Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peer-group assessment of pre-clinical operative skills in restorative dentistry and comparison with experienced assessors.

OBJECTIVE In order to assess the feasibility of moving away from a tutor-assessed summative assessment to a peer-group marked assessment with more formative value, a study was undertaken to investigate if any differences existed between marks given by a peer group acting as examiner when compared with experienced assessors. The null hypothesis was that no differences in grades would exist between the examiners. METHODS A total of 130 ivorine teeth set in dentoform models (mounted in phantom heads) were prepared by undergraduate preclinical students. The prepared teeth were randomly allocated for assessment to one of six student groups who met and graded each tooth preparation. Notes on common errors were supplied together with a list of multiple exemplar grades (of the full range of grades) and associated comments, together with a list of grade descriptors (for the five-point scale A-E) and a sectioned silicone index. The same preparations were independently assessed by two experienced restorative academic examiners using the same guidance. RESULTS The mean rank scores given by a Friedman test did not show any statistically significant difference (P = 0.531). Kappa scores for inter-examiner agreement varied from 0.318 to 0.530. CONCLUSIONS The data from the present study do not show any significant differences in grades awarded by experienced examiners to those awarded by a peer group. Peer-group assessment may be useful to encourage a greater understanding of concepts and principles underlying the development of operative skills.
Head Trauma in Children, Part 1: Admission, Diagnostics, and Findings

The objective of this study is to describe and to determine the preclinical situation and early in-clinical situation, diagnostic findings, and factors influencing the outcome of severe head trauma in children. Records of 48 children (0-16 years) were analyzed during a 3-year interval. Correlations with the outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale) were determined by focusing on different scales, clinical findings, biochemistry, and clinical course features. The initial shock index had a major relevance (P = .0089). Systolic blood pressure (P = .0002) and bradycardia (P = .035) were important factors. Assessing the severity of trauma according to the Glasgow Coma Score, the most accurate parameter for outcome is based on the detailed quality of ‘‘eye opening’’ (P = .0155). Pupillary motoricity at the accident site (P = .002) and emergency room (P = .0004) are strong predictors. Preclinical measurements of stabilization and oxygenation have the same impact as the in-clinical management.
Retrovirus-Mediated Over-Expression of Decay-Accelerating Factor Rescues Crry-Deficient Erythrocytes from Acute Alternative Pathway Complement Attack1

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and complement receptor 1-related gene/protein y (Crry) are two membrane-bound complement regulators on murine erythrocytes that inhibit C3/C5 convertases. Previously, we found that Crry- but not DAF-deficient erythrocytes were susceptible to alternative pathway complement-mediated elimination in vivo. To determine whether it is a unique activity or a higher level expression of Crry makes it indispensable on murine erythrocytes, we over-expressed DAF on Crry-deficient (Crry−/−) erythrocytes by retroviral vector-mediated DAF gene transduction of bone marrow stem cells. DAF retrovirus-transduced erythrocytes expressed 846 ± 127 DAF molecules/cell (DAFhigh) compared with 249 ± 94 DAF molecules/cell (DAFlow) and 774 ± 135 Crry molecules/cell on control mouse erythrocytes. DAFhigh-Crry−/− erythrocytes were significantly more resistant than either DAFlow-Crry−/−, DAF−/− -Crry+/+ or wild-type erythrocytes to classical pathway complement-mediated C3 deposition in vitro. Furthermore, increased DAF expression rescued Crry−/− erythrocytes from acute alternative pathway complement attack in vivo. Notably, long term monitoring revealed that DAFhigh-Crry−/− erythrocytes were still more susceptible than wild-type erythrocytes to complement-mediated elimination as they had a shorter half-life in complement-sufficient mice but survived equally well in complement-deficient mice. These results suggest that both a high level expression and a more potent anti-alternative pathway complement activity of Crry contributed to its indispensable role on murine erythrocytes. Additionally, they demonstrate the feasibility of using stem cell gene therapy to correct membrane complement regulator deficiency on blood cells in vivo.
Local adaptation to developmental density does not lead to higher mating success in Drosophila melanogaster

In this study, we investigate the effect of local adaptation to developmental density on male mating success in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster. Mating success is known to be influenced by body condition which can in turn be influenced by local adaptation. We test the hypothesis that males adapted to a given environment have higher mating success when assayed in that environment. We used males selected for adaptation to high larval density and their controls which are reared at low larval density. We grew assay males in low and high densities whereas the focal females (raised at low larval density) used for the experiment belonged to the common ancestor of selected and control populations. We considered selected males grown at high density and control males grown at low density as ‘adapted’. Similarly, we considered selected males grown at low density and control males grown at high density as ‘nonadapted’. Selected male belonging to a given treatment (larval density) was made to compete with control male of the same treatment for mating with ancestral female. We quantified components of reproductive fitness: mating latency, copulation duration, mating success and number of progeny sired by the ‘adapted’ and ‘nonadapted’ males. The results show that local adaptation does not lead to higher mating success in populations adapted to their own larval rearing environment.
Chromosomal Inversions between Human and Chimpanzee Lineages Caused by Retrotransposons

The long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) and Alu elements are the most abundant mobile elements comprising 21% and 11% of the human genome, respectively. Since the divergence of human and chimpanzee lineages, these elements have vigorously created chromosomal rearrangements causing genomic difference between humans and chimpanzees by either increasing or decreasing the size of genome. Here, we report an exotic mechanism, retrotransposon recombination-mediated inversion (RRMI), that usually does not alter the amount of genomic material present. Through the comparison of the human and chimpanzee draft genome sequences, we identified 252 inversions whose respective inversion junctions can clearly be characterized. Our results suggest that L1 and Alu elements cause chromosomal inversions by either forming a secondary structure or providing a fragile site for double-strand breaks. The detailed analysis of the inversion breakpoints showed that L1 and Alu elements are responsible for at least 44% of the 252 inversion loci between human and chimpanzee lineages, including 49 RRMI loci. Among them, three RRMI loci inverted exonic regions in known genes, which implicates this mechanism in generating the genomic and phenotypic differences between human and chimpanzee lineages. This study is the first comprehensive analysis of mobile element bases inversion breakpoints between human and chimpanzee lineages, and highlights their role in primate genome evolution.
An investigation of human-animal interactions and empathy as related to pet preference, ownership, attachment, and attitudes in children

Abstract A group of elementary students (n = 155) were surveyed with respect to four aspects of relationships with pets—preference, ownership, attachment, and attitude—in order to further explore the connection that appears to exist between human–animal interactions and empathy. The investigation was initiated, in part, in order to elaborate upon findings from an earlier study (Daly and Morton 2003) and focused mainly on the relationships between children and dogs and cats, although horses, birds, and fish were also included. Some of the general findings related to dogs and cats are: (1) children who preferred (Pet Preference Inventory) both dogs and cats were more empathic than those who preferred cats or dogs only; (2) those who owned both dogs and cats were more empathic than those who owned only a dog, owned only a cat, or who owned neither; (3) those who were highly attached to their pets (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale) were more empathic than those who were less attached; and (4) empathy and positive attitude (Pet Attitude Scale) revealed a significant positive correlation. As expected, girls were significantly more empathic than boys. Moreover, while cell sizes were low with respect to pet preference and ownership, empathy was also higher for individuals who expressed a preference for birds and horses. While the earlier study (Daly and Morton 2003) indicated that higher empathy was associated with dog ownership more so than other pets, including cats, a notable finding of the present study is that empathy appears to be positively associated with individuals who prefer, and/or who own, both a dog and a cat. The implications extend to the need: (1) for continued empirical research investigating the relationship between human–animal interactions and empathy; and (2) to refine the questions that lead to a clearer explanation of this relationship.
Accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA for detection of Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To measure test accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes using cell-free fetal DNA and identify factors affecting accuracy. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. Data sources PubMed, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and the Cochrane Library published from 1997 to 9 February 2015, followed by weekly autoalerts until 1 April 2015. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies English language journal articles describing case–control studies with ≥15 trisomy cases or cohort studies with ≥50 pregnant women who had been given NIPT and a reference standard. Results 41, 37 and 30 studies of 2012 publications retrieved were included in the review for Down, Edwards and Patau syndromes. Quality appraisal identified high risk of bias in included studies, funnel plots showed evidence of publication bias. Pooled sensitivity was 99.3% (95% CI 98.9% to 99.6%) for Down, 97.4% (95.8% to 98.4%) for Edwards, and 97.4% (86.1% to 99.6%) for Patau syndrome. The pooled specificity was 99.9% (99.9% to 100%) for all three trisomies. In 100 000 pregnancies in the general obstetric population we would expect 417, 89 and 40 cases of Downs, Edwards and Patau syndromes to be detected by NIPT, with 94, 154 and 42 false positive results. Sensitivity was lower in twin than singleton pregnancies, reduced by 9% for Down, 28% for Edwards and 22% for Patau syndrome. Pooled sensitivity was also lower in the first trimester of pregnancy, in studies in the general obstetric population, and in cohort studies with consecutive enrolment. Conclusions NIPT using cell-free fetal DNA has very high sensitivity and specificity for Down syndrome, with slightly lower sensitivity for Edwards and Patau syndrome. However, it is not 100% accurate and should not be used as a final diagnosis for positive cases. Trial registration number CRD42014014947.
Effects of weight loss from a very-low-carbohydrate diet on endothelial function and markers of cardiovascular disease risk in subjects with abdominal obesity 1 – 3

Background: The effects of a very-low-carbohydrate, highsaturated-fat weight-loss diet (LC) on brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and markers of endothelial function are unknown. Objective: The effect of an LC on markers of endothelial function and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was compared with that of an isocaloric high-carbohydrate, low-saturated-fat diet (HC). Design: FMD and markers of endothelial function (n 70) and CVD risk were measured before and after 8 wk of weight loss. Ninety-nine subjects aged 50.0 8.3 y with a body mass index (in kg/m) of 33.7 4.1 completed the study. Results: Mean ( SD) FMD did not change significantly (P 0.55) with either diet. Pulse wave velocity improved with both diets (P 0.01). Endothelial markers, Eand P selectin, intracellular and cellular-adhesion molecule-1, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 decreased (P 0.001), with no diet effect. Adiponectin did not change significantly. More weight (P 0.05 for diet time interaction) and more abdominal fat mass (P 0.05 for diet time interaction) were lost with the LC than with the HC. LDL cholesterol decreased more with the HC than with the LC (P 0.05, time diet), and C-reactive protein decreased more with the HC than with the LC (P 0.05 for diet time interaction). Homocysteine increased more with the LC (P 0.01 for diet time interaction). Folate decreased with the LC and increased with the HC (P 0.05, time; P 0.001 for diet time
Sex differences in the jealousy-evoking effect of rival characteristics

Four studies examined sex differences in the jealousy-evoking nature of rival characteristics. Study 1, among 130 undergraduates, made an inventory of all relevant rival characteristics that were spontaneously mentioned when asked about a rival to whom one's partner might feel attracted. On the basis of these findings, in Study 2, among 240 undergraduates, a questionnaire was constructed, containing 56 rival characteristics. A factor analysis distinguished five dimensions of rival characteristics, i.e. Social Dominance, Physical Attractiveness, Seductive Behaviors, Physical Dominance, and Social Status. In line with the predictions, men reported more jealousy when a rival was high in Social Dominance, Physical Dominance, and Social Status, whereas women reported more jealousy when a rival was high in Physical Attractiveness. Study 3 largely replicated these findings in a community sample of 144 heterosexuals. Study 4 showed that gay men (n = 80) reported more jealousy than lesbian women (n = 73) when the rival was high in Physical Dominance, and more jealousy than heterosexual men when the rival was high in Social Dominance. Lesbian women reported more jealousy than heterosexual women when the rival was high in Physical Attractiveness. In Studies 2-4, favorable rival characteristics evoked more jealousy among those high in Social Comparison Orientation, particularly among women. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Biological Pretreatment of Rubberwood with White Rot Fungi for Enzymatic Hydrolysis

The effects of biological pretreatment on the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), was evaluated after cultivation of white rot fungi Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, Trametes versicolor, and a mixed culture of C. subvermispora and T. versicolor. The analysis of chemical compositions indicated that C. subvermispora had greater selectivity for lignin degradation with the highest lignin and hemicellulose loss at 45.06% and 42.08%, respectively, and lowest cellulose loss (9.50%) after 90 days among the tested samples. X-ray analysis showed that pretreated samples had a higher crystallinity than untreated samples. The sample pretreated by C. subvermispora presented the highest crystallinity of all the samples which might be caused by the selective degradation of amorphous components. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the content of lignin and hemicellulose decreased during the biological pretreatment process. A study on hydrolysis of rubberwood treated with C. subvermispora, T. versicolor, and mixed culture for 90 days resulted in an increased sugar yield of about 27.67%, 16.23%, and 14.20%, respectively, as compared with untreated rubberwood (2.88%). The results obtained demonstrate that rubberwood is a potential raw material for industrial applications and white rot fungus C. subevermispora provides an effective method for improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of rubberwood.
Transport and electrical phenomena in resting and secreting piglet gastric mucosa.

1. Gastric mucosae were isolated from piglets (0–5 days old) and mounted in a chamber where electrical properties and secretory function could be measured. Unlike many previously reported mammalian in vitro preparations, pig gastric mucosae were stable and physiologically responsive for many hours after isolation. 2. With similar Ringer solutions bathing both surfaces, the isolated piglet gastric mucosa maintained a p.d. with the mucosal surface 30–35 mV negative with respect to the serosal surface. Limitation of access of Na+ from the mucosal bathing solution to the tissue (e.g. replacement of Na+ on mucosal side with choline or treatment with 10‐ minus 5 M amiloride) produced a decrease in p.d. and increase in mucosal resistance consistent with an hypothesis of Na+ transport from mucosa to serosa. 3. Isotopic flux measurements (36Cl and 24Na) and net H+ secretory rate were performed during open and short‐circuit conditions, while the tissue was at rest and after stimulation of HCl secretion by 6 times 10‐ minus 5 M histamine. Up to 90% of the respective short‐circuit current for resting or secreting mucosae was accounted for as the algebraic sum of Cl minus, H+ or Na+ fluxes. 4. The net transport of Na+ which occurred from mucosa to serosa during rest (ca. 4‐7 muequiv/cm2.hr) was somewhat reduced during HCl secretion (ca. 2‐7 muequiv/cm2.hr). This active transport of Na+ was more resistant to anaerobiosis than was H+ or Cl minus transport. 5. An active transport component of Cl minus from serosa to mucosa was clearly demonstrable in the non‐secreting preparations (ca. 3‐9 muequiv/cm2.hr). Active Cl minus transport was stimulated three‐ to fourfold after H+ secretion was stimulated by histamine. Anaerobiosis promptly reduced Cl minus and H+ transport. An exchange diffusion component was demonstrated for Cl minus which appeared to be prominent during H+ secretory activity and was considerably diminished in resting mucosae. 6. Large changes in mucosal resistance were associated with conditions of rest, histamine stimulation and anaerobic conditions; mean values were 113, 74 and 197 omega.cm2, respectively. Electrical conductance of the isolated gastric mucosa was due primarily to partial ionic conductance of Cl minus (60–65%) and Na+ (10–15%). The partial conductance of H+ was extremely low. The observed increase in tissue conductance associated with H+ secretory activity and the changes in the long‐time constant p.d. transient to a current pulse are discussed in terms of the relative contribution of the serosal and mucosal plasma membrane surfaces.
An elementary proof of a theorem of Johnson and Lindenstrauss

A result of Johnson and Lindenstrauss [13] shows that a set of n points in high dimensional Euclidean space can be mapped into an O(log n/ϵ2)‐dimensional Euclidean space such that the distance between any two points changes by only a factor of (1 ± ϵ). In this note, we prove this theorem using elementary probabilistic techniques. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 22: 60–65, 2002
A Fully Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Receptor Antibody SCH 717454 (Robatumumab) Has Antitumor Activity as a Single Agent and in Combination with Cytotoxics in Pediatric Tumor Xenografts

The insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and its ligands (IGF-I and IGF-II) have been implicated in the growth, survival, and metastasis of a broad range of malignancies including pediatric tumors. Blocking the IGF-IR action is a potential cancer treatment. A fully human neutralizing monoclonal antibody, SCH 717454 (19D12, robatumumab), specific to IGF-IR, has shown potent antitumor effects in ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo. In this study, SCH 717454 was evaluated in several pediatric solid tumors including neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. SCH 717454 is shown here to downregulate IGF-IR as well as inhibit IGF-IR and insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation in pediatric tumor cells. IGF-IR and insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation in the tumor cells. In vivo, SCH 717454 exhibits activity as a single agent and significantly inhibited growth of neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma tumor xenografts. Combination of SCH 717454 with cisplatin or cyclophosphamide enhanced both the degree and the duration of the in vivo antitumor activity compared with single-agent treatments. Furthermore, SCH 717454 treatment markedly reduced Ki-67 expression and blood vessel formation in tumor xenografts, showing that the in vivo activity is derived from its inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis activity. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(2); 410–8
Millet Preference, Effects of Planting Date on Infestation, and Adult and Larval Use of Proso Millet by Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract The interaction between millet and European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), was investigated to gain insight into whether millet could serve as a refuge or trap crop for O. nubilalis management. In 1995, 1996, and 1999, millet selection studies were conducted in North Dakota and New York with four millet species. Proso millet, Panicum milliaceum L. , had the highest infestation and widest distribution of O. nubilalis developmental stages, indicating the presence of both univoltine and bivoltine ecotypes. Siberian foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) Beauvois, harbored the greatest number of adults, followed by German foxtail millet, Setaria italica (L.) Beauvois. These two millets appeared to serve as better aggregation sites than proso millet. In North Dakota in 1997, proso millet planting date studies showed later planting dates were more heavily infested than earlier dates; in 1998, this trend was reversed. The change in trends between years was probably a result of differences in the respective growing seasons and subsequent differences in O. nubilalis flights. Adult sampling showed that both old and young females aggregated in proso millet during the day; however, at night, it appeared that young females moved out of millet to oviposit, whereas old females remained in millet. Egg masses were detected in proso millet over a 7-d period in 1997 and a 4-d period in 1998. Larval sampling showed planting proso millet between late May and mid-June may maximize the presence of individuals from both O. nubilalis ecotypes. Once the optimal combination of planting date, plant density, and millet type is found, millet may serve as an effective refuge or trap crop for O. nubilalis management.
A novel technique for the extraction of nonlinear model for microwave transistors under dynamic-bias operation

In this work we describe a novel technique for the extraction of nonlinear model for microwave transistors from nonlinear measurements obtained by simultaneously driving the device under test with low- and high-frequency excitations. Specifically, the large-signal operating point of the device is set by large-signal low-frequency excitations. On top of these a tickle tone at high-frequency is applied. In this way, one can separate the contributions of the IDS current source and the charge sources by a single measurement. The nonlinear model, based on equations available in commercial CAD tools, is extracted for a 0.15 μm GaAs pHEMT. Good agreement is obtained between model predictions and experimental data.