Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a novel serum‐free freezing medium for mammalian cells using the silk protein sericin

Cryopreservation is a pivotal process in cellular engineering for creating a continuous source of generated functional cell lines and for the convenience of various medical treatments that involve cell culture. FBS (fetal bovine serum) supplemented with 10% (v/v) DMSO is extensively used as a freezing medium for mammalian cells using conventional methods. However, FBS should ideally be avoided, owing to serious concerns regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other infections such as viruses, and an alternative to FBS is eagerly awaited. Furthermore, biomedicines and cells for transplantation should not be infectious. The present study aimed to develop a novel serum‐free freezing medium. For this purpose, we focused on using the silk protein sericin as a cryoprotectant for storage and developed a novel serum‐free freezing medium consisting of PBS, 1% (v/w) sericin, 0.5% (v/w) maltose, 0.3% (v/w) proline, 0.3% (v/w) glutamine and 10% DMSO. This novel freezing medium was compared with the conventional FBS supplemented with DMSO and also with three purchased freezing media with respect to cryopreservation of the P3U1 myeloma cell line and Chinese‐hamster ovary cells. As a result, the constructed medium containing sericin successfully cryopreserved both cell types as efficiently as the conventional medium of FBS containing 10% DMSO and was superior to all three of the purchased media. The constructed medium containing sericin also cryopreserved normal human dermal fibroblasts, human epidermal keratinocytes, the rat phaeochromocytoma cell line PC12 and insect (Spodoptera frugiperda) cell line Sf9 as effectively as the conventional medium of FBS and DMSO.
Alveolar osteitis prevention by immediate placement of medicated packing.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether immediate placement of medicated dry socket packing would decrease the incidence of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) with lower third molar extractions. STUDY DESIGN In 100 patients, 200 lower third molars were extracted. One half of the sockets were packed to the crest of the alveolar ridge with a one-quarter-inch radiograph-detectable filament gauze that contained 9% eugenol, 36% balsam of Peru, and 55% petroleum jelly. The medicated packing was removed 1 week after surgery. None of the patients were taking antibiotics. Patients were instructed to increase their oral hygiene before and after surgery and were to use 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate 2 days before and 3 days after surgery. RESULTS; Two hundred bilateral lower third molars of varying difficulty were extracted. The overall alveolar osteitis rate was 34 (17%). The immediately packed lower third molar sites had an alveolar osteitis rate of 8 (8%). The sockets that were not packed with medicated packing the day of surgery had an alveolar osteitis rate of 26 (26%). The difference was statistically significant (P =.001). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that placement of medicated dry socket packing immediately after lower third molar extraction decreases the alveolar osteitis rate.
NBTI from the perspective of defect states with widely distributed time scales

Broad similarity between negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) relaxation and 1/ƒ noise is observed. Individual transitions in NBTI relaxation in small pFETs are observed and Poisson defect number statistics is inferred. Finally, it is argued that the wide distribution of defect times should be considered in addition to defect number variation in small devices.
Metformin as add‐on to intensive insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

We aimed to evaluate the effect of adjuvant metformin to intensive insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). A 10‐year retrospective study in 2 cohorts was performed: the MET cohort (n = 181) consisted of patients with T1DM on adjuvant metformin for ≥6 months and the CTR cohort (n = 62) consisted of patients with T1DM who refused metformin (n = 25) or adhered to metformin for <6 months (n = 36). Data on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI) and daily insulin dose were recorded yearly. A third cross‐sectional cohort, the REF cohort (n = 961), consisting of patients with T1DM not offered adjuvant metformin, was used as a reference for baseline comparison. At the study start, BMI was significantly higher and insulin doses were lower in patients in the MET cohort, while HbA1c levels were similar. In the first years of metformin therapy, small but non‐significant decreases were seen in BMI and insulin dose in patients in the MET cohort, while after 10 years no persistent effect on HbA1c, insulin dose or BMI was seen. In conclusion, although metformin may have short‐term effects on BMI and insulin dose when used as adjunct therapy in patients with T1DM, no long‐term beneficial effects were observed when patients were followed for 10 years.
Shape Optimization of Rotating Electric Machines Using Isogeometric Analysis

This work deals with shape optimization of electric machines using isogeometric analysis. Isogeometric analysis is particularly well suited for shape optimization as it allows to easily modify the geometry without remeshing the domain. A 6-pole interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) is modeled using a multipatch isogeometric approach and rotation of the machine is realized by modeling the stator and rotor domain separately and coupling them at the interface using harmonic basis functions. Shape sensitivity analysis is used to find the shape derivative of the optimization goal functional, i.e., the total harmonic distortion of the electromotive force. This method allows for a freeform shape optimization which is not restricted by a choice of a set of optimization parameters. This freeform shape optimization is applied for the first time to an isogeometric model of an IPMSM minimizing the total harmonic distortion of the electromotive force as a goal functional, where a reduction of 75 % is achieved.
An investigation of the performance of African nations in the 2012 London Olympics

The performance and success of the African nations in the 2012 London Olympic Games was considered to be poor and well below expectation, taking into account the number of African countries that participated in the Games and the size of their teams. Generally, the continent has recorded minimal success in the Olympics as a result of repeated poor performances evident in the small number of medals won, low positions on medal tables and the inability to achieve other performance objectives. This research explored the performance and success of African nations in the 2012 London Olympics in light of literature from both sports science and project management. It investigated the views of key stakeholders on the measurement criteria for success of these countries, their actual achievements in the Games and the issues and challenges that impeded their performance and success. The results derived from the research findings were used to propose a framework for improving the performance and success of African countries in the Olympics, with a view that the proposed framework could also be useful in the context of other major sporting tournaments. The philosophical paradigm upon which this study was rooted is interpretivism. Owing to the inductive nature of the study, the researcher adopted a qualitative research design, which supported a cyclic collection and analysis of data. The method of data collection was primarily through interviews conducted with the participants who were NOC executives, athletes and coaches from the African countries. The findings from this study indicated that, apart from socio-economic factors, the poor performance of African countries in Olympic Games is also linked to sport policy issues and an absence of key project management critical success factors (CSFs) in the development of elite sports in these countries. The contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is therefore evident in a) the provision of valuable insight into the performance of African countries in the 2012 London Olympic Games, with an identification of targets set and challenges faced b) the proposition of a framework which integrates project management CSFs with sport policies and procedures to improve the performance and success of African nations in the Olympics and c) the provision of theoretical benchmarks for subsequent studies in the area of sport performance and success, as well as recommendations to the industry on strategies for improving elite sports performance in major sporting tournaments.
The Persistence of Bank Profit

This paper examines the strength of competition in 65 national banking industries. Country-level dynamic panel estimates of the persistence of bank profit are reported and compared. The persistence of bank profit appears to be weaker for banks in developing countries than for those in developed countries. Persistence is relatively high in North America and Western Europe and relatively low in East Asia, the Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa. The persistence of profit is stronger when entry barriers are high, and when competition is low according to both structure- and conduct-based competition indicators.
Racial differences in T-lymphocyte response to glucocorticoids.

BACKGROUND Asthma morbidity and mortality is increased in blacks. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine if blacks, asthmatic or nonasthmatic, displayed diminished T-lymphocyte response to glucocorticoids in vitro compared to their white counterparts. If differences were noted, this would suggest a racial predisposition to decreased glucocorticoid responsiveness among blacks. METHODS Asthmatic (n = 395, 27% blacks) and control (n = 202, 52% blacks) subjects recruited from National Jewish Medical and Research Center and from the surrounding community participated in the study. In vitro glucocorticoid responsiveness was determined by assessing the log-transformed concentration of dexamethasone required to suppress phytohemagglutinin-induced T-lymphocyte proliferation by 50% (log(10) IC(50)). Asthma medication history, atopic status, and spirometric lung function measures corrected for race were collected. RESULTS Black and white asthmatic subjects had similar FEV(1) percentage of predicted values and inhaled and oral glucocorticoid requirements. Black asthmatic subjects displayed significantly diminished glucocorticoid responsiveness compared to white asthmatic subjects, as follows: median (first, third quartile) log(10) IC(50) values of 1.00 nmol (0.48, 1.83) vs 0.78 nmol (0.29, 1.45) [p = 0.028]. Similar results were found between black and white control subjects, as follows: median, 1.26 nmol (0.70, 2.14) vs 0.95 nmol (0.55, 1.48) [p = 0.01]. Age, race, and basal T-lymphocyte activity were significantly positively correlated to the log(10) IC(50) values. CONCLUSION Our observation that black asthmatic subjects and non-asthmatic control subjects require greater concentrations of glucocorticoid in vitro to suppress T-lymphocyte activation suggests that blacks have a racial predisposition to diminished glucocorticoid responsiveness, which may contribute to their heightened asthma morbidity.
Tracing the mindshift in preservice teachers: learning landscapes

The search for quality and relevance in higher education curriculum drives educational reform. In 2004, research supporting an ‘Inquiry into the suitability of current preservice teacher education courses’ was presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Training in Victoria (Victorian Parliament, Education and Training Committee 2005) and another in 2009 titled, ‘Inquiry into effective strategies for teacher professional learning’ Final report (Victorian Parliament, Education and Training Committee 2009). In response to this reconceptualisation of teacher education for the 21st century, questions have been raised by academics; and in this new context, debate and research are focussing on the hegemony of preservice teacher education (Shulman 1987; Cochran-Smith 2001; Loughran 2006). Reform of teacher education has been a focus of historical and contemporary community debate. The development of educational programs for teachers implies the generation of higher levels of thinking, metacognition and learning to enable preservice teachers to think about their own thinking (Pohl 2000). The aim of this research is to describe the layers of learning experiences and development involved in preservice teacher education and, in particular, to articulate a reflective pedagogical paradigm that is inherent in the process of becoming a reflective practitioner. Research into higher education plays a meaningful role by informing contemporary public debate and assisting in directing policy-makers in the development and optimisation of higher education.
Resilience in eating disorders: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT The objectives of the authors in this study were two-fold: (1) to explore the role of resilience in recovery from eating disorders (EDs), and (2) to develop a model of resilience in women with EDs. Semi-structured interviews with ten women were conducted in April 2011, along with two focus groups with women who had recovered from EDs (n = 5 women each; conducted in April 2012 at the University of Deusto, Spain), one focus group with clinical experts (n = 8; conducted in April 2012 at the Foundation Against EDs of Biskay, Spain), and six narratives from primary caregivers of ED patients living in Biskay, Spain (conducted in November 2012). All data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. All female participants acknowledged experiencing resilience in their recovery. The analysis resulted in a conceptual model of resilience composed of the following categories: deep dissatisfaction with life, turning point, acceptance, hope, determination to change, accountability for the ED, active coping, getting social support, gaining self-knowledge, getting information about EDs, increase well-being, trait resilience, initiating new projects and living in the here and now. According to the model presented, resilience preceded the experience of recovery in women with EDs in this sample and could be a useful asset for future interventions.
Trading Aggressiveness and Market Efficiency

Stein (2009) shows that crowding by sophisticated traders can cause price overreaction. To test Stein's theory, in this paper I use trading aggressiveness after earnings releases as a measure of crowding. With a large number of traders, their strong aggregate demand makes trade execution more difficult, and leads every individual investor to trade more aggressively. I find that the prices of aggressively traded stocks overreact after good news, but not after bad news, except during the financial crisis. The asymmetry in observed results can be explained by differences in belief heterogeneity of investors and market attention during news releases.
Communication between general practitioners and consultants: what should their letters contain?

OBJECTIVE--To canvass the views of all general practitioners and consultants working in Newcastle upon Tyne on the content of referral letters and replies, the feasibility of standardising certain aspects of referral letters, and the use of communications data for audit purposes. DESIGN--A postal questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners and consultants in Newcastle upon Tyne in May 1991. Questions were asked about the clinical and administrative content of letters, the utility of standard categories to state the reason for referral, the idea of using letters for feedback purposes, and communications as a potential topic for professionally led audit. SETTING--Area served by Newcastle upon Tyne Family Health Services Authority and District Health Authority. RESULTS--Replies were received from 274 (77%) doctors (115 general practitioners and 159 consultants). A majority (225; 82%) were in favour of items defined as "always important" forming a minimum requirement for referral letters and for consultants' replies. Using standardised categories to state the reason for referral was not endorsed: 102 (89%) general practitioners and 132 (83%) consultants preferred referrers to use their own words. Using referral communications to provide feedback was less popular with consultants (54; 34%) than general practitioners (72; 63%). Finally, a majority of doctors (179; 65%) were in favour of using written communications as a topic for professionally led audit. CONCLUSIONS--A high degree of consensus exists among clinicians about the content of referral communications. Although doctors may still reject the concept of standardised communications, they have unambiguously endorsed a standard for communication that they can aspire to, and they are prepared to use it as a yardstick for their actual performance.
Epidemic of Legionnaires’ disease in Wollongong

18. Widdowson EM. A study of individual children's diets. London: HMSO, 1947. (Medical Research Council Special Report Series no. 257.) 19. Roche AFt Cahn A. Subcutaneous fat thickness and caloric intake in Melbourne children. Med JAusll962; I: 595-597. 20. Owles EN. A comparative study of nutrient intakes of migrant and Australian children in Western Australia. Med J AUSI 1975; 2: 130-133. 21. Epright ES, Fox HM, Fryer BA, et al. Nutrition of infants and preschool children in the North Central Region of the United States of America. World Rev Nutr Diet 1972; 14: 269-332. 22. Martinez OB. Growth and dietary quality of young French Canadian schoolchildren. J Can Diet Assoc 1982; 43: 28-35.
Hiring Decisions, Labor Flows, and Short-Run Productivity

The cyclical behavior of short-run productivity has been a subject of considerable research, most of it concentrating on the neoclassical paradox concerning the observed short-run increasing returns to labor [13]. More recently, some of the attention has been focused on the adequacy of various cyclical adjustments themselves. Three of these studies [3; 4; 5] show that the traditional use of current and lagged unemployment rates (or similar concurrent measures of economic activity) provides an incomplete cyclical adjustment for purposes of estimating the trend rate of growth of productivity. In particular, it has been demonstrated that traditional adjustments miss the points at which the unadjusted productivity series changes directions in its procyclical pattern. The first study shows how this misspecification may have led previous researchers to attribute what is, in reality, a consistent slowdown in the trend rate of growth to structural breaks in the secular trend. Both Clark and Blakemore and Schlagenhauf use a constrained lag structure of output designed by Clark, to explicitly model the labor hoarding effect, and find that this provides a more satisfactory cyclical adjustment. But neither study addresses the issue as to why the traditional cyclical correction performs so poorly. Moreover, the preferred labor hoarding effect used in these two studies is derived from a production function that requires constant returns, an assumption that may be unduly restrictive. Gordon uses an alternative specification. He employs the change in the ratio of real output to potential output in order to model the short-run hours adjustment process but also finds an additional "end-of-expansion" (EOE) effect. The EOE takes the form of a series of positive residuals and then a series of negative residuals following a cyclical peak. When an EOE effect is included, the performance of the cyclical specification is clearly superior to the use of the ratio of real output to its potential alone; but Gordon finds no
Türkiye'de Enflasyon ve Enflasyon Belirsizliği: Kalman Filtre Yaklaşımı

In the economic literature, the discussion that expressed “inflation increases inflation uncertainty”, starting by Okun (1971) and resuming as Friedman - Ball Hypothesis, has created new discussions about the degree and the direction of the relationship between both variables. In this study, the relationship of causality between inflation and inflation uncertainty was investigated in the context of discussions in the literature, using alternative methods to get inflation uncertainty. The data used in the study are monthly and cover the period of 1980-2012 for Turkey’s economy. In this study, to get inflation uncertainty, the optimal ARIMA model was estimated by using Kalman Filter analysis technique. The relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty was tested by using modern time-series analysises
Volatility Clustering: A Nonlinear Theoretical Approach

This paper verifies the endogenous mechanism and economic intuition on volatility clustering using the coexistence of two locally stable attractors proposed by Gaunersdorfer et al. (2008). By considering a simple asset pricing model with two types of boundedly rational traders, fundamentalists and trend followers, and noise traders, we provide theoretical conditions on the coexistence of a locally stable steady state and a locally stable invariant circle of the underlying nonlinear deterministic financial market model and show numerically that the interaction of the coexistence of the deterministic dynamics and noise processes can endogenously generate volatility clustering and long range dependence in volatility observed in financial markets. Economically, volatility clustering occurs when neither the fundamental nor trend following traders dominate the market and when traders switch more often between the two strategies.
Effect of two doses of urea foliar application on leaves and grape nitrogen composition during two vintages.

BACKGROUND Nitrogen affects grapevine growth and also yeast metabolism, which have a direct influence on fermentation kinetics and the formation of different volatile compounds. Throughout the grapevine cycle, soil nitrogen availability and grape nitrogen composition can vary because of different factors. Nitrogen foliar applications can contribute toward enhancing grapevine nitrogen status and minimize the problem of leaching that traditional nitrogen-soil applications can provoke. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of urea foliar applications on grapevine nitrogen status and grape amino acid content. Accordingly, two different doses of urea were applied over the leaves of a 'Tempranillo' vineyard. RESULTS The highest urea doses affected nitrogen content on blade leaf tissues after veraison. Must amino acid profiles were modified by urea application and some of the compounds increased their concentrations. The effect of year on the increase of must total amino acid concentrations was more important than the effect of the doses applied. CONCLUSION Urea foliar applications can be an interesting tool for decreasing grapevine nitrogen deficiencies. This method of nitrogen implementation in the vineyard could avoid sluggish fermentation problems during winemaking, enhance must nitrogen composition, and contribute to improving wine quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pilot equalization in manual control of aircraft dynamics

In continuous manual control tasks, pilots adapt their control strategy to the dynamics of the controlled element to yield adequate performance of the combined pilot-vehicle system. For a controlled element representing the linearized pitch dynamics of a small jet aircraft, the pilot models described in literature were found to lack the required freedom in the pilot equalization term to accurately model the adopted pilot compensation. An additional lead term in the pilot equalization transfer function was found to significantly increase the accuracy in modeling manual control behavior of aircraft pitch dynamics.