Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human characteristics on tactile angle discrimination by object movement condition

Two-dimensional shapes can be represented on a planar surface as a series of raised edges in which the spatial relationship among all the edges is crossed or parallel. Therefore, the size of the angle between two edges constitutes an important feature of these tactile stimuli. The purpose of present study was to confirm the human capacity for tactile discrimination among raised angles under object movement condition (i.e., hand is static and stimulus is floating). We used a raised angle consisting of five standard angles (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°) and 10 comparison angles for each standard angle. In the present study, subjects were asked to identify the larger angle of each pair by object movement condition. The results indicate that the angle discrimination threshold increased as the standard angles increased as well as when the standard angles were smaller than 90°; however, discrimination thresholds remained stable when the standard angles were greater than 90°. We concluded that angle discrimination ability with regard to raised angles is determined by the percentage of impulse rates to which slowly adapting type I (SAI) and rapidly adapting type (RA) afferents respond.
Competitive Balance and Revenue Sharing in Sports Leagues With Utility-Maximizing Teams

This paper develops a contest model of a professional sports league in which clubs maximize a weighted sum of profits and wins (utility maximization). The model analyzes how more win-oriented behavior of certain clubs affects talent investments, competitive balance, and club profits. Moreover, in contrast to traditional models, the authors show that revenue sharing does not always reduce investment incentives due to the dulling effect. The authors identify a new effect of revenue sharing called the ‘‘sharpening effect. ’’ In the presence of the sharpening effect (dulling effect), revenue sharing enhances (reduces) investment incentives and improves (deteriorates) competitive balance in the league.
Regulatory Focus and Political Decision Making: When People Favor Reform Over the Status Quo

Two studies examined the impact of self-reported use of promotion-related (i.e., eagerness) and prevention-related (i.e., vigilance) strategies when making "risky" or " conservative " decisions about economic reform under good, average, or poor economic conditions. Consistent with regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997, 1998, 2000), in both studies strategic vigilance was associated with making a conservative choice, whereas strategic eagerness was associated with making a risky choice. In addition, along with perceptions of economic conditions , chronic strength of prevention focus (Study 1) or situationally induced prevention focus (Study 2) was associated with using strategic vigilance, whereas chronic strength of promotion focus (Study 1) or situationally induced promotion focus (Study 2) was associated with using strategic eagerness. Finally, regulatory focus and economic perceptions indirectly predicted economic reform decisions through their impact on strategy use. Our studies are the first to demonstrate that vigilant or eager strategy use is associated with " conservative " or "risky" political decisions.
[Procalcitonin in the diagnosis of postoperative complications].

UNLABELLED The dynamic changes in levels of procalcitonin (PCT), as well as other cytokines and acute phase proteins (APP) in post-operative stages reflect the systemic immune response, integrating perioperative infectious and non-infectious stimuli. This study evaluates PCT in context of 16 other inflammatory parameters in patients with different types of infectious post-operative complications. It analyses the specificity and sensitivity of PCT, cytokines and APP and their relationships during systemic inflammatory response. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study involved the following groups of patients: those with confirmed bacterial sepsis, fulfilling the SIRS criteria (N = 28), those with limited infectious site at the wound (N = 16), those with post-operative pneumonia (N = 15) and a control group of N = 25. In 24-hour interval we assessed plasma levels of: PCT, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, sIL-2R and a spectrum of APP. RESULTS PCT in patients with wound infection (1.4 +/- 0.31 ng/ml) and in those with pneumonia (0.7 +/- 0.30 ng/ml) does not rise above levels expected in uncomplicated post-op course (1.7 +/- 0.04 ng/ml), but it differs significantly in comparison to healthy controls (0.2 +/- 0.07 ng/ml). Initial levels of PCT as well as their maximum levels were significantly different in septic patients compared to other groups (p < 0.001). According to specificity and sensitivity tests PCT is the most significant marker for diagnosis of sepsis as opposed to uncomplicated post-operative course (AUC 0.91, CI 0.82-1.0). CONCLUSION Individual inflammatory parameters vary in sensitivity and specificity to causative stimulus. PCT when compared to major cytokines and APP reacts sensitively mainly to systemic stimuli accompanying bacterial infection, notably endotoxin. It is characterized by markedly lower sensitivity to non-bacterial stimuli (trauma of surgery) or localized bacterial inflammations. It is this behaviour that makes it a useful diagnostic tool in post-op courses. Unlike other parameters, PCT allows with sufficient sensitivity and specificity single-test diagnosis of initial sepsis.
Development of a Genetic Map for Onion (Allium cepa L.) Using Reference-Free Genotyping-by-Sequencing and SNP Assays

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play important roles as molecular markers in plant genomics and breeding studies. Although onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important crop globally, relatively few molecular marker resources have been reported due to its large genome and high heterozygosity. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) offers a greater degree of complexity reduction followed by concurrent SNP discovery and genotyping for species with complex genomes. In this study, GBS was employed for SNP mining in onion, which currently lacks a reference genome. A segregating F2 population, derived from a cross between ‘NW-001’ and ‘NW-002,’ as well as multiple parental lines were used for GBS analysis. A total of 56.15 Gbp of raw sequence data were generated and 1,851,428 SNPs were identified from the de novo assembled contigs. Stringent filtering resulted in 10,091 high-fidelity SNP markers. Robust SNPs that satisfied the segregation ratio criteria and with even distribution in the mapping population were used to construct an onion genetic map. The final map contained eight linkage groups and spanned a genetic length of 1,383 centiMorgans (cM), with an average marker interval of 8.08 cM. These robust SNPs were further analyzed using the high-throughput Fluidigm platform for marker validation. This is the first study in onion to develop genome-wide SNPs using GBS. The resulting SNP markers and developed linkage map will be valuable tools for genetic mapping of important agronomic traits and marker-assisted selection in onion breeding programs.
Effect of oscillation frequency on wall shear stress and pressure drop in a rectangular channel for heat transfer applications

The exploitation of flow unsteadiness in microchannels is a potentially useful technique for enhancing cooling of future photonics systems. Pulsation is thought to alter the thickness of the hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers, and hence affect the overall thermal resistance of the heat sink. While the mechanical and thermal problems are inextricably linked, it is useful to decouple the parameters to better understand the mechanisms underlying any heat transfer enhancement. The current work characterises the behaviour of the wall shear stress and pressure gradient with frequency, using experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements and the analytical solution for oscillatory flow in a two-dimensional rectangular channel. Both wall shear stress and pressure gradient are augmented with frequency compared to steady flow, though the pressure gradient increases more significantly as a result of growing inertial losses. The three distinct regimes of unsteadiness are shown to display unique relationships between the parameters pertinent to heat transfer and should therefore be considered independently with respect to thermal enhancement capability. To this end, the regime boundaries are estimated at Womersley number Wo = 1.6 and 28.4 in a rectangular channel, based on the contribution of viscous and inertial losses.
Characterisation of road sediments near Bordeaux with emphasis on phosphorus.

Road sediments from the region of Bordeaux (France) were analysed for trace metals, hydrocarbons (including Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs) and phosphorus. The aim of the study was to assess their potential risk for the environment. The sediments were collected by means of a sweeper. The particles are mostly sandy clay loam and silty clay loam with 5.6-8.3% CaO. Heavy metal concentrations are generally below the French and Dutch standards for polluted soils, but a few samples have higher concentrations, e.g., 547 mg kg(-1) for Zn, and 222 mg kg(-1) for Pb. PAH concentrations are above the Dutch target value for polluted soils, and could be a threat to the environment: pyrene (2600 microg kg(-1)) and fluoranthene (1400 microg kg(-1)) have the highest concentrations, whereas chrysene (340 microg kg(-1)) has the lowest. Consequently, these sediments must be considered as waste according to the French circular no 2001-39 from 18 June 2001 and cannot be disposed of anywhere. The Standards Measurements and Testing (SMT) protocol for sequential extraction of phosphorus in sediments was used to determine the forms of phosphorus in the samples. Total phosphorus concentration is 620 mg kg(-1) on average, with a maximum of 933 mg kg(-1); organic phosphorus content is low (36 mg kg(-1) on average). The protocol could be slightly amended, especially with regards to organic phosphorus at low concentrations and could then be used for the determination of phosphorus in other materials such as sludge from detention ponds.
Co‐circulation of two genotypes of measles virus and mutual change of the prevailing genotypes every few years in Osaka, Japan

Genotypes of 44 wild‐type measles virus (MV) strains isolated in Osaka, Japan, during 1997–2001, were determined based on phylogenetic analyses of a 456‐nt 3′ terminal nucleoprotein gene sequence with the reference MV strains designated by the World Health Organization. The wild‐type MV strains were classified into two genotypes, D3 and D5, recognized as indigenous in Japan. Six of 12 strains isolated in 1997 were classified into genotype D3 and the other 6 into D5. Eleven of 13 strains were D3, and 2 were D5 in 1998. There were no measles epidemics, and no strains were isolated in 1999. Nine of 10 strains were genotype D5, and only one was D3 in 2000, and 9 of 9 were D5 in 2001. These results indicate that the wild‐type MV strains classified into genotypes D3 and D5 co‐circulated without the complete change of the MV genotype in Osaka, except in 2001. Furthermore, the prevailing genotype was different between 1998 and 2000–2001. Together with a previous report about MV genotype in this area during 1993–1995, these results suggest that the mutual change of the prevailing wild‐type MV genotypes between D3 and D5 occurs every few years in Osaka, Japan. J. Med. Virol. 69:273–278, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Soy Protein Suppresses Gene Expression of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Alpha from Promoter PI in Rat Liver

Dietary soy protein isolate (SPI) reduces hepatic lipogenesis by suppressing gene expression of lipogenic enzymes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In order to elucidate the mechanism of this regulation, the effect of dietary SPI on promoter (PI and PII) specific gene expression of ACC alpha was investigated. Rats were fed experimental diets containing SPI or casein as a nitrogen source. SPI feeding decreased the hepatic contents of total ACC mRNA as well as triglyceride (TG) content, but dietary SPI affected the amount of sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1 mRNA and protein very little. The amount of ACC mRNA transcribed from PII promoter containing SRE was not significantly affected by dietary protein, while a significant decrease in PI-generated ACC mRNA content was observed in rats fed the SPI diet. These data suggest that SPI feeding decreased the hepatic contents of ACC alpha mRNA mainly by regulating PI promoter via a nuclear factor(s) other than SREBP-1.
AFP, CEA, CA 19-9 and TPA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The present study is based on the assay of four markers (AFP, CEA, TPA, Ca 19-9) using IRMA methods in 36 normal subjects, 44 cirrhosis and 66 HCC patients. Parametric and non parametric tests were used to test differences and correlations. ROC curves and discriminant functions were also elaborated. Normal 95% “cut-off” was determined by the “boostrap” method yielding: CEA 3.4 ng/ml; Ca 19-9 55 U/ml; TPA 58U/l and AFP 5.2 ng/ml. In HCC patients the values of the four markers were, on average, significantly different from those of normal subjects. However, only AFP and TPA exhibited high diagnostic accuracy (90%) for detection of the tumor. Higher than normal mean values for all markers were, also observed in cirrhotic patients. Only AFP yielded effective discrimination between HCC and cirrhosis. The positive prediction for the presence of the tumor on cirrhotic ground was 95% for AFP values higher than 18.5 ng/ml, with a 78% negative predictive value with a 6 ng/ml threshold. Association of AFP with TPA showed only a marginal diagnostic improvement. Results were not improved at all by combining CEA and Ca 19-9 with AFP and/or TPA. In conclusion, AFP is and remains the best marker for HCC and the only one effective in discriminating of HCC from cirrhosis. TPA may be considered a valid alternative if cirrhosis is not present. CEA and Cal9-9 are of no use.
Knowledge-sharing enablers and barriers in pharmaceutical research and development

Purpose – Because selling innovative products is crucial to its livelihood, the pharmaceutical industry has a fundamental need to share knowledge to stimulate the process of knowledge creation. This study seeks to explore knowledge‐sharing enablers and barriers in pharmaceutical R&D.Design/methodology/approach – A case study was carried out in a pharmaceutical company in Denmark. R&D professionals were asked to identify organizational enablers and barriers to knowledge sharing. Their accounts were processed as text during workshops. Data were condensed thematically. The analysis was combined with the conceptualization of tacit and explicit knowledge as proposed by Nonaka and Takeuchi.Findings – The research shows that R&D professionals have different views and practices regarding engaging in knowledge sharing. This reveals that knowledge sharing is multi‐faceted and that one standard for R&D professionals does not exist. The enablers identified recognized the use of tacit knowledge. The existence of enabl.
Regulation of Transcription and Translation by Hypoxia

The maintenance of oxygen (O2) homeostasis is critical for embryonic development and postnatal life. In response to hypoxia, higher eukaryotes have developed coordinated mechanisms at both the transcriptional and translational levels to cope with this stress. Transcription of genes controlling glycolysis, glucose transport, cell survival and death, angiogenesis and erythropoiesis are activated (primarily by the hypoxia-inducible factor [HIF]) to facilitate cell survival and restore O2 homeostasis. During hypoxia, global protein synthesis is reduced to conserve ATP, while translation of factors like HIF-1? and VEGF that are critical for the hypoxic response is maintained by initiation via an internal ribosomal entry mechanism. This review addresses the regulatory effects of hypoxia on mRNA transcription and translation. As hypoxia is induced by tumor growth and affects tumor progression and metastasis, unraveling the basis of hypoxic control of transcription and translation will provide a better understanding of cancer physiology and development of anti-tumor therapies.
Two Activation States of the Prohormone Convertase PC1 in the Secretory Pathway*

PC1, a neuroendocrine member of the prohormone convertase family of serine proteinases, is implicated in the processing of proproteins in the secretory pathway. PC1 is synthesized as a zymogen and cleaves not only its own profragment in the endoplasmic reticulum, but a subset of protein substrates in the Golgi apparatus and in the Golgi-distal compartments of the regulated secretory pathway. Likewise, mouse PC1 (mPC1) has previously been shown to cleave human prorenin in GH4 cells (that contain secretory granules) while being unable to cleave prorenin in cells, such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) or BSC-40, which are devoid of secretory granules. In the current study, we show that removal of a C-terminal tail of mPC1 allows the efficient cleavage of prorenin in the constitutive secretory pathway of CHO cells. The C-terminal tail thus appears to act as an inhibitor of PC1 activity against certain substrates in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, and its removal, which occurs naturally in secretory granules, may explain the observed granule-specific processing of certain proproteins. These results also demonstrate that PC1 is present in a partially active state prior to the secretory granules where it is processed to a maximally active state.
Adolescent impulsivity predicts adult dominance attainment in male vervet monkeys

Adolescence is characterized by behavioral and physiological changes that prepare individuals for the transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of behavioral, morphological, neurobiological, and developmental characteristics of adolescent male vervets in predicting later dominance attainment. Thirty‐six adolescent male vervets were tested for social impulsivity by means of the Intruder Challenge test while they were still living in their natal groups. Body weight and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolites of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine were measured before they were introduced into new matrilineal breeding groups at age 5. Stable adult dominance rank was determined at age 6, 1 year following introduction. The results indicated that body weight, adolescent impulsivity, and levels of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in CSF predicted adult dominance attainment. As expected, males that were above average in body weight prior to introduction were significantly more likely to become dominant. Males that were high in impulsivity as adolescents, and low in 5‐HIAA prior to introduction were more likely to achieve stable alpha male status 1 year following introduction. The combination of these three factors resulted in correct prediction of rank attainment for 92% (33/36) of the males. Two other factors–maternal dominance rank and a measure of social anxiety from the Intruder Challenge test–were not related to adult dominance attainment in this sample. These results support the idea that there are benefits of a high‐risk, high‐gain strategy is beneficial for adolescent and young adult male vervets. They also demonstrate that adolescent impulsivity is age‐limited. Males that achieved high rank moderated their behavior as adults, and no longer scored high in impulsivity relative to their age peers. Am. J. Primatol. 64:1;–17, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High-speed electroabsorption modulators buried with ruthenium-doped SI-InP

InGaAlAs-InAlAs electroabsorption modulators are successfully fabricated using ruthenium (Ru)-doped semi-insulating (SI)-InP burying technology. A comparison of measured and calculated microwave characteristics reveals that there is no additional microwave loss because zinc diffusion is inhibited by the use of Ru-doped SI-InP layers. A small-signal electrooptical response with a -3-dB electrical bandwidth of over 50 GHz is demonstrated.
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Results of anterior cervical decompression and arthrodesis in sixty-one North American patients.

BACKGROUND Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is commonly associated with cervical myelopathy. Surgical treatment is a matter of controversy. We report on a series of patients who were managed with anterior cervical decompression and arthrodesis for the treatment of cervical myelopathy associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records for all sixty-five patients who had been managed with anterior decompression and arthrodesis for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and associated neurologic compression from 1982 to 2001. Sixty-one patients (thirty-nine men and twenty-two women) were followed for at least two years (or until the time of death). The average number of vertebrae resected was 2.2. The average duration of follow-up for the sixty surviving patients was four years (range, two years to fifteen years and four months). The preoperative, six-week postoperative, and final follow-up clinical status (including neurological function as assessed with the Nurick grading system) was recorded for each patient. RESULTS Fifty-six of the sixty-one patients had neurological improvement, with an average improvement of 1.5 Nurick grades at the time of the final follow-up. Eight patients had absent dura at the time of surgery and, of these, five had development of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Eight patients had development of new neurological signs and/or symptoms in the upper extremity postoperatively. Eight patients required reoperation because of a painful pseudarthrosis (one patient), strut-graft dislodgment (three), cerebrospinal fluid leakage (three), or compression of a nerve root caudad to the area of the original procedure (one). One patient died as the result of cardiac arrest on the third postoperative day. Fifty-eight patients had an osseous fusion, one had an asymptomatic nonunion, and one had a symptomatic pseudarthrosis that was treated with revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS Anterior decompression and arthrodesis is an effective way to achieve pain relief and neurological improvement in North American patients of non-Asian descent who have cervical myelopathy associated with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The risk of durocutaneous fistula, graft dislodgment, and postoperative neurological symptoms appears to be high in patients with cervical myelopathy associated with this condition.
Clinical teachers' perceptions of medical students' English language proficiency

Medical educators from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, have expressed reservations about the adequacy of some undergraduate medical students' English language proficiency for satisfactory academic and clinical performance. This study explores the occurrence and nature of the comments made in writing by clinical teachers about the English language proficiency of 568 students over a period of 4 years. The frequency and nature of the comments made by clinicians have important implications for the planning and implementation of pedagogical strategies to support non‐English‐speaking background medical students experiencing difficulties with their course due to language. Although the University of Adelaide has introduced initiatives in response to some of the problems that have been identified, it is recommended that any teaching interventions require careful evaluation through a longitudinal research design to ensure that their aims are being achieved.