Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Industry Sponsorship on Dental Restorative Trials

Industry sponsorship was found to potentially introduce bias into clinical trials. We assessed the effects of industry sponsorship on the design, comparator choice, and findings of randomized controlled trials on dental restorative materials. A systematic review was performed via MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE. Randomized trials on dental restorative and adhesive materials published 2005 to 2015 were included. The design of sponsored and nonsponsored trials was compared statistically (risk of bias, treatment indication, setting, transferability, sample size). Comparator choice and network geometry of sponsored and nonsponsored trials were assessed via network analysis. Material performance rankings in different trial types were estimated via Bayesian network meta-analysis. Overall, 114 studies were included (15,321 restorations in 5,232 patients). We found 21 and 41 (18% and 36%) trials being clearly or possibly industry sponsored, respectively. Trial design of sponsored and nonsponsored trials did not significantly differ for most assessed items. Sponsored trials evaluated restorations of load-bearing cavities significantly more often than nonsponsored trials, had longer follow-up periods, and showed significantly increased risk of detection bias. Regardless of sponsorship status, comparisons were mainly performed within material classes. The proportion of trials comparing against gold standard restorative or adhesive materials did not differ between trial types. If ranked for performance according to the need to re-treat (best: least re-treatments), most material combinations were ranked similarly in sponsored and nonsponsored trials. The effect of industry sponsorship on dental restorative trials seems limited.
Class-proximity SOM and its applications in classification

In this study, we propose a model of self-organizing map (SOM) capable of mapping high dimensional data into a low dimension space by preserving not only the feature-proximity of the original data but also their class-proximity. A conventional SOM is known to map original high dimensional data with similar features into points located close to each other in the low dimensional map in a so called competitive layer. In addition to this feature, the proposed SOM is also able to map high dimensional data belonging to a same class in each other's proximities. These characteristics retains the ability of the map to be used as a visualization tool of high dimensional data while also support the execution of high quality pattern classifications in the low dimensional map. In the experiments the classification performance of the proposed SOM is compared to that of MLP with regards to wide varieties of problems.
Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound Guided Central Venous Catheterization Compared to Blind Catheterization

Abstract Introduction: Central venous catheterization is performed by the landmark method and ultrasound guided method. The purpose of the study was to compare the success, average number of attempts, average time to return of blood, and complication rate between the two methods. Material and Methods: This was a prospective study done in the Intensive Care Unit of the Acibadem Sistina Clinical Hospital, in Skopje. There were 400 patients in need of central venous catheter and they were prospectively randomized in two groups. The patients randomized in the examined-ultrasound group underwent real-time ultrasound-guided catheterization and the patients randomized in the control-landmark group were catheterized using the landmark method. Internal Jugular, Subclavian and Femoral vein were catheterized in both groups. The Overall success, success on the first attempt, time to the return of blood, number of attempts and complications at the moment of catheterization such as arterial puncture, pneumothorax and hematoma formation were the main outcome measures. Results: The catheterization using the landmark method was successful in 90.5% of patients, 60.5% of which during the first attempt. The cannulation using real-time ultrasound guidance was successful in 98% of patients with a first pass success of 77%. The complication rate with the landmark method was 14.5% versus 4% with real-time ultrasound guidance p<0.05(p=0.0008). Conclusion: Real-time ultrasound guidance improves success, decreases number of attempts, decreases average time to the return of blood and reduces mechanical complications rate.
Inkjet printed antennas for NFC systems

Inkjet printing is one of the most promising techniques that could potentially revolutionize large area and organic electronics fabrication. At the moment, technology is still under development and some problems remain to be solved. Only few applications have been demonstrated with enough performance to be moved to industrial level. In this paper we present the study of a potentially successful inkjet printing application: a Near Field Communication Antenna. In our work we characterized an inkjet printing process and developed an antenna design to evaluate its potential. Fabricated antenna was tested on NFC systems and final results lead us to conclude that NFC antennas are a potentially successful inkjet printing application.
Toward a Miniaturized Needle Steering System With Path Planning for Obstacle Avoidance

Percutaneous intervention is among the preferred diagnostic and treatment options in surgery today. Recently, a biologically inspired needle steering system was proposed, where a novel “programmable bevel” is employed to control the tip angle as a function of the offset between interlocked needle segments. The new device, codenamed soft tissue intervention and neurosurgical guide (STING), can steer along arbitrary curvilinear trajectories within a compliant medium, and be controlled by means of an embedded position sensor. In this study, we provide details of our latest attempt to miniaturize the STING, with the design and manufacture of a 4-mm outer diameter (OD) two-part prototype that includes unique features, such as a bespoke trocar and insertion mechanism, which ensure that the segments do not come apart or buckle during the insertion process. It is shown that this prototype can steer around tight bends (down to a radius of curvature of ~70 mm), a performance which is comparable to the best systems in this class. With the need to comply with the specific mechanical constraints of STING, this paper also introduces a novel path planner with obstacle avoidance, which can produce a differentiable trajectory that satisfies constraints on both the maximum curvature of the final trajectory and its derivative. In vitro results in gelatin for the integrated prototype and path planner demonstrate accurate 2-D trajectory following (0.1 mm tracking error, with 0.64 mm standard deviation), with significant scope for future improvements.
Three Control Approaches for Optimized Energy Flow With Home Energy Management System

This paper presents the results of three control strategies of managed energy services with home energy management system (HEMS)-integrated devices. The HEMS controls and monitors three types of managed devices: 1) heating; 2) task-specific; and 3) energy storage devices. Three approaches are proposed for the rolling optimization by the HEMS, namely, mixed integer linear programming (MILP), continuous relaxation (CR), and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The CR approach is identified to reduce the computational complexity of the MILP by changing the MILP into an LP solution. Three types of FLC control approaches are proposed, namely, heat-related FLC, task-related FLC, and FLC for the battery. Each control strategy is evaluated against cost optimization, computational resource, and practical implementation. The findings in this paper show that all three algorithmic control strategies successfully perform cost optimization, even with inaccurate forecasting information.
Bone Histology of the Stegosaur Kentrosaurus aethiopicus (Ornithischia: Thyreophora) from the Upper Jurassic of Tanzania

Using bone histology, a slow growth rate, uncommon for most dinosaurs, has been interpreted for the highly derived stegosaur Stegosaurus (Ornithischia: Thyreophora) and the basal thyreophoran Scutellosaurus. In this study, we examine whether this slow growth rate also occurs in the more basal stegosaur Kentrosaurus from the Tendaguru beds of Tanzania. The bone histology of six femora of Kentrosaurus representing an ontogenetic series from subadult to adult was studied, as well as one scapula. The primary bone is mainly highly vascularized fibro‐lamellar bone with some reticular organization of the vascular canals. In addition to LAGs and annuli, distinctive shifts in the pattern of vascularization occur, which have been interpreted as potential growth marks. The variation in the development of growth marks may reflect annual climatic fluctuations. The overall bone depositional rate, and hence growth rate in Kentrosaurus appears to be higher than in Stegosaurus and Scutellosaurus. Considering that Stegosaurus is the larger‐sized of the two stegosaurs, this would be contrary to an earlier supposition that small‐bodied dinosaurs have slower growth rates than larger ones. Our finding of rapid rates of bone deposition in Kentrosaurus suggests that slow growth rates previously reported in Scutellosaurus and Stegosaurus are not a phylogenetic characteristic of the Thyreophora. Thus, slow growth rates are not plesiomorphic for the Thyreophora. We propose that the slow growth rates documented in the highly derived Stegosaurus could have been secondarily derived or alternatively that Kentrosaurus is the exception having increased growth rates. Anat Rec, 296:933–952, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
University – Industry Collaboration in R&D: The Role of Labor Market Rigidity

We investigate how R&D university – industry collaboration (R&D UIC) is influenced by labor market rigidity. While it is well-established that an educated and skilled workforce will facilitate R&D UIC, another aspect of these alliances has been under-researched: the role of labor market rigidity, in particular the difficulties employers face in hiring and firing workers. We hypothesize that the size of the R&D labor pool in a country will encourage R&D UIC, and that the ease with which employers are legally allowed to hire and fire will directly and indirectly influence R&D UIC. Integrating data from various sources, we test our model on a sample of 73 countries for which information on the size of the R&D labor pool and labor market regulations are available. We also conduct a robustness test using a different proxy for R&D labor pool on a larger sample of 109 countries. Results confirm the strong link between a country's R&D labor pool and R&D UIC, as well as direct negative impacts of hiring and firing rigidity and an indirect negative impact of hiring rigidity. The findings have implications for managers, policy makers, and researchers of R&D collaboration between universities and industry.
Variability of genome-wide DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles in reproductive and endocrine disease related tissues

ABSTRACT Genome-wide association studies in the fields of reproductive medicine and endocrinology are yielding robust genetic variants associated with disease. Integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic molecular profiling studies are common methodologies used to understand the biologic pathways perturbed by these variants. However, molecular profiling resources do not include the tissue most relevant to many female reproductive traits, the endometrium, while the parameters influencing variability of results from its molecular profiling are unclear. We investigated the sources of DNA methylation and RNA expression profile variability in endometrium (n = 135), endometriotic disease tissue (endometriosis), and subcutaneous abdominal fat samples from 24 women, quantifying between-individual, within-tissue (cellular heterogeneity), and technical variation. DNA samples (n = 96) were analyzed using Illumina HumanMethlylation450 BeadChip arrays; RNA samples (n = 39) were analyzed using H12-expression arrays. Variance-component analyses showed that, for the top 10–50% variable DNA methylation/RNA expression sites, between-individual variation far exceeded within-tissue and technical variation. Menstrual-phase accounted for most variability in methylation/expression patterns in endometrium (Pm = 7.8 × 10−3, Pe = 8.4 × 10−5) but not in fat and endometriotic tissue; age was significantly associated with DNA methylation profile of endometrium (Pm = 9 × 10−5) and endometriotic disease tissue (Pm = 2.4 × 10−5); and smoking was significantly associated with DNA methylation in adipose tissue (Pm = 1.8 × 10−3). Hierarchical cluster analysis showed significantly different methylation signatures between endometrium and endometriotic tissue enriched for WNT signaling, angiogenesis, cadherin signaling, and gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-receptor pathways. Differential DNA methylation/expression analyses suggested detection of a limited number of sites with large fold changes (FC > 4), but power calculations accounting for different sources of variability showed that for robust detection >500 tissue samples are required. These results enable appropriate study design for large-scale expression and methylation tissue-based profiling relevant to many reproductive and endocrine traits.
The SYNTAX score revisited: A reassessment of the SYNTAX score reproducibility

Objectives: To reassess the reproducibility of the SYNTAX score. Background: The SYNTAX score appears to have an important role to play in the evaluation of patients with complex coronary artery disease undergoing revascularisation. However, the calculation of the SYNTAX score relies on the subjective assessment of lesions using coronary angiography, and therefore is subject to intra‐and inter‐observer variability. Methods: The SYNTAX score was calculated in 100 patients randomly selected from the SYNTAX trial, on two occasions 8 weeks apart, by a team made up of three interventional cardiologists. The weighted kappa values were compared with values obtained 1 year previously, when core lab analysts assessed the intra‐observer reproducibility amongst the same patient cohort. Results: The mean ± standard deviation difference in SYNTAX score was 2.1 ± 7.6. The respective weighted kappa values for the number of lesions, bifurcation lesions, ostial lesions, and total occlusions were 0.62, 0.36, 0.66, and 0.91 compared with 0.59, 0.41, 0.63, and 0.82 in the previous core lab assessment. The weighted kappa for the intra‐observer reproducibility of the SYNTAX score grouped into deciles was 0.54, and according to the terciles ≤22, >22–≤32, >32 was 0.51 both indicating a moderate level of agreement beyond the level of chance. In the previous assessment, the comparative kappa values were 0.45 and 0.53. Conclusions: The SYNTAX score has moderate intra‐observer reproducibility when assessed by a team of three interventional cardiologists, which is consistent with a prior evaluation performed by core lab analysts. The scoring of bifurcation lesions remains the main source of inconsistency. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence that the hormone binding domain of steroid receptors confers hormonal control on chimeric proteins by determining their hormone-regulated binding to heat-shock protein 90.

Previously, it has been shown that the hormone binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor acts as a transferable regulatory cassette that can confer hormonal control onto chimeric proteins [Picard, D. , Salser, S. J., & Yamamoto, K. R. (1988) Cell 54, 1073-1080]. The hormone binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor contains its site of interaction with the 90-kDa heat-shock protein, hsp90 [Dalman, F. C. , Scherrer, L. C. , Taylor, L. P., Akil, H. , & Pratt, W. B. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 3482-3490]. We have now transfected COS cells with cDNAs for fusion proteins containing beta-galactosidase and portions of the glucocorticoid receptor, and we demonstrate a correlation between hormone regulation of fusion protein localization and binding of the fusion proteins to hsp90. The hormone binding domain (residues 540-795) of the rat glucocorticoid receptor is sufficient for conferring hormone regulation onto a fusion protein and for intracellular binding of a fusion protein to hsp90. The hormone binding domain of the rat glucocorticoid or the human estrogen receptor is also sufficient to permit reticulocyte lysate-mediated refolding of a fusion protein into association with hsp90. Consistent with the results of fusion protein localization in intact cells, binding of a fusion protein to hsp90 blocks binding of antibody directed against the NL1 nuclear localization signal of the glucocorticoid receptor. These observations argue strongly that the hormone binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor confers hormonal control of fusion proteins by conferring hormone-regulated binding to hsp90.
The ATHENA HPV study underrepresents “other” high‐risk HPV genotypes when compared with a diverse New York City population

Persistent infection with oncogenic high risk HPV (hrHPV) types causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer. HPV 16 and 18 have been targeted for individual genotyping and vaccination because of their presence in 71% of invasive cervical cancers worldwide. Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York serves a population known for ethnic and racial diversity. Given this diversity it is possible that HPV genotypes not individually detected by current testing are causing significant disease.
Neutrophils and macrophages work in concert as inducers and effectors of adaptive immunity against extracellular and intracellular microbial pathogens

Emerging data suggest new facets of the concerted participation of neutrophils and macrophages in antimicrobial immunity. The classical view is that DCs and macrophages are the inducers of adaptive antimicrobial immunity, but there is evidence for neutrophil participation in this task as cytokine and chemokine producers and APCs. On the other hand, the concept that the TH1 response is only associated with control of infections by intracellular pathogens through activation of macrophages by IFN‐γ, and the TH17/IL‐17 axis is only involved in protection against extracellular pathogens through mobilization and activation of neutrophils is simplistic: There is evidence suggesting that TH1 and TH17 responses, separately or in parallel, may use macrophages and neutrophils against infections by extracellular and intracellular microbial pathogens. Opsonization by pathogen‐specific Igs enhances the antimicrobial capabilities of neutrophils and macrophages in infections by extracellular and intracellular microbes. The functional partnership between macrophages and neutrophils as inducers and effectors of adaptive antimicrobial immunity conforms to their affiliation with the myeloid phagocyte system and reveals a strategy based on the concurrent use of the two professional phagocytes in the adaptive defense mechanisms. Starting from a common myeloid precursor in the bone marrow, macrophages and neutrophils split during differentiation but come together at the infectious foci for a cooperative strategy that uses modulator and effector activities to attack invading microbial pathogens.
Examining With Linguistic Interpretative Features of Football Reporting in

The transformative growth and professionalism that football has undergone throughout the world has increasingly attracted the attention and interest of many people, becoming the leading global source of sports entertainment. Part of this entertainment accrues from the creative use of language used in the reporting of football. The current study examined the features of language that characterize reportage of football news in Kenyan newspapers. The study objective was to identify the interpretative structures employed in the language of football news reporting in Kenyan newspapers. The study employed Conceptual Metaphors theory, which asserts that metaphors are essential to human thought and communication process since they influence conceptual understandings of human beings. The target population for the study was the four English media daily newspapers reporting on football news. A sample of two newspapers, The Daily Nation and The Standard was selected and thereafter the researcher used purposeful judgmental sampling to identify and select thematically related articles from the two papers. Qualitative content analysis method that entailed identification, selection, coding and thematic categorization was used to analyze data. The results of this study reveal that there is extensive use of creative language in football news reporting in Kenya through allusion to normal day to day activities such as trade, human conversations and culture. The findings of this study therefore provide linguistic
Structure–Activity Relationship of Prenyl‐Substituted Polyphenols from Artocarpus heterophyllus as Inhibitors of Melanin Biosynthesis in Cultured Melanoma Cells

A series of prenylated, flavone‐based polyphenols, compounds 1–8, were isolated from the wood of Artocarpus heterophyllus. These compounds, which have previously been shown not to inhibit tyrosinase activity, were found to be active inhibitors of the in vivo melanin biosynthesis in B16 melanoma cells, with little or no cytotoxicity. To clarify the structural requirement for inhibition, some structure–activity relationships were studied, in comparison with related compounds lacking prenyl side chains. Our experiments indicate that both prenyl and OH groups, as well as the type of substitution pattern, are crucial for the inhibition of melanin production in B16 melanoma cells.
Mutation Analysis of the Histidine Residues in the Glycylglycine Endopeptidase ALE-1

ABSTRACT A novel staphylolytic enzyme, ALE-1, is a glycylglycine endopeptidase produced by Staphylococcus capitis EPK1. ALE-1 possesses seven histidines. Chemical modification studies using diethylpyrocarbonate and iodoacetic acid suggested that a histidine or tyrosine residue(s) in the molecule is important for the organism's staphylolytic activity. All of the histidine residues, one tyrosine, and one aspartic acid residue in the N-terminally truncated ALE-1 (ΔN-term ALE-1) were systematically altered by site-directed mutagenesis, and the enzyme activities and metal contents of the variants were measured. Our studies indicated that His-150, His-200, His-231, His-233, and Asp-154 are essential for the enzyme activity of ΔN-term ALE-1. Except for His-150 and Asp-154, all of these amino acids were located within the 38-amino-acid region conserved among 11 proteins, including 5 staphylolytic endopeptidases. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometric analysis of ΔN-term ALE-1 revealed that it contains one atom of zinc per molecule. Measurement of the zinc content of the mutant ΔN-term ALE-1 suggested that His-150 and -233 are important for zinc binding; their loss in these variant enzymes coincided with the loss of staphylolytic activity. These results strongly suggest that ALE-1 is a novel member of zinc metalloproteases.