Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender effects on esophageal motility.

It has been suggested that there are no gender effects on esophageal motility. However, in previous studies the subjects did not perform multiple swallows and the quantitative features of esophageal contractions were not evaluated. In order to investigate the gender effects on esophageal motility we studied 40 healthy normal volunteers, 20 men aged 37 +/- 15 years (mean +/- SD), and 20 women aged 38 +/- 14 years. We used the manometric method with an eight-lumen polyvinyl catheter and continuous perfusion. The upper and lower esophageal sphincter pressures were measured by the rapid pull-through method. With the catheter positioned with one lumen opening in the lower esophageal sphincter, and the others at 5, 10 and 15 cm above the sphincter, ten swallows of a 5-ml water bolus alternated with ten dry swallows were performed. Statistical analysis was done by the Student t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Gender differences (P < 0.05) were observed for wet swallows in the duration of contractions 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (men: 3.7 +/- 0.2 s, women: 4.5 +/- 0.3 s, mean +/- SEM), and in the velocity of contractions from 15 to 10 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (men: 4.7 +/- 0.3 cm/s, women: 3.5 +/- 0.2 cm/s). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in sphincter pressure, duration and percentage of complete lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, amplitude of contractions, or in the number of failed, multipeaked and synchronous contractions. We conclude that gender may cause some differences in esophageal motility which, though of no clinical significance, should be taken into consideration when interpreting esophageal motility tests.
ZnO-Nanorod-Based Ammonia Gas Sensors With Underlying Pt/Cr Interdigitated Electrodes

ZnO-nanorod-based resistor-type ammonia gas sensors with underlying Pt/Cr interdigitated electrodes have been fabricated and investigated. The response is improved by reducing the electrode spacing d. Experimentally, a high response of 80.6 is found when d is reduced to 2 μm under exposure to a 1000-ppm NH3 /air gas at 300 °C. A lower detection limit of 10-ppm NH3/air at 300 °C is also obtained. This device possesses response and recovery times of <; 3 min even at low ammonia concentrations (10 ppm). The enhanced ammonia-sensing capability with reducing electrode spacing d could be attributed to the formation of more ZnO grain boundaries. A simple cross-linked structure model is presented to interpret the ammonia-gas-sensing performance, and a good correlation between theory and experiment is demonstrated.
The tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib dysregulates bone remodeling through inhibition of osteoclasts in vivo

Dasatinib is a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia in patients resistant or intolerant to imatinib mesylate. While designed to inhibit Abl and Src kinases, dasatinib shows multitarget effects, including inhibition of the macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) receptor c‐fms. We have shown previously that dasatinib abrogates osteoclast formation and activity in vitro owing, in part, to its specificity for c‐fms. In this study we examined whether dasatinib could significantly alter bone volume in a model of physiologic bone turnover. Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered dasatinib (5 mg/kg/day) or vehicle by gavage or zoledronic acid (ZOL; 100 µg/kg/6 weeks) subcutaneously. Following 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, serum biochemical, bone morphometric, and histologic analyses were performed. Whole‐body bone mineral density and tibial cortical thickness where unchanged in the dasatinib‐ or ZOL‐treated animals relative to controls. However, micro–computed tomographic (µCT) analysis of cancellous bone at the proximal tibias showed that trabecular volume (BV/TV) and thickness (Tb.Th) were increased in dasatinib‐treated animals at levels comparable with those of the ZOL‐treated group. These changes were associated with a decrease in osteoclast numbers (N.Oc/B.Pm) and surface (Oc.S/BS) and decreased serum levels of the osteoclast marker c‐terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX‐1). Mineral apposition rate (MAR), bone‐formation rate (BFR), and levels of the serum osteoblast markers osteocalcin and N‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP) were not altered significantly in the dasatinib‐treated animals relative to controls. These studies show that dasatinib increases trabecular bone volume at least in part by inhibiting osteoclast activity, suggesting that dasatinib therapy may result in dysregulated bone remodeling. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Prosthetic treatment time and satisfaction of edentulous patients treated with conventional or implant-stabilized complete mandibular dentures: a case-control study (part 2).

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare, prospectively, treatment with implant-retained mandibular overdentures versus conventional complete dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Part 2 of this paper reports on the outcome after 7 years of denture use, using additional questionnaires. RESULTS Patients with implant-stabilized overdentures continued to be more satisfied with their mandibular dentures and their diet than those using conventional complete dentures. About 50% of the implant group who completed the questionnaire had had their dentures remade. The other 50% remained satisfied with their original dentures and were still using them at the 7-year review. The average chairside time spent on them was 467 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Mandibular overdentures with two endosseous implants permit better function than conventional complete dentures.
The role of climate for innovation in enhancing business performance: the case of design firms

Purpose – Innovation and the process of diffusion have been widely acknowledged as hinging upon the complex social psychological process. Invariably, such a process manifests itself in the form of “climate” in an organisation, which influences people's behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the roles of a facet‐specific climate, namely “climate for innovation” in determining innovation‐related outcomes. In particular, this paper focuses on interrelationships and roles of specific constructs forming such climate. Additionally, this paper attempts to determine the efficacy of innovation by examining the relationship between outcomes of innovation diffusion and business performance.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model incorporating three climate for innovation constructs including leadership, team, and organisational culture along with two constructs addressing innovation diffusion outcomes and business performance was developed. Statistical analyses, specifically exp.
Endogenous TNFα Lowers Maximum Peak Bone Mass and Inhibits Osteoblastic Smad Activation Through NF‐κB

Endogenous TNFα prevents the attainment of maximum achievable peak bone mass in vivo. In vitro, TNFα suppresses BMP‐2– and TGFβ‐mediated Smad activation through induction of NF‐κB. Consistently, pharmacological suppression of NF‐κB augments osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in vitro.
The Nicotinic α5 Subunit Can Replace Either an Acetylcholine-Binding or Nonbinding Subunit in the α4β2* Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor

Heteropentameric neuronal nicotinic receptors assemble so that the canonical acetylcholine-binding sites are located at the interfaces between two pairs of subunits, while the fifth subunit does not participate in a canonical transmitter-binding site. Several subunits are considered to be unable to participate in forming a functional receptor when they occupy a position that would contribute to such a site, including the α5 subunit. The α5 subunit is of interest because of its apparent involvement in nicotine dependence and in the control of dopamine release. We have examined this question using α4 and β2 subunits in concatemeric constructs with the α5 subunit, expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Using dimeric constructs of α4 and β2 subunits expressed with free α5 and pentameric constructs incorporating a single copy of α5, we find that the α5 subunit can occupy the position of a nonbinding subunit, or replace a β2 subunit participating in a canonical binding site. The resulting receptors functionally resemble pentamers assembled with two copies of α4 and three copies of β2. Functional receptors apparently cannot be formed with α5 subunits in both canonical binding sites. These observations extend the present ideas on the possible positions in the pentamer that may be occupied by the α5 subunit, and suggest that additional physiologic or pharmacological subtypes of neuronal nicotinic receptors may be present in neurons.
Is Work Bad for Health? The Role of Constraint versus Choice

This paper reviews the literature on the impact of work on health. We consider work along two dimensions: (i) the intensive margin, i.e. how many hours an individual works when employed and (ii) the extensive margin, i.e. whether an individual is in employment or not. We show that most of the evidence on the negative health impact of work found in the literature is based on situations in which workers have essentially no control (no choice) over the amount of work they provide. In essence, what is detrimental to health is not so much work per se as much as the gap which may exist between the actual and the desired amount of work, both at the intensive and extensive margins.
Speed sensorless asynchronous motor drive with inverter output LC filter

In this paper a speed sensorless ac drive with inverter and output LC filter is proposed. A nonlinear, decoupled field oriented control algorithm with a flux and speed close-loop observer is used. In spite of using LC filter on the inverter output, the sensorless system works precisely. That result are obtained as a result of the appropriate estimation and control system use. The theory, simulation, and experimental results are presented.
Feature Article - Aggregate Advertising Models: The State of the Art

Aggregate advertising models relate product sales to advertising spending for a market as a whole. Although many models have been built, they frequently contradict each other and considerable doubt exists as to which models best represent advertising processes. An increasingly rich literature of empirical studies helps resolve these issues by revealing major advertising phenomena that models should encompass. These include sales responding upward and downward at different rates, steady state response that can be concave or S-shaped and can have positive sales at zero advertising, sales affected by competitive advertising; and advertising dollar effectiveness that can change over time. A review of aggregate models developed on a priori grounds brings out similarities and differences among those of Vidale and Wolfe, Nerlove and Arrow, Little, and others and identifies ways in which the models agree or disagree with observed phenomena. A Lanchester-motivated structure generalizes many features of these model.
Selection for Character Displacement is Constrained by the Genetic Architecture of Floral Traits in the Ivyleaf Morning Glory

Abstract Evolutionary theory predicts that interactions between species such as resource competition or reproductive interference will generate selection for character displacement where similar species co-occur. However, the rate and direction of character displacement will depend not only on the strength of selection for trait divergence, but also on the amount of genetic variation for selected traits and the nature of genetic correlations between them. To assess the importance of genetic constraints for the evolution of character displacement, we examined the genetic architecture of a suite of floral traits previously shown to be under selection in the annual plant Ipomoea hederacea when this species co-occurs with Ipomoea purpurea. We found that the six floral traits we measured are all positively genetically correlated. We also demonstrate, using new statistical approaches, that the predicted response to selection for four of these six traits is substantially constrained by their genetic correlation structure. Most notably, the response to selection for reduced separation of the tallest and shortest anthers, which reduces the degree of detrimental heterospecific pollen flow, is substantially constrained. Our results suggest that the rate of evolution of reproductive character displacement in I. hederacea is limited by the genetic architecture of floral traits.
Dividing Olig2‐expressing progenitor cells derived from ES cells

G‐Olig2 is a knock‐in ES cell line with GFP inserted into the Olig2 gene so that ES cell‐derived neural cells that express Olig2 also express GFP. This tool allows visualization of the subset of cells that differentiate along the Olig2‐expressing pathway. By manipulating culture conditions, it is possible to induce Olig2 expression in rapidly dividing cells. These cells have many of the features of glial progenitor cells but, unlike other glial progenitors, are able to divide rapidly for at least 1 month while still expressing Olig2. Even after 1‐month expansion, the cells differentiate readily into astrocyte‐like and oligodendrocyte‐like cells when switched to serum‐containing medium. Cellular memory is the property whereby cells remain specified to a particular lineage or pathway while undergoing division. ES cell‐derived neural cells show cellular memory for a glial progenitor phenotype and thus provide a new and tractable model for this basic feature of neural development. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The evaluation of different roles for domestic social robots

Robotics researchers foresee that robots will become ubiquitous in our natural environments, such as our homes. For a successful diffusion of social robots, it is important to study the user acceptance of such robots. In an online survey, we have investigated the acceptance of three different possible roles for domestic social robots and the preferred appearance. The results show that, although most people prefer a humanoid robot for domestic purposes, the role for which a social robot is build affects the choice for a robotic appearance made by potential future users. When comparing the acceptance of the three different roles, people evaluate the companion robot more negatively on the different acceptance variables. Implications of these results are discussed.
Cloned Lines of Plasmodium berghei ANKA Differ in Their Abilities To Induce Experimental Cerebral Malaria

ABSTRACT Infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA is usually lethal. The parasite causes in some mouse strains a neurovascular syndrome, experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), involving immunopathological reactions. The effects on the development of ECM of the mouse genetic background have been clearly demonstrated, but nothing is known about the effects of the clonal diversity of the parasite. We showed that various cloned lines derived from a polyclonal line of P. berghei ANKA caused ECM but that the extent of ECM induction was dependent on the amount of inoculum. Subtle differences in ECM characteristics (survival time and hypothermia) were also observed. We also confirmed, using the 1.49L cloned line, that the mouse genetic background strongly affects ECM.
BSC1 inhibition complements effects of vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist on hyponatremia in SIADH rats.

BACKGROUND Severe hyponatremia is most frequently caused by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Although the expressional alteration of the kidney-specific apical water channel, aquaporin 2 (AQP2), in the collecting duct has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of hyponatremia and the subsequent physiologic reaction that is resistant to arginine vasopressin (AVP; vasopressin escape) in SIADH, the complete pathogenesis of and the appropriate medical treatment for hyponatremia have yet to be elucidated. METHODS Hyponatremia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by water loading and subcutaneous infusion of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP). For the treatment, a selective AVP V(2) receptor antagonist (OPC-31260) and/or a loop diuretic (furosemide) were administered orally. Protein expression of AQP2 and rat bumetanide-sensitive cotransporter (rBSC1) was examined by Western blotting during the hyponatremia and the subsequent treatment. RESULTS We noted a markedly high expression of rBSC1 during the development of hyponatremia, and a relatively low expression during vasopressin escape. OPC-31260 administration elevated serum sodium level in a dose-dependent manner. The therapeutic effect, however, declined with increasing number of treatment days, and doses higher than 15 mg/kg/day induced severe toxicity. The physiologic parameters and the alterations of AQP2 and rBSC1 expression during the treatment demonstrated reactions that were completely opposite to those of vasopressin escape. Combination of a furosemide (100 mg/kg/day) and a low dose of OPC-31260 (5 mg/kg/day) additively elevated serum sodium level and sustained the elevated serum sodium level by significantly reducing sodium accumulation in the renal medulla. CONCLUSION AVP-induced alterations of rBSC1 expression, as well as those of AQP2, are involved in the pathogenesis of SIADH. The pharmacologic blockade of AVP stimulus in SIADH limits its therapeutic efficacy by discontinuing the vasopressin escape, and the selective inhibition of rBSC1 complements this limitation.
Epidemiology of adolescent substance use in London schools.

BACKGROUND Alcohol and substance use in adolescence can be associated with a range of health, emotional, social, behavioural and legal problems. There has been a change in the recreational drugs available to users in recent years; however, little is known about how this impacts the youngest and most vulnerable population of substance users. AIM To investigate the prevalence of substance use among children aged 15-18 years in London schools. DESIGN Questionnaire survey. METHOD Students aged 15-18 years in three London schools self-completed the questionnaire which collected demographic data (age, gender and ethnicity) and data on frequency of use of alcohol, tobacco and classical recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substances. RESULTS Completed surveys were available from 533 students (47.8% of those invited to participate). One hundred thirteen (20.4%) students reported lifetime use of at least one recreational drug, cannabis (96, 18.7%) was commonly reported and only 6 (1.1%) reported use of a novel psychoactive substance. A total of 250 (47.8%) reported using alcohol at least once; those from White and Mixed ethnic groups were more likely to report using alcohol than those in other ethnic groups. A total of 382 (74.2%) students reported using tobacco at least once, and students from ethnic minorities were more likely to smoke than their White counterparts. CONCLUSION This study supports previous findings that alcohol and drug use are declining in adolescents in UK. There are different patterns of substance use amongst different ethnic groups; this is important to schools and policymakers planning interventions related to substance use in school-aged children.
Capacity Measurements in a Cooperative MIMO Network

Cooperation between adjacent base stations (BSs) may reduce intercell interference in future cellular networks and enhance network capacity in this way. The potential of cooperation is evaluated in this paper based on measurements conducted at 5.2 GHz in a campus environment with four overlapping cells. For each individual link of the four BS and five terminal locations, a 10 times 16 antenna configuration with cross-polarized elements is used. Results show that the direct signal is much stronger than scattering due to the small intersite distances. The polarized line-of-sight (LOS) signal creates two degrees of freedom in the spatial domain, which is also confirmed by a 3-D propagation model. Rich multipath scattering is characteristic for the rest of the links where the direct signal is blocked. Results for a multilink scenario where all users are jointly served by all BSs confirm that such cooperation leads to enhanced rank of the compound channel matrix. The spectral efficiency is five times higher with cooperation, compared with a conventional frequency reuse system, where different radio resources are assigned to adjacent cells. Hence, our measurements confirm the benefits of cooperation in cellular systems.
Melting Temperature and Change of Lamellar Thickness with Time for Bulk Polyethylene

The melting temperature of linear polyethylene has been obtained as a function of the time and temperature of crystallization. Recrystallization was minimized by a special melting procedure. By interpreting the melting points as characteristic of a given lamellar thickness, it was found that the thickness of crystals of appreciable age increased linearly with the logarithm of their time of existence. The lowest melting (i.e., thinnest) lamellae in a given specimen may be assumed to have either existed for only a short period of time, or to have been impeded in their growth in the chain direction, and they were found to have an estimated thickness close to that predicted by recent kinetic theories of polymer crystal growth with chain folding.
New Routine for Nuclear Medicine Technologists to Determine When to Add SPECT/CT to a Whole-Body Bone Scan

Bone scintigraphy is usually obtained as a whole-body scan producing 2 images: an anterior view and a posterior view. Sometimes abnormal findings in the spine are difficult to distinguish on whole-body bone scans. SPECT/CT may be performed to localize and interpret a lesion correctly and to help differentiate between benign and metastatic lesions. The assessment of whether SPECT/CT is needed is usually made by a physician. The aim of this study was to evaluate our new routine for nuclear medicine technologists to determine when to add SPECT/CT to whole-body bone scintigraphy. Methods: A 3-part educational course was developed for the nuclear medicine technologists. The first part was to learn criteria for when SPECT/CT should be added to a whole-body bone scan. The second part was to review a selection of training whole-body bone scans illustrating the criteria. The third part was to pass a test of whether whole-body bone scans should be supplemented by SPECT/CT. Results: The nuclear medicine technologists and the physicians agreed that SPECT/CT was required in 63 cases and not required in 27 cases. The resulting percentage agreement was 90%, and the κ value was 0.77. There was disagreement in 10 cases. In 6 of these cases only the nuclear medicine technologists wanted to add SPECT/CT, and in 4 of these cases only the physicians wanted to add SPECT/CT. Conclusion: After participating in the training course developed in this project, the nuclear medicine technologists were able to decide whether a SPECT/CT study is needed. An implication of this result is that the effectiveness of the nuclear medicine department should be improved after our new routine is implemented. The successful outcome of this project may stimulate departments to take on similar quality-improvement projects in the future.
EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF MACROECONOMIC FACTORS AND CRUDE OIL PRICES IN GHANA

A time series and country specific variables from 1980 to 2011 was used to conduct the empirical analysis of macroeconomic factors with respect to crude oil prices in Ghana. A robust methodology rooted in Granger causality test was conducted. Generally the study results indicate that there was significant long run relationship among GDPGR and the other macroeconomic variables such that long run movements in LOP and REER significantly explained movements in the GDPGR. Also, there was significant short run relationship between GDPGR and the other macroeconomic variables in such a way that short run movements in the world crude oil price significantly explained movements in the GDPGR with short run movement in the REER explaining movements in the GDPGR.