Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions in a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital of Kathmandu.

INTRODUCTION Oral mucosa can be affected by a variety of soft tissue lesions and conditions. Benign as well as malignant lesions of oral cavity are common. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the commonest malignancies. The present retrospective study was undertaken to study the prevalence of various oral mucosal lesions in a tertiary care dental hospital of Kathmandu. METHODS This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Kantipur Dental College and Teaching hospital from January 2015 to January 2017. The study included biopsy specimen from the oral cavity. The parameters included in the study were age, gender, site of the lesion and histopathological diagnosis. The data collected was statistically analyzed. RESULTS A total of 111 biopsy cases were included in the present study. Out of which, there were 16 (14.4%) cases of non-neoplastic and 16 (14.4%) cases of benign pathology. The oral cavity lesions were commonly seen in age range between 6-74 years where males 59 (53.2%) were mostly affected. The most common site for oral lesion was buccal mucosa 23 (20.7%) and anterior gingiva 23 (20.7%). Total 15 (13.5%) cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were seen as the predominant malignancy affecting in the vestibular region 8 (7.2%). CONCLUSIONS The present study shows benign as well as the non-neoplastic lesions were more prevalent in oral mucosa with the buccal mucosa and anterior gingiva as the commonest site of occurrence.
Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered cefmetazole and cefoxitin and effects of probenecid on cefmetazole elimination

Sixteen healthy male volunteers participated in a randomized, balanced, three-way crossover study comparing the pharmacokinetics of cefmetazole, cefoxitin, and cefmetazole with probenecid pretreatment. Single 2-g doses of cefmetazole sodium and cefoxitin sodium were given intravenously as a 5-min infusion. Concentrations of cefmetazole and cefoxitin were determined by using a specific semiautomated high-performance liquid chromatographic method. Concentration-time profiles of cefmetazole and cefoxitin declined in a biexponential manner from peak levels. Compared with cefoxitin, cefmetazole had a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher mean (+/- standard error of the mean) peak concentration in serum (290 +/- 11 versus 244 +/- 10 micrograms/ml), a longer terminal disposition half-life (1.50 +/- 0.14 versus 0.81 +/- 0.04 h), lower systemic clearance (111.7 +/- 4.7 versus 279 +/- 12 ml/min) and renal clearance (78.7 +/- 4.3 versus 221 +/- 14 ml/min) of intact drug, and a slightly smaller steady-state volume of distribution (10.3 +/- 0.21 versus 12.8 +/- 0.48 liters). Mean recoveries of cefmetazole and cefoxitin in urine were approximately 71 and 77%, respectively. Pretreatment of volunteers with probenecid (1 g orally) significantly (P less than 0.05) increased concentrations of cefmetazole in serum 1 h after drug administration without significantly increasing maximum concentrations in serum. Mean areas under the concentration-time curve (466 +/- 27 versus 295 +/- 13 micrograms.h/ml) and terminal disposition half-lives (2.27 +/- 0.13 versus 1.50 +/- 0.14 h) of cefmetazole increased. Systemic clearance (72.1 +/- 4.0 versus 111.7 +/- 4.7 ml/min) and renal clearance (47.4 +/- 4.0 versus 78.7 +/- 4.3 ml/min) of intact antibiotic decreased. Mean recoveries (65.9 +/- 3.7 versus 71.0 +/- 3.2%) of intact cefmetazole in urine were not significantly (P > 0.05) different. Elimination of cefmetazole in urine was also significantly prolonged by probenecid, with substantial concentrations of cefmetazole (>/= 20 micrograms/ml) found in the 12- to 24-h urine collection for 14 to 16 volunteers. The results show that cefmetazole remains at clinically relevant concentrations (1 to 2 micrograms/ml) approximately twice as long as cefoxitin, that serum cefmetazole can be maintained longer at clinically significant concentrations with preadministration of probenecid, and that cefmetazole is partially eliminated by renal tubule secretion.
Enabling Usage Control through Reputation Objects: A Discussion on e-Commerce and the Internet of Services Environments

This paper discusses the meaning and the role of Trust and Reputation in Internet-of-Service and e-Commerce environments following a comparative case study. Both environments represent paradigms through which the Internet is seen as a huge infrastructure where electronic services or real products are traded on. In comparison to electronic commerce, participating in an Internet-of-Services can be full of risks for all participants. Even well known security mechanisms are not able to close all gaps of access and usage control. This paper discusses the concepts of trust and reputation and brings to light the relation between these concepts to security mechanisms, Service-Level-Agreements, and quality measurements in order to enable Usage Control. The proposed solution is based on our previous model of reputation objects. The discussion also introduces a new concept of what we call reputation auditing where quality processes are considered part of reputation management not the other way around.
Flow sorting from organ material by intracellular markers

Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) is an attractive technique for gene or protein expression studies in rare cell populations. For cell types where specific surface markers are not known, intracellular markers can be used. However, this approach is currently held to be difficult, as the required fixation and permeabilization may cause protein modification and RNA degradation.
Direct peptide-regulatable interactions between MHC class I molecules and tapasin

Tapasin (Tpn) has been implicated in multiple steps of the MHC class I assembly pathway, but the mechanisms of function remain incompletely understood. Using purified proteins, we could demonstrate direct binding of Tpn to peptide-deficient forms of MHC class I molecules at physiological temperatures. Tpn also bound to M10.5, a pheromone receptor-associated MHC molecule that has an open and empty groove and that shares significant sequence identity with class I sequences. Two types of MHC class I–Tpn complexes were detectable in vitro depending on the input proteins; those depleted in β2m, and those containing β2m. Both were competent for subsequent assembly with peptides, but the latter complexes assembled more rapidly. Thus, the assembly rate of Tpn-associated class I was determined by the conditions under which Tpn–MHC class I complexes were induced. Peptide loading of class I inhibited Tpn–class I-binding interactions, and peptide-depletion enhanced binding. In combination with β2m, certain peptides induced efficient dissociation of preformed Tpn–class I complexes. Together, these studies demonstrate direct Tpn–MHC class I interactions and preferential binding of empty MHC class I by Tpn, and that the Tpn–class I interaction is regulated by both β2m and peptide. In cells, Tpn is likely to be a direct mediator of peptide-regulated binding and release of MHC class I from the TAP complex.
Influence of methotrexate dose on its efficacy and safety in rheumatoid arthritis patients: evidence based on the variety of prescribing approaches among practicing Japanese rheumatologists in a single institute-based large observational cohort (IORRA)

The optimal methotrexate dose differs between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and dose-escalation strategies also differ among rheumatologists. By taking advantage of the heterogeneous methotrexate dosing that occurs among Japanese rheumatologists, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of different methotrexate doses. A large observational cohort of RA patients, IORRA, was established in 2000. A dataset from April 2003 that included 4578 RA patients was used for a cross-sectional analysis, while a dataset of 1649 patients who received methotrexate from October 2000 to October 2005 was used for a longitudinal analysis. The cross-sectional analysis included 12 rheumatologists who prescribed methotrexate to more than 60 patients. Mean methotrexate dose ranged widely (4.8–9.0 mg/week) among rheumatologists with a significant positive relationship between average methotrexate dose and the percentage of patients with Disease Activity in 28 Joints (DAS28) scores below 3.2. During the longitudinal analysis, both methotrexate prescription frequency and the average dose prescribed by 16 rheumatologists increased. Overall disease activity as assessed by DAS28-area under the curve (AUC) and disability progression as assessed by Japanese version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (JHAQ)-slope inversely correlated with the extent of methotrexate use. This study demonstrated that extensive methotrexate use effectively suppressed RA disease activity and inhibits disability progression. In addition, we have found that it is critical to pay attention to patient-reported adverse reactions.
Acute and Protracted Cell Death in Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration in the Canine Model of Rhodopsin Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose To characterize a light damage paradigm and establish structural and immunocytochemical measures of acute and protracted light-induced retinal degeneration in the rhodopsin (RHO) T4R dog model of RHO–autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). Methods Retinal light damage was induced in mutant dogs with a 1-minute exposure to various light intensities (0.1–1.0 mW/cm2) delivered with a Ganzfeld stimulator, or by fundus photography. Photoreceptor cell death was assessed by TUNEL assay, and alterations in retinal layers were examined by histology and immunohistochemistry 24 hours and 2 weeks after light exposure. Detailed topographic maps were made to document changes in the outer retinal layers of all four retinal quadrants 2 weeks post exposure. Results Twenty-four hours post light exposure, the severity of photoreceptor cell death was dose dependent. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed disruption of rod outer segments, focal loss of the RPE integrity, and an increase in expression of endothelin receptor B in Müller cells with the two highest doses of light and fundus photography. Two weeks after light exposure, persistence of photoreceptor death, thinning of the outer nuclear layer, and induction of Müller cell gliosis occurred with the highest doses of light. Conclusions We have characterized outcome measures of acute and continuing retinal degeneration in the RHO T4R dog following light exposure. These will be used to assess the molecular mechanisms of light-induced damage and rescue strategies in this large animal model of RHO-ADRP.
Sources of contaminated flood sediments in a rural–urban catchment: Johnson Creek, Oregon

This study investigated the delivery of contaminated sediments to the channel network by urban drainage systems in Johnson Creek in Oregon, USA. Concentrations of five heavy metal concentrations measured in 136 samples collected from 37 stormwater outfalls and 99 bed sampling points were analysed. While concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and lead increased with distance downstream in Johnson Creek, this was not the case for chromium and copper. Zinc, copper, and cadmium concentrations in outfalls were significantly higher than those in the stream bed, indicating that stormwater runoff is responsible for delivering contaminated sediments to Johnson Creek. Zinc concentrations in outfalls were negatively associated with elevation and slope in the contributing subcatchment, and positively with impervious cover. However, no statistically significant relationships were found between the other heavy metal concentrations and subcatchment variables. These findings demonstrate that relationships between sediment‐related, heavy metal concentrations, and subcatchment characteristics in this heterogeneous, rural–urban catchment are more complex than those found in situations where land‐use is more segregated, questioning the applicability of commonly held assumptions regarding changes in the sources and delivery paths of flood‐related, sediment‐associated pollutants that accompany urbanisation.
A Meta-Analysis of Organizational Learning and IT Assimilation

Researchers often apply organizational learning concepts and theories to study what factors affect organizational IT assimilation. Although this body of work has substantially improved our understanding of the relationship between organizational learning and IT assimilation, to date there is no rigorous analysis of the empirical research that gives us an accurate assessment of what we truly know in this area. We meta-analyze 33 studies of organizational learning-based IT assimilation. While results show that an organization's level of related knowledge and knowledge diversity are both positively related to IT assimilation, moderator tests show that the consistency in these links varies depending upon the type of IT innovation studied and the way in which assimilation was conceptualized and measured. By narrowing the gap between what we know and what we need to know about the role of organizational learning during IT assimilation, this study contributes to our understanding of whether, when, and how organizations assimilate IT innovations.
Co-encapsulation of human serum albumin and superparamagnetic iron oxide in PLGA nanoparticles: Part I. Effect of process variables on the mean size

Abstract PLGA (poly d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) along with a model drug human serum albumin (HSA) were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation method. This Part I will focus on size and size distribution of prepared NPs, whereas encapsulation efficiency will be discussed in Part II. It was found that mean hydrodynamic particle size was influenced by five important process variables. To explore their effects, a five-factorial, three-level experimental design and statistical analysis were carried out using STATISTICA® software. Effect of process variables on the mean size of nanoparticles was investigated and finally conditions to minimize size of NPs were proposed. GAMS™/MINOS software was used for optimization. The mean hydrodynamic size of nanoparticles ranged from 115 to 329 nm depending on the process conditions. Smallest possible mean particle size can be achieved by using low polymer concentration and high dispersion energy (enough sonication time) along with small aqueous/organic volume ratio.
Body Cooling and Its Energetic Implications for Feeding and Diving of Tufted Ducks

Wintering in a temperate climate with low water temperatures is energetically expensive for diving ducks. The energy costs associated with body cooling due to diving and ingesting large amounts of cold food were measured in tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula) feeding on zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), using implanted heart rate and body temperature transmitters. The effects of diving depth and food ingestion were measured in two sets of experiments: we measured body cooling and energy costs of six tufted ducks diving to different depths in a 6‐m‐deep indoor tank; the costs for food ingestion and crushing mussel shells were assessed under seminatural winter conditions with the same ducks feeding on mussels in a 1.5‐m‐deep outdoor pond. Body temperature dropped during feeding bouts and increased gradually during intermittent resting periods. The temperature drop increased linearly with dive duration. The rate of body cooling increased with feeding depth, but it was lower again at depths below 4 m. Half of the increment in energy costs of diving can be attributed to thermoregulatory heat production, of which approximately 50% is generated after diving to warm up the body. The excess costs for ducks feeding on large‐sized mussels could be entirely explained by the estimated energy cost necessary to compensate the heat loss following food ingestion, suggesting that the heat production from shell crushing substituted for thermoregulation. Recovery from heat loss is probably a major component of the activity budget of wintering diving ducks.
TagRefinery: A Visual Tool for Tag Wrangling

We present TagRefinery, an interactive visual application aiding the cleaning and processing of open tag spaces, such as those in Last.fm or YouTube. Our pre-design analysis showed a need to support a spectrum of user expertise from novice to advanced, which resulted in two distinct interface modes. Summative evaluations of TagRefinery showed that it could effectively guide the novice users through the workflow by giving them brief but helpful explanations on why each step was required, and providing visual and statistical aids to help them in making important decisions. This is while our more expert users greatly appreciated the amount of control and granularity over the workflow that our more advanced interface mode offered. Both the underlying tag cleaning workflow and the interface were designed iteratively in a participatory design process in collaboration with research on a music recommendation interface based on Last.fm tags.
Bootstrapping unit root tests with covariates

ABSTRACT We consider the bootstrap method for the covariates augmented Dickey–Fuller (CADF) unit root test suggested in Hansen (1995) which uses related variables to improve the power of univariate unit root tests. It is shown that there are substantial power gains from including correlated covariates. The limit distribution of the CADF test, however, depends on the nuisance parameter that represents the correlation between the equation error and the covariates. Hence, inference based directly on the CADF test is not possible. To provide a valid inferential basis for the CADF test, we propose to use the parametric bootstrap procedure to obtain critical values, and establish the asymptotic validity of the bootstrap CADF test. Simulations show that the bootstrap CADF test significantly improves the asymptotic and the finite sample size performances of the CADF test, especially when the covariates are highly correlated with the error. Indeed, the bootstrap CADF test offers drastic power gains over the conventional unit root tests. Our testing procedures are applied to the extended Nelson and Plosser data set.
Human monocytes are stimulated for nitric oxide release in vitro by some tumor cells but not by cytokines and lipopolysaccharide

Nitric oxide (NO) has been recently identified as a potent mediator of tumoricidal activity of activated macrophages. Macrophages can be activated for tumor cell killing by microbial products, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and various cytokines. Here we report that in contrast to mouse macrophages, human peripheral blood monocytes stimulated with cytokines or LPS failed to release NO. Also priming of monocytes with interferon‐γ followed by activation with cytokines or LPS did not cause NO secretion. However, monocytes responded with NO production to stimulation with some human cancer cells but not with untransformed cells. NO production by monocytes was inhibited by NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine, specific inhibitor of NO synthase and emetine, an irreversible blocker of protein synthesis. This may imply that human monocytes are unique in their restricted capacity to produce NO following interaction with some tumor cells, but not with other stimulators, and in this respect they may be able to distinguish between malignant and normal cells.
Cofree coalgebras over operads II Homology invariance

This paper proves that homology equivalences of cogenerating complexes induce homology equivalences of the cofree coalgebras in many interesting cases. We show that the underlying chain complex of any cofree coalgebra is naturally a direct summand of the underlying chain-complex of a cofree coalgebra over a free operad. This is combined with the previous result to prove the homology invariance of all cofree coalgebras.
Auctions vs. Negotiations: The Effects of Inefficient Renegotiation

For the procurement of complex goods the early exchange of information is important to avoid costly renegotiation ex post. We show that this is achieved by bilateral negotiations but not by auctions. Negotiations strictly outperforms auctions if sellers are likely to have superior information about possible design improvements, if renegotiation is costly, and if the buyer's bargaining position is sufficiently strong. Moreover, we show that negotiations provide stronger incentives for sellers to investigate possible design improvements than auctions. This provides an explanation for the widespread use of negotiations as a procurement mechanism in private industry.
Pricing for Traffic Safety

This paper evaluates the traffic safety impacts of various transport pricing reforms, including fuel-tax increases, efficient road and parking pricing, distance-based insurance and registration fees, and public-transit fare reductions. This analysis indicates that such reforms can significantly reduce traffic risk, in addition to providing other important economic, social, and environmental benefits. Crash reductions depend on the type of price change, the portion of vehicle travel affected, and the quality of alternative transport options available. If implemented to the degree justified on the grounds of economic efficiency (for example, to reduce congestion, recover road and parking facility costs, and make insurance more actuarially accurate), these reforms are predicted to reduce North American traffic casualties by 40% to 60%. The low per capita traffic fatality rates in European and wealthy Asian countries result in significant part from their higher transport prices, which result in more efficient multimodal transport systems by which residents drive less and rely more on alternative modes. However, these benefits are often overlooked: pricing reform advocates seldom highlight traffic safety benefits, and traffic safety experts seldom advocate pricing reforms. Taking these steps is particularly important for developing countries now establishing pricing practices that will affect their future travel patterns and therefore crash risks.
Changing sources of soil respiration with time since fire in a boreal forest

Radiocarbon signatures (Δ14C) of carbon dioxide (CO2) provide a measure of the age of C being decomposed by microbes or respired by living plants. Over a 2‐year period, we measured Δ14C of soil respiration and soil CO2 in boreal forest sites in Canada, which varied primarily in the amount of time since the last stand‐replacing fire. Comparing bulk respiration Δ14C with Δ14C of CO2 evolved in incubations of heterotrophic (decomposing organic horizons) and autotrophic (root and moss) components allowed us to estimate the relative contributions of O horizon decomposition vs. plant sources. Although soil respiration fluxes did not vary greatly, differences in Δ14C of respired CO2 indicated marked variation in respiration sources in space and time.