Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical properties of isolated loops of nylon leader material, polyethylene cord, and polyethylene tape and mechanical properties of those materials secured to cadaveric canine femurs via lateral femoral fabellae, toggles placed through bone tunnels, or bone anchors.

OBJECTIVE To determine mechanical properties of various prosthetic materials secured to cadaveric canine femurs via various methods and to compare results with those for isolated loops of prosthetic material. SAMPLE 80 femurs obtained from cadavers of skeletally mature large-breed dogs. PROCEDURES 10 femoral constructs in each of 8 groups (single circumfabellar loop of polyethylene cord, double loop of polyethylene tape secured via a bone anchor [BAPT], single or double circumfabellar loops of nylon leader material [CNL] or polyethylene tape [CPT], or single or double loops of polyethylene tape secured via a toggle placed through a bone tunnel [BTPT]) and 10 isolated loops of prosthetic material in each corresponding configuration were tested. Stress relaxation, creep, elongation, load at 3 mm of displacement, stiffness, and peak load at failure were determined. RESULTS 5 single CNL constructs failed before completion of testing. Double CNL and single circumfabellar polyethylene cord constructs had the lowest loads at 3 mm of displacement. Single and double CPT constructs had the highest stiffness. Double BTPT and CPT constructs had the highest peak loads at failure. Double BTPT, double CPT, and BAPT constructs were mechanically superior on the basis of lower creep and stress relaxation and higher stiffness and load at 3 mm of displacement versus other constructs. Stiffness of femoral constructs was 28% to 69% that of corresponding isolated prosthetic loops. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Double BTPT, double CPT, and BAPT constructs were mechanically superior to other constucts. Mechanical properties and methods of anchorage and securing of free ends of prostheses contributed to mechanical properties of constructs.
Comparison of Capacity Credit Calculation Methods for Conventional Power Plants and Wind Power

Several methods for computing capacity credit values of power plants have been presented over the years. This paper uses an empirical approach to investigate and compare different properties of four typical capacity credit definitions. It is shown that the choice of definition indeed can have a significant impact on the results. Concerning three of the analyzed methods, it is found that important factors that influence the capacity credit are the overall generation adequacy and the penetration factor of the power plant; this means that the same generating unit will generally have a higher capacity credit if added to a system with high loss of load probability, and the unit will have a higher capacity credit if its installed capacity is small compared to the total installed capacity of the system. The results of the fourth method only depend on the size and availability of the generating units.
Coronavirus (JHM) Replication within the Retina: Analysis of Cell Tropism in Mouse Retinal Cell Cultures

Abstract The murine coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus, JHM strain, induces a retinal degenerative disease in adult BALB/c mice. Coronavirus infections are highly species specific with virus exhibiting a strong tissue and cell specificity. In this report we evaluated the cellular basis of JHM virus retinal tropism. Retinal cultures and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)-retinal mixed cell cultures were prepared from eyes obtained from Balb/c mice. The ability of JHM virus to infect and replicate in these retinal cultures was evaluated by light microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, electron microscopy, and virus isolation. Cytopathology was not observed and virus could not be detected in supernatant fluid in retinal cultures. However, low levels of infectious virus could be detected within the cells for the first 4 days. This observation suggested that cell-to-cell interactions may be critical since virus particles and virus antigens can be seen in vivo within the neural retina and the RPE. In contrast to the retinal cultures, retinal-RPE mixed cultures were supportive to JHM virus replication. Syncytial cytopathology was observed for the first 4 days and virus was isolated from supernatant fluids. By electron microscopy, virus was found intracellularly within vacuoles and extracellularly at the plasma membrane. After Day 4, a persistent virus infection was established in which cells produced virus for 5 weeks without cytopathic effects or cell death. Double-labeling immunofluorescent studies of retinal-RPE mixed cultures showed that the virus antigen was co-expressed with a Muller cell marker, glutamine synthetase. This cell is the most prominent glial element in the retina. These studies demonstrate that JHM virus is capable of establishing a persistent virus infection in mixed retinal (Muller)-RPE cell cultures. Moreover, these data suggest that cell-to-cell interactions influence the establishment of coronavirus infections in the retina.
Evaluation of short-term fluoride release from fluoride varnishes.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the rate of fluoride release from fluoride varnishes over a 48-hour period and ascertain the time at which a plateau occurred. This data provides clinically relevant time points to resume tooth brushing after fluoride varnish application. STUDY DESIGN Four commercially available fluoride varnishes, Premier Enamel ProVarnish (EP), Colgate PreviDent (CP), Omni Vanish (OV) and Omni VanishXT (OVXT) were applied on 40 extracted permanent human teeth. Ten teeth served as controls. The teeth were immersed in artificial saliva. At 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours, the teeth were sequentially transferred to new vials. TISAB III and ion selective electrode was used to measure fluoride release. Statistical tools were used to compare the rates of fluoride release and plateau of fluoride release. RESULTS CP, EP and OV showed a plateau of fluoride release after 4 hours. OVXT did not show a significant change in fluoride release at any time point. EP had the highest fluoride release in the first 8 hours. CONCLUSIONS CP, EP and OV released maximum rate of fluoride release in the first 4 hours whereas OVXT did not have a plateau. The studied varnishes released different concentrations of fluoride despite the fact that they all contained 5% sodium fluoride.
Study of human outdoor walking with a low-cost GPS and simple spreadsheet analysis.

PURPOSE To determine whether a low-cost, commercially available global positioning system (GPS) can be used to study outdoor walking of healthy subjects, allowing the detection of walking and resting (nonwalking) periods and the accurate estimation of speed and distance of each walking periods. METHODS The same EGNOS-enabled GPS receiver was used for all experiments. In experiment 1, various signal-processing methodologies were tested for the detection of both walking and resting bouts from a prescribed walking protocol (PWP) that was performed 21 times by six healthy subjects on an outdoor athletic track. In experiment 2, the accuracies of these processing methodologies were then tested through a blinded analysis of different PWP for 10 other healthy subjects in a designated public park. In experiment 3, speed and distance calculated by the GPS receiver during series of 100-400 m on an outdoor athletic track were compared with actual speed and distance. RESULTS Raw data were inaccurate, but the combination of a low-pass filter, an adapted high-pass filter, and artifact processing enabled one to detect walking and resting bouts with an accuracy of 89.8% (95% CI, 84.4-93.4). A manual post-processing methodology, used to complete previous automatic processing results, provided the highest concordance with the PWP, reaching an accuracy of 97.1% (95% CI, 93.5-98.8). There was an excellent relationship both between actual and processed distances (R2=1.000) and between actual and processed speeds (R2=0.947). CONCLUSION Low-cost, commercially available GPS may be accurate in studying outdoor walking, provided that simple data processing is applied. Future validation in diseased subjects could allow for the study of free-living walking capacity, such as maximal walking distance in vascular patients.
Concurrent validity and reliability of 2d kinematic analysis of frontal plane motion during running.

PURPOSE Three-dimensional motion analysis is the "gold standard" for evaluating kinematic variables during treadmill running. However, its use is limited by temporal and financial restraints. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of 2D video analysis for frontal plane kinematic variables during treadmill running. METHODS Twenty-four healthy male and female collegiate cross-country runners completed a running protocol at a self-selected speed. Frontal plane kinematic data were collected using 3D and 2D motion analysis systems. Variables of interest included contralateral pelvic drop (CPD), peak hip adduction angle (HADD), and peak knee abduction angle (KABD). Pearson Product Correlation Coefficients were used to determine the relationship between the 3D and 2D systems for each variable. Intra-Class Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were used to assess intra-rater reliability of the user of the 2D software. RESULTS The 2D testing method demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability for peak HADD (ICCs: 0.951-0.963), peak CPD (0.958-0.966), and peak KABD (ICCs: 0.955-0.976). Moderate correlations between 2D and 3D measures of HADD on the left (0.539; p=0.007) and the right (0.623; p=0.001) and peak KABD on the left (0.541; p=.006) lower extremity were found. No statistically significant correlation of CPD was found between the 2D and 3D systems. The 2D measure of CPD had a strong correlation to the 2D assessment of HADD on both the left (0.801; p=0.0001) and the right (0.746; p=0.0001) extremity. CONCLUSION These findings and the ease of data capture using 2D software provide support for the utility of 2D video analysis in the evaluation of frontal plane variables, specifically HADD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2B.
Masked hypertension and allograft function in pediatric and young adults kidney transplant recipients

Masked hypertension is a common complication of pediatric kidney transplantation. While office hypertension is known to be associated with worse short‐ and long‐term graft function, the role of masked hypertension in allograft dysfunction is not clear. We conducted a retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of 77 consecutive pediatric kidney transplant recipients who had routine 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with the aims to estimate the prevalence of masked hypertension and examine its association with allograft function. Masked hypertension was defined as a 24‐h systolic or diastolic blood pressure load ≥25%. Twenty‐nine percent of patients had masked hypertension. Patients with masked hypertension had significantly lower allograft function estimated using the creatinine‐based Schwartz‐Lyon formula, a cystatin C‐based formula, and combined cystatin C and creatinine‐based formulas than patients with normal blood pressure (all p values <0.05). In a multivariable analysis, masked hypertension remained independently associated with worse allograft function after adjustment for age, sex, race, time post‐transplant, rejection history, antihypertensive treatment, and hemoglobin level. We conclude that in young kidney transplant recipients, masked hypertension is common and is associated with worse allograft function. These results support the case for routine ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as the standard of care in these patients to detect and treat masked hypertension.
One step bond strength to enamel and dentin.

PURPOSE To evaluate the shear bond strength over a variety of conditions of a new dental adhesive having the primer and bonding resin in a single bottle. MATERIALS AND METHODS Facial surfaces of extracted human molars for the dentin study and labial surfaces of incisors were treated with the One-Step adhesive after both etching and nonetching, variable etching times and variable rinsing times. Composite cylinders were attached and shear bond strengths were obtained. RESULTS The bond strength data was quite consistent over a wide variety of conditions. The bond strengths were in the range of 23-29 MPa to dentin, and compared favorably with the performance of the adhesive to etched enamel surfaces.
Consciousness of Social Face: The Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Desire to Gain Face Versus Fear of Losing Face

ABSTRACT This article describes the development and validation of a scale that measures two distinct needs for individuals to manage their social “face”. Scale development process resulted in an 11-item Consciousness of Social Face (CSF) scale made up of the following two correlated dimensions: desire to gain face and fear of losing face. The two-factor correlated structure of CSF scale was stable across multiple samples of both students and non-students subjects. The construct validity of CSF scale, including convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity was also demonstrated by examining relationships with other personality or demographical variables.
Curcumin enhances wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice

Tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve inflammation, granulation and tissue remodeling. Interactions of different cells, extracellular matrix proteins and their receptors are involved in wound healing, and are mediated by cytokines and growth factors. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a natural product obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, enhanced cutaneous wound healing in rats and guinea pigs. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of curcumin treatment by oral and topical applications on impaired wound healing in diabetic rats and genetically diabetic mice using a full thickness cutaneous punch wound model. Wounds of animals treated with curcumin showed earlier re‐epithelialization, improved neovascularization, increased migration of various cells including dermal myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, and macrophages into the wound bed, and a higher collagen content. Immunohistochemical localization showed an increase in transforming growth factor‐β1 in curcumin‐treated wounds compared to controls. Enhanced transforming growth factor‐β1 mRNA expression in treated wounds was confirmed by in situ hybridization, and laser scan cytometry. A delay in the apoptosis patterns was seen in diabetic wounds compared to curcumin treated wounds as shown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridyl triphosphate nick end labeling analysis. Curcumin was effective both orally and topically. These results show that curcumin enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a pharmacological agent in such clinical settings.
CNTF promotes survival of retinal ganglion cells after induction of ocular hypertension in rats: the possible involvement of STAT3 pathway

We examined the neuroprotective effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a rat glaucoma model with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and studied the CNTF‐mediated activation of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK‐STAT) pathway. Elevated IOP was induced by laser photocoagulation of the episcleral and limbal veins. The survival of RGCs was studied using Fluoro‐Gold labelled in ocular hypertensive eyes with or without CNTF intravitreal injection. Immunochemical staining and immunoblot analysis for CNTF and phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) were performed. There was a significant and progressive loss of RGCs in the retinas following the induction of elevated IOP. A single intravitreal injection of 2 µg in 2 µL CNTF significantly protected RGCs up to 4 weeks. pSTAT3 was only transiently expressed in ocular hypertensive eyes. However, in eyes treated with CNTF, pSTAT3 was observed up to 2 weeks after the induction of elevated IOP. In ocular hypertensive eyes, CNTF‐positive cells were found in the inner nuclear layer (INL), and there was a transient increase in the pSTAT3 cells in the ganglion cell layer and INL. Immunoblots showed that STAT3 was transiently phosphorylated after IOP increase, but with an injection of CNTF, pSTAT3 protein was observed up to 2 weeks after hypertensive glaucoma induction. Laser‐induced chronic ocular hypertension in rats resulted in the death of RGCs and a transient activation of STAT3 in the retina. Intravitreal injection of CNTF showed a significant protection of RGCs, and the JAK‐STAT signalling could be one of the important pathways that underlie the mechanism of CNTF neuroprotection in this rat glaucoma model.
Conventional and Molecular Epidemiology of Bovine Tuberculosis in Dairy Farms in Addis Ababa City, the Capital of Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional investigation of Bovine Tuberculosis (BTB) was conducted on 1132 dairy cattle from 56 herds using comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT), postmortem examination, bacteriological culturing, and molecular typing of mycobacterium isolates involving spoligotyping and variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR). Herd and individual BTB prevalence rate was found to be 53.6% (95% CI=39.74- 67.00) and 34.1% (95% CI =31.33-36.92) respectively. The individual animal prevalence was significantly affected by both herd size (χ2 =10.9, p<0.001) and age of the animals (χ2= 56.4, p<0.001). Moreover, a strong positive correlation (r=0.89, p<0.001) was observed between herd size and number of reactor
Standardization of pH and Light Intensity for the Biomass Production of Spirulina platensis

The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis is an attractive alternative source of the pigment chlorophyll, which is used as a natural color in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. In the present investigation, the influence of light intensity and pH for Spirulina platensis growth, protein and chl a content were examined. In the present investigation the production of Spirulina platensis was optimized in terms of biomass and metabolites. The dry weight of Spirulina platensis was 0.91g/500ml and protein and Chlorophyll a content were 64.3% and 13.2mg/gm respectively at pH 9. At 5 Klux light intensity the dry weight of Spirulina platensis was 0.85g/500ml while protein content and Chlorophyll a were 64.3% and 9.8mg/gm respectively.
Mechanisms and kinetics of b-hairpin formation

Thermodynamics and kinetics of off-lattice models with side chains for the b-hairpin fragment of immunoglobulin-binding protein and its variants are reported. For all properties (except refolding time tF) there are no qualitative differences between the full model and the Go# version. The validity of the models is established by comparison of the calculated native structure with the Protein Data Bank coordinates and by reproducing the experimental results for the degree of cooperativity and tF. For the full model tF ' 2 ms at the folding temperature (experimental value is 6 ms); the Go# model folds 50 times faster. Upon refolding, structural changes take place over three time scales. On the collapse time scale compact structures with intact hydrophobic cluster form. Subsequently, hydrogen bonds form, predominantly originating from the turn by a kinetic zipping mechanism. The assembly of the hairpin is complete when most of the interstrand contacts (the rate-limiting step) is formed. The dominant transition state structure (located by using cluster analysis) is compact and structured. We predict that when hydrophobic cluster is moved to the loop tF marginally increases, whereas moving the hydrophobic cluster closer to the termini results in significant decrease in tF relative to wild type. The mechanism of hairpin formation is predicted to depend on turn stiffness.
The Finance–Growth Link Revisited and the Role of Institutions as a Source of Finance in Latin America

In a panel framework that includes 18 countries, this paper studies the short and long run effect of financial development on economic growth and the determinants of financial development in Latin America. Financial development shows a positive effect on economic growth in the long run, but a negative effect in the short run for the full sample. When the sample is divided by income levels, this result holds only for the high income group. For the low income group, financial development has no significant effect on economic growth in the short run or in the long run. In the analysis of the determinants of financial development in Latin America, greater financial openness and lower country risk are associated with higher levels of financial development. From the components of the country risk index (financial, economic, and political risk) only the political risk index comes up positively significant. From the components of the political risk index, only law and order and government stability have a positive significant effect on financial development. Preliminary Draft – Please do not cite without permission 10/26/2011 JEL Categories: G21, O16, O43, O54
Human pancreatic beta-cell deoxyribonucleic acid-synthesis in islet grafts decreases with increasing organ donor age but increases in response to glucose stimulation in vitro.

Human pancreatic beta-cell proliferation may be crucial for the success of islet transplantation. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that adult human beta-cells proliferate in vitro and in vivo and respond with increased rates of replication to factors known to promote rodent islet-cell proliferation, i.e. glucose, human recombinant GH, and FCS. For this purpose, human islets were prepared from a total of 19 adult heart-beating organ donors and cultured for 48 h with or without the additives described above. 3H-thymidine was added to the medium during the last 60 min of culture. After immunohistochemical staining for insulin and autoradiography, the labeling index (LI; i.e. % of labeled beta-cells over total number of beta-cells) was estimated by light microscopy. Islets also were transplanted under the kidney capsule of normal or alloxan-diabetic nude mice. After 2 weeks, 3H-thymidine was injected and the islet grafts prepared for determination of LI, as described above. Islets cultured at 5.6 mM glucose showed an increased beta-cell proliferation compared with islets cultured at 2.8 mM glucose (P < 0.05). However, culture at 11 mM glucose failed to further increase beta-cell proliferation. Addition of GH (1 microg/ml) to the medium, in the presence of 1% FCS and 5.6 mM glucose, did not influence the rate of beta-cell proliferation. In islets transplanted to hyperglycemic nude mice, beta-cell proliferation was similar to that observed in islets grafted into normoglycemic nude mice. Proliferation, however, decreased with increasing organ donor age. This study shows that pancreatic beta-cells from adult man are able to proliferate both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, beta-cells from adult human donors respond with increased proliferation to glucose in vitro and show a decreased proliferation in vivo with increasing donor age.