Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Articaine is More Effective than Lidocaine or Mepivacaine in Rat Sensory Nerve Conduction Block in vitro

The reasons for the relatively high failure rate after inferior alveolar nerve block in dentistry are not fully understood. Therefore, the effectiveness of different anesthetic solutions (2% and 4% lidocaine, 3% mepivacine, 2% and 4% articaine) in depressing the compound action potential amplitude of the sensory fibers in the rat sural nerve was examined under strictly controlled conditions in vitro. After application of an anesthetic solution and stimulation of the nerve with a supramaximal electrical stimulus, a complete disappearance of the compound action potential of the C fibers, but not of the A fibers, was observed in all the experimental groups. Both 2% and 4% articaine more effectively depressed the compound action potential of the A fibers than did other anesthetic solutions. These results are discussed in the light of recent clinical reports finding no differences in the effectiveness between 4% articaine and 2% lidocaine regarding the inferior alveolar nerve block.
Wireless Instrumented Crutches for Force and Movement Measurements for Gait Monitoring

This paper describes the design, development, and characterization of two wireless instrumented crutches for gait monitoring in order to provide clinicians quantitative parameters of upper limbs' contributions during walking. These parameters could be used to teach orthopedic patients to correctly use these supports and minimize problems connected to their usage. These instrumented crutches allow monitoring axial forces and shear forces, tilt angles, and time of impact on the ground in real time. Each crutch is composed of three strain-gauge bridges for measuring axial and shear forces, a conditioning circuit with transmission module, a triaxial accelerometer, a power management circuit, two batteries, and a biofeedback. The data are wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth without needing any further readout unit, from the crutches to a personal computer, where the data are processed and displayed by a program created in LabVIEW. Each instrumented crutch was tested to assess the response of the accelerometer and the three strain-gauge bridges using a setup designed ad hoc. The mean experimental standard deviation was about 42 mV for axial forces corresponding to about 8 N and about 35 mV for shear forces corresponding to about 4 N. Hysteresis, linearity, and drift were calculated, and the obtained accuracy was about 8-9 N for axial forces and 4-5 N for shear forces. Furthermore, the crutches were tested during a walking activity of ten healthy subjects along a straight path for several trials. These crutches were used for a common analysis usually reported in the literature for weight bearing evaluation. The subjects were monitored performing a nonweight bearing (NWB) and a partial weight bearing (PWB) during a three-point gait. The results showed a mean of 102% ± 16% for NWB tests and a mean of 19% ±% for 10% PWB tests; these values are in agreement with similar studies in the literature. The simplicity that includes only constitutive strain gauges and a separable circuit board allows the achievement of the objectives of simplicity, ease of use, and noninvasiveness. Therefore, these crutches could be used as a support tool for controlling the use of crutches during walking not only in hospitals but also at home.
Assessing Health State Utilities in Elderly Patients at Cardiovascular Risk

Background . Health state preferences can be a crucial component of cost-effectiveness analyses, but off-the-shelf health state utilities specifically for older people are not available. Objectives . Among participants in PROSPER, a trial of pravastatin in patients >70 years, the authors assessed utilities for the health states that were relevant for the trial’s cost-utility analysis. Subjects and Methods . The authors cross-sectionally administered the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3 (HUI) to all PROSPER participants to assess each patient’s health state at the time of interview; they then used the scale’s multiattribute utility function to estimate the resulting utilities. The population was then stratified into 3 health states, and the mean utility function for each was calculated: recent myocardial infarction (MI, within 3 months), previous MI (>3 months), or no prior MI. Linear and logistic regression were used to control for potential demographic and clinical characteristics. Results . Of the 5804 patients enrolled in the trial, 4677 were administered the HUI instrument. The likelihood of having a complete HUI response set decreased with higher age ( P < 0.001) but not with the other variables studied. A complete utility score could be calculated for 3390 participants. Of these, 2755 (81.3%) had no history of MI, 546 (16.1%) had an MI>3 months previously, and 89 (2.6%) had an MI within 3 months. The mean (median) utilities were virtually identical for these states: 0.75 (0.84), 0.74 (0.84), and 0.74 (0.84), respectively. From multivariate analyses, utilities decreased with higher age and the presence of several other comorbidities (diabetes, stroke, peripheral vascular disease); women had lower utilities than men (all P < 0.01). Conclusions . In this large implementation of the HUI in elderly patients, the instrument did not detect any differences in estimated utilities related to having a MI. Potential causes of nondiscrimination for MI include the possibility that competing comorbidities may reduce the impact of MI on quality of life in this age group, as well as the possibility that a standard instrument derived from and validated in younger populations may not perform as well in elderly people.
Recent Progress and Required Developments in Atmospheric Corrosion of Galvanised Steel and Zinc

This paper reviews the progress in atmospheric corrosion of zinc since 2009. It firstly summarises the state of the art in 2009, then outlines progress since 2009, and then looks at the significance of this progress and the areas the need more research. Within this framework, it looks at climate effects, oxide formation, oxide properties, pitting, laboratory duplication of atmospheric corrosion, and modelling. The major findings are that there have been major advances in the fields understanding of the structure of corrosion patina, in particular their layered structure and the presence of compact layers, local corrosion attacks have been found to be a significant process in atmospheric corrosion and experiments under droplets are leading to new understanding of the criticality of drop size in regulating atmospheric corrosion processes. Further research is indicating that zinc oxide within corrosion products may promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and that, in porous oxides, the ORR would control pore chemistry and may promote oxide densification. There is a strong need for more research to understand more deeply the formation and properties of these layered oxides as well as additional research to refine and quantify our emerging understanding of corrosion under droplets.
Designing of solid state pulse power modulator by fabrication of pulse transformer

Solid state pulse power modulator having Pulse forming network (PFN) and pulse transformer. It generates high voltage pulses which are flat-topped dc pulses of few microseconds duration. Hence, Solid state pulse modulator provides spiky pulsed voltage to the load with help of pulse transformer. As pulse transformer are compact as having comparatively less turns and hence they are having low leakage inductance and distributed capacitance. In pulse transformer, the primary winding is excited by pulsated dc supply which set up non time varying magnetic field in the core to produce high secondary voltage. The input power to the primary of pulse transformer is turned on and off using switching devices like SCR, GTO, MOSFET or IGBT at their operating frequency and the pulse duration which delivers required amount of power. This paper gives the idea about selection of various parameters for the fabrication of compact and economical pulse transformer by using split core topology for solid state pulse power modulator. These parameters includes the core of transformer, different insulating materials and selection of solid state switches with appropriate driver circuit.
The Use and Misuse of Economic Impact Analysis

Economic impact studies have been an important component of the debate surrounding the merits of subsidizing professional sports teams. However, various studies have arrived at remarkably different conclusions about the size of a sports team’s economic impact on the region in which they are located. The purpose of this study is to determine the causes of the wide variance of economic impact estimates between different studies. A meta-analysis was used on the 13 studies to determine the causes of the differing impacts. Although some of the variance is due to understandable differences in the size of the geographical region and sports team in question, differing assumptions about whether the expenditure of locals should be included accounted for a substantial variance in the impact.
Fertility, Employment and Capital Accumulation: A Case Study For Turkey

In the last two decades Turkish fertility rates have been steadily decreasing. This paper is an attempt to examine the effects of a change in fertility rates on population structure, labor supply, and employment in relation to physical capital stock for the next four decades. This study also evaluates the effects of a possible reversal change in fertility rates on the variables mentioned above. The study is carried out in three stages. In the first stage, population of Turkey is projected with Leslie matrix defined by age-specific fertility rates and survival rates. Projections are repeated for different fertility rates. In the second stage, physical capital stock per employed person is forecasted using time series data. In the third stage, the predictions obtained through the first two stages are combined. Thus, the question of what should be the warranted growth rates of physical capital stock in order to employ labor force projected under different fertility rates is answered. According to the results, increases in fertility rates lead to an increase in labor supply with a 15 year lag, even if fertility rates have remained unchanged in their current level. The physical capital stock growth rate that is necessary for the employment of the extra labor supply emanating from an increase in fertility rates is found to be at least 5 %. This was higher than the actual growth rate of physical capital stock realized in the last decade which was approximately 4 %.
Brand Recovery: A Quick Fix Model for Brand Structure Collapse

ABSTRACT Exploring the gap between brand profile and brand identity, this study discusses destination branding strategies from the supply-side perspective using well-being tourism development in Finland as a case study. To apply branding strategies to destination marketing is a challenge, especially when brand structures are created by external experts in a top-down manner with minimum coordination. Few destination branding researchers have focused on strategies for restoring the brand structure. The strategic quick-fix model developed in this article comprises three phases: learn, coordinate, and organize. It is presented as a destination brand management tool for brand recovery, which highlights the importance of knowledge transfer, active actors, and external support.
Evolutionary Genetics of Zaprionus. II. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal variation of the invasive drosophilid Zaprionus indianus in Egypt

Zaprionus indianus is an Afrotropical drosophilid species that has expanded its geographical range in the Palearctic region and the Americas during the second half of the last century. It has invaded Egypt within the past two decades from East Africa or Asia and became a dominant species in the drosophilid fauna therein, but the exact date of introduction and source of the propagule remain unknown. Here, we investigate the genetic structure of eight geographical populations within and around the Nile Delta using mitochondrial DNA sequences of the cox2 gene and chromosomal inversion polymorphism. A very low level of genetic variability was detected for both markers, mainly attributed to the introduction bottleneck. Nonetheless, both indicate a significant population structure, with a southeastern–northwestern cline. Demographic history analysis suggested northwestern populations to be younger (expanding in ca. 1992) than southeastern ones (expanding in ca. 1985). The In(II)A polymorphism was only observed in the northwestern population, but one-year interval analysis of the Alexandria population revealed the lack of seasonal fluctuation and a trend toward the loss of the polymorphism. Based on these data and faunistic records, we propose a multiple introduction scenario for Z. indianus in Egypt—according to which a first wave in the early 1980s from Sudan through normal northward range expansion or fruit trade, and a second wave in the early 1990s from Asia via fruit trade. We also suggest, from ecological observations, fruit trade data and known adaptive versatility of Z. indianus, date palm, the dominant fruit in Egypt and in the oases where Z. indianus predominates, to play a major role in the spread of the species in the Middle East.
Attribute Conflict and Preference Uncertainty: The RandMAU Model

This paper extends the behavioral results reported in Fischer et al. 2000 by developing a model addressing preference uncertainty in multiattribute evaluation. The model is motivated by two hypotheses regarding properties of multiattribute profiles that lead to greater preference uncertainty. Our attribute conflict hypothesis predicts that greater within-alternative conflict discrepancy among the attributes of an alternative leads to more preference uncertainty. Our attribute extremity hypothesis predicts that greater attribute extremity very high or low attribute values leads to less preference uncertainty. To provide a deeper explanation of attribute conflict and extremity effects, we develop RandMAU, a family of additive RandAUF and multiplicative RandMUF random weights multiattribute utility models. In RandMAU models, preference uncertainty is represented as random variation in both the weighting parameters governing trade-offs among attributes and the curvature parameters governing single-attribute evaluations. Simulation results show that RandMUF successfully predicts both the attribute conflict and attribute extremity effects exhibited by the experimental participants in Fischer et al. 2000. It also predicts an outcome value effect on error whose form depends on the shape of single-attribute functions and on the type of multiattribute combination rule.
Convergence and divergence in Latin America, 1970-1998

This paper examines the process of convergence in Latin America over the period 1970–1998. There has been relatively little work on income convergence among developing countries in general and in Latin America in particular, even though many studies have examined convergence both within and among developed countries. There is little support for the convergence hypothesis over the sample period as a whole - although the beta coefficient is positive, it is insignificant. Convergence is strong in the 1970s but by the 1990s it has disappeared. There is no evidence of a narrowing in the cross-country dispersion of income (sigma convergence) for the sample period as a whole. The results offer little support for the neo-classical growth model - poorer countries have not grown faster than richer ones. There is a strong case for strengthening regional development policy.
The effect of audit committee financial experts on earnings management

Using data for 1996-2000, Yang and Krishnan found no significant association between either audit committee's independence or audit committee's financial expertise and quarterly discretionary accruals. This study examines the effect of audit committee financial experts on earnings management. Using a sample of 425 firm-year observations for the years 2001-2005, we find that an audit committee consisting mostly of independent financial expert directors seems to have a negative and significant effect on discretionary accruals. We interpret our evidence as follows. It is not enough to have an audit committee that satisfies the financial expertise requirements. These results suggest several important implications for the regulators of certain countries intending to improve the characteristics of audit committees.
Packaging performance of GaAs/InGaAs/InGaP collector-up HBTs as power amplifiers

GaAs/InGaAs/InGaP collector-up heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), with an effective thermal-dissipation packaging (TDP) configuration, have been developed. The TDP-implemented multi-finger collector-up HBT with a graded InGaAs base is demonstrated to achieve compelling high-speed and heat-removing performances. Extraordinarily, the TDP has a stronger influence on the p-n-p device than on the n-n-p device. The results show that the thermal resistance has been substantially decreased by 50%, and a power-added efficiency (PAE) more than 56% is obtained. Thermal performance for miniature power amplifiers in next-generation cellular phones can be greatly improved from our design.
Bistranded oxidized purine damage clusters: induced in DNA by long-wavelength ultraviolet (290-400 nm) radiation?

Bistranded clustered DNA damages involving oxidized bases, abasic sites, and strand breaks are produced by ionizing radiation and radiomimetic drugs, but it was not known whether they can be formed by other agents, e.g., nonionizing radiation. UV radiation produces clusters of cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers, photoproducts that occur individually in high yield. Since long-wavelength UV (290-400 nm) radiation induces oxidized bases, abasic sites, and strand breaks at low yields, we tested whether it also produces clusters containing these lesions. We exposed supercoiled pUC18 DNA to UV radiation with wavelengths of >290 nm (UVB plus UVA radiation), and assessed the induction of bistranded clustered oxidized purine and abasic clusters, as recognized by Escherichia coli Fpg protein and E. coli Nfo protein (endonuclease IV), respectively, as well as double-strand breaks. These three classes of bistranded clusters were detected, albeit at very low yields (37 Fpg-OxyPurine clusters Gbp(-1) kJ(-1) m(2), 8.1 double-strand breaks Gbp(-1) kJ(-1) m(2), and 3.4 Nfo-abasic clusters Gbp(-1) kJ(-1) m(2)). Thus, these bistranded OxyPurine clusters, abasic clusters, and double-strand breaks are not uniquely induced by ionizing radiation and radiomimetic drugs, but their level of production by UVB and UVA radiation is negligible compared to the levels of frequent photoproducts such as pyrimidine dimers.
Public versus Private Initiative in Arctic Exploration: The Effects of Incentives and Organizational Structure

From 1818 to 1909, 35 government and 57 privately funded expeditions sought to locate and navigate a Northwest Passage, discover the North Pole, and make other significant discoveries in Arctic regions. Most major Arctic discoveries were made by private expeditions. Most tragedies were publicly funded. Public expeditions were better funded than their private counterparts yet lost more ships, experienced poorer crew health, and had more men die. Public expeditions’ poor performance is not attributable to differences in objectives, available technologies, or country of origin. Rather, it reflects a tendency toward poor leadership structures, slow adaptation to new information, and perverse incentives.
Stakeholders, industry knowledge and adaptive management in the Australian whale-watching industry

Whale watching has become an economically valuable tourism sector. The whale-watching industry is complex, involves multiple stakeholders and can involve multilevel governance. This paper uses the concept of adaptive management to underpin an investigation of industry knowledge and information exchange between two key stakeholder groups in whale watching in Australia – whale-watching operators and environmental resource managers. Twenty commercial operators and nine environmental resource managers were interviewed using both quantitative and open-ended questions. Findings showed key differences between stakeholders involved, and inconsistent perspectives across the industry. Resource managers found biological issues, species health and numbers and interpretation important; operators sought clear and consistent knowledge on compliance, legislation and rules. Only half of the operators had direct access to research and researchers. Managers found the industry to be relatively unprofessionally qualified, especially small and non-specialised operators. Whale-watching operators did not specify that any information (about new knowledge, regulations or policy) was obtained from environmental resource managers through information exchanges. There was inconsistent contact between stakeholders, limiting information exchange and the knowledge-building potential of the industry. Improved dialogue between these groups may not only address existing uncertainties, but also lead to more sustainable outcomes across the industry.
Evaluation of Specialized Laparoscopic Suturing and Tying Devices

Background: Laparoscopic suturing and tying constitute advanced minimally invasive surgery skills. Developing proficiency in the standard methods with needle drivers is often an arduous process. Recent advances in laparoscopic instrumentations has allowed for easier methods of suturing and tying. This study investigated the hypothesis that the use of a specialized suturing device and a specialized tying device allows inexperienced medical students to suture and tie laparoscopically. Methods: Preclinical medical students who had not received any training in open or laparoscopic surgery were included in this investigation. Each student was given a 5-minute demonstration of a specialized suturing device and a specialized tying device. The medical students were not allowed to deploy either device before actual use. After the demonstration, each student was given the device to use in a porcine model. Times were recorded and a subjective grade was given for each student. Results: Twenty medical students were involved in this study. All medical students were able to complete the task of suturing and tying. The average time to suture was 104.6 seconds and the average time to tying was 31.2 seconds. The average subjective performance grade was 90 (out of 100). Conclusion: Specialized devices are easy to learn and use for laparoscopic suturing and tying with minimal instruction even for inexperienced medical students. Even surgeons who are not well versed in laparoscopic surgery should be able to suture and tie with certain laparoscopic instruments.