Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tapping Task as an Index of Mental Workload in a Time Sharing Task

The sensitivity of tapping task to mental workload was investigated. Thirteen subjects were asked to produce 3 s intervals continuously while performing a time sharing task. The time sharing task was designed to manipulate a demand to allocate an attentional resource to one target and a demand to switch the target to which an attentional resource was mainly allocated. Results showed that produced intervals became shorter and more variable as the time sharing task became more demanding. The subjective workload assess- ment by the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) indicated that subjects experienced an increasing workload as the demand of the time sharing task increased. Two sub scales of the NASA-TLX, "effort" and "mental demand," were rated higher than other sub scales. These results suggest that the tapping task is sensitive not only to the motor output load but also to the central processing load.
Nitrogen Availability to Pseudomonas fluorescens DF57 Is Limited during Decomposition of Barley Straw in Bulk Soil and in the Barley Rhizosphere

ABSTRACT The availability of nitrogen to Pseudomonas fluorescensDF57 during straw degradation in bulk soil and in barley rhizosphere was studied by introducing a bioluminescent reporter strain (DF57-N3), responding to nitrogen limitation, to model systems of varying complexity. DF57-N3 was apparently not nitrogen limited in the natural and sterilized bulk soil used for these experiments. The soil was subsequently amended with barley straw, representing a plant residue with a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (between 60 and 100). In these systems the DF57-N3 population gradually developed a nitrogen limitation response during the first week of straw decomposition, but exclusively in the presence of the indigenous microbial population. This probably reflects the restricted ability of DF57 to degrade plant polymers by hydrolytic enzymes. The impact of the indigenous population on nitrogen availability to DF57-N3 was mimicked by the cellulolytic organism Trichoderma harzianum Rifai strain T3 when coinoculated with DF57-N3 in sterilized, straw-amended soil. Limitation occurred concomitantly with fungal cellulase production, pointing to the significance of hydrolytic activity for the mobilization of straw carbon sources, thereby increasing the nitrogen demand. Enhanced survival of DF57-N3 in natural soil after straw amendment further indicated that DF57 was cross-fed with carbon/energy sources. The natural barley rhizosphere was experienced by DF57-N3 as an environment with restricted nitrogen availability regardless of straw amendment. In the rhizosphere of plants grown in sterilized soil, nitrogen limitation was less severe, pointing to competition with indigenous microorganisms as an important determinant of the nitrogen status for DF57-N3 in this environment. Hence, these studies have demonstrated that nitrogen availability and gene expression in Pseudomonas is intimately linked to the structure and function of the microbial community. Further, it was demonstrated that the activities of cellulolytic microorganisms may affect the availability of energy and specific nutrients to a group of organisms deficient in hydrolytic enzyme activities.
Clinical features and biomarkers of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients

There has been increasing awareness of the incidence and potential long‐term consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in children and young adults. While parents, school systems, and athletic programs are clamoring for evidence‐based guidelines, the field remains primitive in understanding the factors resulting in a spectrum of individual outcomes, most of which are complete, but some of which are not. In this article, we discuss the definition, epidemiology, clinical presentation, course, and outcomes of mTBI, with a focus on the pediatric population as the context for reviewing the mechanisms and pathophysiology mediating, and biomarkers reflective of, more significant concussion‐induced brain injury. Our goal is to present a general overview of the features of mTBI in the pediatric population in order to provide a conceptual model for pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. This model emphasizes the importance of establishing actionable, noninvasive biomarkers that are reflective of brain injury and that may identify those pediatric patients who can benefit from earlier and more aggressive interventions. We will focus on the specific features of mTBI in pediatric patients; although given the relative lack of research in the pediatric population, we will also extrapolate from research on adults.
Aspects of sustainable procurement practices by public and private organisations in Saudi Arabia: an empirical study

ABSTRACT While Saudi Arabia has demonstrated tremendous efforts in achieving the objective of sustainable development by encouraging sustainable procurement practices by the public and private organisations, there still exist significant hurdles blocking the full implementation of these practices. This study is an effort to empirically investigate the aspects of sustainable procurement practices by Saudi Arabian public and private organisations, particularly the nature, extent and main barriers to implementing those practices at the organisational levels. It also determines and analyses the relationship between an organisation’s, whether public or private, sustainable procurement practices and the barriers to implementing those practices. Using a structured questionnaire survey with 202 procurement directors/senior managers of those Saudi Arabian organisations, we employed multivariate and multiple regression techniques to achieve the study objectives. Our empirical results suggest that regardless of the ownerships and types of organisations, the current state of sustainable procurement practices seems overly negative, and the attitudes of top management as well as the cultural aspects of the organisations pose the main barriers to effectively implementing sustainable procurement practices at the organisational levels. We believe that this study provides an important benchmark whereby one could measure the progress of sustainable procurement practices at the organisational levels, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Depending on the similarity of the aspects of the organisations in other countries with those in Saudi Arabia, the benchmark would have wider applicability.
Finite element method for analysis of band structures of phononic crystal slabs with Archimedean-like tilings

In this paper, a finite element method based on the ABAQUS code and user subroutines is presented to evaluate the propagation of elastic waves in a phononic crystal slab with Archimedean-like tilings. Three systems composed of cylinders embedded in host materials in square, ladybug and bathroom lattices are considered. Complete and accurate band structures and transmission spectra are obtained to identify the eigenmodes and band gaps. We find that Archimedean-like structures can have some advantages over the traditional square lattices regarding the completeness of the band gaps and their position and width. Also, due to the same square primitive unit cell, the two Archimedean-like lattices have similar wave responses at lower frequencies. The results indicate that the finite element method is efficient and suitable for the band structure computation of the phononic crystal slabs with complex lattice structures.
Temporal cue–target overlap is not essential for backward inhibition in task switching

Lag 2 repetition costs are a performance cost observed when participants return to a task after just one intervening trial of a different task, compared to returning after a longer interval (AB A vs. CB A sequences, where A, B, C are tasks). This effect is known as backward inhibition (BI) and is thought to reflect the need to overcome inhibition applied specifically to Task “A” during disengagement at trial n – 1. Druey and Hübner (2007) have suggested that employment of such a specific inhibitory mechanism relies upon the cue and the target of the task overlapping temporally. We provide evidence across three experiments (including a direct replication attempt) that this is not the case, and that the presence of task-specific BI relies to some extent on the need to translate the cue–target relationship into working memory. Additionally, we provide evidence that faster responses in no overlap conditions are driven by low-level perceptual differences between target displays across overlap conditions. We conclude that BI is an effective sequential control mechanism, employed equally in cases of temporally overlapping and temporally separated cues and targets.
The amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) of type I collagen is a clinically valid indicator of bone turnover and extent of metastatic spread in osseous metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The efficacy control for the treatment of bone metastases in breast cancer is difficult and usually initiated later and with longer time between treatment cycles than the restaging of visceral or soft tissue metastases. The amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) of type I collagen as a biochemical indicator of bone turnover might facilitate early and valid disease surveillance. The utility of total PINP was investigated in metastatic breast cancer patients, with or without bone metastases (for monitoring of therapy). The results were compared to the established markers, osteocalcin and beta-carboxyterminal telopeptide (CTX) or crosslaps concentration. PATIENTS AND METHODS Baseline serum samples of 51 patients with metastastic breast cancer under chemotherapy were investigated. In total, 38 patients had been diagnosed with bone metastases while 13 had no evidence of metastastic spread to the bone. All the patients with bone spread received bisphosphonates in addition to systemic chemotherapy and/or antibody therapy or hormonal treatment. Osteocalcin, CTX and PINP levels were measured on an Elecsys 2010 analyzer (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay--ECLIA). The normal cut-off values were: osteocalcin < 41.3 pg/ml, CTX < 1008 pg/ml and PINP < 95 ng/ml. Based on overall treatment outcome, the patients were grouped as responders (CR/PR), with stable disease (SD) or displaying primary progression (PD). RESULTS The baseline levels of PINP were significantly higher in patients with bone metastases (median: 92.8 ng/ml) than in those without (median: 63.2 ng/ml, p = 0.044). Patients with more than seven bone metastases had significantly higher PINP levels (median: 149.7 ng/ml) than those with fewer than seven (median: 67.6 ng/ml, p = 0.04). Significant differences were also found for osteocalcin and CTX, at p = 0.02 and p = 0.04, respectively, although the median levels remained under the normal cut-off levels. In terms of response assessment of bone spread, the PINP concentrations decreased in responders from 194.3 ng/ml to 100.4 ng/ml (p = 0.23). In patients with SD, PINP remained at the same level of approximately 70 ng/ml (p = 0.16), but increased in patients with PD from 83.4 ng/ml to 176.5 ng/ml (p = 0.14). These trends rather than statistical difference were probably due to the limited patient cohort. No differences were found for the serum concentrations of PINP, CTX and osteocalcin between post- and pre-menopausal women. CONCLUSION The PINP levels of the osseous metastatic breast cancer patients were elevated at baseline in comparison to those without bone involvement; the levels correlated to the number of bone metastases but were independent of the menopausal status. Thus, the levels of PINP under therapy might correlate with the response to therapy. Osteocalcin and CTX did not show similar sensitivity for the surveillance of bone metastases.
Acute vascular access catheters for haemodialysis: Complications limiting technique survival

SUMMARY: The use of acute vascular access catheters (AVACs) has facilitated the delivery of haemodialysis to patients lacking functioning access. A review of the experience of a tertiary Australian renal treatment centre, consisting of 205 sequential AVACs in 93 patients, was undertaken over 1 year, to identify issues limiting technique survival. Acute vascular access catheters were inserted as acute dialysis access for patients with chronic renal failure (CRF; 21%), failed grafts or fistulae (18%), acute renal failure (12%), failed chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD; 8%) or failed prior AVACs (37%). The majority of AVACs were on the right (74%), and the placement site was simple jugular (69%), tunnelled jugular (15%), femoral (12%), or subclavian (4%). During follow up, 198 of 205 AVACs were removed. The mean AVAC survival was superior (P < 0.0001, Fisher's protected least significant difference (PLSD) for tunnelled jugular AVACS (62 ± 46 (SD) days) compared with simple jugular (20 ± 19), subclavian (18 ± 13) and femoral (7 ± 6). Causes for AVAC removal were: elective (47%), blockage (31%), infection (20%) or cracked catheter (1%). Routine postremoval tip cultures grew coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS, 46%), negative culture (33%), methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 9%), Staphylococcus aureus (9%), Gram‐negative rods (1%), Pseudomonas (0.5%) or other uncommon organisms (2%). Blood cultures were drawn through the AVAC in the setting of suspected bacteraemia in 42 of 198 AVACs. Blood cultures were negative in 40%. Positive cultures included Staphylococcus species in 55%: including MRSA (19%), Staphylococcus aureus (29%) and CNS (34%). Rare cultures identified Escherichia coli (2%) or Serratia (2%). Infection and blockage significantly reduced AVAC survival, affecting more than 50% of cases. Approaches to minimize these complications are likely to lead to improved clinical outcomes with AVAC use.
Old is GoldA case report

Introduction: Anterior open bite is considered a malocclusion that still defies correction, especially in terms of stability. The literature reports numerous studies on the subject but with controversial and conflicting information. Disagreement revolves around the definition of open bite, its etiological factors and available treatments. It is probably due to a lack of consensus over the etiology of anterior open bite between the upper and lower incisors that a wide range of treatments has emerged, which may explain the high rate of instability following the treatment of this malocclusion. Objective: This case report reviews the concept of treatment of anterior open bite(5-8mm), tongue thrusting, posterior unilateral crossbite and speech problem using the conventional tongue restrainer within a span of 2 weeks thus proving the contention “Old is Gold”.
Architectural Transcription Factors and the SAGA Complex Function in Parallel Pathways To Activate Transcription

ABSTRACT Recent work has shown that transcription of the yeastHO gene involves the sequential recruitment of a series of transcription factors. We have performed a functional analysis ofHO regulation by determining the ability of mutations inSIN1, SIN3, RPD3, andSIN4 negative regulators to permit HOexpression in the absence of certain activators. Mutations in theSIN1 (=SPT2) gene do not affect HOregulation, in contrast to results of other studies using anHO:lacZ reporter, and our data show that the regulatory properties of an HO:lacZ reporter differ from that of the native HO gene. Mutations in SIN3 andRPD3, which encode components of a histone deacetylase complex, show the same pattern of genetic suppression, and this suppression pattern differs from that seen in a sin4mutant. The Sin4 protein is present in two transcriptional regulatory complexes, the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme/mediator and the SAGA histone acetylase complex. Our genetic analysis allows us to conclude that Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling complex has multiple roles inHO activation, and the data suggest that the ability of the SBF transcription factor to bind to the HO promoter may be affected by the acetylation state of the HO promoter. We also demonstrate that the Nhp6 architectural transcription factor, encoded by the redundant NHP6A and NHP6B genes, is required for HO expression. Suppression analysis withsin3, rpd3, and sin4 mutations suggests that Nhp6 and Gcn5 have similar functions. A gcn5 nhp6a nhp6b triple mutant is extremely sick, suggesting that the SAGA complex and the Nhp6 architectural transcription factors function in parallel pathways to activate transcription. We find that disruption ofSIN4 allows this strain to grow at a reasonable rate, indicating a critical role for Sin4 in detecting structural changes in chromatin mediated by Gcn5 and Nhp6. These studies underscore the critical role of chromatin structure in regulating HO gene expression.
Vitamin C Inhibits Aggravated Eryptosis by Hydrogen Peroxide in Glucose-6-Phosphated Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Background/Aims: The study was aimed to investigate if vitamin C could exert protective effects on development of eryptosis caused by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and hydrogen peroxide. Methods: Isolated erythrocytes with different G6PD activity (normal or deficient) were divided into various groups treated by either Vitamin C or H2O2. Phosphatidylserine (PS) extroversion rate was detected by Annexin V binding. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration was detected by Fluo3-fluorescence, and western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis factor caspase 3. Results: Compared with the blank group, the PS extroversion rate (P < 0.001), intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P < 0.001) and active caspase 3 expression level (P < 0.05) of erythrocytes significantly increased after treatment of 0.05% H2O2. Then the index of eryptosis significantly decreased after erythrocytes were treated with Vitamin C (1 mg/ml) for 30 min (all P < 0.05). The decline in erythrocytes with G6PD normal activity was more significant than those with G6PD deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin C could effectively inhibit the eryptosis contributed by H2O2 oxidative stress, and the suppression on eryptosis with G6PD normal activity was more effective than that with G6PD deficiency.
The relationship between first presentation and subsequent observations in heavy calculus formers.

There are few studies that provide information on the natural history of calculus formation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between pre-scaling baseline calculus scores, the time since the last prophylaxis before baseline, and scores 8 weeks after scaling in a group of presumed heavy calculus formers. Scaling and polishing were completed on 203 subjects with Volpe-Manhold Index (VMI) calculus scores of 7 or higher, and the date of the last prophylaxis was noted. All were re-examined after 3 weeks. The group included 45.8% males and 54.2% females; the mean age was 41.74 (range = 24 to 72). Racial mix was 57.6% African-American, 39.9% white, and 2.5% other. The mean baseline VMI score was 24.07 (SD = 15.38, range = 7-97). The VMI scores were directly related (P = < .001) to the date of the last scaling and were highest in subjects whose last scaling was more than 2 years earlier (33.67) and least in subjects whose last scaling was less than 6 months previous (15.12). At 8 weeks the mean VMI score was 9.96 (SD = 7.30; range = 0-41). The VMI scores at this time were inversely related (P = < .05) to the date of the last scaling before baseline and were lowest in subjects whose last scaling was more than 2 years earlier (9.07) and highest in subjects with the last scaling less than 6 months previous to baseline (13.07). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of helium-neon laser on wound healing.

To estimate the biostimulatory effects of low intensity laser radiation on healing of skin wounds, two linear skin wounds were produced on either side of dorsal midline in rats and immediately sutured. Wounds on the left side were irradiated daily with helium neon laser at 4 Joules/sq.cm for 5 min., while those on right side were not exposed and served as controls. The mean time required for complete closure in control group was 7 days while irradiated test wounds took only 5 days to heal (P < 0.01). The mean breaking strength, as measured by the ability of the wound to resist rupture against force, was found to be significantly increased in the test group. Early epithelization, increased fibroblastic reaction, leucocytic infiltration and neovascularization were seen in the laser irradiated wounds. The results establish the biostimulatory effects of low intensity laser radiation on healing of skin wounds.
Variant metabolizing gene alleles determine the genotoxicity of benzo[a]pyrene

Understanding the mechanisms involved with genetic susceptibility to environmental disease is of major interest to the scientific community. We have conducted an in vitro study to elucidate the involvement of polymorphic metabolizing genes on the genotoxicity of benzo[a]pyrene (BP). Blood samples from 38 donors were treated with BP and the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were evaluated. The latter is based on the tandem‐probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. The data indicate that the induction of genotoxicity was clearly determined by the inherited variant genotypes for glutathione‐S‐transferase (GSTM1) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EH). In a comparison of the two biomarkers, the CA biomarker shows a more definite association with the genotypes than does SCE. For example, the presence of the GSTM1 null genotype (GSTM1 0/0) is responsible for the highest level and significant induction of CA, irrespective of the presence of other genotypes in the different donors. This effect is further enhanced significantly by the presence of the excessive activation EH gene allele (EH4*) and decreased by the reduced activation EH gene allele (EH3*). Overall, the modulation of genotoxicity by the susceptibility genotypes provides support of their potential involvement in environmental cancer. Furthermore, the data indicate that the variant enzymes function independently by contributing their metabolic capability toward the expression of biologic activities. Therefore, studies like this one can be used to resolve the complexity of genetic susceptibility to environmental disease in human. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 37:17–26, 2001 © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of spike and aerosol challenge tests for the recovery of viable influenza virus from non‐woven fabrics

To experimentally determine the survival kinetics of influenza virus on personal protective equipment (PPE) and to evaluate the risk of virus transfer from PPE, it is important to compare the effects on virus recovery of the method used to contaminate the PPE with virus and the type of eluent used to recover it.