47 for primary), and maternal age at birth (reference: 17+ years, RR 2.13, 95% CI: 1.12–4.05) were primarily associated with under-five mortality. Increased bed-net use made a substantial contribution to the mortality decline. The scale-up of key interventions will allow the possibility of Ghana's MDG 4 attainment. Conclusions National and global efforts for scaling up key child survival interventions in Ghana are paying off ― these concerted efforts need to be sustained in order to achieve MDG 4.
Employing identities in organizational ecology

This paper argues for greater attention to employment-based organizational identities in ecological theory and research. I define and explore three dimensions of particular relevance to labor market identities: sharpness/resonance, focus and authenticity. The paper offers some speculations regarding: (i) when labor market identities are most decisive for organizations; (ii) how product market and labor market identities interact; (iii) how employment-based organizational identities might be operationalized; and (iv) how greater attention to such identities would illuminate key issues in organizational ecology. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Medium Renewal Blocks Anti-Proliferative Effects of Metformin in Cultured MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Epidemiological studies indicate that metformin, a widely used type 2 diabetes drug, might reduce breast cancer risk and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metformin might protect against breast cancer indirectly by ameliorating systemic glucose homeostasis. Alternatively, it might target breast cancer cells directly. However, experiments using MDA-MB-231 cells, a standard in vitro breast cancer model, produced inconsistent results regarding effectiveness of metformin as a direct anti-cancer agent. Metformin treatments in cultured MDA-MB-231 cells are usually performed for 48–96 hours, but protocols describing renewal of cell culture medium during these prolonged treatments are rarely reported. We determined whether medium renewal protocol might alter sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with metformin. Using the MTS assay, BrdU incorporation and Hoechst staining we found that treatment with metformin for 48–72 hours failed to suppress viability and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells if low-glucose (1 g/L) medium was renewed every 24 hours. Conversely, metformin suppressed their viability and proliferation if medium was not renewed. Without renewal glucose concentration in the medium was reduced to 0.1 g/L in 72 hours, which likely explains increased sensitivity to metformin under these conditions. We also examined whether 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) reduces resistance to metformin. In the presence of 2-DG metformin reduced viability and proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells with or without medium renewal, thus demonstrating that 2-DG reduces their resistance to metformin. In sum, we show that medium renewal blocks anti-proliferative effects of metformin during prolonged treatments in low-glucose medium. Differences in medium renewal protocols during prolonged treatments might therefore lead to apparently inconsistent results as regards effectiveness of metformin as a direct anti-cancer agent. Finally, our results indicate that co-therapy with 2-DG and metformin might provide an effective strategy to overcome metformin resistance of breast cancer cells.
Diurnal Characteristics of Precipitation Features Over the East Pacific : A Comparison of the EPIC and TEPPS Regions

This study examines the diurnal cycle of precipitation features in two regions of the tropical east Pacific where field campaigns (EPIC and TEPPS) were recently conducted. EPIC (10oN, 95oW) was undertaken in September 2001 and TEPPS (8oN, 125oW) was carried out in August 1997. Both studies employed C-band radar observations on board the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown (RHB) as well as periodic upper air sounding launches to observe conditions in the surrounding environment. TRMM-PR and GOES IR data are used to place the RHB data in a climatological context and TAO buoy data are used to evaluate changes in boundary layer fluxes in context with the observed diurnal cycle of radar observations of precipitation features. Precipitation features are defined as contiguous regions of radar echo and are subdivided into mesoscale convective system (MCS) and sub-MCS categories. Results show that MCSs observed in EPIC and TEPPS have distinct diurnal signatures. Both regions show an increase in intensity starting in the afternoon hours with timing of maximum rain intensity preceding maxima in rain area and accumulation. In the TEPPS region, MCS rain rates peak in the evening and rain area-accumulation in the late-nightearly morning hours. In contrast, EPIC MCS rain rates peak in the late night earlymorning and rain area-accumulation is a maximum near local sunrise. The EPIC observations are in agreement with previous satellite studies over the Americas, which show a phase lag response in the adjacent oceanic regions to afternoon-evening convection over the central American land mass. Sub-MCS features in both regions have a broad peak extending through the evening to late-night-early morning hours, similar to that for MCSs. During sub-MCS-only, the rainfall patterns of these features are closely linked to diurnal changes in SST and resulting boundary layer flux variability.
Immigrant Teachers' Teacher Efficacy.

The purpose of the study is to examine 27immigrant teachers’ understanding of teaching Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Students. The participants were asked to respond to the 18-item survey of Teacher Efficacy of English Language Learners. The implications of the findings for the cultural differences in teacher efficacy were discussed.
Productivity Convergence across European Regions: the Effect of Structural and Cohesion Funds

In this paper we study the effects of the European Union regional policy on growth and convergence of productivity. We constructed a large database on Structural and Cohesion funds by gathering information on three programming periods: 1975-1988, 1989-1993, 1994-1999. On average, EU funding had a positive, but concave, effect on productivity growth. However, by separately considering the three programming periods and the composition of the funds according to the objectives defined by the EU, we find that: i) only the funds allocated in the third programming period, when they remarkably increased, had a significant impact; and ii) only Objective 1 and Cohesion funds played a significantly positive effect, while funds devoted to Objectives 2, 3, 4 and 5 had a non significant or small effect. These results indicate that funding became effective when it reached a critical level, and that the funds allocated to Objectives different from Objective 1 and Cohesion Funds may hinder the efficient reallocation of resources across sectors in European regions.
PROGRESSIVE KNOWLEDGE REVEALED PREFERENCES AND SEQUENTIAL RATIONALIZABILITY Nicolas HOUY

In this paper, we study the link between choices derived from monotonous set-dependent preferences and sequential rationalizability. This link is quite natural since choices derived from monotonous set-dependent preferences (introduced in [Houy, 2008b]) are characterized by a strong axiom of revealed preferences whereas sequentially rationalizable choice functions (introduced in [Manzini and Mariotti, 2007]) are characterized by a weak axiom of revealed preferences.
Explicitly Linking Simulated with Real Experiments for Conceptual Understanding of Floating/Sinking Phenomena.

In the present paper, we have examined the impact of explicit linkage between simulated (i.e., virtual) and real (i.e., physical) experimental settings in order to scaffold conceptual understanding, in the case of floating and sinking (F/S) phenomena explanations. This research is part of a research-based curriculum project and has been implemented in an evolutionary manner. The first implementation took place in a science classroom of 12 fifth graders while the refined second, that emphasizedexplicitly linking students’ explanations of real with simulated F/S phenomena, took place in two science classrooms of 41 fifth graders in total. We report and discuss the results of five research tasks included in a questionnaire developed to record students’ explanations concerning F/S phenomena. Findings showed that explicit instruction linking simulated and real activities of F/S phenomena was beneficial for students even as long as seven months after the intervention.
Profiling Taste and Aroma Compound Metabolism during Apricot Fruit Development and Ripening

Sugars, organic acids and volatiles of apricot were determined by HPLC and GC-MS during fruit development and ripening, and the key taste and aroma components were identified by integrating flavor compound contents with consumers’ evaluation. Sucrose and glucose were the major sugars in apricot fruit. The contents of all sugars increased rapidly, and the accumulation pattern of sugars converted from glucose-predominated to sucrose-predominated during fruit development and ripening. Sucrose synthase (SS), sorbitol oxidase (SO) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) are under tight developmental control and they might play important roles in sugar accumulation. Almost all organic acids identified increased during early development and then decrease rapidly. During early development, fruit mainly accumulated quinate and malate, with the increase of citrate after maturation, and quinate, malate and citrate were the predominant organic acids at the ripening stage. The odor activity values (OAV) of aroma volatiles showed that 18 aroma compounds were the characteristic components of apricot fruit. Aldehydes and terpenes decreased significantly during the whole development period, whereas lactones and apocarotenoids significantly increased with fruit ripening. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) results revealed that β-ionone, γ-decalactone, sucrose and citrate are the key characteristic flavor factors contributing to consumer acceptance. Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCD) may be involved in β-ionone formation in apricot fruit.
The development of semantic meta-database: an ontology based semantic integration of biological databases

Protein sequence annotation is important for the preservation and reuse of knowledge, for content-based queries, and for the understanding of its function. Traditional wet-lab methods are labor intensive and prone to human error. Alternatively, existing tools are time intensive and require high investment in computing facilities for offline usage. On the other hand, these tools are highly dependent on internet stability and speed for online usage. Therefore, a simple and practical computational method that is more accurate, faster, easy to configure and use, and bears low computing cost is needed particularly for offline usage. In this study, a Gene Ontology (GO) based protein sequence annotation tool named extended UTMGO is developed to meet these features. The GO is selected because of its ability to provide dynamic, precisely defined, structured, and controlled terms that describe genes and their functions and products in any organism. Furthermore, the GO terms are linked with gene products and their protein sequences from various species provided by Gene Ontology Annotation (GOA). Thus, assigning highly correlated GO terms of annotated protein sequences to partially annotated or newly discovered protein sequences can be made. The tool comprises two intelligent algorithms. The first algorithm combines parallel genetic algorithm with the split-and-merge algorithm. The idea is to cluster the GO terms into number k of clusters in order to split the monolithic GO RDF/XML file into smaller files. Thus, it enables protein sequences and Inferred from Electronic Annotation (IEA) evidence associations to be included in those files. The second algorithm incorporates parallel genetic algorithm with the semantic similarity measure algorithm. The motive is to search for a set of semantically similar GO terms from the fragmented GO RDF/XML files to a given query. In addition, its basic version which is a GO browser based on semantic similarity search is also introduced to overcome the weaknesses of conventional approach: the keyword matching.