Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smad3 Promotes Alkaline Phosphatase Activity and Mineralization of Osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 Cells

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β is abundantly stored in bone matrix and appears to regulate bone metabolism. Although the Smad family proteins are critical components of the TGF‐β signaling pathways, the roles of Smad3 in the expression of osteoblastic phenotypes remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study was performed to clarify the roles of Smad3 in the regulation of proliferation, expression of bone matrix proteins, and mineralization in osteoblasts by using mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3‐E1 cells stably transfected with Smad3. Smad3 significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation and fluorescent intensity of the MTT‐dye assay, compared with empty vector. Moreover, Smad3 increased the levels of type I procollagen, osteopontin (OPN), and matrix Gla protein (MGP) mRNA in Northern blotting. These effects of Smad3 mimicked the effects of TGF‐β on the same cells. On the other hand, Smad3 greatly enhanced ALP activity and mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells compared with empty vector, although TGF‐β inhibited ALP activity and mineralization of wild‐type MC3T3‐E1 cells. A type I collagen synthesis inhibitor L‐azetidine‐2‐carboxylic acid, as well as osteocalcin (OCN), significantly antagonized Smad3‐stimulated ALP activity and mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells. In conclusion, this study showed that in mouse osteoblastic cells, Smad3 inhibited proliferation, but it also enhanced ALP activity, mineralization, and the levels of bone matrix proteins such as type I collagen (COLI), OPN, and MGP. We propose that Smad3 plays an important role in osteoblastic bone formation and might help to elucidate the transcriptional mechanism of bone formation and possibly lead to the development of bone‐forming drugs.
A Comparison of SSCE Questions Set by the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to compare the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) essay questions set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) in terms of how much they were distributed across the various levels of the cognitive domain. To this effect, the essay question papers set by WAEC and NECO in Biology, Chemistry and Economics in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were obtained. These questions were analyzed by three experts in Measurement and Evaluation in terms of how many of them fell under the various levels of the cognitive domain. The result showed that for both examining bodies, most of the questions were knowledge and comprehension questions. When the distributions of the questions across the various levels of the cognitive domain, set by WAEC and NECO were compared, no significant difference was obtained. The conclusion therefore is that, as far as the distribution of questions across the levels of the cognitive domain is concerned, WAEC and NECO are similar.
A Quantitative and Kinetic Fusion Protein-Triggering Assay Can Discern Distinct Steps in the Nipah Virus Membrane Fusion Cascade

ABSTRACT The deadly paramyxovirus Nipah virus (NiV) contains a fusion glycoprotein (F) with canonical structural and functional features common to its class. Receptor binding to the NiV attachment glycoprotein (G) triggers F to undergo a two-phase conformational cascade: the first phase progresses from a metastable prefusion state to a prehairpin intermediate (PHI), while the second phase is marked by transition from the PHI to the six-helix-bundle hairpin. The PHI can be captured with peptides that mimic F's heptad repeat regions, and here we utilized a NiV heptad repeat peptide to quantify PHI formation and the half-lives (t1/2) of the first and second fusion cascade phases. We found that ephrinB2 receptor binding to G triggered ∼2-fold more F than that triggered by ephrinB3, consistent with the increased rate and extent of fusion observed with ephrinB2- versus ephrinB3-expressing cells. In addition, for a series of hyper- and hypofusogenic F mutants, we quantified F-triggering capacities and measured the kinetics of their fusion cascade phases. Hyper- and hypofusogenicity can each be manifested through distinct stages of the fusion cascade, giving rise to vastly different half-lives for the first (t1/2, 1.9 to 7.5 min) or second (t1/2, 1.5 to 15.6 min) phase. While three mutants had a shorter first phase and a longer second phase than the wild-type protein, one mutant had the opposite phenotype. Thus, our results reveal multiple critical parameters that govern the paramyxovirus fusion cascade, and our assays should help efforts to elucidate other class I membrane fusion processes.
Caries detection and diagnostics with near-infrared light transillumination: clinical experiences.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to present the function and potential of diagnosing caries lesions using a recently introduced near-infrared (NIR) transillumination technique (DIAGNOcam, KaVo). METHOD AND MATERIALS The study included 130 adolescents and adults with complete permanent dentition (age > 12). All patients underwent visual examination and, if necessary, bitewing radiographs. Proximal and occlusal surfaces, which had not yet been restored, were photographed by a NIR transillumination camera system using light with a wavelength of 780 nm rather than ionizing radiation. Of the study patients, 85 showed 127 proximal dentin caries lesions that were treated operatively. RESULTS A cross table shows the correlation of radiography and NIR transillumination. Based on our practical clinical experiences to date, a possible classifi cation of diagnosis is introduced. The main result of our study was that NIR light was able to visualize caries lesions on proximal and occlusal surfaces. CONCLUSION The study suggests that NIR transillumination is a method that may help to avoid bitewing radiographs for diagnosis of caries in everyday clinical practice.
Evaluation of Maxwell® 16 for automated DNA extraction from whole blood and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue

Abstract Background: The aim of the study was to assess the performance of Promega, Maxwell® 16 for the extraction of genomic DNA from whole blood and FFPE tissue. Methods: DNA was extracted from 10 whole blood and 10 FFPE specimens using six different commercial kits. Results: For whole blood, the mean DNA concentration obtained by Maxwell® 16 was significantly greater than either easyMAG® (p<0.0001) or QIAamp® Blood DNA kit (p<0.001). For FFPE, the mean DNA concentration obtained by the AllPrep® FFPE specific DNA/RNA kit was significantly greater than either the Maxwell® 16 (p<0.0001) or the general AllPrep® DNA/RNA kit (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Comparative evaluation of the six DNA extraction kits indicated that the semi-automated Maxwell® 16 was superior for whole blood extraction while the manual AllPrep® FFPE DNA/RNA kit (Qiagen) performed better for FFPE DNA extraction in terms of quantity of DNA obtained. All six extraction methods (blood and FFPE) performed well in terms of purity. Although there were variances in the quantity of DNA obtained, there were no significant differences in the efficiency of these methods in yielding amplifiable DNA extracts, as demonstrated by β-actin for whole blood specimens. In evaluation of FFPE DNA extraction methods, the Qiagen AllPrep® FFPE DNA/RNA Mini Kit was the best for applications requiring larger amplicons, but for smaller amplicons the Maxwell was most consistent.
Enhancing process innovations: the role of cognitions, and power-based leadership

This study focuses on innovation-related cognitions and behaviours of middle managers during process innovations in small and medium-sized organisations. It describes how different forms of power-based leadership (reward power and coercive power) employed by a supervisor vis-a-vis a middle manager affect the middle manager's innovation-related cognitions, and behaviours. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of middle managers from different German organisations belonging to various sectors. The central arguments were supported by analyses of variance, correlations, and regression analyses.
Ant Colony-Based Reinforcement Learning Algorithm for Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

The field of routing and sensor networking is an important and challenging research area of network computing today. Advancements in sensor networks enable a wide range of environmental monitoring and object tracking applications. Routing in sensor networks is a difficult problem: as the size of the network increases, routing becomes more complex. Therefore, biologically-inspired intelligent algorithms are used to tackle this problem. Ant routing has shown excellent performance for sensor networks. In this paper, we present a biologically-inspired swarm intelligence-based routing algorithm, which is suitable for sensor networks. Our proposed ant routing algorithm also meet the enhanced sensor network requirements, including energy consumption, success rate, and time delay. The paper concludes with the measurement data we have found.
Laparoscopic skills acquisition: a study of simulation and traditional training

Training in basic laparoscopic skills can be undertaken using traditional methods, where trainees are educated by experienced surgeons through a process of graduated responsibility or by simulation‐based training. This study aimed to assess whether simulation trained individuals reach the same level of proficiency in basic laparoscopic skills as traditional trained participants when assessed in a simulated environment.
Depression screening patterns for women in rural health clinics.

CONTEXT Rates and types of screening for depression in rural primary care practices are unknown. PURPOSE To identify rates of depression screening among rural women in a sample of rural health clinics (RHCs). METHODS A chart review of 759 women's charts in 19 randomly selected RHCs across the nation. Data were collected from charts of female patients of rural primary care providers, using trained data collectors (inter-rater reliability .88 to .93). The Women's Primary Care Screening Form, designed by the authors, was used to collect demographic, health, and screening data. Data describing the characteristics of the clinics were collected using the National Rural Health Clinic Survey. Data regarding formal screening (validated instrument used) or informal (documentation of specific questions and answers regarding depression) in the previous 5 years were recorded. FINDINGS Characteristics of participating clinics and demographics of the women were similar to published data. Formal screening was documented in 2.4% of patients' charts. Informal screening was documented in 33.2% of charts. Patients with a history of anxiety were more likely to be screened (P < .001), and younger women were more likely to be screened than older women (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Primary care providers in RHCs use more informal than formal depression screening with their female patients. Providers are more likely to screen younger patients or patients with a diagnosis of anxiety.
Return to work after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. A rehabilitation-oriented approach in insurance medicine.

STUDY DESIGN An intervention study by the medical advisers of a social security sickness fund on a mandatorily insured patient population after open discectomy for herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. The medical advisers were randomized into two groups: a control group (n = 30) and an intervention group (n = 30). OBJECTIVES To compare a rehabilitation-oriented approach in insurance medicine focused primarily on early mobilization and early resumption of professional activities with the usual claim-based practice. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA This study included 710 patients, with a mean age of 39.2 years, who underwent surgery for herniated lumbar disc. METHODS Medical advisers in the rehabilitation-oriented group examined the patients monthly, starting at 6 weeks after the surgical intervention. They used a newly developed protocol to motivate the patients and treating physicians toward social and professional reintegration. RESULTS At 52 weeks, 10.1% of the patients guided by medical advisers from the rehabilitation-oriented group had not resumed work in contrast to 18.1% of the patients in the control group. It was statistically proven that this effect also holds during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS A rehabilitation-oriented approach by the medical advisers of social security can increase the probability of a return to work for patients after lumbar disc herniation surgery.
Explicating customer orientation's influence on frontline employee satisfaction

This study examines how conflict and hours worked affect the influence of customer orientation on frontline service employee satisfaction. The conceptual model builds upon the role of personal resources in the job demands-resource model, while integrating perspectives from the work–family conflict (WFC) literature and conservation of resources theory. Results indicate that customer orientation influences employee satisfaction both directly and indirectly through interpersonal conflict with customers (ICC), WFC, and felt stress. The impact of ICC on employee satisfaction was found to be fully rather than partially mediated. ICC increases WFC which then augments job stress and eventually reduces job satisfaction. Moderation analyses show that the negative influence of customer orientation on ICC becomes stronger as hours worked increase to exceptionally high levels; while the positive influence of customer orientation on employee satisfaction becomes weaker as hours worked increase to exceptionally high levels. These results support the importance of customer orientation and imply that service managers should be especially cautious not to overwork these employees, in order to keep them happy and motivated.
Doctoral Differences: Professional doctorates and PhDs compared

For more than a decade professional doctorates in Australia have continued to grow and diversify across a broadening array of disciplines. An empirical study of “The Doctoral Education Experience” in Australian universities included an examination of doctoral experiences in departments offering both PhD and professional doctorates. This paper discusses professional doctorates in education, management, law and the creative arts, remarking on similarities and differences found between PhD and professional doctorate programs, providing an insight into practice. Three specific areas are discussed. The first is the recruitment and selection of students, student choice of professional doctorates and perceived career benefits. The second area is the structure and organisation of PhD and professional doctorate programs, including the identification of the research topic. The third area is the perceived status of professional doctorates vis‐à‐vis the PhD. The findings are discussed within the context of government policy on postgraduate education and the emerging literature on professional doctorates. The concluding section of the paper considers the issue of differentiation between the doctorates and possible future developments. Within the context of Australian higher education the main difference could become the capacity to pay: attempts to impose fees in advance for professional doctorates are reinforced by recent government policy on student financing.
Molecular breeding for resistance to rhizomania in sugar beets

Rhizomania is one of the most destructive sugar beet diseases. It is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) vectored by the soilborne protoctist Polymyxa betae Keskin. The studies in this thesis evaluated natural and transgenic resistances to rhizomania in sugar beets. Also the genetic variability in the coat protein genes of BNYVV, Beet soil-borne virus, Beet virus Q and Beet soil-borne mosaic virus isolates was studied. Several natural sources of resistance to BNYVV are known, such as the "Holly" source with resistance gene Rz1, WB42 carrying Rz2, and WB41. We mapped the major gene called Rz3 in WB41 to a locus on chromosome 3. In hybrids with combined resistance of Rz1 and Rz3, the resistance level to BNYVV was improved as compared to plants carrying Rz1 only. Transgenic sugar beets resistant to BNYVV were produced. The resistance was based on RNA silencing. The level of resistance to BNYVV in the transgenic plants was compared to the natural sources of resistance in greenhouse experiments and in the field and found to be superior to the resistance conferred by Rz1. When plants were grown in soil containing highly virulent strains of BNYVV, the transgenic plants contained significantly less BNYVV than all tested hybrids carrying the natural resistance genes Rz1, Rz2 and Rz3. The transgenic resistance to BNYVV was durable in plants infected with heterologous viruses, such as Beet yellows virus (BYV) and Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV) that might suppress gene silencing. It is concluded that resistance to BNYVV can be improved by combining different natural resistance genes, but the transgenic sugar beet plants, produced in this study, expressed the strongest resistance to BNYVV observed so far.
Competency Modeling in Extension Education: Integrating an Academic Extension Education Model with an Extension Human Resource Management Model.

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast an academic extension education model with an Extension human resource management model. The academic model of 19 competencies was similar across the 22 competencies of the Extension human resource management model. There were seven unique competencies for the human resource management model. The integration of the models was informative to support and confirm the educational directions of each model. The human resource management model provided information for potential areas to include in the academic preparation of entry-level educators and agents. The academic extension education model indicated possible educational opportunities for credit and non-credit course work.
Anatomy of the cavernous sinus region

The cavernous region was examined in 20 fetuses, injected with Micropaque, and in 5 adults. The lateral wall of the cavernous region in fetuses was noticed to have four layers. The superficial membrane represents the dural sheath. The second membrane of dense connective tissue involves the trochlear nerve. The third layer, formed by loose connective tissue, involves the oculomotor nerve, and the ophthalmic and maxillary division. The fourth layer, which represents the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, involves the abducent nerve. The meningohypophyseal trunk can be complete or incomplete. The inferolateral trunk and its branches were found to supply the cavernous portions of the mentioned cranial nerves. The obtained data make the anatomic basis for neurosurgical operations in the cavernous region.
Laparo-endoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TATME): evidence of a novel technique

Abstract Current available evidence regarding transanal total mesorectal excision (TATME) was analyzed including perioperative and immediate oncologic outcomes. A literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane was performed. Thirty-two studies were identified, reporting on 721 patients who underwent TATME. TATME represents a feasible and reproducible technique. Nevertheless, the results of the present review are limited by the design of the included studies, which are mostly case reports and case series. Little is known about long-term oncologic outcomes, intestinal, sexual, urinary function and quality of life after TATME. Multicenter large sample randomized controlled trials are required for further investigation of these issues.
Performance of an open-source heart sound segmentation algorithm on eight independent databases

Objective: Heart sound segmentation is a prerequisite step for the automatic analysis of heart sound signals, facilitating the subsequent identification and classification of pathological events. Recently, hidden Markov model-based algorithms have received increased interest due to their robustness in processing noisy recordings. In this study we aim to evaluate the performance of the recently published logistic regression based hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM) heart sound segmentation method, by using a wider variety of independently acquired data of varying quality. Approach: Firstly, we constructed a systematic evaluation scheme based on a new collection of heart sound databases, which we assembled for the PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2016. This collection includes a total of more than 120 000 s of heart sounds recorded from 1297 subjects (including both healthy subjects and cardiovascular patients) and comprises eight independent heart sound databases sourced from multiple independent research groups around the world. Then, the HSMM-based segmentation method was evaluated using the assembled eight databases. The common evaluation metrics of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, as well as the F1 measure were used. In addition, the effect of varying the tolerance window for determining a correct segmentation was evaluated. Main results: The results confirm the high accuracy of the HSMM-based algorithm on a separate test dataset comprised of 102 306 heart sounds. An average F1 score of 98.5% for segmenting S1 and systole intervals and 97.2% for segmenting S2 and diastole intervals were observed. The F1 score was shown to increases with an increases in the tolerance window size, as expected. Significance: The high segmentation accuracy of the HSMM-based algorithm on a large database confirmed the algorithm’s effectiveness. The described evaluation framework, combined with the largest collection of open access heart sound data, provides essential resources for evaluators who need to test their algorithms with realistic data and share reproducible results.
Getting ahead or falling behind: Findings from the second wave of the National Income Dynamics Study

The National Income Dynamics Study is the first national panel study of South African individuals. Its objective is to track these individuals over time to study social mobility. This paper documents the survey design and a successful recontact record in Wave 2 before providing an overview of the key findings from the other papers in this issue of the journal. Those from the top of the income distribution were hardest to recontact. The papers show that average real incomes grew slightly between 2008 and 2010. However, life satisfaction and expectations of future upward mobility declined. Being unemployed and moving into unemployment is associated with the lowest level of life satisfaction. Aggregate employment did not decline much but there was significant labour-market churn. The National Income Dynamics Study data reveal high levels of grade repetition and a slow transition from school to work. Relocating is shown to be an important part of schooling and employment decisions.
Group-Sequential Methods for Adaptive Seamless Phase II/III Clinical Trials

The last 10 years have seen considerable interest in clinical trial designs that allow the seamless combination of Phases II and III in a single clinical trial. Such designs bring together the selection of the most promising of a number of treatments, as usually performed in a Phase II clinical trial, with the rigorous analysis and control of type I error rates required for a Phase III clinical trial. Statistically, the challenge is that of allowing for multiple comparisons arising both from repeated analyses of the accumulating data and from selection of a treatment on the basis of data that will be included in the final analysis. This challenge can be met in a number of different ways. This paper reviews methods based on the group-sequential methodology for monitoring of sequential clinical trials. The main focus of the paper will be a description of the methodology, including the setting in which short-term data are used for decision making at an early interim analysis.