Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Specializations of the mandibular anatomy and dentition of Segnosaurus galbinensis (Theropoda: Therizinosauria)

Definitive therizinosaurid cranial materials are exceptionally rare, represented solely by an isolated braincase and tooth in the North American taxon Nothronychus mckinleyi, the remarkably complete skull of the Asian taxon Erlikosaurus andrewsi, and the lower hemimandibles of Segnosaurus galbinensis. To date, comprehensive descriptions of the former taxa are published; however, the mandibular materials of S. galbinensis have remained largely understudied since their initial description in 1979. Here we provide a comprehensive description of the well-preserved hemimandibles and dentition of S. galbinensis (MPC-D 100/80), from the Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation, Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The subrectangular and ventrally displaced caudal hemimandible, extreme ventral deflection of the rostral dentary, and edentulism of the caudal dentary of S. galbinensis are currently apomorphic among therizinosaurians. Unique, unreported dental traits including lingually folded mesial carinae, development of a denticulated triangular facet on the distal carinae near the cervix, and extracarinal accessory denticles, suggest a highly specialized feeding strategy in S. galbinensis. The presence of triple carinae on the distalmost lateral tooth crowns is also unique, although may represent an abnormality. Contrasted with the simplistic dentition of the contemporaneous therizinosaurid E. andrewsi, the dentition of S. galbinensis is indicative of niche partitioning in food acquisition, processing, or resources among known therizinosaurids inhabiting Asian ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous. Although not quantitatively correlated with diet, this suite of specializations is otherwise unique among theropod dinosaurs and supports derived inferences of facultative or obligate herbivory in therizinosaurids, ultimately adding novel information to our understanding of ecomorphology in theropods.
A Small-scale Cross-sectional Study for the Assessment of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Relation to Body Composition and Morphometric Characters in Fishermen of Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: The people residing in coastal areas of Visakhapatnam are mostly engaged in fishery, which is always been a physically demanding job, and numerous factors have direct or indirect impact on the health of fishermen; but, the data about their physical fitness or health status is quite scanty. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess their cardiorespiratory fitness pattern, as well as morphometric characters, which may be influenced by their occupation. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 25 young fishermen (mean age of 22.8 ± 1.92 years) were randomly selected from Araku valley of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh and compared with 25 subjects who were randomly selected from college students (mean age of 21.9 ± 2.25 years) of Kolkata, West Bengal. Some physical and physiological fitness variables including height, weight, body mass index, body surface area, physical fitness index, anaerobic power, and energy expenditure were measured along with their morphometric characters. Results: Analysis of data indicated a significant difference in blood pressure, physical fitness index, energy expenditure, body fat percent and anaerobic power among fishermen compared to controls. However, there were no changes in morphometric characters between the two groups. Conclusions: Findings of this small-scale population-based study indicated that health and physical fitness of young fishermen is under the influence of both occupational workload and nutritional status, as found by body composition and morphometric characters.
Pattern of follicular growth and resumption of ovarian activity in post-partum beef suckler cows.

The ovaries of 18 post-partum beef suckler cows were examined daily, using ultrasound, from Day 5 post partum until a normal oestrous cycle was completed. Periods of growth and regression of medium-sized (5-9 mm) follicles were identified before one medium follicle became dominant (single large follicle greater than or equal to 10 mm). The mean (+/- s.e.m.) number of days from parturition to detection of the first post-partum dominant follicle was 10.2 +/- 0.5. The first post-partum dominant follicle ovulated in 2/18 (11%) cows. The interval from calving to first ovulation (mean +/- s.e.m. = 35.9 +/- 3.3 days) was characterized by the growth and regression of a variable number (mean = 3.2 +/- 0.2; range 1-6) of dominant follicles. The maximum diameter of the dominant follicle increased as the cows approached first ovulation (P less than 0.05). Behavioural oestrus was not detected in 16/18 (89%) cows at first ovulation. Following first ovulation, the length of the subsequent cycle was short (mean = 9.7 +/- 0.5 days; range 8-15 days) in 14/18 (78%) cows and was characterized by the development and ovulation of a single dominant follicle. During oestrous cycles of normal length (mean = 20.6 +/- 0.5 days; range 18-23 days) one (N = 2), two (N = 7) or three (N = 8) dominant follicles were identified. The growth rate, maximum diameter or persistence of non-ovulatory dominant follicles before first ovulation or during oestrous cycles were not different (P greater than 0.05). These data show that, in beef suckler cows, follicular development and formation of a dominant follicle occur early after parturition and the incidence of ovulation of the first dominant follicle is low. The number of dominant follicles that develop before first ovulation is variable; first ovulation is rarely associated with oestrus and short cycles are common after first ovulation. It is concluded that prolonged anoestrus in post-partum beef suckler cows is due to lack of ovulation of a dominant follicle rather than delayed development of dominant follicles.
Asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine, nitric oxide and cardiovascular disease in adolescent type 1 diabetics

Abstract Objective: To evaluate asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine (ADMA), nitric oxide (NO) and cardiovascular disease in adolescent type 1 diabetics. Methods: The study included 62 type 1 diabetic patients and 30 healthy volunteers of the same age and sex. Blood samples were taken for assessment of ADMA, NO, oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid profile. Urine samples were taken for assessment of albumin/creatinine ratio. M mode echocardiography and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) via ultrasound were completed; t-test for independent variables, Pearson’s correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used. Results: The mean age of patients was 16.3±1.5 years and mean duration of diabetes was 9.4±2.9 years. Nitric oxide, ADMA and FMD were significantly lower, while OxLDL and the albumin/creatinine ratio were significantly higher in diabetics. Nitric oxide had a significant negative correlation with left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, left ventricular end-systolic dimension, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, albumin/creatinine ratio, and OxLDL, as well as a positive correlation with ADMA. Albumin/creatinine ratio had a significant positive correlation with OxLDL and negative correlation with ADMA. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that ADMA is the only parameter related to NO, however, albumin/creatinine ratio and OxLDL are related to ADMA. Conclusions: Type 1 diabetic patients had endothelial and diastolic dysfunction. The reduction in NO, ADMA, and elevation of OxLDL, and its relation to echocardiographic data and albumin/creatinine ratio, may reflect their role in cardiac and renal affection.
A Framework of Sustainable Service Supply Chain Management: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

In recent years, the interdisciplinary research of supply chains and sustainability has received extensive, yet gradual, attention; when compared to the rapid economic growth of the service industry, however, sustainable supply chain management has not been systematically explored yet. It has not only great theoretical significance, but also positive practical significance to provide a framework for the operation of a sustainable service supply chain from a sustainable development point of view. Based on the triple bottom line (TBL), we have analyzed related sustainable supply chain management research between 2006 and 2015, reviewed papers involving two or three bottom lines as well, and then introduced some classical frameworks for manufacturing supply chain management and service supply chain management. Afterward, by analyzing the differences between the manufacturing and service industries, we propose a framework of sustainable service supply chain management (SSSCM). Based on the impacts of sustainable development TBL on service supply chain participants, we have finally made a framework for sustainable operation facing triads service supply chain and proposed a future research agenda.
Physical characterization and performance comparison of active- and passive-pixel CMOS detectors for mammography

We investigated the physical characteristics of two complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) mammography detectors. The detectors featured 14-bit image acquisition, 50 µm detector element (del) size and an active area of 5 cm × 5 cm. One detector was a passive-pixel sensor (PPS) with signal amplification performed by an array of amplifiers connected to dels via data lines. The other detector was an active-pixel sensor (APS) with signal amplification performed at each del. Passive-pixel designs have higher read noise due to data line capacitance, and the APS represents an attempt to improve the noise performance of this technology. We evaluated the detectors' resolution by measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) using a tilted edge. We measured the noise power spectra (NPS) and detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) using mammographic beam conditions specified by the IEC 62220-1-2 standard. Our measurements showed the APS to have much higher gain, slightly higher MTF, and higher NPS. The MTF of both sensors approached 10% near the Nyquist limit. DQE values near dc frequency were in the range of 55–67%, with the APS sensor DQE lower than the PPS DQE for all frequencies. Our results show that lower read noise specifications in this case do not translate into gains in the imaging performance of the sensor. We postulate that the lower fill factor of the APS is a possible cause for this result.
Does the Cost Paradox Preclude Technological Progress under Imperfect Competition

We consider a two-stage model of R&D/Cournot competition with isoelastic demand satisfying the cost paradox (i.e., that equilibrium profits increase with unit cost). The R&D process has a binary structure, with spillover effects. We provide a negative answer to the question in the title: Under noncooperative R&D, firms will conduct R&D for a broad parameter range, despite the presence of the cost paradox, as a result of being caught in a prisoner's dilemma. A second-best social planner is shown to have a higher propensity for R&D than the noncooperative scenario. However, if firms engaged in any of the known R&D cooperation scenarios, the answer to the question in the title would become affirmative. It follows that R&D cooperation leads to lower producer and consumer surpluses. This constitutes a major departure from the conclusions of the standard R&D model. Therefore, R&D cooperation in such environments should not receive favorable antitrust treatment.
Effects of Aesthetic Chills on a Cardiac Signature of Emotionality

Background Previous studies have shown that a cardiac signature of emotionality (referred to as EK, which can be computed from the standard 12 lead electrocardiogram, ECG), predicts inter-individual differences in the tendency to experience and express positive emotion. Here, we investigated whether EK values can be transiently modulated during stimulation with participant-selected music pieces and film scenes that elicit strongly positive emotion. Methodology/Principal Findings The phenomenon of aesthetic chills, as indicated by measurable piloerection on the forearm, was used to accurately locate moments of peak emotional responses during stimulation. From 58 healthy participants, continuous EK values, heart rate, and respiratory frequency were recorded during stimulation with film scenes and music pieces, and were related to the aesthetic chills. EK values, as well as heart rate, increased significantly during moments of peak positive emotion accompanied by piloerection. Conclusions/Significance These results are the first to provide evidence for an influence of momentary psychological state on a cardiac signature of emotional personality (as reflected in EK values). The possibility to modulate ECG amplitude signatures via stimulation with emotionally significant music pieces and film scenes opens up new perspectives for the use of emotional peak experiences in the therapy of disorders characterized by flattened emotionality, such as depression or schizoid personality disorder.
Exploring Factors Influencing Employer Attitudes and Practices toward Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the New River Valley

Although Congress enacted civil rights legislation in the 1960s to address racial inequities in income and employment, the executive branch and the courts have since retreated from efforts to pursue those policies aggressively. Meanwhile, anti-racism advocates, including the Montgomery County, Virginia based Dialogue on Race, have continued to promote strategies aimed at securing employment and income equity for all citizens. This study analyzed the social and economic costs of continued racial inequality in employment and income, and examined the ways in which local employers are addressing this challenge in the Blacksburg, Virginia region by exploring their selfreported rationales for action on the basis of economic efficiency or profit, moral obligation to fairness and justice, adherence to legal requirements, or leader influence. I addressed these concerns through population data analysis, key informant interviews, and a survey of major local employers. I found that New River Valley employers appear to be motivated by economic and moral reasons, as well as legal compliance. I conclude that activists should use this apparent openness to multiple rationales to work to help community leaders and local employers recognize racial equality as a moral imperative, rather than as an instrumental claim incidental to its perceived utility. Exploring Factors Influencing Employer Attitudes and Practices toward Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the New River Valley Sarah Halvorson-Fried General Audience Abstract Although Congress enacted civil rights legislation in the 1960s to address racial inequities in income and employment, the executive branch and the courts have since taken actions that have reduced the force of those policies. Meanwhile, anti-racism advocates, including the Montgomery County, Virginia based Dialogue on Race, have continued to promote strategies aimed at securing employment and income equity for all citizens. In an attempt to assist those activists, this study analyzed the social and economic costs of continued racial inequality, and examined the ways in which local employers are addressing this challenge in the Blacksburg, Virginia region. Using population data analysis, key informant interviews, and a survey with local organizations, I found that racial inequality in employment and income is both real and economically costly to the region, and that New River Valley employers appear to be motivated by economic and moral reasons, as well as legal compliance. I conclude that activists should use this apparent openness to multiple rationales to work to help community leaders and local employers recognize racial equality as a moral imperative, rather than as an instrumental claim, for both ethical and pragmatic reasons.
Prospective study to validate HpOne in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

INTRODUCTION The HpOne test is a new five-minute rapid urease test developed for the rapid detection of Helicobacter pylori infection during gastroscopy. However, evidence in the literature supporting its use clinically is scarce. The most commonly used rapid urease test remains the Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test, which generates accurate readings only after 24 hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the HpOne test in our local population. METHODS From August 2007 to May 2008, consecutive patients undergoing gastroscopy for various indications were recruited into this prospective study. Patients who were pregnant, lactating, on proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics, immunosuppressants or had previous gastric surgery were excluded. During gastroscopy, six gastric mucosal biopsies were taken; three from the body and three from the antrum. One body and one antral biopsy were used for each of the HpOne test, CLO test and histology. Results of the HpOne and CLO tests were then compared against the gold standard of histology. RESULTS Of the 149 patients recruited, 82 (55 percent) were men and 67 (45 percent) were women. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 38.9 percent (n is 58). The sensitivity and specificity of the HpOne test were 65.5 percent and 85.7 percent, respectively, while those for the CLO test were 63.8 percent and 84.6 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION The HpOne test is as efficacious as the CLO test, with the added advantage of yielding results faster. It is thus a superior alternative and should be considered for clinical use.
Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Cell Surface Molecules Expressed on Early Mouse Endoderm

The development of functional cell populations such as hepatocytes and pancreatic β cells from embryonic stem cell (ESC) is dependent on the efficient induction of definitive endoderm early in the differentiation process. To monitor definitive endoderm formation in mouse ESC differentiation cultures in a quantitative fashion, we generated a reporter cell line that expresses human CD25 from the Foxa3 locus and human CD4 from the Foxa2 locus. Induction of these reporter ESCs with high concentrations of activin A led to the development of a CD25‐Foxa3+CD4‐Foxa2+ population within 4‐5 days of culture. Isolation and characterization of this population showed that it consists predominantly of definitive endoderm that is able to undergo hepatic specification under the appropriate conditions. To develop reagents that can be used for studies on endoderm development from unmanipulated ESCs, from induced pluripotent stem cells, and from the mouse embryo, we generated monoclonal antibodies against the CD25‐Foxa3+CD4‐Foxa2+ population. With this approach, we identified two antibodies that react specifically with endoderm from ESC cultures and from the early embryo. The specificity of these antibodies enables one to quantitatively monitor endoderm development in ESC differentiation cultures, to study endoderm formation in the embryo, and to isolate pure populations of culture‐ or embryo‐derived endodermal cells. STEM CELLS 2009;27:2103–2113
Selective expansion of normal haemopoietic progenitors from chronic myelogenous leukaemia marrow

CD34+ and CD34+ DR− cells from the bone marrow (BM) of chronic‐phase chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) patients at diagnosis were tested for their colony‐forming ability in response to early and intermediate‐late colony stimulating factors (CSFs). Molecular analysis revealed that 55.6 ± 9% SD of CD34+DR− colonies, in which actin and ABL mRNA were detectable, expressed the product of the BCR‐ABL gene. The percentage and the clonogenic efficiency of CML DR− cells were significantly lower than those of comparable DR− cells from normal donors. However, clonogenic assays using recombinant human CSFs demonstrated a remarkable proliferation of CML cells when stimulated by SCF, IL‐11 and IL‐3, used as single factors in the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) and was almost entirely due to erythroid progenitors. Conversely, optimal stimulation of CD34+DR− cells from normal donors required co‐incubation with three or more CSFs. Stroma‐noncontact long‐term cultures were then established in the presence of exogenous CSFs and human irradiated allogeneic stromal layers or the murine stromal cell line M2‐10B4, engineered to produce G‐CSF and IL‐3. In these cultures the combination of SCF and IL‐3 induced a 25.4 ± 5 SD, 40 ± 6 SD and 20.5 ± 6 SD fold increase of colony‐forming unit cells (CFU‐C), at weeks 2, 4 and 5, respectively. At the same time‐points the number of primitive long‐term culture initiating cells (LTC‐IC) showed a 4 ± 2 SD, 3.3 ± 1.5 SD and 2.3 ± 1 SD fold increase compared to baseline values. BCR‐ABL mRNA analysis of single colonies demonstrated that 27 ± 9% SD and 7 ± 3% SD CFU‐C at weeks 4 and 5, respectively, expressed the fusion gene, whereas leukaemic LTC‐IC disappeared from the culture by week 2. These results suggest that leukaemic CD34+DR− cells have a different pattern of response to CSFs than normal cells. In addition, we established culture conditions which allow selective expansion of benign haemopoietic cells coexisting with leukaemic progenitors.
Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: More Dangerous Than We Think?

Study Design. Survey/case series. Objective. To survey pain physicians about neurologic infarctions following cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TF-ESIs). Summary of Background Data. Cervical TF-ESIs are commonly performed in patients with cervical radiculopathy, although there are no randomized controlled studies supporting their efficacy. Eight case reports of brain and spinal cord infarction have been published. In addition, one of the investigators (M.S.W.) has reviewed 4 cases of major cerebellum/brainstem infarction following cervical TF-ESIs with methylprednisolone. Methods. To better characterize these complications, anonymous surveys were sent to all U.S. physician members of the American Pain Society. Respondents were asked about awareness of complications, year of occurrence, practice setting and specialty of the treating physician, use of fluoroscopy/contrast/local anesthetic/corticosteroid, doses administered, and CT/MRI/autopsy findings. Results. Overall response rate was 21.4% (287 of 1340). In all, 78 complications were reported, including 16 vertebrobasilar brain infarcts, 12 cervical spinal cord infarcts, and 2 combined brain/spinal cord infarcts. Brain infarcts invariably involved the cerebellum, brainstem, or posterior cerebral artery territory. Thirteen cases resulted in a fatal outcome: 5 with brain infarcts, 1 with combined brain/spinal cord infarcts, 1 following high spinal anesthesia, 1 associated with a seizure, and 5 with unspecified etiology. All 4 cases with corticosteroid alone involved methylprednisolone, resulting in 3 cerebellar infarcts and 1 posterior cerebral territory infarct. Of these, 3 had fatal outcomes and 2 autopsies revealed no vertebral artery trauma. Conclusions. This study demonstrates a significant risk of serious neurologic injury after cervical TF-ESIs. A growing body of evidence supports an embolic mechanism, whereby inadvertent intra-arterial injection of particulate corticosteroid causes a distal infarct. Embolism to the distal basilar artery region can cause midbrain, pons, cerebellum, thalamus, temporal and occipital lobe infarctions. Other potential mechanisms of infarction include vertebral artery perforation causing dissection/thrombosis and needle-induced vasospasm.