Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectrum of Mathematical Weaknesses: Related Neuropsychological Correlates

Math disorders have been recognized for as long as language disorders yet have received far less research. Mathematics is a complex construct and its development may be dependent on multiple cognitive abilities. Several studies have shown that short-term memory, working memory, visuospatial skills, processing speed, and various language skills relate to and may facilitate math development and performance. The hypotheses explored in this research were that children who performed worse on math achievement than on Full-Scale IQ would exhibit weaknesses in executive functions, memory, and visuoperceptual skills. Participants included 436 children (27% girls, 73% boys; age range = 5–17 years, Mage = 9.45 years) who were referred for neuropsychological evaluations due to academic and/or behavioral problems. This article specifically focuses on the spectrum of math weakness rather than clinical disability, which has yet to be investigated in the literature. Results suggest that children with relative weakness to impairments in math were significantly more likely to have cognitive weaknesses to impairments on neuropsychological variables, as compared with children without math weaknesses. Specifically, the math-weak children exhibit a weakness to impairment on measures involving attention, language, visuoperceptual skills, memory, reading, and spelling. Overall, our results suggest that math development is multifaceted.
Immunohistochemical analysis of low-grade and high-grade prostate carcinoma: relative changes of parathyroid hormone-related protein and its parathyroid hormone 1 receptor, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand

Aim: To investigate multiple bone cytokines produced by prostate carcinoma (PCa) as a novel strategy to differentiate potential aggressiveness in localised PCa using immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: A total of 47 cases of PCa undergoing radical prostatectomy or transurethral prostatic resection at our institution (Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Grupo Capio), Madrid, Spain) between January 1991 and June 1998 were identified as low-grade (⩽4; n = 22) or high-grade (⩾7, excluding 7 (3+4) cases; n = 25) PCa according to Gleason grade. PCa specimens were immunostained for: parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein (PTHrP), the PTH1 receptor, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κ B ligand (RANKL), as well as Ki67 (a proliferation marker) and CD34 (an angiogenesis marker). Results: PCa samples showed an increased immunostaining for both osteoprotegerin and RANKL, associated with tumour grade and PTHrP positivity, in the tumoral epithelium. Using a score value of 4—corresponding to moderate staining—as cut-off, the best sensitivity value was for PTHrP (with C-terminal antiserum C6; 100 %); wheras the best specificity value was for RANKL (95 %). Conclusions: All the evaluated factors are overexpressed mainly in the high-grade tumours. Our findings indicate that, in most patients with PCa (with Ki67 values between 1% and 9%), sequential determination of C-terminal PTHrP and RANKL immunoreactivities is a useful approach to discriminate low-grade and high-grade tumours.
Clinical evaluation of a dentifrice containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate (novamin) for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of a dentifrice containing calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NovaMin) study versus a placebo and a commercially-available SrCl2 containing dentifrice for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. METHODS This was a 6-week, randomized, parallel-arm, double-blind clinical study. 71 subjects ranging in age from 21 to 56 years old completed the study. Evaporative and thermal stimuli were used to measure pain using a VAS scale. Measurements were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 weeks. RESULTS The placebo and the NovaMin groups showed a statistically significant decrease in sensitivity by both measures after 6 weeks (P < 0.05). The SrCl2 group showed a statistically significant decrease from baseline at the 2-week time point, but not at the 6-week time point for the evaporative stimulus. The percent reduction in sensitivity at 6 weeks for the NovaMin test group was 35% for air and 39% for cold water stimulus, versus 11% for air and 22% for cold water for the SrCl2 paste. The reductions for the placebo paste were 21% for the air stimulus and 18% for water. A cross tabulation measure of the reduction in sensitivity at each time point for all three treatments showed that the NovaMin product was more effective than either of the other products. For the air stimulus in the NovaMin group, 58% of subjects improved at each time point compared with 26% for the SrCl2 group and 20% for the placebo group. These results demonstrate that the NovaMin dentifrice was more effective at reducing sensitivity compared with a commercial dentifrice and placebo control.
Bilirubin benefits: cellular protection by a biliverdin reductase antioxidant cycle.

Bilirubin is widely known as an end product of heme metabolism. Very high levels of serum bilirubin lead to its accumulation in the brain, causing kernicterus.1,2 Almost all newborns display some level of jaundice, and some display high enough serum bilirubin levels that phototherapy or exchange transfusion is considered. What most of the medical profession has not appreciated is that, from a teleologic perspective, biosynthesis of bilirubin as the key catabolite of heme does not seem to make sense. Bilirubin is a secondary degradation product of heme. Heme is best known as a constituent of hemoglobin, which is released in association with the breakdown of aging red blood cells. Heme also is contained in a wide range of enzymes whose turnover also leads to free heme release. Free heme can be toxic, so nature evolved a family of heme oxygenase enzymes to degrade heme,3,4 and their blockade leads to greatly increased excretion of unmetabolized heme in the bile.5 These enzymes cleave the heme ring to form biliverdin, iron, and a 1-carbon fragment as carbon monoxide (CO; Fig 1). CO is increasingly appreciated as a neurotransmitter,6,7 and iron, itself toxic, is excreted from cells by a recently characterized pump.8–11 Biliverdin would seem to be an appropriate end product of the pathway, being readily excreted in the bile to enter the intestine and leave the body in the feces. Indeed, in birds, reptiles, and amphibians, biliverdin is the predominant end product of heme degradation.12 For reasons that until now have seemed obscure, in mammals, biliverdin undergoes additional metabolism, being reduced by biliverdin reductase (BVR) to bilirubin, a step that consumes the energy resource nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). 13 As bilirubin is more hydrophobic and insoluble than biliverdin, … Reprint requests to (S.H.S.) Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205. E-mail: ssnyder{at}bs.jhmi. edu
Loss of colonic structural collagen impairs healing during intra-abdominal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate colon anastomotic healing in an experimental model of sepsis. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, experimental trial. SETTING Experimental surgical laboratory of a large community hospital. STUDY PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 310 to 380 g. INTERVENTIONS On day 0, the rats underwent either sham laparotomy or cecal ligation and puncture. The next day, the rats underwent left colon resection and single-layer inverted anastomosis. Colon-bursting pressure was determined 5 days after surgery at which time the anastomosis and a segment of colon 3 cm proximal to the anastomosis were excised. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Colon-bursting pressure, colonic hydroxyproline concentration (index of collagen content), and total protein concentration measured as alpha-amino nitrogen. RESULTS Sepsis resulted in decreased anastomotic bursting pressure and collagen concentration in all colon segments that were analyzed in the animals that underwent cecal ligation and puncture compared with control animals. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis impairs healing of the colon, reflected by decreased bursting pressure and collagen concentration. The decrease in bowel wall structural collagen may affect the ability of the gut to hold sutures and thus may lead to more anastomotic failure.
Impact of Telecommuting on Employees’ Performance

This work examined the impact of telecommuting on employees’ performance. The dynamic nature of the environment in which our organizations operate and customers need made this investigation very necessary. The objectives of the study were; to find out if arrangement that enables employee to work at home has a positive relationship with better quality of work and to ascertain whether an arrangement that allows employee to work at agreed location has significant relationship with speedy service delivery. To achieve the objectives, a survey research design was adopted. The techniques employed in analyzing the data were descriptive statistics and spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results indicated that the arrangement that enables employee to work at home has a weak and positive relationship with better quality of work. It was also found that arrangement that allows employee to work at agreed location has a significant relationship with speedy service delivery. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that telecommuting has impact on employee performance. It was recommended that managers of telecommunication out-fits should continue with the arrangement that allows employees to work at agreed location since it was found to have significant relationship with speedy service delivery but also ensure that, there is a strong mechanism on ground to monitor the activities of the telecommuters.
The Antiurolithiasic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Petroselinum Sativum on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Kidney Calculi in Rats

Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Group A as normal control, group B were received 1% ethylene glycol(EG) in drinking water ,groups C,D,E and F were received 1% EG in drinking water for 30 days and were also group C treated with 200mg/kg body weight(BW) and group D with 600mg/kg BW of aerial parts, group E with 200mg/kg BW and group F with 600mg/kgBW of root herb extract since the 14th day. The blood samples were collected on days 0 and 30 and serum level of uric acid, urea, calcium and magnesium were evaluated. In day 31, the kidneys prepared for histologic evaluation. The concentrations of serum urea and uric acid were decreased (P<0.05), Serum magnesium concentration was increased and serum calcium concentration was decreased (P<0.05) in treated groups compared with group B. The number of calcium oxalate deposits in group B was higher (P<0.05) than that in group A and in treated groups were decreased (P<0.05) compared with group B . In conclusion Petroselinum Sativum has a treatment effect on calcium oxalate stones. Keywords—Petroselinum Sativum, Kidney Stone, Calcium
Mycelial Growth of Paecilomyces hepiali in Various Agar Media and Yield of Fruit Bodies in Rice Based Media

Growth of ”Paecilomyces hepiali” in various agar media and yield of fruit bodies in rice based media were studied. The best growth in agar media was obtained at 25°C (61.86 mm colony diameter in 14 days). The initial agar media pH range from 6 to 8 was found to be the most favourable for mycelial growth. This study found that agars made with powders of cereal grains alone do not support good mycelial growth of ”P. hepialid”. Addition of peptone improved mycelial growth significantly. The most favourable carbon sources were Mannose, Fructose and Glucose. Organic nitrogen sources were found to be the most preferred. The results demonstrated that brown rice is better than polished rice in yield of fruit bodies. Addition of peptone was found to be quite significant in enhancing yield of fruit bodies. Peptone, as a supplement, gave a better yield than addition of egg yolk, albumen and a mixture of the two. The medium with 40 g brown rice, 0.325 g glucose, 0.65 g sucrose, 2 g peptone and 65 ml corn steep liquor was found to be the most favourable and it yielded 19.3 g of fresh fruit bodies.
Endothelin B receptor modulates inflammatory pain and cutaneous inflammation.

The role of endothelin B (ET(B)) receptors in inflammation and nociception was examined using ET(B) receptor knockout mice. Genotyping studies were used with tissues from ET(B)((+/+)), ET(B)((+/-)), and ET(B)((-/-)) mice to confirm the loss of ET(B) receptors. Algesia induced by phenylbenzoquinone was evident in the (+/+) mice, reduced by approximately 80% in the (+/-) mice, and absent in the (-/-) mice. Phenylbenzoquinone-induced algesia in (+/+) mice was inhibited 74% by the ET(B) receptor-selective antagonist A192621 (25 mg/kg p.o.), but unaffected by the ET(A) receptor-selective antagonist SB 234551 (25 mg/kg p.o.). Noninflammatory pain, induced by hotplate, was equivalent between (+/+) and (-/-) mice. The cutaneous inflammatory response to topical arachidonic acid (AA) also was evaluated. Whereas (+/+) mice had a marked inflammatory response to AA, the (+/-), and (-/-) mice had significantly reduced fluid phase responses (37 and 65% inhibition, respectively). Neutrophil infiltration also was reduced in the (+/-) and (-/-) mice (51 and 65% reduction, respectively). Topical administration of A192621 (500 microg/ear) in (+/+) mice inhibited AA-induced swelling (39%), whereas SB 234551 (500 microg/ear) was without effect. Collectively, these results implicate the ET(B) receptor in mediation of inflammatory pain and cutaneous inflammatory responses in mice.
Evidence for a parallel input serial analysis model of word processing.

A parallel input serial analysis (PISA) model of word processing was developed and tested. The goal was to expand on the "critical processing duration" hypothesis of Johnson, Allen, and Strand (1989) so that both single-word and multiple-word presentation, letter detection data could be explained. In Experiments 1-3 four different word frequency categories on a single-presentation, letter detection task were used. These three experiments indicated that there was a curvilinear relationship between word frequency and letter detection reaction time (RT). That is, letter detection RTs for medium-high-frequency words were significantly longer than letter detection RTs for very-high-, low-, and very-low-frequency words. These results support the PISA model rather than the Healy, Oliver, and McNamara (1987) version of the unitization model. In Experiments 4-5 multiple-presentation (i.e., two words), letter detection tasks were used. The PISA model could also account for the results from these two experiments, but the unitization model could not.
Modified Neutral Models as Benchmarks to Evaluate the Dynamics of Land System (DLS) Model Performance

Assessing model performance is a continuous challenge for modelers of land use change. Comparing land use models with two neutral models, including the random constraint match model (RCM) and growing cluster model (GrC) that consider the initial land use patterns using a variety of evaluation metrics, provides a new way to evaluate the accuracy of land use models. However, using only two neutral models is not robust enough for reference maps. A modified neutral model that combines a density-based point pattern analysis and a null neutral model algorithm is introduced. In this case, the modified neutral model generates twenty different spatial pattern results using a random algorithm and mid-point displacement algorithm, respectively. The random algorithm-based modified neutral model (Random_MNM) results decrease regularly with the fragmentation degree from 0 to 1, while the mid-point displacement algorithm-based modified neutral model (MPD_MNM) results decrease in a fluctuating manner with the fragmentation degree. Using the modified neutral model results as benchmarks, a new proposed land use model, the Dynamics of Land System (DLS) model, for Jilin Province of China from 2003 to 2013 is assessed using the Kappa statistic and Kappain-out statistic for simulation accuracy. The results show that the DLS model output presents higher Kappa and Kappain-out values than all the twenty neutral model results. The map comparison results indicate that the DLS model could simulate land use change more accurately compared to the Random_MNM and MPD_MNM. However, the amount and spatial allocation of land transitions for the DLS model are lower than the actual land use change. Improving the accuracy of the land use transition allocations in the DLS model requires further investigation.
The α- and β-subunits of the Human UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:Lysosomal Enzyme Phosphotransferase Are Encoded by a Single cDNA*

Lysosomal enzymes are targeted to the lysosome through binding to mannose 6-phosphate receptors because their glycans are modified with mannose 6-phosphate. This modification is catalyzed by UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GlcNAc-phosphotransferase). Bovine GlcNAc-phosphotransferase was isolated using monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography, and an α2β2γ2-subunit structure was proposed. Although cDNA encoding the γ-subunit has been described, cDNAs for the α- and β-subunits have not. Using partial amino acid sequences from the bovine α- and β-subunits, we have isolated a human cDNA that encodes both the α- and β-subunits. Both subunits contain a single predicted membrane-spanning domain. The α- and β-subunits appear to be generated by a proteolytic cleavage at the Lys928-Asp929 bond. Transfection of 293T cells with the α/β-subunits-precursor cDNA with or without the γ-subunit cDNA results in a 3.6- or 17-fold increase in GlcNAc-phosphotransferase activity in cell lysates, suggesting that the precursor cDNA contains the catalytic domain. The sequence lacks significant similarity with any described vertebrate enzyme except for two Notch-like repeats in the α-subunit. However, a 112-amino acid sequence is highly similar to a group of bacterial capsular polymerases (46% identity). A BAC clone containing the gene that spanned 85.3 kb and was composed of 21 exons was sequenced and localized to chromosome 12q23. We now report the cloning of both the cDNA and genomic DNA of the precursor of Glc-NAc-phosphotransferase. The completion of cloning all three subunits of GlcNAc-phosphotransferase allows expression of recombinant enzyme and dissection of lysosomal targeting disorders.
Human health screening level risk assessments of tertiary-butyl acetate (TBAC): Calculated acute and chronic reference concentration (RfC) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) values based on toxicity and exposure scenario evaluations

Abstract A screening level risk assessment has been performed for tertiary-butyl acetate (TBAC) examining its primary uses as a solvent in industrial and consumer products. Hazard quotients (HQ) were developed by merging TBAC animal toxicity and dose-response data with population-level, occupational and consumer exposure scenarios. TBAC has a low order of toxicity following subchronic inhalation exposure, and neurobehavioral changes (hyperactivity) in mice observed immediately after termination of exposure were used as conservative endpoints for derivation of acute and chronic reference concentration (RfC) values. TBAC is not genotoxic but has not been tested for carcinogenicity. However, TBAC is unlikely to be a human carcinogen in that its non-genotoxic metabolic surrogates tertiary-butanol (TBA) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) produce only male rat α-2u-globulin-mediated kidney cancer and high-dose specific mouse thyroid tumors, both of which have little qualitative or quantitative relevance to humans. Benchmark dose (BMD)-modeling of the neurobehavioral responses yielded acute and chronic RfC values of 1.5 ppm and 0.3 ppm, respectively. After conservative modeling of general population and near-source occupational and consumer product exposure scenarios, almost all HQs were substantially less than 1. HQs exceeding 1 were limited to consumer use of automotive products and paints in a poorly ventilated garage-sized room (HQ = 313) and occupational exposures in small and large brake shops using no personal protective equipment or ventilation controls (HQs = 3.4–126.6). The screening level risk assessments confirm low human health concerns with most uses of TBAC and indicate that further data-informed refinements can address problematic health/exposure scenarios. The assessments also illustrate how tier-based risk assessments using read-across toxicity information to metabolic surrogates reduce the need for comprehensive animal testing.
Wave propagation and non-local effects in periodic frame materials: Generalized continuum mechanics

Through the analysis of the wave propagation in infinite two-dimensional periodic frame materials, this paper illustrates the complexity of their dynamic behavior. Assuming the frame size is small compared to the wavelength, the homogenization method of periodic discrete media coupled with normalization is used to identify the macroscopic behavior at the leading order. The method is applied on a frame material with the vertical elements stiffer than the horizontal elements. Such a material is highly anisotropic and presents a large contrast between the rigidities of the possible mechanisms. Thus the waves associated with different kinematics appear in different frequency ranges. Moreover, the stiffer elements can deform in bending at the macroscopic scale. The equivalent continuum is a second-grade medium at the leading order and shear waves can be dispersive. A criterion is proposed to easily determine when this bending effect has to be taken into account.
Alendronate prevents bone loss and improves tendon‐to‐bone repair strength in a canine model

Previously we showed a loss of bone and a concomitant decrease in mechanical properties in the first 21 days after flexor tendon insertion site injury and repair in a canine model. The goal of this short‐term study was to suppress bone loss after insertion site repair using alendronate in an attempt to prevent the reduction in biomechanical properties. Flexor tendons of the second and fifth digits of the right forelimbs of canines were injured and repaired. Dogs received a daily oral dose of alendronate (2 mg/kg). One digit in each dog also received a local dose of alendronate in the bone tunnel at the time of surgery. The repair was evaluated for bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties and compared to data from a previous study in which no alendronate was used. Alendronate was effective in protecting the distal phalanx from resorption during tendon‐to‐bone healing (BMD was 94 and 104% of control for systemic alendronate and for systemic plus local alendronate, respectively). Alendronate treatment prevented much of the decrease in ultimate load that occurs in the first 21 days. Without treatment, ultimate load was 42% of control. With systemic alendronate treatment and systemic plus local alendronate treatment, ultimate load was 78 and 69% of control, respectively. Failure mode was significantly different when comparing alendronate treatment to repair alone. A lower incidence of suture pull through was found in alendronate treated dogs, suggesting less tendon degeneration. Ultimate load can be improved in association with preventing the bone loss that normally occurs during the early period following tendon‐to‐bone repair. These initial short‐term data demonstrate the potential for a clinical treatment that could enhance tendon‐to‐bone healing. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:473–479, 2007