Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of an acrylic resin-based resilient liner applied to mandibular complete dentures on satisfaction ratings among edentulous patients.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate whether an acrylic resin-based resilient liner (ARL) could improve the satisfaction ratings of complete denture wearers. The null hypothesis was that no difference exists between the satisfaction ratings of conventional acrylic resin denture (CARD) wearers and those of ARL denture (ARLD) wearers. MATERIALS AND METHODS From April 2004 to July 2006, a randomized controlled trial was conducted at two centers, including 74 edentulous patients. Of these, 37 patients were each randomly allocated to the ARLD and CARD groups. All of the patients rated their satisfaction with dentures, including general satisfaction and satisfaction with chewing ability, speaking, cleaning, stability, retention, comfort, and esthetics. These satisfaction ratings were measured by a 100-mm visual analog scale. Perceived chewing ability of different foods, divided into five grades, was measured using a questionnaire. The mastication index (MI) was calculated for each grade. RESULTS General satisfaction, satisfaction with chewing, and satisfaction with speaking were significantly higher in the ARLD than in the CARD group (P = .049, .025, and .049, respectively). The chewing satisfaction with maxillary dentures in the ARLD group was significantly higher than that of the CARD group (P = .02). No significant difference existed between the MI of the ARLD (69.2 ± 17.0) and CARD groups (66.7 ± 18.7). CONCLUSIONS Within its limitations, this study showed that the ARL improves a complete denture wearer's satisfaction ratings.
E-Business Adoption by Travel Agencies: Prime Candidates for Mobile e-Business

E-business is rapidly spreading in service industries. Firms that adopt this innovative way to sell or deliver services and manage customer relationships must make technological and strategic changes. Firms in the same industry adopt e-business at different rates. Why do some firms actively implement e-business, and others take a more cautious attitude? Drawing on several research streams (innovation adoption research, institutional theory, strategic orientation theory, and upper-echelon theory), this article proposes a multi-level model to explain e-business adoption by service firms. The model was empirically tested using survey and interview data from travel agencies in Taiwan. External competitive pressure, innovation orientation, financial slack, and IT resources were found to be associated with two measures of e-business adoption. CEO risk-taking propensity and firm size also had an interaction effect on e-business adoption. Interviews with CEOs indicate that most travel agencies in Taiwan are not yet ready to apply mobile technologies in their daily business. The slow progress of mobile e-business was largely attributed to the limited capacity of mobile devices and the misfit between travel product characteristics, consumer behavior, and current mobile solutions.
[Blood pressure in 6 Yanomami villages].

PURPOSE To investigate in Yanomami Indians that not add salt to food, the relationship between blood pressure (BP), biological variables (age, body weight, height and pulse) and urinary electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++). PATIENT AND METHODS We studied 125 males and 129 females from six villages on Surucuru plateau and on Catrimani and Ajarani rivers region in the state of Roraima, north Brazil. Two BP measurements were made and the mean of them were used in data analysis. RESULTS None hypertensive was found. Systolic BP decreased with age and correlated with body weight, pulse and urinary Na+. Diastolic BP only correlated with body weight. Height, urinary K+, Ca++ and Mg++ did not correlate with BP. CONCLUSION There was no hypertension nor increase of BP with increasing age in these isolated Yanomami.
Social Capital, Information, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Math Course Work

Analysis of the National Education Longitudinal Study revealed that socioeconomically advantaged students persist in high school math at higher rates than their disadvantaged peers even when they have the same initial placements and skill levels. These disparities are larger among students with prior records of low academic status because students from more privileged backgrounds persist in math course work even when their prior performance predicts they will not. Among students with low middle school math performance, those from socioeconomically disadvantaged families appear to benefit from having consultants for course work decisions so that they make up ground with their socioeconomically advantaged peers.
Reflex Modification Audiometry Reveals Dual Roles for Olivocochlear Neurotransmission

Approximately 15% of American adults report some degree of difficulty hearing in a noisy environment or have auditory filtering difficulties. There are objective clinical tests of auditory filtering, yet few tests exist for mouse models that do not rely on extensive training. We have used reflex modification audiometry (RMA) and developed exclusion criteria for the mouse model. This RMA based test makes use of the acoustic startle response (ASR) and the ability of prepulses to inhibit the ASR [i.e., prepulse inhibition (PPI)] to assess the mouse's ability to detect prepulse signals presented in quiet or embedded in masking noise. We have studied PPI behavior across four inbred mouse strains with normal cochlear function and developed pre-testing exclusion criteria and test/retest reliability measures. Moreover, because both the medial (MOC) and the lateral (LOC) olivocochlear efferent feedback systems have been proposed to improve auditory behavior performance, especially in noisy backgrounds, we have examined PPI abilities in mice (with their littermate controls) either lacking the MOC receptor subunit α9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor [α9 nAChR (–/–)] or expressing an overactive receptor [Ld'T mutation in α9 nAChR KI], or lacking an LOC efferent neuropeptide, alpha calcitonin gene-related peptide [αCGRP (–/–)] only in the CNS. Because CGRP receptor formation has been shown to mature from juvenile to adult ages, we also studied if this maturation would be reflected in PPI behavioral responses in juvenile and adult (+/+) controls and in adult αCGRP (–/–) animals. We show that 50% PPI response thresholds (sound level with 50% correct responses) in quiet are decreased in the (–/–) α9 nAChR animals, and 50% PPI responses are increased for mice with an overactive receptor (α9 nAChR KI) and are increased in adult mice lacking αCGRP (–/–). However, in background noise, only mice lacking αCGRP exhibited increased 50% PPI response thresholds, as there were no significant differences between α9 nAChR adult mouse lines and their littermate controls. These findings suggest that MOC and LOC olivocochlear neurotransmission work in tandem to improve behavioral responses to sound. These experiments further pave the way for rapid behavioral hearing assessments in other mouse models.
Statistical Process Optimization Through Multi-Response Surface Methodology

—In recent years, response surface methodology (RSM) has brought many attentions of many quality engineers in different industries. Most of the published literature on robust design methodology is basically concerned with optimization of a single response or quality characteristic which is often most critical to consumers. For most products, however, quality is multidimensional, so it is common to observe multiple responses in an experimental situation. Through this paper interested person will be familiarize with this methodology via surveying of the most cited technical papers. It is believed that the proposed procedure in this study can resolve a complex parameter design problem with more than two responses. It can be applied to those areas where there are large data sets and a number of responses are to be optimized simultaneously. In addition, the proposed procedure is relatively simple and can be implemented easily by using ready-made standard statistical packages.
Evidence for a direct effect of melatonin on mitochondrial genome expression of Siberian hamster brown adipocytes

Photoperiod variations are known to participate in the regulation of energy balance in different rodent species via melatonin, a neurosecretory product synthesized by the pineal gland during the night. A direct effect of melatonin on adipose tissue has been suggested since binding sites for the indole have been described on brown adipocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate a genetic effect of melatonin on isolated Siberian hamster brown adipocytes using differential display RT‐PCR (DDRT‐PCR). Brown adipose cells were isolated from brown adipose tissue and treated for 3 hr with 0.1 and 10 μM melatonin. Total RNA was extracted and DDRT‐PCR experiments were performed. A differential band, which disappeared after melatonin treatment, was detected. After confirmation and cloning, the corresponding cDNA fragment B18 was sequenced. B18 had 85 and 81% similarity with a portion of rat and mouse cytochrome b mRNA, respectively, suggesting that B18 corresponds to hamster cytochrome b. This hypothesis was confirmed by the close parallel between the changes in mRNA content, detected by B18, and by cytochrome b mRNA content, detected by a rat probe. Cytochrome b mRNA is encoded by the mitochondrial genome, suggesting a similar effect of melatonin on the whole mitochondrial transcripts. Indeed, 3 hr of treatment with melatonin (10 nM and 0.1 μM) decreased by 44% mitochondrial transcript contents. This work constitutes the first evidence of a direct biological effect of melatonin on Siberian hamster brown adipocytes.
[The research of relationship between DNA degradation and postmortem interval].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between the DNA degradation in cells and postmortem interval. METHODS Tissue pieces of the heart, liver, spleen and kidney of one corpse (male, 54 years old, died of mechanical injury, PMI of 6h) were obtained in 6, 12, 24, 48 h after death, fixed in Carnoy fluid, and then paraffin sections were prepared, stained with Feulgen and analyzed by Image analysis technology (IAT). Meanwhile the single-cell suspension of tissues of the man was prepared and inspected by FCM after PI stained. RESULTS The amount of DNA of in heart, liver and kidney of human had a repid degraded in first 6 hours after death, that in the spleen showed a better relationship between DNA degradation and PMI. The results was verified by FCM and IAT. CONCLUSION The degradation of DNA of and human tissues shows a well relationship with PMI, especially in spleen. It is useful in estimation of PMI.
Marchantia: Past, Present and Future.

Marchantia: Past, Present and Future John L. Bowman, Takashi Araki* and Takayuki Kohchi School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia Department of Plant Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan *Corresponding author: E-mail, taraqui@lif.kyoto-u.ac. jp; Fax, +81-75-753-6470.
GPCR 3D homology models for ligand screening: Lessons learned from blind predictions of adenosine A2a receptor complex

Proteins of the G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family present numerous attractive targets for rational drug design, but also a formidable challenge for identification and conformational modeling of their 3D structure. A recently performed assessment of blind predictions of adenosine A2a receptor (AA2AR) structure in complex with ZM241385 (ZMA) antagonist provided a first example of unbiased evaluation of the current modeling algorithms on a GPCR target with ∼ 30% sequence identity to the closest structural template. Several of the 29 groups participating in this assessment exercise (Michino et al., doi: 10.1038/nrd2877) successfully predicted the overall position of the ligand ZMA in the AA2AR ligand binding pocket, however models from only three groups captured more than 40% the ligand‐receptor contacts. Here we describe two of these top performing approaches, in which all‐atom models of the AA2AR were generated by homology modeling followed by ligand guided backbone ensemble receptor optimization (LiBERO). The resulting AA2AR‐ZMA models, along with the best models from other groups are assessed here for their vitual ligand screening (VLS) performance on a large set of GPCR ligands. We show that ligand guided optimization was critical for improvement of both ligand‐receptor contacts and VLS performance as compared to the initial raw homology models. The best blindly predicted models performed on par with the crystal structure of AA2AR in selecting known antagonists from decoys, as well as from antagonists for other adenosine subtypes and AA2AR agonists. These results suggest that despite certain inaccuracies, the optimized homology models can be useful in the drug discovery process. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ovarian metastases in early‐stage cervical cancer (IA2–IIA): a multicenter retrospective study of 1965 patients (a Cooperative Task Force study)

This is a retrospective study of patients treated for early-stage cervical cancer to identify pathologic risk factors associated with ovarian metastases and, therefore, to establish when ovarian preservation can be performed without increasing the risk of relapse in order to improve the quality of life in premenopausal patients. Between 1982 and 2004, 1965 patients with FIGO stage IA2–IB–IIA cervical squamous cell carcinoma and nonsquamous histology types were surgically treated; 1695 (86%) patients underwent primary radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic node dissection, the remaining 270 patients (14%) had their ovaries preserved. The clinical records were reviewed for all patients and clinical features at presentation, the histopathology and follow-up data were recorded. Overall, ovarian metastases were diagnosed in 16 of 1695 patients, for an incidence rate of 0.9%. Univariate analysis shows age (≤45 vs >45 years: P= 0.0079), FIGO stage (IB1–IIA ≤4 cm vs IB2–IIA >4 cm: P= 0.0133), histology (squamous vs nonsquamous, P= 0.0014), noninvolved peripheral stromal thickness (<3 vs >3 mm: P= 0.0001), lymphvascular space involvement (present vs absent, P= 0.0007), lymph node status (positive vs negative, P= 0.00009) to be statistically associated with the presence of ovarian metastases. Multivariate analysis shows only age (P= 0.0119), FIGO stage (P= 0.011), histology (P= 0.001), and unaffected peripheral stromal thickness (<3 mm: P= 0.037) to be independent risk factors for ovarian metastases. Based on the present data and on the data available in the literature, ovarian preservation could be safely performed in young patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma (histology as the most significant risk factor), with macroscopically normal ovaries, and with preserved peripheral unaffected cervical stroma.
Personal and Situational Variables, and Career Concerns: Predicting Career Adaptability in Young Adults

This study examined relationships among career adaptability and career concerns, social support and goal orientation. We surveyed 304 university students using measures of career concerns, adaptability (career planning, career exploration, self-exploration, decision-making, self-regulation), goal-orientation (learning, performance-prove, performance-avoid) and social support (family, friends, significant others). Multiple regression analysis revealed career concerns, learning and performance-prove goal orientations emerged relatively as the most important contributors. Other variables did not contribute significantly. En este trabajo se examinaron las relaciones entre adaptabilidad profesional e intereses profesionales, respaldo social y orientación hacia una meta. Se registraron las respuestas de 304 estudiantes en términos de interés profesional, adaptabilidad (carrera profesional, exploración profesional, autoexploración, toma de decisiones y autorregulación), orientación hacia una meta (aprendizaje, pruebas de rendimiento, evitación del rendimiento) y respaldo social (familia, amigos y otras personas significativas). Un análisis de regresión múltiple indicó que el interés profesional, aprendizaje, pruebas de rendimiento y orientación hacia una meta despuntaban con respecto a otras variables que no contribuían significativamente.
On extending the FastISA algorithm to noncircular complex sources

Fast Independent subspace analysis (Fast ISA) algorithm is an efficient fixed-point type algorithm for solving ISA problem with real valued data. However, the applicable range of Fast ISA is limited due to the fact that it cannot work well for complex valued data. In this paper, we extend the contribution of Aapo Hyvarinen et al to a more general case of complex valued data. Furthermore, as the algorithm may convergence to local minima, we also propose a simple way to get rid of this problem. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The effect of work stress on the performance of employees psychological well-being and subjective well-being (Study at PT. Global Insight Utama Bali area)

This study aimed to analyze the effect of work stress on employee performance, analyze the effect of work stress on psychologicall well-being, to analyze the influence of psychologicall well-being of the employee's performance, analyze the effect of work stress on subjective well-being, to analyze the influence of subjective well-being of the performance employee, psychologicall To analyze the effect of well-being as mediation work stress on employee performance, and analyze the influence of subjective well-being as mediation work stress on employee performance. Mechanical analysis using PLS. The analysis showed that the effect of work stress on employee performance, job stress affect the well-being psychologicall, psychologicall well-being affect the performance of the employee
The Effects of Team-Based Learning on Core Competencies in Undergraduate Nursing Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of team-based learning (TBL) program on nursing students' major satisfaction, critical think- ing, communication skills, problem solving, and self-directed learning. A Quasi experimental design: nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The TBL significantly improved nursing students' major satisfaction, critical thinking, problem-solving ability, communication skill, and self- directed learning. Conclusion: TBL is a useful teaching and learning method for nursing students. Therefore, the nursing discipline should incorporate TBL into nursing curriculums to improve nursing core competencies.
Confirmation and Quantification of Strigolactones, Germination Stimulants for Root Parasitic Plants Striga and Orobanche, Produced by Cotton

The germination stimulants for root parasitic plants Striga and Orobanche produced by cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were examined in detail. Seeds of cotton were germinated and grown on glass wool wetted with sterile distilled water in sterile filter units. The root exudate was collected daily and extracted with ethyl acetate. Each of these ethyl acetate extracts was analyzed directly by high-performance liquid chromatography linked with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The results demonstrate that cotton roots exuded strigol and strigyl acetate, but no other known strigolactones such as orobanchol and alectrol. The production of strigol was detected even in the root exudate collected during the first 24 h of incubation and reached a maximum 5–7 days later. The average exudation of strigol and strigyl acetate during the incubation period was ca. 15 and 2 pg/plant/day, respectively, indicating that strigol mainly contributed to germination stimulation by the cotton root exudate.
Utility of Stormwater Monitoring

Stormwater runoff is now a major contributor to the pollution of coastal waters in the United States. Public agencies are responding by requiring stormwater monitoring to satisfy the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit. However, studies to understand the utility of the current programs or to improve their usefulness have not yet been performed. In this paper, we evaluate the land‐use‐based program, the industrial stormwater permit program, and beach water‐quality monitoring in the County of Los Angeles, California, to determine if the results will be helpful to planners and regulators in abating stormwater pollution. The utility of the program has been assessed based on the programs' ability to accurately estimate the emissions for different classes of land use. The land‐use program appears successful, while the industrial monitoring program does not. Beach water‐quality monitoring suffers from a lack of real‐time monitoring techniques. We also provide suggested improvements, such as sampling method and time, and parameter selection.
Bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo RNA folding

Abstract Deciphering the folding pathways and predicting the structures of complex three-dimensional biomolecules is central to elucidating biological function. RNA is single-stranded, which gives it the freedom to fold into complex secondary and tertiary structures. These structures endow RNA with the ability to perform complex chemistries and functions ranging from enzymatic activity to gene regulation. Given that RNA is involved in many essential cellular processes, it is critical to understand how it folds and functions in vivo. Within the last few years, methods have been developed to probe RNA structures in vivo and genome-wide. These studies reveal that RNA often adopts very different structures in vivo and in vitro, and provide profound insights into RNA biology. Nonetheless, both in vitro and in vivo approaches have limitations: studies in the complex and uncontrolled cellular environment make it difficult to obtain insight into RNA folding pathways and thermodynamics, and studies in vitro often lack direct cellular relevance, leaving a gap in our knowledge of RNA folding in vivo. This gap is being bridged by biophysical and mechanistic studies of RNA structure and function under conditions that mimic the cellular environment. To date, most artificial cytoplasms have used various polymers as molecular crowding agents and a series of small molecules as cosolutes. Studies under such in vivo-like conditions are yielding fresh insights, such as cooperative folding of functional RNAs and increased activity of ribozymes. These observations are accounted for in part by molecular crowding effects and interactions with other molecules. In this review, we report milestones in RNA folding in vitro and in vivo and discuss ongoing experimental and computational efforts to bridge the gap between these two conditions in order to understand how RNA folds in the cell.