Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polypeptides Translated From Alternatively Spliced Transcripts of the Amelogenin Gene, Devoid of the Exon 6a,b,c Region, Have Specific Effects on Tooth Germ Development in Culture

Recombinant proteins have been produced from cDNAs corresponding to alternatively spliced transcripts comprised from exons 2,3,4,5,6d,7 and 2,3,5,6d,7 of the rat amelogenin gene. These peptides, designated as [A + 4] and [A m 4], respectively, induce embryonic muscle fibroblasts in culture in vitro to express proteins characteristic of the chondrogenic and osteogenic phenotypes, and in matrix-supported implants into rat muscle, in vivo, induce typical bone matrix proteins. The aim of the present work was to examine the potential role of these proteins on the development of odontogenic tissue. The lower first molars were collected from Charles River CD-1 mice at postnatal days 1 and 2 and were grown on semisolid, serum-free medium supplemented with ascorbic and retinoic acids and transferrin. The peptides were added to the serum-free media at 10 ng/ml. As controls, the medium was either 20% fetal bovine serum or the supplemented serum-free medium without either amelogenin peptide. The tooth germs were cultured for 6 days, then fixed and paraffin embedded by standard procedures. The tissue blocks were serially sectioned and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), or antibodies to collagen 1 (Col1), phosphophoryn (DMP2), or cementum attachment protein (CAP). CAP, DMP2, and Col1 expression was enhanced by the addition of the amelogenin peptides, as compared to the 0% fetal bovine serum (FBS) controls, but the peptides showed different effects. Expression of DMP2, characteristic of dentin matrix, was upregulated by [A + 4], whereas CAP, characteristic of cementum, was upregulated by [A m 4]. Since the recombinant peptides are active, their corresponding tissue forms may be important in the stimulation of mesenchymal tissue differentiation. Thus, these specific amelogenin proteins may be involved in tooth morphogenesis.
Transcriptomic Profiling of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Reveals Reprogramming of the Crp Regulon by Temperature and Uncovers Crp as a Master Regulator of Small RNAs

One hallmark of pathogenic yersiniae is their ability to rapidly adjust their life-style and pathogenesis upon host entry. In order to capture the range, magnitude and complexity of the underlying gene control mechanisms we used comparative RNA-seq-based transcriptomic profiling of the enteric pathogen Y. pseudotuberculosis under environmental and infection-relevant conditions. We identified 1151 individual transcription start sites, multiple riboswitch-like RNA elements, and a global set of antisense RNAs and previously unrecognized trans-acting RNAs. Taking advantage of these data, we revealed a temperature-induced and growth phase-dependent reprogramming of a large set of catabolic/energy production genes and uncovered the existence of a thermo-regulated ‘acetate switch’, which appear to prime the bacteria for growth in the digestive tract. To elucidate the regulatory architecture linking nutritional status to virulence we also refined the CRP regulon. We identified a massive remodelling of the CRP-controlled network in response to temperature and discovered CRP as a transcriptional master regulator of numerous conserved and newly identified non-coding RNAs which participate in this process. This finding highlights a novel level of complexity of the regulatory network in which the concerted action of transcriptional regulators and multiple non-coding RNAs under control of CRP adjusts the control of Yersinia fitness and virulence to the requirements of their environmental and virulent life-styles.
Stress-strain model for laterally confined concrete

High strength concrete (HSC) with highly desirable structural properties can lead to significant cost savings in heavily loaded lower story columns of concrete structures. Its use has however, been limited by a concern regarding an increased brittleness compared to normal strength concrete. It is well established that the ductility of HSC columns can be increased by confinement of the core of concrete columns by lateral steel reinforcement. Confining pressure applied by the reinforcement is a function of the lateral strain of concrete. Therefore establishing axial stress, axial strain, and lateral strain relationships is a timely concern. Based on shear failure of concrete, a simple strain-based model is proposed in this paper. It is developed using prevailing test results for HSC with active confinement.
Increased Serum Hepcidin Levels in Subjects with the Metabolic Syndrome: A Population Study

The recent discovery of hepcidin, the key iron regulatory hormone, has changed our view of iron metabolism, which in turn is long known to be linked with insulin resistant states, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Serum ferritin levels are often elevated in MetS (Dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia - DHF), and are sometimes associated with a true mild-to-moderate hepatic iron overload (dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome - DIOS). However, the pathophysiological link between iron and MetS remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate, for the first time, the relationship between MetS and hepcidin at population level. We measured serum hepcidin levels by Mass Spectrometry in 1,391 subjects from the Val Borbera population, and evaluated their relationship with classical MetS features. Hepcidin levels increased significantly and linearly with increasing number of MetS features, paralleling the trend of serum ferritin. In multivariate models adjusted for relevant variables including age, C-Reactive Protein, and the HFE C282Y mutation, ferritin was the only significant independent predictor of hepcidin in males, while in females MetS was also independently associated with hepcidin. Overall, these data indicate that the fundamental iron regulatory feedback is preserved in MetS, i.e. that hepcidin tends to progressively increase in response to the increase of iron stores. Due to recently discovered pleiotropic effects of hepcidin, this may worsen insulin resistance and contribute to the cardiovascular complications of MetS.
Does Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Affect the Neurological Outcome After Traumatic Cervical Cord Injury?

Study Design. Retrospective outcome measurement study. Objectives. The purpose of this study is to assess whether ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) affects neurologic outcomes in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Summary of Background Data. There have so far been few reports examining the relationship between OPLL and SCI and there is controversy regarding the deteriorating effects of OPLL-induced canal stenosis on neurologic outcomes. Methods. To obtain a relatively uniform background, patients nonsurgically treated for an acute C3–C4 level SCI without any fractures or dislocations of the spinal column were selected, resulting in 129 patients. There were 110 men and 19 women (mean age was 61.1 years), having various neurologic conditions on admission (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] impairment scale A, 43; B, 16; C, 58; D, 12). The follow-up period was the duration of their hospital stay and ranged from 50 to 603 days (mean, 233 days). The presence of OPLL, the cause of injury, the degree of canal stenosis (both static and dynamic), and the neurologic outcomes in motor function, including improvement rate, were assessed. Results. Of the 129 patients investigated in this study, OPLL was identified at the site of the injury in 13 patients (10.1%). In this OPLL+ group, the static and dynamic canal diameters at C3 and C4 were significantly smaller than those of the remaining 116 patients (OPLL− group). However, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of ASIA motor score both at the time of administration and discharge, and the mean improvement rate in ASIA motor score was 55.5 ± 9.0% in OPLL+ group, while it was 43.1 ± 2.8% in the OPLL−group. Furthermore, no significant correlation was observed between the static/dynamic canal diameters and neurologic outcome in all 129 patients. Conclusion. No evidence was found for OPLL to have any effect on the initial neurologic status or recovery in motor function after traumatic cervical cord injury, suggesting that the neurologic outcome is not significantly dependent on canal space.
A Method to Determine 3D Permeability of Fibrous Reinforcements

Numerical simulations of resin flow in Liquid Composite Molding processes require reliable data for in-plane as well as transverse permeability. The goal of this work is to propose a method for simultaneous determination of the principal values of 3D permeability tensor of fibrous reinforcements. The permeability components are calculated from experimental data, consisting of flow front position with time during radial injection. Experimental results are compared with numerical simulations. The methodology was described in our previous publication (Nedanov, P.B., Advani, S.G., Walsh, S.W. and Ballata, W.O. (1999). Advances in Aerospace in Materials and Structures. AD-Vol. 58, ASME. ), in which all experimental data was collected by using SMART weave sensor system. This paper presents an improved non-intrusive version of the method, entirely based on visualization. The accuracy is also enhanced by using least square fit to experimental data. Eliminating the necessity for expensive and often intrusive sensor system turns the laborious and time-consuming method into a practical, fast and convenient method to determine 3D permeability in Liquid Composite Molding.
A Proposed Framework for Calibration of Available Bandwidth Estimation Tools

Examining the validity or accuracy of proposed available bandwidth estimation tools remains a challenging problem. A common approach consists of evaluating a newly developed tool using a combination of simple nstype simulations and feasible experiments in situ (i.e., using parts of the actual Internet). In this paper, we argue that this strategy tends to fall short of establishing a reliable "ground truth," and we advocate an alternative in vitro-like methodology for calibrating available bandwidth estimation tools that has not been widely used in this context. Our approach relies on performing controlled laboratory experiments and using tools to visualize and analyze the relevant tool-specific traffic dynamics. We present a case study of how two canonical available bandwidth estimation tools, SPRUCE and PATHLOAD, respond to increasingly more complex cross traffic and network path conditions. We expose measurement bias and algorithmic omissions that lead to poor tool calibration. As a result of this evaluation, we designed a calibrated available bandwidth estimation tool called YAZ that builds on the insights of PATHLOAD. We show that in head to head comparisons with SPRUCE and PATHLOAD, YAZ is significantly and consistently more accurate with respect to ground truth, and reports results more quickly with a small number of probes.
Energy Efficiency Challenges of 5G Small Cell Networks

The deployment of a large number of small cells poses new challenges to energy efficiency, which has often been ignored in 5G cellular networks. While massive MIMO will reduce the transmission power at the expense of higher computational cost, the question remains as to which (computation or transmission power) is more important in the energy efficiency of 5G small cell networks. Thus, the main objective in this article is to investigate the computation power based on the Landauer principle. Simulation results reveal that more than 50 percent of the energy is consumed by the computation power at 5G small cell BSs. Moreover, the computation power of a 5G small cell BS can approach 800 W when massive MIMO (e.g., 128 antennas) is deployed to transmit high volume traffic. This clearly indicates that computation power optimization can play a major role in the energy efficiency of small cell networks.
Photoresist modifications by plasma vacuum ultraviolet radiation: The role of polymer structure and plasma chemistry

While vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon irradiation has been shown to significantly contribute to material modifications of polymers during plasma exposures, the impact of radiation-induced material alterations on roughness development during plasma processing has remained unclear. The authors have studied the interaction of the radiation of Ar and C4F8/Ar plasma discharges with 193 and 248 nm advanced photoresists (PRs). Optical filters were used to vary the radiation exposure wavelength range in the ultraviolet (UV) and VUV emission spectra. This enables clarification of the respective roles of plasma photon radiation wavelength and PR polymer structure on the chemical and structural changes produced in the materials. Chemical changes in polymer composition at the film surface and in the material bulk were determined by vacuum transfer x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Morphological changes, film thickness reduction, and changes in surface and pattern morphology.
An interior-point method for mpecs based on strictly feasible relaxations

An interior-point method for solving mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints (MPECs) is proposed. At each iteration of the algorithm, a single primaldual step is computed from each subproblem of a sequence. Each subproblem is defined as a relaxation of the MPEC with a nonempty strictly feasible region. In contrast to previous approaches, the proposed relaxation scheme preserves the nonempty strict feasibility of each subproblem even in the limit. Local and superlinear convergence of the algorithm is proved even with a less restrictive strict complementarity condition than the standard one. Moreover, mechanisms for inducing global convergence in practice are proposed. Numerical results on the MacMPEC test problem set demonstrate the fast-local convergence properties of the algorithm.
Voltage‐dependent calcium currents are enhanced in dorsal root ganglion neurones from the Bio Bred/Worchester diabetic rat.

1. Whole‐cell, high‐threshold, voltage‐dependent calcium currents (ICa) were enhanced in acutely dissociated, capsaicin‐sensitive dorsal root ganglion neurones from diabetic Bio Bred/Worchester (BB/W) rats, compared with those from age‐matched, non‐diabetic controls. The magnitude of the enhancement increased with the duration of diabetes, and reached significance at diabetic durations of 6 months (diabetic: 6.3 +/‐ 0.4 nA; current density (CD), 157 +/‐ 12 pA pF‐1; means +/‐ S.E. M. , n = 9, P < 0.01; control: 3.9 +/‐ 0.6 nA; CD, 116 +/‐ 11 pA pF‐1; n = 18) and 8 months (diabetic: 7.6 +/‐ 0.4 nA; CD, 177 +/‐ 25 pA pF‐1; n = 11, P < 0.005; control: 5.1 +/‐ 0.5 nA; CD, 111 +/‐ 26 pA pF‐1; n = 15). Low‐threshold, voltage‐dependent ICa were also enhanced in neurones from animals diabetic for 8 months (diabetic: 2.5 +/‐ 0.7 nA, n = 4, P < 0.05; control: 0.7 +/‐ 0.5 nA, n = 6). 2. The ICa enhancement was prevented by long‐term treatment of diabetic animals with an aldose reductase inhibitor (ARI; peak ICa at 6 months: 4.41 +/‐ 0.48 nA, n = 2; at 8 months: 4.32 +/‐ 0.60 nA, n = 9). 3. The ICa enhancement was not due to a shift in the voltage dependence of either the current‐voltage relationship or steady‐state inactivation. 4. The L channel antagonist nifedipine and preferential N channel antagonist omega‐conotoxin GVIA (omega‐CgTX) caused a greater inhibition of high‐threshold ICa in diabetic neurones compared with controls (nifedipine: control: 25 +/‐ 3%, n = 26; diabetic: 36 +/‐ 7%, n = 11; omega‐CgTX: control: 40 +/‐ 4%, n = 21; diabetic: 50 +/‐ 7%, n = 7). Diabetic neurones also demonstrated a significantly greater residual current (2.44 +/‐ 0.34 nA, n = 7) in the presence of both antagonists vs. controls (1.28 +/‐ 0.30 nA, n = 8, P < 0.05), suggesting that N‐, L‐ and additional non‐N‐, non‐L‐type high‐threshold ICa were enhanced.
Trajectories of Autism Severity in Children Using Standardized ADOS Scores

OBJECTIVES: To plot longitudinal trajectories of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity from early childhood to early adolescence. In line with reported trajectories in toddlers, we hypothesize that a substantial minority of children will show marked changes in ASD severity over time, with “Improvers” demonstrating the highest mean baseline and rate of growth in verbal IQ (VIQ). METHODS: Patients included 345 clinic referrals and research participants with best-estimate clinical diagnoses of ASD at 1 or more time points, and repeated Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), VIQ, and nonverbal IQ scores. Standardized ADOS severity scores were applied to 1026 assessments collected longitudinally between the ages of 2 and 15 (VIQ at most recent assessment: mean = 58, SD = 35). Scores were fitted for latent severity trajectory classes with and without covariates. Adaptive behavior and VIQ trajectories over time were modeled within each of the best-fit latent classes. RESULTS: A 4-class model best represented the observed data. Over 80% of participants were assigned to persistent (stable) high or moderately severe classes; 2 small classes respectively increased or decreased in severity over time. Age, gender, race, and nonverbal IQ did not predict class membership; VIQ was a significant predictor. Baseline VIQ was highest in the improving and worsening classes; it increased at the greatest rate in the improving class. Adaptive behavior declined in all but the improving class, with consistent impairment in all classes. CONCLUSIONS: If replicated, identified trajectory classes of ADOS severity may contribute to clinical prognosis and to subtyping samples for neurobiological and genetic research.
Influence of sibutramine, orlistat and Ispaghula in reducing body weight and total body fat content in obese individuals.

BACKGROUND The correlations between combined body fat parameters and risk factors of obesity explained a portion of the variation in the weight, BMI and waist circumference, the average number of categorical metabolic risk factors increases progressively with increasing total body fat content. There is currently no data available in which influence of drugs can be assessed on total body fat content. This was a non-randomized, prospective, open-label, parallel group study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of sibutramine, orlistat and ispahgula in reducing body weight and percentage of total body fat content in obese individuals. METHODS A nonrandomized, open label, prospective, intention to treat clinical trial was conducted from July 2008 to March 2009 in JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan. The study was based on three arms A (ispahgula), B (orlistat) and C (sibutramine) comprising 40 patients in each. The selection criteria has included patients from either sex with age 18 years or more with BMI > or =30 as obese with or without associated risk factors and BMI > or = 27 < 30 as over weight only if any significant risk factor is present. Compliance on diet chart and instruction for life style modification were assessed monthly. RESULTS The comparison of mean difference in percentage of total body fat content between the groups and within the groups at day 150 is (p-value) 0.029 and difference in body weight is (p-value) 0.042 which is statistically significant. CONCLUSION Sibutramine is more effective than ispahgula and orlistat in reducing body weight and percentage of total body fat content in obese patients.
Novel strategy to decrease reperfusion injuries and improve function of cold‐preserved livers using normothermic ex vivo liver perfusion machine

Normothermic extracorporeal liver perfusion (NELP) can decrease ischemia/reperfusion injury to the greatest degree when cold ischemia time is minimized. Warm perfusion of cold‐stored livers results in hepatocellular damage, sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) dysfunction, and Kupffer cell activation. However, the logistics of organ procurement mandates a period of cold preservation before NELP. The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial effects of gradual rewarming of cold‐stored livers by placement on NELP. Three female porcine livers were used for each group. In the immediate NELP group, procured livers were immediately placed on NELP for 8 hours. In the cold NELP group, livers were cold‐stored for 4 hours followed by NELP for 4 hours. In rewarming groups, livers were cold‐stored for 4 hours, then gradually rewarmed in different durations to 38°C and kept on NELP for an additional 4 hours. For comparison purposes, the last 4 hours of NELP runs were considered to be the evaluation phase. Immediate NELP livers had significantly lower concentrations of liver transaminases, hyaluronic acid, and β‐galactosidase and had higher bile production compared to the other groups. Rewarming livers had significantly lower concentrations of hyaluronic acid and β‐galactosidase compared to the cold NELP livers. In addition, there was a significant decline in international normalized ratio values, improved bile production, reduced biliary epithelial cell damage, and improved cholangiocyte function. Thus, if a NELP machine is not available at the procurement site and livers will need to undergo a period of cold preservation, a gradual rewarming protocol before NELP may greatly reduce damages that are associated with reperfusion. In conclusion, gradual rewarming of cold‐preserved livers upon NELP can minimize the hepatocellular damage, Kupffer cell activation, and SEC dysfunction. Liver Transpl 22:333–343, 2016. © 2015 AASLD.
Controlled interactions in cellulose‐polymer composites. 1: Effect on mechanical properties

The surface properties of cellulose fibers have been modified by heat treatment, by silane coupling agents, and by maleated polypropylene grafts. The effectiveness of these methods has been evaluated by electron spectroscopy (ESCA), by contact angle measurements, and by inverse gas chromatography. The latter analyses yielded information on the fibers' acid/base interaction potential. Cellulose was found to be amphoteric, with prevalent acidic properties. Heat and chloro-silane treatments accentuated acidity, while amino-silane treatment produced net basicity in the fiber surface. Modification with maleated polypropylene reduced specific interactions and converted the fiber to a predominantly dispersion-force solid. The modified fibers were used in composites with polypropylene (neutral), polystyrene (base), and chlorinated polyethylene (acid) as matrix. Stress/strain and dynamic mechanical parameters were found to vary with acid/base interactions between polymer and fiber, significant improvements being noted in elastic and storage moduli, in tensile strength and elongation. In polypropylene, properties were unaffected by acid/base considerations. Acid/base forces, not necessarily dominant, merit consideration in the design of surface modification strategies intended to optimize composite mechanical properties.
How important is data quality for evaluating the impact of EDI on global supply chains?

In practice a growing number of companies report negative impacts of using EDI, which are attributed to the impact of poor data quality. This result is in contrast with current EDI theory, which shows that EDI leads to less data entry errors and hence to a positive role of data quality in EDI. Based on the current literature on data quality and communication, this paper develops a theory on the role of data quality in an EDI enabled business process. The theory hypothesizes that EDI has a positive effect on the reliability and relevance of the EDI information. However, EDI has a negative impact on the context of the EDI information. This means that EDI requires a higher degree of context alignment between the sender and receiver of the EDI messages. If this higher degree of context data quality is not established, EDI will lead to a negative impact on process performance because the poor data quality in the context leads to more errors or more prevention in the ordering process.