Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Activity-Dependent Labeling of Peripheral Sensory Structures on a Spionid Polychaete

In marine sedimentary habitats, chemoreception is thought to coordinate feeding in many deposit-feeding invertebrates such as polychaetes, snails, and clams. Relatively little is known, however, about the chemosensory structures and mechanism of signal transduction in deposit feeders. Using electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and immunohistochemistry, we investigated the structure and function of putative chemosensory cells on the feeding appendages of a deposit-feeding polychaete species, Dipolydora quadrilobata. Tufts of putative sensory cilia were distributed over the prostomium and feeding palps and typically occurred next to pores. Examination of these regions with transmission electron microscopy revealed multiciliated cells with adjacent glandular cells beneath the pores. The sensory cells of prostomium and palps were similar, displaying an abundance of apical mitochondria and relatively short ciliary rootlets. Staining with antiserum against acetylated α-tubulin was examined by CLSM, and revealed axonal processes from putative sensory tufts on the palp surface to palp nerves, as well as many free nerve endings. Activity-dependent cell labeling experiments were used to test the sensitivity of putative sensory cells on the palps to an amino acid mixture that elicited feeding in previous behavioral experiments. In static exposures, the number of lateral and abfrontal cells labeled in response to the amino acid mixture was significantly greater than in the controls. Ultrastructural, positional, and now physiological evidence strongly suggests that spionid feeding palps are equipped with sensory cells, at least some of which function as chemoreceptors.
Intra‐ and interobserver reliability of lens equatorial length measurement using 35‐MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs with cataract

PURPOSE To determine intra- and interobserver reliability of lens equatorial length measurement using 35-MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs with cataract. METHODS Ocular ultrasonography was performed on 28 dogs (50 eyes) before phacoemulsification. Lens equatorial length was measured on still images obtained at 35 MHz in all dogs. Each observer (A and B) obtained the measurements independently. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were used to assess intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility. Intraobserver repeatability was assessed by comparing measurements obtained on the same image on four different occasions by observer A. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed by comparing measurements obtained independently by both observers on the same image. RESULTS CV used to assess intraobserver repeatability was 2.4% with good agreement and no significant difference between repetitions (P > 0.05). CV used to assess interobserver reproducibility was 5.8% without significant difference between measurements obtained by the two observers (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility were considered good for lens equatorial length measurement at 35 MHz in dogs with cataract. Ultrasound biomicroscopy could be an acceptable method to assess lens equatorial dimension before phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in dogs with cataract.
Linking organizational culture and customer satisfaction: Results from two companies in different industries

This article presents a test of the relationship between organizational culture and customer satisfaction using business-unit data from two different companies. The first study examines 32 regional markets of a residential home-building company and the second study examines 148 automobile dealerships. The Denison Organizational Culture Survey (DOCS) is used to measure organizational culture, while customer satisfaction data were collected from customers themselves by independent third parties. With a few exceptions, the culture measures related significantly to customer satisfaction, explaining 28% of the variance for the home-building markets and 11 – 28% of the variance for the auto dealerships.
Difficulties Encountered in the Application of the Phenomenological Method in the Social Sciences

Abstract While it is heartening to see that more researchers in the field of the social sciences are using some version of the phenomenological method, it is also disappointing to see that very often some of the steps employed do not follow phenomenological logic. In this paper, several dissertations are reviewed in order to point out some of the difficulties that are encountered in attempting to use some version of the phenomenological method. Difficulties encountered centred on the phenomenological reduction, the use of imaginative variation and the feedback to subjects.
A Swarm Intelligence Approach to SVM Training ?

In this paper we outline a new swarm intelligence based approach to the problem of training support vector machines with non positive definite kernels. Past approaches using particle swarm optimizers have been shown to compare poorly with other evolutionary computation based methods. In this paper, we describe a new heterogeneous particle swarm optimizer, specifically tailored for the training of support vector machines. We present experimental results of the comparison of this algorithm with traditional support vector machine training algorithms and recent evolutionary approaches. The comparison is made both with positive definite and non positive definite kernels. The new algorithm is shown to be competitive with all approaches in terms of final classification accuracy and the fastest of the evolutionary computation based algorithms. The results also suggest that the evolutionary and swarm intelligence optimizers can achieve better classification results that the traditional methods when non positive definite kernels are used.
κ-Opioid Receptor Inhibition of Calcium Oscillations in Spinal Cord Neurons

Mouse embryonic spinal cord neurons in culture exhibit spontaneous calcium oscillations from day in vitro (DIV) 6 through DIV 10. Such spontaneous activity in developing spinal cord contributes to maturation of synapses and development of pattern-generating circuits. Here we demonstrate that these calcium oscillations are regulated by κ opioid receptors (KORs). The κ opioid agonist dynorphin (Dyn)-A (1–13) suppressed calcium oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner, and both the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone and the κ-selective blocker norbinaltorphimine eliminated this effect. The KOR-selective agonist (+)-(5α,7α,8β)-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]-benzeneacetamide (U69593) mimicked the effect of Dyn-A (1–13) on calcium oscillations. A κ-specific peptide antagonist, zyklophin, was also able to prevent the suppression of calcium oscillations caused by Dyn-A (1–13). These spontaneous calcium oscillations were blocked by 1 μM tetrodotoxin, indicating that they are action potential-dependent. Although the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel blocker nifedipine did not suppress calcium oscillations, the N-type calcium channel blocker ω-conotoxin inhibited this spontaneous response. Blockers of ionotropic glutamate receptors, 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline and dizocilpine maleate (MK-801), also suppressed calcium oscillations, revealing a dependence on glutamate-mediated signaling. Finally, we have demonstrated expression of KORs in glutamatergic spinal neurons and localization in a presynaptic compartment, consistent with previous reports of KOR-mediated inhibition of glutamate release. The KOR-mediated inhibition of spontaneous calcium oscillations may therefore be a consequence of presynaptic inhibition of glutamate release.
Influence of storage conditions on MALDI‐TOF MS profiling of gingival crevicular fluid: Implications on the role of S100A8 and S100A9 for clinical and proteomic based diagnostic investigations

Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may be a source of diagnostic biomarkers of periodontitis/gingivitis. However, peptide fingerprints may change, depending on GCF collection, handling and storage. We evaluated how storage conditions affect the quality and the reproducibility of MALDI‐TOF profiles of this fluid. GCF was collected on paper strips from four subjects with healthy gingiva. Our findings demonstrated that sample storage conditions significantly affect GCF peptide pattern over time. Specifically, the storage of GCF immediately extracted from paper strips generates less variations in molecular profiles compared to the extraction performed after the storage. Significant spectral changes were detected for GCF samples stored at –20°C directly on the paper strips and extracted after three months, in comparison to the freshly extracted control. Noteworthy, a significant decrease in the peak area of HNP‐3, S100A8, full‐length S100A9 and its truncated form were detected after 3 months at –80°C. The alterations found in the “stored GCF” profile not only may affect the pattern‐based biomarker discovery but also make its use not adequate for in vitro diagnostic test targeting S100A8, S100A9 proposed as potential diagnostic biomarkers for periodontal disease. In summary, this study shows that the best preserved signatures were obtained for the GCF samples eluted in trifluoroacetic acid and then immediately stored at –80°C for 1 month. The wealth of information gained from our data on protein/patterns stability after storage might be helpful in defining new protocols which enable optimal preservation of GCF specimen.
Comparative trial of Tenormin (atenolol) and Inderal (propranolol) in migraine.

Atenolol, 50 mg, b.i. d. , and propranolol, 80 mg b.i. d. ,. were given to 28 patients with a presumed diagnosis of migraine, in a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study, where each period lasted 6 weeks. In the total material, atenolol was significantly better than placebo in reducing attacks, whereas propranolol showed no definite such effect. In seven patients the number of headache days was remarkably high (average: 22 headache days in 42 days), which may indicate that they have been inappropriately included in the material or have recorded interparoxysmal headache in addition to attacks. If these patients are excluded, the attack-reducing effect of propranolol and tenormin is significant and of equal magnitude.
Quantitative assessment of thermal lesion stiffness in the liver: Initial ex vivo results

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a shear wave-based elastography prototype on Philips' iU22 ultrasound system for measuring liver tissue stiffness before and after RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) therapy. A special pulse sequence that generates and tracks shear waves was implemented on a curvilinear transducer C5-1, with RF data acquisition and off-line processing. The system was regulated as safe for use in human. Two RFA lesions were generated in ex vivo porcine liver by a commercial RF ablation electrode (Rita Medical Systems, CA). Lesions were created around depth 40 mm beneath the liver surface. The target temperature was set to 90°C and 95°C, and ablation lasted about 5 and 6 minutes for two lesions, respectively. Elasticity measurements were made pre-RFA at two sites where lesions were centered. Post RFA, the needle tines were retrieved to prevent interference with the shear wave propagation. To avoid residual bubbles, post-RFA elasticity measurement was performed at an image plane about 1 mm away in elevation from the ablation center plane containing the needle shaft. After each elasticity experiment, the liver was cut open approximately at the imaging plane to confirm the pathological changes caused by RFA. For statistical analysis, shear mechanical properties were estimated and averaged in a region with area about 10 mm × 4 mm at the center of the lesions. In this ex vivo study, the shear wave peak displacement at the push focus was about 10 μm pre-RFA. It was significantly reduced to 2 μm post-RFA, signaling the underlying elevated tissue stiffness. Quantitative reconstruction further confirmed the necrosis-induced stiffness increase. Pre-RFA, the shear modulus was 1.56 ± 0.19 kPa and 1.15 ± 0.25 kPa for lesion #1 and #2 respectively; post-RFA, the shear modulus was 29.48 ± 7.28 kPa and 26.80 ± 9.11 kPa. An increase of one order of magnitude in shear modulus was observed for both lesions. Similar stiffness contrast also existed between the ablated and neighboring non-treated region post-RFA for both lesions. These early results demonstrate the feasibility of the prototype for quantifying elasticity of thermal lesions in liver. Further technical development such as imaging capability and automated analysis tools is required to enable the visualization of the ablation zone and assessment of the therapy procedure.
Regional facial asymmetries in unilateral orofacial clefts.

OBJECTIVES Assess facial asymmetry in subjects with unilateral cleft lip (UCL), unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (UCLA), and unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (UCLP), and to evaluate which area of the face is most asymmetrical. METHODS Standardized three-dimensional facial images of 58 patients (9 UCL, 21 UCLA, and 28 UCLP; age range: 8.6-12.3 years) and 121 controls (age range 9-12 years) were mirrored and distance maps were created. Absolute mean asymmetry values were calculated for the whole face, cheek, nose, lips, and chin. One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, and t-test were used to assess the differences between clefts and controls for the whole face and separate areas. RESULTS Clefts and controls differ significantly for the whole face as well as in all areas. Asymmetry is distributed differently over the face for all groups. In UCLA, the nose was significantly more asymmetric compared with chin and cheek (P = 0.038 and 0.024, respectively). For UCL, significant differences in asymmetry between nose and chin and chin and cheek were present (P = 0.038 and 0.046, respectively). In the control group, the chin was the most asymmetric area compared to lip and nose (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively) followed by the nose (P = 0.004). In UCLP, the nose, followed by the lips, was the most asymmetric area compared to chin, cheek (P < 0.001 and P = 0.016, respectively). LIMITATIONS Despite division into regional areas, the method may still exclude or underrate smaller local areas in the face, which are better visualized in a facial colour coded distance map than quantified by distance numbers. The UCL subsample is small. CONCLUSION Each type of cleft has its own distinct asymmetry pattern. Children with unilateral clefts show more facial asymmetry than children without clefts.
Podział przestrzeni rolniczej powiatu brzozowskiego pod względem wartości produkcyjnej gruntów ornych oraz użytków zielonych

W badaniach zjawisk przestrzenno-gospodarczych terenów wiejskich stosuje się sposób grupowania pojedynczych wsi w większe jednostki typologiczne ze względu na podobieństwo przyjętych cech. Klasyfikacja ta została wykorzystana przy opracowywaniu metody szacunku gruntów dla potrzeb prac scalenia i wymiany gruntów. Jako klasyfikacja użytkowa może mieć lepsze wykorzystanie w praktyce gospodarczej poprzez ujęcie jej jedną liczbą w postaci wskaźnika wartości produkcyjnej a niżeli jako współczynnik bonitacji gleb. Z tej właśnie przesłanki wynika cel pracy, którym jest obliczenie wskaźnika przydatności gruntów ornych i użytków zielonych dla potrzeb wydzielenia podobnych wsi w tym zakresie. Badania przeprowadzono w 44 wsiach powiatu Brzozów położonego woj. Podkarpackim. Dane powierzchniowe poszczególnych klas gruntów uzyskano z ewidencji gruntów i budynków, a podstawą do obliczenia wskaźnika były wielkości punktowe przypisane w 100-punktowej skali pracy.
Fatigue Detection Method Based on Smartphone Text Entry Performance Metrics

Workplace fatigue increases the risk of injuries or other accidents, and there is growing interest in developing means for the early detection of the signs of exhaustion. The ubiquity of smartphone use with integrated sensors allows the possibility of detecting the early signs of fatigue. Typing, chatting, Internet surfing and track-screen gestures are the most common tasks done by smartphone users in a daily manner. These tasks can be used to detect human fatigue in a non-intrusive way. This paper presents a human fatigue detection method based on virtual keyboard timing metrics which is calculated from smartphone text entry. This is achieved by using smartphone application that records keystroke events time and uses them as metrics to identify whether the user is fatigued or alert. Text entry error rate is considered as a type of psychomotor measures for fatigue/ alertness is utilized as a ground-truth metric in this study. A binary classifier based on support vector machine (SVM) classifier is suggested to identify the fatigue/alertness status of users participated in this study. The obtained results showed that the suggested method is highly accurate. The promising findings will facilitate development of a low-cost and non-intrusive mobile instrument for fatigue/alertness detection.
TRANSCUTANEOUS BILIRUBINOMETRY IN FULLTERM CHINESE AND MALAY INFANTS

ABSTRACT. An evaluation of the Minolta/Airshields transcutaneous bilirubin meter (TcB) was made in 68 Chinese and 28 Malay fullterm infants and 9 infants undergoing phototherapy. A close correlation between the TcB index and bilirubin values was achieved at all three sites measured–forehead, sternum and back. The accuracy of the TcB was reduced by phototherapy. A high degree of reproducibility was demonstrated. The TcB is a useful screening device for neonatal jaundice.
Monoclonal autoantibody SCH94.03, which promotes central nervous system remyelination, recognizes an antigen on the surface of oligodendrocytes

A monoclonal antibody SCH94.03, made in syngeneic mice by injection of spinal cord homogenate, promotes central nervous system remyelination when injected into SJL/J mice chronically infected with Theiler's virus. To elucidate the mechanism of antibody‐mediated remyelination, SCH94.03 was investigated by immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, immunoelectron microscopy, Western blotting, and immuno‐thin layer chromatography. All cell types investigated in vitro showed strong cytoplasmic staining with a pattern resembling a cytoskeletal protein. In contrast, among the primary cultured cells studied, only oligodendrocytes showed strong surface reactivity. Other cell types, including astrocytes, microglia, Schwann cells, myoblasts, and T and B lymphocytes, were negative. Mouse and rat oligodendrocytes which showed strong surface reactivity exhibited a well‐differentiated morphology, and ∼50% expressed myelin basic protein. Since oligodendrocyte progenitors were negative for surface staining, the expression of the antigens recognized by this monoclonal antibody appears to be developmentally regulated, i.e., transiently expressed on younger, terminally differentiating oligodendrocytes. Among the cell lines studied, only two rat oligodendrocyte lineage cell lines showed surface reactivity with SCH 94.03. Western blotting of secondary isolated oligodendrocytes lysates revealed reactivity with multiple protein bands of 27, 32, 50, 100, and 106 kDa, whereas there was no reactivity to lipid antigens by immuno‐thin layer chromatography. These results raise the possibility that SCH94.03 recognizes a novel oligodendrocyte‐specific surface antigen, and may act directly on oligodendrocytes to promote remyelination. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Two Commercial Immunoassays for the Detection of Anti‐Rubella IgM and IgG in Pediatric Patients

Abstract The only threatening modality of rubella is the Congenital Rubella Syndrome that affects fetuses of women who acquire infection during early pregnancy. Laboratory diagnosis is based on serological parameters. We compared anti‐rubella IgM and IgG detection of two commercial immunoassay kits (Abbott and Roche). Although we observed an agreement of 97.8% for IgM and 95.7% for IgG when the categories positive, negative and indeterminate were considered, mean titers of IgG and the absorbance/cut off of IgM were statistically different for both kits, thus corroborating the idea that serological results depend very much on the methodology and must be carefully interpreted.
Genistein, a component of soy, inhibits the expression of the EGF and ErbB2/Neu receptors in the rat dorsolateral prostate

Epidemiological reports suggest that Asians consuming a diet high in soy have a low incidence of prostate cancer. In animal models, soy and genistein have been demonstrated to suppress the development of prostate cancer. In this study, we investigate the mechanism of action, bioavailability, and potential for toxicity of dietary genistein in a rodent model.
Tectonics of the Neogene Cascadia forearc basin: Investigations of a deformed late Miocene unconformity

The continental shelf and upper slope of the Oregon Cascadia margin are underlain by an elongate late Cenozoic forearc basin, correlative to the Eel River basin of northern California. Basin stratigraphy includes a regional late Miocene unconformity that may coincide with a worldwide hiatus ca. 7.5–6 Ma (NH6). The unconformity is angular and probably subaerially eroded on the inner and middle shelf, whereas the seaward correlative disconformity may have been produced by submarine erosion; alternatively, this horizon may be conformable. Tectonic uplift resulting in subaerial erosion may have been driven by a change in Pacific and Juan de Fuca plate motion. A structure contour map of the deformed unconformity and correlated seaward reflector from seismic reflection data clearly outlines deformation into major synclines and uplifted submarine banks. Regional marginparallel variations in uplift rates of the shelf unconformity show agreement with coastal geodetic rates. The shelf basin is bounded to the west by a north-south–trending outer arc high. Rapid uplift and possible eustatic sea-level fall resulted in the formation of the late Miocene unconformity. Basin subsidence and outer arc high uplift effectively trapped sediments within the basin, which resulted in a relatively starved abyssal floor and narrower Pliocene accretionary wedge, particularly during sealevel highstands. During the Pleistocene, the outer arc high was breached, possibly contributing to Astoria Canyon incision, the primary downslope conduit of Columbia River sediments. This event may have caused a change in sediment provenance on the abyssal plain ca. 1.3–1.4 Ma.