Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Preconception Diet and the Sex Ratio

Abstract Temporal variations in the sex ratio, or the ratio of boys to girls at birth, have been widely studied and variously attributed to social changes, conditions of war, and environmental changes. Recently, Mathews et al. [“You are what your mother eats: Evidence for maternal preconception diet influencing fetal sex in humans,” Proc. R. Soc. bond. B 275:1661–1668 (2008)] studied the direct evidence of individual pregnancies and established an association between the sex at birth and the mother's preconception diet. We examined the hypothesis using new evidence from the wartime famine in Holland in 1944–1945 and failed to show an association between maternal diet in pregnancy and the sex ratio. This makes a causal link highly improbable.
Analysis of magnetic field and geometry effects for the design of HTS devices for AC power applications

The performance of HTS devices is strongly influenced by local values of the current and field distributions. In this paper, we investigate the influence of the magnetic field and the geometrical configuration on the loss behavior of a 200 kVA FCL prototype, composed by Bi-2223/Ag tapes wound around a cylindrical support. The investigation is performed by means of finite element computations, with the use of an axisymmetric 2D A-V formulation for taking into account the cylindrical geometry. The electrical behavior of the superconductor is described by means of a B-dependent E-J power-law relation, derived from experimental measurements with a field of different orientation. Several geometrical configurations are analyzed and compared, in order to find the ones with the lowest AC loss.
Multipoint Hydrogen Sensing of Hetero-Core Fiber SPR Tip Sensors With Pseudorandom Noise Code Correlation Reflectometry

In this paper, we describe multipoint hydrogen sensing in real time using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) fiber optic hydrogen tip sensors with Au/Ta2O5/Pd multilayers film combined with a time-domain interrogating system based on pseudorandom noise code correlation reflectometry. This method uses the correlation between a launched pseudorandom noise code signal and its reflection enabling simultaneous measurement at many points along the optical fiber in real time with a high signal-to-noise ratio. In a light intensity-based experiment with an 850-nm LED, the tested three hetero-core optical fiber hydrogen tip sensors proved to be reproducible responses with and without hydrogen absorption, with showing the similar time response and sensitivity compared with those of our previously reported sensor. Multipoint hydrogen detection was demonstrated using four SPR hydrogen tip sensors. Our experimental results showed that four sensors using the 25 nm Au/60 nm Ta2O5/5 nm Pd multilayer film exhibited a response time of ~25 s for a 4% hydrogen concentration. In addition, it was found that all sensors can detect the hydrogen concentration with sufficient sensitivities in real time.
Epilogue: “Nordicness” – theory and practice

ABSTRACT This epilogue offers a critical reflection on the key findings of the six articles in this special issue on “Nordicness” in foreign policy. It engages with the theoretical issues in studying regional security communities, both in terms of the utility of role theory and the implications of the literature on strategic culture for the concept of security culture which this study of Nordicness uses. The main argument developed here is the need to combine analysis of material and ideational factors in order to fully understand the dynamics of Nordicness in security policy. The article also identifies the key dilemmas and ambiguities of Nordic defence cooperation, and the pivotal role of Sweden in determining the future evolution of a shared Nordic foreign policy identity.
Small Internal Deletions in the Human Cytomegalovirus IE2 Gene Result in Nonviable Recombinant Viruses with Differential Defects in Viral Gene Expression

ABSTRACT The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IE2 86-kDa protein is a key viral transactivator and an important regulator of HCMV infections. We used the HCMV genome cloned as a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) to construct four HCMV mutants with disruptions in regions of IE2 86 that are predicted to be important for its transactivation and autoregulatory functions. Three of these mutants have mutations that remove amino acids 356 to 359, 427 to 435, and 505 to 511, which disrupts a region of IE2 86 implicated in the activation of HCMV early promoters, a predicted zinc finger domain, and a putative helix-loop-helix motif, respectively, while the fourth carries three arginine-to-alanine substitution mutations in the region of amino acids 356 to 359. The resulting recombinant viruses are not viable, and by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR and immunofluorescence we have determined the location of the block in their replicative cycles. The IE2 86Δ356-359 mutant is able to support early gene expression, as indicated by the presence of UL112-113 transcripts and UL112-113 and UL44 proteins in cells transfected with the mutant BAC. This mutant does not express late genes and behaves nearly indistinguishably from the IE2 86R356/7/9A substitution mutant. Both exhibit detectable upregulation of major immediate-early transcripts at early times. The IE2 86Δ427-435 and IE2 86Δ505-511 recombinant viruses do not activate the early genes examined and are defective in repression of the major immediate-early promoter. These two mutants also induce the expression of selected delayed early (UL89) and late genes at early times in the infection. We conclude that these three regions of IE2 86 are necessary for productive infections and for differential control of downstream viral gene expression.
Decision Support System Requirements Definition for Human Extravehicular Activity Based on Cognitive Work Analysis

The design and adoption of decision support systems within complex work domains is a challenge for cognitive systems engineering (CSE) practitioners, particularly at the onset of project development. This article presents an example of applying CSE techniques to derive design requirements compatible with traditional systems engineering to guide decision support system development. Specifically, it demonstrates the requirements derivation process based on cognitive work analysis for a subset of human spaceflight operations known as extravehicular activity. The results are presented in two phases. First, a work domain analysis revealed a comprehensive set of work functions and constraints that exist in the extravehicular activity work domain. Second, a control task analysis was performed on a subset of the work functions identified by the work domain analysis to articulate the translation of subject matter states of knowledge to high-level decision support system requirements. This work emphasizes an incremental requirements specification process as a critical component of CSE analyses to better situate CSE perspectives within the early phases of traditional systems engineering design.
Anatomical organization of the primary visual cortex (area 17) of the cat. A comparison with area 17 of the macaque monkey

Golgi and axonal transport techniques have been used to examine the organization of neurons within primary visual cortex, area 17, of the cat. This organization has been compared to that of the primate cortical area 17 as described in previous studies and it is discussed in relationship to the distribution of afferents from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). The visual cortex of the cat and monkey show strong similarities in the laminar positions of neurons projecting extrinscially and also in the restriction of spiny stellate neurons to a central lamina (lamina 4) receiving input from the dLGN. However, lamina 4B in the monkey, which contains spiny stellate neurons but does not receive direct input from the dLGN, has no direct counterpart in cat area 17. Axon projections of spiny stellate neurons in the other divisions of lamina 4 differ in cat and monkey: the small, closely packed neurons in the lowermost division of lamina 4 (4B in the cat, 4Cß in the monkey) project chiefly within lamina 4 in the cat whereas in the monkey they have a strong projection to lamina 3. In the cat, spiny stellate neurons of lamina 4A project upon lamina 3 whereas in the monkey those in the apparently equivalent zone, 4Cα, project upon lamina 4B. Most non‐spiny stellate neurons examined have precisely organized interlaminar axonal projections which differ from the axon trajectories of neighboring spiny neurons.
[Evaluation of coronary artery lesion in men with osteopenic syndrome and coronary artery disease].

AIM To examine the relation between coronary atherosclerosis (CA), coronary artery calcification (CAC), and bone mineral density (BMD) in men with coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS The investigation included 74 males aged 60.1 (range, 55-70) years with verified CAD. All the patients underwent X-ray contrast-enhanced selective coronary angiography and coronary artery calcium score (CS) and BMD measurements by osteodensitometry. The severity of a coronary artery lesion was evaluated using the SYNTAX score. According to the T score, the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) 23 patients with osteoporosis (OP), 2) 30 patients with osteopenia, and 3) 21 patients with normal BMD. RESULTS Osteopenic syndrome (OS) (OP and osteopenia) was found in 71.6% of the patients with angiographically confirmed CAD. Single-vessel lesion in the coronary bed (CB) was more frequently recorded in the normal BMD group than in the OP one (p = 0.023). Severe CB lesion was more common for the patients with OP (p = 0.029). There were statistically significant differences between the osteopenia and normal BMD groups in the severe degree of CB lesion (p = 0.042). Differences were noted in total CS between Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0122). CS significantly correlated with the severity of CA lesion according to the SYNTAX score (r = 0.53; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Severe CB lesion in males correlates with CAC and is associated with decreased BMD, suggesting the commonness of the pathogenetic components of AS and OS.
Increased Synchronization of Cortical Oscillatory Activities between Human Supplementary Motor and Primary Sensorimotor Areas during Voluntary Movements

In human, both primary and nonprimary motor areas are involved in the control of voluntary movements. However, the dynamics of functional coupling among different motor areas has not been fully clarified yet. Because it has been proposed that the functional coupling among cortical areas might be achieved by the synchronization of oscillatory activity, we investigated the electrocorticographic coherence between the supplementary motor and primary sensorimotor areas (SMA and S1–M1) by means of event-related partial coherence analysis in 11 intractable epilepsy patients. We found premovement increase of coherence between the SMA proper and S1-M1 at the frequency of 0–33 Hz and between the pre-SMA and S1-M1 at 0–18 Hz. Coherence between the SMA proper and M1 started to increase 0.9 sec before the movement onset and peaked 0.3 sec after the movement. There was no systematic difference within the SMA (SMA proper vs pre-SMA) or within the S1–M1, in terms of the time course as well as the peak value of coherence. The phase spectra revealed near-zero phase difference in 57% (20 of 35) of region pairs analyzed, and the remaining pairs showed inconsistent results. This increase of synchronization between multiple motor areas in the preparation and execution of voluntary movements may reflect the multiregional functional interactions in human motor behavior.
Effectiveness of all-in-one adhesive systems tested by thermocycling following short and long-term water storage.

PURPOSE To evaluate and compare the marginal integrity of in vitro Class V restorations made with all-in-one adhesive systems by thermocycling after different periods of water storage, to provide an analysis of static and quasi-dynamic deterioration in water. MATERIALS AND METHODS Standardized Class V cavities (17 groups, 8 specimens each) were prepared in extracted human caries-free anterior teeth. The cavities were filled using 14 all-in-one adhesive systems/composite resin combinations in addition to the multi-bottle adhesive systems Syntac and OptiBond FL (etch-and-rinse technique) and Clearfil SE Bond (self-etching) as controls. The samples were thermocycled after water storage for 21 days, after 1 year and again after 3 years (2000 cycles between 5 and 55 degrees C) and replicas were made before and after each thermocycling treatment (TC) for quantitative marginal analysis in the SEM. RESULTS In dentin, marginal adaptation showed no significant differences between all groups after the first TC. After one year of water storage and a second TC, the results for Prompt L-Pop (1999), Adper Prompt L-Pop/Tetric Ceram, and One-up Bond F Plus showed a statistically significant decrease of margin quality 1 (MQ1) score compared to the reference groups. When the all-in-one adhesives G-Bond, AQ-Bond, Hybrid Bond, and One-up Bond F Plus were used, the enamel margins of restorations showed lower percentages of "continuous margins" (p < 0.05) after 1 year of water storage and TC. Of the materials tested after 3 years of water storage and TC, only AQ Bond had a significantly lower MQ1 score. CONCLUSION While all materials exhibited deterioration in the MQ1 quality score, the rate of deterioration varied, and the results show that different materials have different deterioration rates after initial vs long-term water storage. The deterioration along margins in dentin was not as extensive as predicted from other studies; however, the results from the enamel margins show that one-bottle all-in-one adhesives seem to be significantly affected by water storage. The results of this study suggest that the all-in-one adhesive group members perform very differently from each other: thus, data need to be explored further at the level of each different adhesive product.
Flash electroretinography in standing horses using the DTL microfiber electrode.

PURPOSE The goal of our study was the evaluation of a practical method for the recording of flash electroretinograms (ERGs) in sedated, standing horses with the DTL microfiber electrode. METHODS The horses were sedated intravenously with detomidine hydrochloride (0.015 mg/kg). The pupil was dilated and the auriculopalpebral nerve was blocked. The ERGs were recorded with the active electrode on the cornea (DTL), the reference electrode near the lateral canthus, and the ground electrode over the occipital bone. The light intensities of the white strobe light were 0.03 cd x s/m2 (scotopic) and 3 cd x s/m2 (scotopic and photopic). Photopic and scotopic single flash and flicker responses to Ganzfeld stimulation were recorded. During the 20-min dark adaptation period the retina was stimulated every 5 min with the 0.03 cd x s/m2 single flash. RESULTS The median b-wave amplitudes and implicit times were 38 microV and 33 ms (photopic cone-dominated response), 43 microV and 63 ms (5-min dark adaptation), 72 microV and 89 ms (10 min), 147 microV and 103 ms (15 min), 188 microV and 109 ms (20 min, 0.03 cd x s/m2, rod response), and 186 microV and 77 ms (20 min, 3 cd x s/m2, maximal combined rod-cone response). A steady increase in amplitude and implicit time was noted during dark adaptation. No oscillatory potentials could be isolated. CONCLUSIONS The use of detomidine hydrochloride sedation and the DTL microfiber electrode allowed the recording of good quality ERGs. This protocol should permit the detection of functional problems in the retina without the risk involved with general anesthesia.
Assimilation of Oil News Into Prices

Abstract Do investors quickly and rationally react to the content of oil-related news articles revealing supply and demand information? Our paper creates a novel keyword list of 130 oil-related words and modifiers that enable investors/researchers to measure the information content of oil stories. We find significant short-term overreaction to the text of Dow Jones oil-related news articles. Phrases like output cut, production cut, shortage, and demand up in lagged news articles are associated with lower oil prices the following trading day. The evidence is consistent with the notion that oil traders overreact to the content of widely-read news articles.
The facial artery

The facial artery is the major vessel supplying blood to the face so its location and course are very important for the safe manipulation of both surgical and non‐surgical interventions. This study documents current anatomical information about the facial artery and its tributaries. The terminology of the facial artery tributaries was revisited with reference to the Terminologica Anatomica and novel nomenclature was suggested with anatomical features. The tributaries to the lower lip (inferior labial artery), labiomental region (horizontal and vertical labiomental artery), upper lip (superior labial artery), nose (inferior and lateral alar artery and nasal septal artery), angular and ocular region (angular artery and detoured branch) and the course, layers and location of the facial artery main trunk were revisited with contemporary anatomical studies. The facial artery and its tributaries have close topographical connections to the facial expression muscles, nasolabial groove, and vermilion border, and these also distinguish facial landmarks comprising the cheilion, stomion, and gonion. Interestingly, in contrast to previous descriptions, some terminal branches did not take a straight course but a detoured course. The angular artery was connected to the ophthalmic artery branches and in some cases did not originate from the facial artery. Vascular complications of the facial artery tributaries are frequently seen in the angular, dorsum of the nose, tip of the nose, and glabellar region. This detailed review focusing on facial arterial topography in the various areas of the face would help to enhance quality of treatment. Clin. Anat. 31:99–108, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
T‐Tube or no T‐tube in the reconstruction of the biliary tract during orthotopic liver transplantation: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

The routine use of a T‐tube in reconstruction of the biliary tree during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is controversial. A systematic review of the literature on the use of a T‐tube in reconstruction of the biliary tree was performed. Retrospective studies were only reviewed, whereas prospective randomized studies were included in the meta‐analysis. An analysis of 196 studies revealed that 91 studies investigated the use of a T‐tube in OLT. Fifteen retrospective studies compared different groups and were thus considered relevant; 6 prospective studies were identified, of which 5 were randomized controlled trials with a total of 639 patients. The results of the randomized controlled trials were meta‐analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) for biliary complications was 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28‐4.72], and this revealed that there were no differences in the rate of overall biliary complications whether or not a T‐tube was used (Z = 0.19, P = 0.85). A detailed analysis of the biliary complications revealed that biliary leaks developed in 24 patients in the T‐tube group versus 22 patients in the no–T‐tube group (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.4‐3.47, Z = 0.29, P = 0.77). Biliary strictures were significantly more common in the group of patients who underwent reconstruction without a T‐tube (14 versus 31 events; OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.23‐0.9, Z = 2.26, P = 0.02). In conclusion, although reconstruction of the biliary tree with a T‐tube prevents the occurrence of biliary strictures and may have the potential to reduce long‐term morbidity with respect to late strictures, there is no clear evidence in favor of using a T‐tube during OLT. Liver Transpl 16:705‐717, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Regulation of Prenatal Human Retinal Neurosphere Growth and Cell Fate Potential by Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Mash1

During development of the central nervous system, stem and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation are controlled by complex inter‐ and intracellular interactions that orchestrate the precise spatiotemporal production of particular cell types. Within the embryonic retina, progenitor cells are located adjacent to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which differentiates prior to the neurosensory retina and has the capacity to secrete a multitude of growth factors. We found that secreted proteinaceous factors in human prenatal RPE conditioned medium (RPE CM) prolonged and enhanced the growth of human prenatal retinal neurospheres. The growth‐promoting activity of RPE CM was mitogen‐dependent and associated with an acute increase in transcription factor phosphorylation. Expanded populations of RPE CM‐treated retinal neurospheres expressed numerous neurodevelopmental and eye specification genes and markers characteristic of neural and retinal progenitor cells, but gradually lost the potential to generate neurons upon differentiation. Misexpression of Mash1 restored the neurogenic potential of long‐term cultures, yielding neurons with phenotypic characteristics of multiple inner retinal cell types. Thus, a novel combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors was required to promote both progenitor cell proliferation and neuronal multipotency in human retinal neurosphere cultures. These results support a pro‐proliferative and antiapoptotic role for RPE in human retinal development, reveal potential limitations of human retinal progenitor culture systems, and suggest a means for overcoming cell fate restriction in vitro.
Differences in Disease Presentation, Treatment Outcomes, and Toxicities in African American Patients Treated With Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

ObjectivesWe analyzed differences in disease presentation, outcomes, and toxicities between African American (AA) and White (W) men treated with definitive radiation therapy for their prostate cancer. MethodsThree thousand one hundred eighty cases of prostate cancer treated with various radiation modalities at a single institution were reviewed. The cohort consisted of 92% W patients and 8% AA patients. Clinical and pathologic characteristics at presentation, treatment outcomes, and related toxicities were analyzed between the 2 groups. The median follow-up was 6.6 years (0.6 to 22.4 y). ResultsAt presentation, AA men were younger (P<0.001) and more likely to have a Gleason score of ≥7 (47.9% vs. 39.2%, P=0.006). No difference in the 5 or 10-year rates of biochemical failure, disease-free survival, or distant metastases were noted. Although there was a trend for improved 10-year overall survival for AA men (65.3% vs. 57.4%, P=0.06), cause-specific survival was significantly improved at 10 years (98.6% vs. 90.6%, P=0.002). Similar findings were seen when controlling for radiation therapy dose, the use of hormonal therapy, and modality of radiation therapy used. Overall, genitourinary/gastrointestinal toxicities were similar regardless of the modality used. ConclusionsDespite differences in presenting characteristics, AA men did not have inferior clinical outcomes but rather improved cause-specific survival when treated with standard of care radiation therapy. Regardless of the treatment modality used, toxicities between AA and W men were comparable.