Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors and Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Proliferation and Viability of Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Objectives: Platelet preparations are commonly used to enhance bone and soft tissue regeneration. Considering the existing controversies on the efficacy of platelet products for tissue regeneration, more in vitro studies are required. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro effects of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on proliferation and viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Materials and Methods: Anitua’s PRGF and Choukran’s PRF were prepared according to the standard protocols. After culture periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours, proliferation of HGFs was evaluated by the methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer’s multiple comparisons and P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: PRGF treatment induced statistically significant (P<0.001) proliferation of HGF cells compared to the negative control (100% viability) at 24, 48 and 72 hours in values of 123%±2.25%, 102%±2.8% and 101%±3.92%, respectively. The PRF membrane treatment of HGF cells had a statistically significant effect on cell proliferation (21%±1.73%, P<0.001) at 24 hours compared to the negative control. However, at 48 and 72 hours after treatment, PRF had a negative effect on HGF cell proliferation and caused 38% and 60% decrease in viability and proliferation compared to the negative control, respectively. The HGF cell proliferation was significantly higher in PRGF than in PRF group (P< 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PRGF had a strong stimulatory effect on HGF cell viability and proliferation compared to PRF.
High-Bandwidth and High-Responsivity Top-Illuminated Germanium Photodiodes for Optical Interconnection

In this paper, we report efficient high-speed top-illuminated p-i-n photodiodes with high responsivity fabricated from germanium (Ge) films grown directly on silicon-on-insulator substrates. The devices were characterized with respect to their dark current, responsivity, and 3-dB bandwidth (BW) in the near infrared. For a 20-μm-diameter device at room temperature, the dark current densities were approximately 38.3 mA/cm2 at -1 V. The responsivity (\mmb R) at 1.55 μm was 0.30 A/W, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 24%. The 3-dB BW of the detector with 20-μm diameter is as high as 23.3 GHz.
Co-production of social research: strategies for engaged scholarship

There are incentives on both sides of the practitioner–academic divide for co-production of research. This article identifies and evaluates five strategies for achieving more engaged and engaging scholarship. At one end of the spectrum are models involving relatively low levels of involvement by practitioners, for example as the providers of data or passive recipients of research findings. At the other end, practitioners play an active role in commissioning, overseeing and learning from studies. Higher levels of engagement should enhance the prospects of utilization but may risk politicizing the research process. So it is important to be clear about the benefits of and barriers to different forms of co-production and to recognize what works best, in which circumstances and for whom.
Validity of asthma control test for asthma control assessment in Chinese primary care settings.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) for assessing clinical asthma control in Chinese patients in primary care settings. METHODS This multicenter study involved 403 asthma patients from 15 primary care settings in China, who had completed the ACT, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and spirometry testing. According to the rating of asthma control by asthma specialists in line with the Global Initiative for Asthma 2006 guidelines, patients were divided into uncontrolled, partly controlled, and controlled groups to evaluate the reliability, empirical validity, and screening accuracy of the ACT. The screening accuracy of the ACT and ACQ was analyzed comparatively, and the asthma control levels rated by the patients and the specialists were also compared. RESULTS The five-item ACT had an internal consistency reliability of 0.861 and a correlation coefficient with the specialists' rating of 0.697. The ACT scores showed significant differences between different levels of FEV(1) percent predicted (F = 37.59; p < 0.0001) and specialists' ratings of asthma control (F = 169.53; p < 0.0001), and also between patients requiring different treatment adjustments (F = 111.33; p < 0.0001). The asthma was controlled for an ACT score of >/= 20, partly controlled for scores of 19 and 18, and uncontrolled for a score of </= 17. The ACT showed similar percentages of correctly classified results with ACQ. The patients' self-rated asthma control level was significantly higher than that rated by the specialists (z = 5.93; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The ACT is reliable, valid, and practicable for asthma control assessment in Chinese patients in the primary care setting.
Automatic Auditory Processing of English Words as Indexed by the Mismatch Negativity, Using a Multiple Deviant Paradigm

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate mismatch negativity (MMN) responses to a variety of speech stimuli (/de:/, /ge:/, /deI/ “day”, and /geI/ “gay”) in a multiple deviant paradigm. It was hypothesized that all speech stimulus contrasts in the multiple deviant paradigm, including the fine acoustic speech contrast [d/g], would elicit robust MMN responses and that consonant vowel (CV) real word deviants (e.g., “day” and “gay”) would elicit larger MMN responses than CV nonword deviants (e.g., “de” and “ge”) within and across experimental contrasts. Design: Ten healthy, right-handed, native English–speaking adults (23.4 ± 2.27 yr) with normal hearing were presented with 12 blocks of stimuli, using a multiple deviant oddball paradigm. Each of the four speech stimuli were presented as standards (p = 0.7) in three blocks, with the remaining stimuli acting as deviants (p = 0.1 each). Subjects were also presented with the same stimuli in a behavioral discrimination task. Results: MMN responses to the fine acoustic speech contrast [d/g] (e.g., “de” versus “ge”, “day” versus “gay”) did not reach significance. However, a significant and larger MMN response was obtained at an earlier latency to the real word deviants among nonword standards with the same initial consonant (i.e., de→day, ge→gay) when compared with the responses to nonword deviants among word standards (day→de, gay→ge). Conclusions: The results showed that MMN responses could be elicited by speech stimuli with large, single acoustic deviances, within a multiple deviant paradigm design. This result has positive clinical implications for the testing of subjects who may only tolerate short testing sessions (e.g., pathological populations) in that responses to a wider range of speech stimuli may be recorded without necessarily having to increase session length. The results also demonstrated that MMN responses were elicited by large, single acoustic deviances but not fine acoustic deviances within the speech stimuli. The poor results for the fine acoustic deviances support previous studies that have used single contrast paradigms and found that when carefully controlled methodological designs and strict methods of analysis are applied, robust responses to fine-grained CV syllable contrasts may be difficult to obtain. The enhanced MMN observed in response to the real word deviants among nonword standards may provide further evidence for the presence of long-term neural traces for words in the brain, however possible contextual effects limit the interpretation of these data. Further research is needed to investigate the ability of the MMN response to accurately reflect speech sounds with fine acoustic contrasts, as well as the ability of the MMN to reflect neural traces for words in the brain, before it can be reliably used as a clinical tool in the investigation of spoken word processing in pathological populations.
Limited Arbitrage and Noise Momentum

Extending Shleifer and Vishny (1997), we show that arbitrageurs will strategically limit their initial investment in an arbitrage opportunity in anticipation of further mispricing caused by the deepening of noise traders’ misperceptions. Such ‘noise momentum’ is an important determinant of the overall arbitrage process. We develop a state-dependent, two-period error-correction model to test our predictions. Applying it to the S&P500 index futures market we find strong evidence of noise momentum. However, our analysis shows no strong link between initial mispricing correction and noise momentum – consistent with the countervailing forces coming from the strategic response versus capital constraints of arbitrageurs. JEL Classification: C12, C22, G13, G14.
Progesterone as a morphological regulatory factor of the male and female gerbil prostate

Testosterone (T) and oestrogen are the main active steroid hormones in the male and female reproductive system respectively. In female rodents progesterone (P4), together with testosterone and oestrogen, has an essential role in the regulation of the oestrous cycle, which influences the prostate physiology through their oscillations. In this work we investigated how the male and female prostate gland of Mongolian gerbils responds to surgical castration at the start of puberty and what are the effects of T, oestradiol (E2) and P4 replacement, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. We also examined the location of the main steroid receptors present in the prostate. In the castrated animals of both sexes an intense glandular regression, along with disorganization of the stromal compartment, and abundant hyperplasia was observed. The replacement of P4 secured a mild recovery of the glandular morphology, inducing the growth of secretory cells and restoring the androgen receptor (AR) cells. The administration of P4 and E2 eliminated epithelial hyperplasia and intensified gland hypertrophy, favouring the emergence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). In animals treated with T and P4, even though there are some inflammatory foci and other lesions, the prostate gland revealed morphology closer to that of control animals. In summary, through the administration of P4, we could demonstrate that this hormone has anabolic characteristics, promoting hyperplasia and hypertrophy, mainly in the epithelial compartment. When combined with E2 and T, there is an accentuation of glandular hypertrophy that interrupts the development of hyperplasia and ensures the presence of a less dysplastic glandular morphology.
Economic energy scheduling of grid connected microgrid with diesel engine and reserve constraint

Microgrid is a well known concept in present power system industry. Its increasing trends overcome the effect of depleting fossil fuels and increasing electricity demand. The energy scheduling of microgrid is an open issue in current power system industry and it is a difficult task. This paper presents the economic energy scheduling of a microgrid, consisting of wind turbine (WT) and photovoltaic (PV) with battery energy storage (BES) and diesel engines (DEs). A cost minimization objective is formulated considering (i) costs of elements of microgrid, (ii) incentive cost of BES and (iii) the main grid energy exchange (import/ export) cost. System problem is simulated on MATLAB® for a dispatch period of one day taking one hour as an interval. Spinning reserve constraint is handled in detailed in this problem. Artificial bee colony (ABC) is applied to perform the economic scheduling in microgrid. Three cases, i.e., microgrid without DE, microgird with three DEs, and microgrid with DEs and reserve constraint are compared and concluded that microgrid with DE gives minimum cost even though considering 5% of load reserve constraint compare to the case without DEs.
Comparison of Elecsys Anti‐HCV II Assay With Other HCV Screening Assays

Early detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important step in preventing progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Serologic assays for anti‐HCV antibody are valuable first‐line tests in the screening and diagnosis of HCV infection. This study's aim was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Elecsys Anti‐HCV II assay for HCV screening.
The Faces of Fear in the Flight to Quality during the Lehman Brothers Failure and the Flash Crash

September 15, 2008 and May 6, 2010 mark events that shook the financial markets and sparked investor fears to quickly flee to quality financial instruments. The Lehman Brothers failure and the Flash Crash produced investor responses that were rapid and profound. Investors discriminated across high quality products and the ones with the highest levels of safety attracted funds. The panic from the Lehman announcement produced a longer term refuge in the safety of quality. The fear from Flash Crash lasted only 30 minutes. Both events provide a look at the difference between investor behavior that is predicated on real fear rather than on engaged portfolio managers actively rotating in and out of sectors as their outlook changes.
Genetic evolution of the topology and weight distribution of neural networks

This paper proposes a system based on a parallel genetic algorithm with enhanced encoding and operational abilities. The system, used to evolve feedforward artificial neural networks, has been applied to two widely different problem areas: Boolean function learning and robot control. It is shown that the good results obtained in both cases are due to two factors: first, the enhanced exploration abilities provided by the search-space reducing evolution of both coding granularity and network topology, and, second, the enhanced exploitational abilities due to a recently proposed cooperative local optimizing genetic operator.
A reconfigurable defected microstrip structure for applications in phase shifter

A reconfigurable defected microstrip structure (RDMS) is proposed for phase shift applications. The RDMS unit is made by etching a rectangle slot in a segment of microstrip line and then loading the slot with PIN diodes and capacitors. A phase shift is achieved by switching the diodes between the “on” and “off” states. By cascading such RDMS units, a stepwise phase shifter is realized. The measured results show that the phase shifter is able to achieve phase shifts of 0°, 44°, 95°, and 143° with a maximum insertion loss of 2.3 dB at 5.2 GHz. The RDMS based phase shifter has a simple fabrication process and is easy to be integrated in microstrip systems, and thus provides a low cost solution to phase control in microstrip antenna arrays.
The Value of El Niño Forecasts in the Management of Salmon: A Stochastic Dynamic Assessment

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the largest source of interannual variability in global climate. Variability in climate has been linked to variability in fisheries, specifically salmon stocks of the Pacific Northwest. The ability to forecast El Nino events already exists and is likely to improve in coming years. An accurate prediction may have value because it allows for better management decisions. In this article, we develop a bioeconomic model of the coho salmon fishery and derive the value of information from improved El Nino forecasting ability. We find that a perfect El Nino forecast results in an annual welfare gain of approximately $1 million, while imperfect forecasts lead to smaller gains. Results also suggest that optimal management in the face of uncertainty involves a “conservative” management strategy, resulting in lower harvest, higher wild fish escapement, and lower hatchery releases than management in the absence of such uncertainty. Copyright 1998, Oxford University Press.
Bond Insurance: What is Special About Munis?

Close to 50% of municipal bonds are prepackaged with insurance at the time of issue. We offer a tax-based rationale for the emergence of third-party insurance of tax-exempt bonds. We argue that insurance adds value as it allows a third party to become, in a probabilistic sense, an issuer of tax-exempt securities. Insurance however reduces value by eliminating the possibility of a capital tax loss. While the net benefit from insurance increases with bond maturity, the benefit may not increase monotonically with default risk. We also provide empirical evidence supportive of the model's predictions. Copyright 2004 by The American Finance Association.
The value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging of primary extranodal head and neck lymphomas

Using a retrospective approach, the aim of this study was to confirm the previously described value of fluorine‐18‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET/CT) in patients with primary extranodal lymphoma of the head and neck region. Additionally, the clinical significance of the semiquantitative analysis of the standardized uptake value (SUV), its predictive role in the follow‐up setting, and its value in detection of synchronous primaries were studied.
A Lost Decade for Japanese Corporate Governance Reform?: What's Changed, What Hasn'T, and Why

Analysis of Japanese corporate law reveals a striking amount of formal institutional change in the past ten years, occurring at an ever-accelerating pace. This feature of law reform can be traced to a heightened awareness of the organizational straightjacket imposed on Japanese firms by the Commercial Code, and to a more competitive and market-responsive environment for the production of corporate law. It has been a "sea change decade" for Japanese corporate law. Yet it has been an ambiguous decade for Japanese corporate practices. Signs of change in response to the new institutional environment can be found in the areas of shareholder activism, corporate mergers and acquisitions and other organizational changes, board structure, and corporate finance. At the same time, however, domestic institutional investors remain passive, management remains largely insulated from the market for corporate control, and "lifetime" employment practices, while covering a shrinking subset of the Japanese workforce, remain firmly in place. This paper accounts for the observed pattern of change and non-change by analyzing the political economy of corporate law reform, the complementarities at work between corporate law and other institutions, and the relationship between corporate law and corporate governance. Japanese corporate law has become more adaptable and responsive to "demand-side" impulses, but it also increasingly reflects the interests of Japanese management, an organized group potentially threatened by corporate law reform. Without external pressures, Japanese managers are able to use the newfound flexibility of the corporate law to entrench themselves as well as to improve returns to shareholders. Moreover, while the corporate law has improved, several complementary institutions needed to complete the institutional package are still incomplete. Ultimately, corporate law bears only a limited relationship to corporate governance. Changes in corporate practices are brought about by dynamics external to the formal corporate governance institutions. Thus, the sea change in Japanese corporate governance must await further changes in the distribution of shareholders, in the capital markets, and in the incentive structures for management, and the further erosion of corporate norms that promote employee and managerial interests over shareholder interests.
Local Antibiotic Delivery Using Tailorable Chitosan Sponges: The Future of Infection Control?

Objectives: Local antibiotic delivery is a viable and attractive option for preventing infection. Unfortunately, the current options are limited and often necessitate surgical removal. This study evaluates the ability of a biodegradable and biocompatible chitosan sponge to minimize infection by delivering local antibiotics within the wound. Methods: A complex musculoskeletal wound was created on the hindlimb of goats and contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (lux) or Staphylococcus aureus (lux) bacteria. These bacteria are genetically engineered to emit photons, allowing for quantification with a photon-counting camera system. The wounds were closed and similarly débrided and irrigated with 9 L normal saline using bulb-syringe irrigation 6 hours after inoculation. Goats were assigned to different treatment groups: a control group with no adjunctive treatment and an experimental group using a chitosan sponge loaded with either amikacin (for wounds contaminated with P. aeruginosa) or vancomycin (for wounds contaminated with S. aureus). The wounds were closed after the procedure and evaluated 48 hours after initial contamination. Serum levels of the antibiotics were also measured at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 42 hours after treatment was initiated. Results: The wounds treated with the antibiotic-loaded chitosan sponge had significantly less bacteria than the untreated wounds (P < 0.05). The highest serum levels were 6 hours after treatment but remained less than 15% of target serum levels for systemic treatment. At study end point, all sponges were between 60% and 100% degraded. Conclusions: The chitosan sponges are effective delivering the antibiotic and reducing the bacteria within the wounds.
The seven-year wear of highly cross-linked polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis.

BACKGROUND The use of highly cross-linked polyethylene is now commonplace in total hip arthroplasty. Hip simulator studies and short-term in vivo measurements have suggested that the wear rate of highly cross-linked polyethylene is significantly less than that of conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. However, long-term data to support its use are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the intermediate-term steady-state wear of highly cross-linked polyethylene compared with that of conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular liners in a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial with use of radiostereometric analysis. METHODS Fifty-four patients were randomized to receive hip replacements with either conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene acetabular liners (Zimmer) or highly cross-linked polyethylene liners (Longevity; Zimmer). All patients received a cemented, collarless, polished, tapered femoral component (CPT; Zimmer) and an uncemented acetabular component (Trilogy; Zimmer). Clinical outcomes were assessed and the three-dimensional penetration of the head into the socket was determined for a minimum of seven years. Linear regression was used to calculate the steady-state wear rate following the creep-dominated penetration seen during the first year. RESULTS At a minimum of seven years postoperatively, the mean total femoral head penetration was significantly lower in the highly cross-linked polyethylene group (0.33 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], ±0.10 mm) than it was in the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene group (0.55 mm; 95% CI, ±0.10 mm) (p = 0.005). The mean steady-state wear rate of highly cross-linked polyethylene was 0.005 mm/yr (95% CI, ±0.015 mm/yr), compared with 0.037 mm/yr (95% CI, ±0.019 mm/yr) for conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (p = 0.007). No patient in the highly cross-linked polyethylene group had a wear rate above the osteolysis threshold of 0.1 mm/yr, compared with 9% of patients in the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that highly cross-linked polyethylene has a significantly lower steady-state wear rate compared with that of conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Longer-term follow-up is required to determine if this will translate into improved clinical performance and longevity of these implants.