Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Derivation of a Signed Cameron Decomposition Asymmetry Parameter and Relationship of Cameron to Huynen Decomposition Parameters

An alternate definition of the asymmetry parameter τ, appearing in the Cameron decomposition is presented. The new definition is signed as τs, but in absolute value, it is equivalent to the previous definition. The Cameron decomposition signed asymmetry parameter τs is given in terms of the Huynen decomposition parameters, including but not limited to the Huynen helicity (asymmetry) parameter. It is demonstrated that the Huynen decomposition asymmetry parameter is a poor indicator of scatterer symmetry. The relationship between the Cameron and Huynen decomposition parameters is examined for special cases.
Ultramorphology and Histology of the Ectal Mandibular Gland in Polistes versicolor (Olivier)(Hymenoptera : Vespidae)

The ectal mandibular gland (EMG) of wasps is homologous to the mandibular gland of ants and bees. This gland belongs to salivary system and its function stile unknown. The EMG of Polistes versicolor showed histological and ultramorphological features similar to that founded in ants and others wasps. This gland is constituted by a secretory region and a reservoir. The secretory region contains individual secretory cells that showed several nucleoli. The reservoir has a club shape and is connected to each mandible, by a duct that opens on its external side, which there are cuticular projections. The EMG of males is smaller than those of females. Our results suggested that the EMG secrete volatiles compounds that are liberated when the mandibles still open.
Prospective study of new participants in a community-based mind-body training program

AbstractBACKGROUND: Mind-body practices such as yoga are widely popular, but little is known about how such exercises impact health-related quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To measure changes in health-related quality of life associated with 3 months of mind-body training as practiced in community-based settings. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Eight centers for practice of mind-body training. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred ninety-four English-speaking adults who had taken no more than 10 classes at the centers prior to enrollment in the study. One hundred seventy-one (88%) returned the 3-month follow-up questionnaire. INTERVENTION: Administration of the SF-36 questionnaire at the start of training and after 3 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At baseline, new participants in mind-body training reported lower scores than U.S. norms for 7 of 8 domains of the SF-36: mental health, role emotional, social, vitality, general health, body pain, and role physical (P<.002 for all comparisons). After 3 months of training, within-patient change scores improved in all domains (P<.0001), including a change of +15.5 (standard deviation ±21) in the mental health domain. In hierarchical regression analysis, younger age (P=.0003), baseline level of depressive symptoms (P=.01), and reporting a history of hypertension (P=.0054) were independent predictors of greater improvement in the SF-36 mental health score. Five participants (2.9%) reported a musculoskeletal injury. CONCLUSIONS: New participants in a community-based mind-body training program reported poor health-related quality of life at baseline and moderate improvements after 3 months of practice. Randomized trials are needed to determine whether benefits may be generalizable to physician-referred populations.
Evaluation of the Factors and Treatment Options of Separated Endodontic Files Among Dentists and Undergraduate Students in Riyadh Area.

INTRODUCTION Separation of endodontic files during root canal treatment is a common multifactorial problem facing most of dental practitioners both dentists and students that has high impact on treatment and prognosis outcome. AIM To compare the incidence, factors and treatment options of separated endodontic files among dentists and undergraduate students in Riyadh area. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survery of 35-questionnaire was formulated and e-mailed to all 149 dentists of different dental specialties who are working in different clinical centers in Riyadh area and are attending the 26(th) Saudi Dental Society International Dental Conference in addition to 130 undergraduate students in different dental colleges in Riyadh. Overall, 118 participants of dentists completed the survey, with response rate of 79% and the same number of students with response rate of 90.7%. RESULTS Total of 57.6% dentists' faced separated files problem during root canal preparation, while only 7.6% of students faced this problem. 53% of separated endodontic files (SEF) were hand files, 65% stainless steel files, 81% were small size files most common sizes (#15-20) (p <0.0001). Causes of SEF were root Canal anatomy, in 45%. 66% of SEF occurred in curved canals, 98% were in molars in mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals, (p <0.0001). 44% of SEF were successfully bypassed, 53% were successfully removed from coronal third of root canal, 42% of SEF successfully removed using ultrasonics under visualization of operating microscope. 73% of retained SEF cases showed good prognosis, (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION SEF is a multifactorial clinical problem that must be either removed, by passed to allow complete cleaning, shaping, disinfection, obturation and effective coronal seal.
Effect of varied recovery interventions on markers of psychophysiological stress in professional rugby union

Abstract Rugby union is a physical demanding sport that requires optimum recovery between games to maintain performance levels. Analysis of four unique biochemical markers of stress is measured here to determine which recovery strategy currently in use by a professional team provides the necessary requirements for sustained performance. Urine and saliva samples were collected from 37 professional rugby players before, immediately after and 36 hours after five home games, and analysed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography for urinary myoglobin, total neopterin (NP; NP + 7,8-dihydroneopterin), salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin A. Subjects completed a cold water immersion (CWI) or pool session (PS), donned compression garments, consumed protein and carbohydrate food and fluid, and slept for 8 hours post-game. The following day subjects choose from one or a combination of CWI, PS or active recovery/stretching to complete. There was no difference between the recovery protocols for cortisol, total NP, immunoglobulin A concentration or myoglobin at 36 hours post-game. Immunoglobulin A secretion rate significantly increased above pre-game levels at 36 hours post-game for all protocols; however, protocol three did not increase as much (p = 0.038). Total NP was also significantly increased above pre-game levels at 36 hours post-game for all protocols. This study provides evidence that the immediate post-game recovery intervention following a game of professional rugby union may be the most important aspect of psychophysiological player recovery, irrespective of the “next-day” intervention. The concentrations of total NP and immunoglobulin A suggest these professional rugby players are still in a state of recovery 36 hours post-game.
The Sp1 transcription factor does not directly interact with the HIV‐1 Tat protein

The role of Sp1 in regulating the trans‐activating activity of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) Tat protein has not yet been clearly defined. In fact, studies on the physical and functional interaction between Sp1 and Tat have yielded contradictory results. Here we investigated whether a physical interaction between Sp1 and Tat indeed occurs, exploiting both biochemical and genetic techniques that allow detection of direct protein–protein interactions. Studies performed with the yeast two‐hybrid system indicate that Sp1 does not directly interact with the HIV‐1 Tat protein. Control experiments demonstrated that both proteins are functionally expressed in the yeast cells. In vitro binding assays further confirmed that Sp1 does not physically bind Tat. These data suggest that in vivo Tat and Sp1 most likely take part of a multicomponent complex and thus encourage the search of the molecule(s) which mediate Tat–Sp1 interaction. J. Cell. Physiol. 196: 251–257, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quiescent thermal emission from neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries

Context. We monitored the quiescent thermal emission from neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries after active periods of intense activity in X-rays (outbursts). Aims. The theoretical modeling of the thermal relaxation of the neutron star crust may be used to establish constraints on the crust composition and transport properties, depending on the astrophysical scenarios assumed. Methods. We numerically simulated the thermal evolution of the neutron star crust and compared them with inferred surface temperatures for five sources: MXB 1659−29, KS 1731−260, XTE J1701−462, EXO 0748−676 and IGR J17480−2446. Results. We find that the evolution of MXB 1659−29, KS 1731−260 and EXO 0748−676 can be well described within a deep crustal cooling scenario. Conversely, we find that the other two sources can only be explained with models beyond crustal cooling. For the peculiar emission of XTE J1701−462 we propose alternative scenarios such as residual accretion during quiescence, additional heat sources in the outer crust, and/or thermal isolation of the inner crust due to a buried magnetic field. We also explain the very recent reported temperature of IGR J17480−2446 with an additional heat deposition in the outer crust from shallow sources.
Design of NoC Router Architecture using VHDL

Network-on-Chip (NoC) is an advance design method of communication network into System-on-Chip (SoC). It provides solution to the problems of traditional bus-based SoC. It is widely considered that NoC will take the place of traditional bus-based design and will meet the communication requirements of next SoC design. A router is the key component and called as the communication backbone in NoC. This paper presents NoC router architecture which has low latency and requires less area. The design is implemented in VHDL and simulated in Xilinx ISE Design Suite 13.1.
Effector and enhancing lymphoid cells in plasmacytoma‐bearing mice. II. Dynamic changes during tumor progression

The Winn assay was used for the study of effector (tumor‐inhibiting) and enhancing (tumor‐promoting) lymphoid cells in BALB/c mice bearing MOPC‐104E plasmacytomas. Kinetic studies with thymus, lymphnode, spleen and bone‐marrow cells revealed that spleen, lymph node and to a lesser extent bone‐marrow cells from 7‐ and 10‐day tumor‐bearers inhibited MOPC‐104E growth, while at day 13 all three cell populations enhanced tumor growth. However, at day 16 strong tumor inhibition was observed again by spleen cells and to a lesser extent by lymph‐node cells and thymocytes. Peritoneal cells from normal and tumor‐bearing (7 and 10 days) animals enhanced tumor growth significantly. Separation of spleen cells on nylon wool columns showed that at 10 days the effector cells were T lymphocytes, but at a later stage (35 days) a different effector mechanism was present in the spleen. Treatment of MOPC‐104E recipients with carrageenan or silica had little influence on tumor growth, but marked tumor inhibition occurred after lethal irradiation and bone‐marrow reconstitution. This latter observation, together with the finding that bone‐marrow, lymph node and peritoneal cells from normal donors enhanced tumor growth inseveral experiments, suggests that this plasmacytoma, like hormone‐dependent tumors, requires lymphocyte‐derived growth factors.
Physical characteristics of plasma antennas

This experimental and theoretical study examines the excitation of a plasma antenna using an argon surface wave discharge operating at 500 MHz with RF power levels up to 120 W and gas pressures between 0.03 and 0.5 mb. The results show that the length of the plasma column increases as the square root of the applied power and that the plasma density decreases linearly from the wave launcher to the end of the plasma column. These results are consistent with a simple global model of the antenna. Since noise is critical to communication systems, the noise generated by the plasma was measured from 10 to 250 MHz. Between 50 and 250 MHz the excess noise temperature was found to be 17.2/spl plusmn/1.0 dB above 290 K. This corresponds to an ohmic thermal noise source at 1.4/spl plusmn/0.3 eV, compared with an electron temperature of 1.65 eV predicted by the global model. Estimates of the electrical conductivity of the plasma column based on measured electron number densities lead to an antenna efficiency of about 65% at a transmission frequency of 100 MHz and an increase in total antenna noise of 1 dB due to the plasma. Theoretical modeling and experimental observations of the radiation pattern of the antenna show that the linear variation of conductivity and finite resistance of the column lead to a reduction in the depth of the nulls in the radiation pattern and a consequent increase in the width of the main lobe.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral disorders in children. Insufficient dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) has been suggested to have an impact on the development of symptoms of ADHD in children. Individuals with ADHD have been demonstrated to have significantly reduced blood concentrations of PUFAs and, in particular, reduced levels of omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs. These findings suggest that PUFA supplementation may reduce the attention and behavior problems associated with ADHD. Objective: To provide an overview of the efficacy of dietary LC-PUFA supplementation in the treatment of ADHD. Methods: Literature published up until December 2013 on the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on ADHD symptoms was obtained using a PubMed search and critically reviewed. Results: Dietary PUFA supplementation appears to have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms although these effects are small. The clinical relevance of these observations remains to be determined. Conclusion: There is only limited support for the efficacy of PUFA supplementation for the core symptoms of ADHD. Given the small effect sizes regarding PUFA supplementation, it may not be a sufficient therapy for a majority of patients with ADHD. Keywords: diet, nutrition, polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD
Chasing genes for mood disorders and schizophrenia in genetically isolated populations

Major affective disorders and schizophrenia are among the most common brain diseases worldwide and their predisposition is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. So far, traditional linkage mapping studies for these complex disorders have not achieved the same success as the positional cloning of genes for Mendelian diseases. The struggle to identify susceptibility genes for complex disorders has stimulated the development of alternative approaches, including studies in genetically isolated populations. Since isolated populations are likely to have both a reduced number of genetic vulnerability factors and environmental background and are therefore considered to be more homogeneous compared to outbred populations, the use of isolated populations in genetic studies is expected to improve the chance of finding susceptibility loci and genes. Here we review the role of isolated populations, based on linkage and association studies, in the identification of susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Hum Mutat 28(12), 1156–1170, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ecology and Climate: Research Strategies and Implications

Natural and anthropogenic global changes are associated with substantial ecological disturbances. Multiscale interconnections among disciplines studying the biotic and abiotic effects of such disturbances are needed. Three research paradigms traditionally have been used and are reviewed here: scale-up, scale-down, and scale-up with embedded scale-down components. None of these approaches by themselves can provide the most reliable ecological assessments. A fourth research paradigm, called strategic cyclical scaling (SCS), is relatively more effective. SCS involves continuous cycling between large- and small-scale studies, thereby offering improved understanding of the behavior of complex environmental systems and allowing more reliable forecast capabilities for analyzing the ecological consequences of global changes.
Mutation of RET proto-oncogene in Hirschsprung's disease and intestinal neuronal dysplasia.

AIM To investigate the genetic relationship between Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) in Chinese population. METHODS Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 30 HD patients, 20 IND patients, 18 HD/IND combined patients and 20 normal individuals as control. Genomic DNA was extracted according to standard procedure. Exons 11,13,15,17 of RET proto-oncogene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mutations of RET proto-oncogene were analyzed by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing of the positive amplified products was performed. RESULTS Eight germline sequence variants were detected. In HD patients, 2 missense mutations in exon 11 at nucleotide 15165 G-->A (G667S), 2 frameshift mutations in exon 13 at nucleotide 18974 (18974insG), 1 missense mutation in exon 13 at nucleotide 18919 A-->G (K756E) and 1 silent mutation in exon 15 at nucleotide 20692 G-->A(Q916Q) were detected. In HD/IND combined patients, 1 missense mutation in exon 11 at nucleotide 15165 G-->A and 1 silent mutation in exon 13 at nucleotide 18888 T-->G (L745L) were detected. No mutation was found in IND patients and controls. CONCLUSION Mutation of RET proto-oncogene is involved in the etiopathogenesis of HD. The frequency of RET proto-oncogene mutation is quite different between IND and HD in Chinese population. IND is a distinct clinical entity genetically different from HD.
The automatic identification of stop words

A stop word may be identified as a word that has the same likehhood of occurring in those documents not relevant to a query as in those documents relevant to the query. In this paper we show how the concept of relevance may be replaced by the condition of being highly rated by a similarity measure. Thus it becomes possible to identify the stop words in a cullectmn by automated statistical testing. We describe the nature of the statistical test as it is realized with a vector retrieval methodology based on the cosine coefficient of document-document similarity. As an example, this tech nique is then applied to a large MEDLINE " subset in the area of biotechnology. The initial processing of this datahase involves a 310 word stop list of common non-content terms. Our technique is then applied and 75% of the remaining terms are identified as stop words. We compare retrieval with and without the removal of these stop words and find that of the top twenty documents retrieved in response to a random query document. seventeen of these are the same on the average for the two methods We also examine the differences and conclude that where the user prefers one method over the other, the new method with the reduced term set is favored about three times out of four.
Remineralization Potential of Different Agents and Assessment by a New Caries Detection Device

Remineralization Potential of Different Agents and Assessment by a Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of casein and hydroxyapatite on remineralization of white spot enamel lesion and assessment by a new caries detection device, FluoreCam System (Thereametric Co., Indianapolis, USA). Study Design: Demineralized human enamel specimens were measured for baseline surface by the following methods; micro hardness, Quantitative Light Induced Fluorescence (QLF) (Inspektor Pro, Inspektor Research Systems, Amsterdam, Holland) and FluoreCam System (There a metric Co., Indianapolis, USA). Ten specimens in each of four groups were used in this in vitro recycling study with the following treatments applied three times daily for 1 min: 1) Sodium fluoride (NaF) dentifrice, Ipana, (Procter&Gamble,
Thermosensory intensity and affect throughout the perceptible range

The thermosensory system was evaluated psychophysically in 12 healthy volunteers, spanning the full range of tolerable temperatures. Subjects provided ratings of (1) perceived thermal intensity, (2) perceived pleasantness or unpleasantness, and (3) perceived pain intensity after placing either one hand or foot in a temperature controlled water bath. Of particular interest were the interrelationships among the three perceptual measures, and differences between heat and cold. The relationship between perceived intensity and (un)pleasantness was different for hot vs cold stimuli. Specifically, for a given perceived thermal intensity, cold stimuli were rated as less pleasant or more unpleasant than hot stimuli. Similarly, for a given pain intensity, cold stimuli were rated as more unpleasant than hot stimuli. As warm temperatures increased and as cold temperatures decreased, stimuli were perceived as being unpleasant before they were perceived as being painful. The difference in transition temperatures for unpleasantness vs pain for heat averaged 1.4°C, while the same difference for cold averaged 5.6°C. Thus, there was a fourfold difference in the range of unpleasant but non-painful cold vs hot temperatures. Pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings were significantly higher for heat stimuli applied to the foot vs hand. In contrast, there was no significant body site difference for pain intensity or unpleasantness ratings of cold stimuli. All of these results reveal important differences in the processing of cold vs hot stimuli. These differences could be exploited to differentiate processing relevant to discriminative vs affective components of somesthetic perception, in both the innocuous and noxious ranges.
Analysis of Complications in 168 Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flaps Used for Head and Neck Reconstruction

One hundred sixty-eight pectoralis major muscular and myocutaneous flaps performed at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center during the past five years were reviewed retrospectively to determine complication rates following operation and to evaluate the effect of risk factors such as smoking, obesity, sex, previous radiotherapy, and tumor stage on the incidence of such complications. The overall rate of complications was 63%; however, most of these complications were self-limited, and the rate of total flap loss was only 2.4%. The risk of a complication developing was increased slightly in patients who smoked cigarettes and in patients with larger tumors. Obesity and previous radiotherapy had no effect on complication rates. Women who underwent pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps had a higher rate of flap necrosis than did men, presumably because of the interposition of breast tissue between the muscle and the skin paddle. In patients who had muscle flaps (without skin paddles), sex had no influence on complication rates. In all groups of patients, flaps consisting of muscle alone had fewer complications than did flaps with a cutaneous component.
System-on-chip design for a statistical decoder

In this paper, we propose a system-on-chip software hardware co-design for a statistical decoder. We use the context-based adaptive binary arithmetic decoder (CABAC decoder) used in the High profile of the H.264/AVC video coding standard as a design example. The design is aimed to strike a balance between software modules and hardware modules based on design constraints. It is capable of decoding one bin per clock cycle at high clock frequencies while maintaining a slim hardware footprint. Compared to existing statistical decoders, this design is aimed for a fast and compact IP core, well verified with standard video test sequence, and ideal for a SoC implementation.