Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sclerostin antibody treatment improves implant fixation in a model of severe osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND The mechanical fixation of orthopaedic and dental implants is compromised by diminished bone volume, such as with osteoporosis. Systemic administration of sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) has been shown to enhance implant fixation in normal animals. In the present study, we tested whether Scl-Ab can improve implant fixation in established osteoporosis in a rat model. METHODS We used an ovariectomized (ovx) rat model, in which we found a 78% decrease in trabecular bone volume at the time of implant surgery; sham-ovx, age-matched rats were used as controls. After placement of a titanium implant in the medullary cavity of the distal aspect of the femur, the rats were maintained for four, eight, or twelve weeks and treated biweekly with Scl-Ab or with the delivery vehicle alone. Outcomes were measured with use of microcomputed tomography, mechanical testing, and static and dynamic histomorphometry. RESULTS Scl-Ab treatment doubled implant fixation strength in both the sham-ovx and ovx groups, although the enhancement was delayed in the ovx group. Scl-Ab treatment also enhanced bone-implant contact; increased peri-implant trabecular thickness and volume; and increased cortical thickness. These structural changes were associated with an approximately five to sevenfold increase in the bone-formation rate and a >50% depression in the eroded surface following Scl-Ab treatment. Trabecular bone thickness and bone-implant contact accounted for two-thirds of the variance in fixation strength. CONCLUSIONS In this model of severe osteoporosis, Scl-Ab treatment enhanced implant fixation by stimulating bone formation and suppressing bone resorption, leading to enhanced bone-implant contact and improved trabecular bone volume and architecture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Systemic administration of anti-sclerostin antibodies might be a useful strategy in total joint replacement when bone mass is deficient.
When in doubt, ask the audience: potential users' perceptions of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic pain.

BACKGROUND Although research has demonstrated that Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for chronic pain helps with adjustment to pain, it remains unclear how this treatment option would initially be perceived by individuals with chronic pain. OBJECTIVES To explore initial perceptions of ICBT and to examine variables that correlate with an expressed interest in ICBT as a treatment option among individuals with chronic pain. METHODS A total of 129 individuals with chronic pain completed a survey assessing perceptions of ICBT and individual difference variables that could be correlated with expressed interest in ICBT (eg, demographic characteristics, pain, computer self-efficacy). RESULTS Results showed that most participants perceived ICBT as a potentially valuable service with multiple benefits. Being female, having greater pain severity and interference, and having greater computer self-efficacy and lower computer anxiety were positively correlated with interest in receiving ICBT. CONCLUSIONS Combined with previous research on treatment efficacy of ICBT for chronic pain, the results should serve to stimulate further research on integrating ICBT within existing health care services.
CryptoDB: a Cryptosporidium bioinformatics resource update

The database, CryptoDB (), is a community bioinformatics resource for the AIDS-related apicomplexan-parasite, Cryptosporidium. CryptoDB integrates whole genome sequence and annotation with expressed sequence tag and genome survey sequence data and provides supplemental bioinformatics analyses and data-mining tools. A simple, yet comprehensive web interface is available for mining and visualizing the data. CryptoDB is allied with the databases PlasmoDB and ToxoDB via ApiDB, an NIH/NIAID-fundedBioinformatics Resource Center. Recent updates to CryptoDB include the deposition of annotated genome sequences for Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis, migration to a relational database (GUS), a new query and visualization interface and the introduction of Web services.
ROLE OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT IN TQM IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAYSIAN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

During the last two decades, quality had become a very important issue in many large organisations for both industrial and service sectors. They regard quality as a formidable weapon in addressing business competition and challenges both from local and global competitors. At present, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) had also joint the bandwagon in their effort to improve their products and services quality. One of the bold step taken by SMEs involved in the automotive components manufacturing sector to improve their product and service quality and hence their overall competitiveness in the open market is by implementing Total Quality Management (TQM). SMEs’ main objectives in implementing TQM in their organisations are to ensure their products manufactured or services provided shall satisfy their customers’ requirements and needs. This paper presents a survey conducted to identify the level of SMEs senior managements’ awareness and their attitude towards implementing TQM activities. In this study, one important aspect of TQM that is “senior management responsibilities and involvement in providing top-down short and long term support” was used as a parameter to identify their level of awareness and attitude towards the importance of implementing TQM in SMEs.
Efficacy of a steroid nasal spray compared with an antihistamine nasal spray in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis

Abstract Allergic rhinitis is a common disease with a lifetime prevalence of 20% among the United States population. The cost of medication alone to manage allergic rhinitis in the United States was estimated to be $3.1 billion. The two most commonly prescribed classes of medications are antihistamines and topical nasal steroids. The data on comparing the efficacy of a commonly used antihistamine (azelastine hydrochloride) with that of topical steroids, however, are conflicting. Therefore, the reported study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of azelastine with that of a topical nasal steroid (flunisolide) in treating patients for the symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis. Forty-four subjects were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using Balaam's design. In one group, patients were treated with topical nasal corticosteroids or placebo. In the other group, patients were treated with the antihistamine nasal spray or placebo. Subjective data were collected by the use of questionnaires and a daily diary, which focused on nasal symptoms, sleep, and daytime sleepiness. The results demonstrated that the topical nasal corticosteroid performed superiorly to the antihistamine nasal spray in improving sleep, daytime sleepiness, sneezing, ocular and nasal pruritus, and nasal congestion. Thus, the topical nasal corticosteroid was found to be more effective than antihistamine nasal spray in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This study provides further support for the use of topical nasal corticosteroids as first-line treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis.
Alcohol consumption in early adulthood and schooling completed and labor market outcomes at midlife by race and gender.

OBJECTIVES We assessed the relation of alcohol consumption in young adulthood to problem alcohol consumption 10 years later and to educational attainment and labor market outcomes at midlife. We considered whether these relations differ between Blacks and Whites. METHODS We classified individuals on the basis of their drinking frequency patterns with data from the 1982 to 1984 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (respondents aged 19-27 years). We assessed alcohol consumption from the 1991 reinterview (respondents aged 26-34 years) and midlife outcomes from the 2006 reinterview (respondents aged 41-49 years). RESULTS Black men who consumed 12 or more drinks per week at baseline had lower earnings at midlife, but no corresponding relation for Black women or Whites was found. Black men and Black women who consumed 12 or more drinks per week at baseline had lower occupational attainment than did White male non-drinkers and White female non-drinkers, respectively, but this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The relation between alcohol consumption in young adulthood and important outcomes at midlife differed between Blacks and Whites and between Black men and Black women, although Blacks' alcohol consumption at baseline was lower on average than was that of Whites.
Irreproducible and Uninterpretable Polymyxin B MICs for Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter aerogenes

ABSTRACT Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter species are emerging nosocomial pathogens. As with most multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, the polymyxins are often the only therapeutic option. In this study involving clinical isolates of E. cloacae and E. aerogenes, susceptibility testing methods with polymyxin B were analyzed. All isolates underwent testing by the broth microdilution (in duplicate) and agar dilution (in duplicate) methods, and select isolates were examined by the Etest method. Selected isolates were also examined for heteroresistance by population analysis profiling. Using a susceptibility breakpoint of ≤2 μg/ml, categorical agreement by all four dilution tests (two broth microdilution and two agar dilution) was achieved in only 76/114 (67%) of E. cloacae isolates (65 susceptible, 11 resistant). Thirty-eight (33%) had either conflicting or uninterpretable results (multiple skip wells, i.e., wells that exhibit no growth although growth does occur at higher concentrations). Of the 11 consistently resistant isolates, five had susceptible MICs as determined by Etest. Heteroresistant subpopulations were detected in eight of eight isolates tested, with greater percentages in isolates with uninterpretable MICs. For E. aerogenes, categorical agreement between the four dilution tests was obtained in 48/56 (86%), with conflicting and/or uninterpretable results in 8/56 (14%). For polymyxin susceptibility testing of Enterobacter species, close attention must be paid to the presence of multiple skip wells, leading to uninterpretable results. Susceptibility also should not be assumed based on the results of a single test. Until the clinical relevance of skip wells is defined, interpretation of polymyxin susceptibility tests for Enterobacter species should be undertaken with extreme caution.
Introduction to the Special Issue - Social Media and Business Transformation: A Framework for Research

Social media are fundamentally changing the way we communicate, collaborate, consume, and create. They represent one of the most transformative impacts of information technology on business, both within and outside firm boundaries. This special issue was designed to stimulate innovative investigations of the relationship between social media and business transformation. In this paper we outline a broad research agenda for understanding the relationships among social media, business, and society. We place the papers comprising the special issue within this research framework and identify areas where further research is needed. We hope that the flexible framework we outline will help guide future research and develop a cumulative research tradition in this area.
Features of autophagic cell death in Plasmodium liver-stage parasites

Analyzing molecular determinants of Plasmodium parasite cell death is a promising approach for exploring new avenues in the fight against malaria. Three major forms of cell death (apoptosis, necrosis and autophagic cell death) have been described in multicellular organisms but which cell death processes exist in protozoa is still a matter of debate. Here we suggest that all three types of cell death occur in Plasmodium liver-stage parasites. Whereas typical molecular markers for apoptosis and necrosis have not been found in the genome of Plasmodium parasites, we identified genes coding for putative autophagy-marker proteins and thus concentrated on autophagic cell death. We characterized the Plasmodium berghei homolog of the prominent autophagy marker protein Atg8/LC3 and found that it localized to the apicoplast. A relocalization of PbAtg8 to autophagosome-like vesicles or vacuoles that appear in dying parasites was not, however, observed. This strongly suggests that the function of this protein in liver-stage parasites is restricted to apicoplast biology.
Far field pattern computation of a double-slot antenna on elliptical silicon dielectric lens using vectorial gaussian beam

Wave propagation analysis in lens-antenna structure is required in designing different parameters for an elliptical Silicon dielectric lens antenna system. Traditional ray tracing techniques become inefficient in some practical applications due to large number of geometrical optics (GO) rays. In this paper vectorial Gaussian beams (VGB) replace GO ray tubes. A new method for decomposition of an antenna radiation field into VGBs is represented and by propagation of these beams, lens-antenna pattern is computed which is verified by measurement reports.
Medico-ethnobotanical inventory of Renukoot forest division of district Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, India

The present paper synthesizes first report related to medicinal plants used by the tribal communities mainly Koal, Panika, Dharkar, Bhuriya, Kharvar and Gaund of Renukoot forest division of district Sonbhadra. The methods used for ethnobotanical data collection were semi structured interviews, field observation, preference ranking and direct-matrix ranking. It was observed that 105 medicinal plants, used by tribal communities belonging to 44 families, are medicinally very significant. Results of the study were analyzed using two quantitative tools: Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and The Fidelity Level (FL). The data provided from our informants and analyzed in the present article clearly show that folk knowledge on medicinal plants and plant uses is still alive in the studied region thus documentation of this ethnomedicinal knowledge is important for the evaluation of pharmacological activity and drug development.
The Melnikov Theory for Subharmonics and Their Bifurcations in Forced Oscillations

The subharmonic Melnikov theory for periodic perturbations of planar Hamiltonian systems is improved. An approximation to the associated Poincare map in action-angle coordinates is explicitly constructed, and existence, stability, and bifurcation theorems for subharmonics are obtained. In particular, simple formulas for determining the stability of subharmonics and invariant circles bifurcating from them at Hopf bifurcations are obtained, and a degenerate resonance case, which was not appropriately treated in previous references, is discussed. Furthermore, the weak nonlinearity case, in which the unperturbed system is linear, is studied. The results are also useful to describe dynamics near the unperturbed centers in strongly nonlinear systems. Several examples are given to illustrate our theory.
Human and Dogs’ Gingival Stem Cells are Different

1,2University of Alberta, Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Medical Graduate Orthodontic Program, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 3Queen Medical Center, Doha, Qatar 4Professor and Chair of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, AinShams University, Cairo, Egypt 5Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University/Egypt Received date: 24 June 2015; Accepted date: 15 July 2015; Published date: 22 July 2015.
About Random LOS in Rician Fading Channels for MIMO OTA Tests

It is often claimed that Rician fading must also be included for Over-The-Air (OTA) testing of mobile devices with Multiple-input Multiple-output (MIMO) capabilities. However, the Line-Of-Sight (LOS) component varies with orientation and location of the mobile device. Therefore, we study Rician channels with random LOS to determine its significance
A dynamic threshold voltage MOSFET (DTMOS) for very low voltage operation

A new mode of operation for Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) MOSFET is experimentally investigated. This mode gives rise to a Dynamic Threshold voltage MOSFET (DTMOS). DTMOS threshold voltage drops as gate voltage is raised, resulting in a much higher current drive than regular MOSFET at low V/sub dd/. On the other hand, V/sub t/ is high at V/sub gs/=0, thus the leakage current is low. Suitability of this device for ultra low voltage operation is demonstrated by ring oscillator performance down to V/sub dd/=0.5 V. <<ETX>>
That Syncing Feeling: Networked Strategies for Enabling Ensemble Creativity in iPad Musicians

The group experience of synchronisation is a key aspect of ensemble musical performance. This paper presents a number of strategies for syncing performance information across networked iPad-instruments to enable creativity among an ensemble of improvising musicians. Acoustic instrumentalists sync without mechanical intervention. Electronic instruments frequently synchronise rhythm using MIDI or OSC connections. In contrast, our system syncs other aspects of performance, such as tonality, instrument functions, and gesture classifications, to support and enhance improvised performance. Over a number of performances with an iPad and percussion group, Ensemble Metatone, various syncing scenarios have been explored that support, extend, and disrupt ensemble creativity.
'False positive' precipitation reactions to extracts of organic dusts due to a teichoic acid from S. aureus. Techniques.

Precipitation reactions regarded as `false positive' have been obtained to extracts of a variety of organic dusts. The antigen responsible for these reactions is an electrophoretically fast moving and negatively charged substance, previously observed in extracts of mouldy hay and other vegetable and organic dusts, and referred to as a `D line' antigen. This antigen has now been shown to have antigenic determinants in common with a β-teichoic acid prepared from Staphylococcus aureus. Absorption of the sera with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine had an inhibitory effect on `D line' and teichoic acid precipitin reactions.
Development and evaluation of a blood-free medium for determining growth curves and optimizing growth of Rochalimaea henselae

Two strains of Rochalimaea henselae were used to optimize a blood-free growth medium. Seven agar bases, four broths, and combinations of eight supplements were evaluated. Acceptable growth was achieved in media containing Fildes solution and hemin, with the best growth demonstrated in brucella broth or on brucella agar with 6 to 8% Fildes solution and 250 micrograms of hemin per ml. R. henselae utilized hemin in concentrations six times that utilized by Rochalimaea quintana. Erythrocyte membrane was necessary to achieve the full growth-promoting effect of rabbit blood.
Impact of Ceftriaxone De-restriction on the Occurrence of ESBL-Positive Bacterial Strains and Antibiotic Consumption

Abstract As a cost-saving measure, the Drug and Therapeutics Committee (DTC) removed ceftriaxone from the list of restricted antibiotics in May, 2008, which permitted its use as a first-line antibiotic. To evaluate the impact of this change, the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-Iacta- mase (ESBL)-positive bacterial strains and antibiotic consumption were monitored for 2 years before and after the intervention. In the post-intervention period, ceftriaxone utilization increased, while total antibiotic utilization did not change significantly. The utilization of all restricted antibiotics decreased (p <0.05) in the post-intervention period. Utilization of carbapenems increased (p <0.05), while utilization of quinolones increased nonsignificantly. The density of resistant ESBLs increased (p = 0.001) from 0.99 to 1.34 per 1000 bed-days from the pre- to the post- intervention period. Ceftriaxone use was significantly correlated with ESBL occurrence (p <0.005). It can be concluded that ceftriaxone de-restriction increased the occurrence of ESBLs and the utilization of carbapemens.
Polyphenols of Rosa L. Leaves Extracts and their Radical Scavenging Activity

Antioxidant potential of Rosa L. leaves methanolic extracts was evaluated in vitro using a spectrophotometric method based on measuring the radical scavenging effect on 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The contents of ellagic acid, quercetin and kaempferol in the extracts from leaves of seventeen rose species were determined using SPE-RPHPLC methods. Additionally, total phenolic content was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Remarkable high antioxidant activity and high total phenolic content (5.7% < GAE < 15.2%), large ellagic acid (EA) content from 9.37 to 19.42 mg/g of dry weight, a quercetin content ranging from 3.68 to 15.81 mg/g of dry weight and kaempferol content from 1.25 to 9.41mg/g of dry weight were found in rose leaves. Significant correlation between EA (r2 = 0.6131), quercetin (r2= 0.5158), total phenolic content (r2= 0.8485) and antioxidant activity was observed. Basing on the studies conducted one may assume that the extracts of rose leaves are a rich source of natural antioxidants and could be used to prevent free-radical-induced deleterious effects.
The development of joint attention in blind infants

There is little documentation of how and when joint attention emerges in blind infants because the study of this ability has been predominantly reliant on visual information. Ecological self-knowledge, which is necessary for joint attention, is impaired in blind infants and is evidenced by their reaching for objects on external cues, which also marks the beginning of their Stage 4 understanding of space and object. Entry into Stage 4 should occur before joint attention emerges in these infants. In a case study of two totally blind infants, the development of joint attention was longitudinally examined during Stage 4 in monthly sessions involving interactions with objects and familiar adults. The interactions were scored for behavior preliminary to joint attention, behavior liberally construed as joint attention, and behavior conservatively construed as joint attention. Behavior preliminary to joint attention occurred throughout Stage 4; behavior suggestive of joint attention by both liberal and conservative standards emerged initially in Stage 4 and became prevalent by mid to late Stage 4. The findings are discussed in terms of how they inform our thinking about the development of joint attention with respect to the importance of vision, cognition, social context, language, and early self-knowledge.
Modified CAMP test for biogrouping Vibrio cholerae O1 strains and distinguishing them from strains of V. cholerae non-O1

A modified CAMP test was used to identify 973 Vibrio cholerae isolates by phenotype. Eltor and non-O1 strains were CAMP positive; classical strains were CAMP negative. Sausage-shaped zones of hemolysis of eltor strains were easily distinguished from narrower bands of non-O1 isolates. For O1 isolates, there was 100% agreement between the CAMP test and inhibition by polymyxin B.