Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dentin desensitizers and Nd:YAG laser pre-treatment on microshear bond strength of adhesive resin cement to dentin

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate how microshear bond strength of different adhesive resin cements are affected by dentin desensitizers application and preparation depth. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-four maxillary incisors were randomly divided into two groups according to dentin preparation depth (0.8 and 1 mm) and each group subdivided into four dentin desensitizers, Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium aluminum Garnet) laser and control groups. The dentin desensitizers used were Gluma [Glutaraldehyde/ Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)], BisBlock (Oxalate) Vivasens-Potassium Fluoride (KF) and Admira Protect (Ormocer/HEMA), respectively. Three dual cure resin based luting cement (RelyX ARC; Variolink II and Maxcem Elite) were used to create a 0,7 mm diameter and 1 mm height cylindirical shape buid-up in tygon tubes (n=10). Micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) test was performed at a crosshead of speed of 0.5 mm/min using a Universal testing device. Then tooth surface was investigated by steromicroscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square (X 2 ) tests. ( p = 0.05) Results: There was no statistically difference between the groups at 0.8 mm preparation depth. At 1 mm preparation dept RelyX ARC + Gluma groups’ mean bond strength value (23.96 ± 6.66 MPa) was found statistically lower according to the other groups ( p 0.05).
Linking Prospective and Retrospective Provenance in Scripts

Scripting languages like Python, R, and MATLAB have seen significant use across a variety of scientific domains. To assist scientists in the analysis of script executions, a number of mechanisms, e.g., no Workflow, have been recently proposed to capture the provenance of script executions. The provenance information recorded can be used, e.g., to trace the lineage of a particular result by identifying the data inputs and the processing steps that were used to produce it. By and large, the provenance information captured for scripts is fine-grained in the sense that it captures data dependencies at the level of script statement, and do so for every variable within the script. While useful, the amount of recorded provenance information can be overwhelming for users and cumbersome to use. This suggests the need for abstraction mechanisms that focus attention on specific parts of provenance relevant for analyses. Toward this goal, we propose that fine-grained provenance information recorded as the result of script execution can be abstracted using user-specified, workflow-like views. Specifically, we show how the provenance traces recorded by no Workflow can be mapped to the workflow specifications generated by Yes Workflow from scripts based on user annotations. We examine the issues in constructing a successful mapping, provide an initial implementation of our solution, and present competency queries illustrating how a workflow view generated from the script can be used to explore the provenance recorded during script execution.
A generalized framework for opening doors and drawers in kitchen environments

In this paper, we present a generalized framework for robustly operating previously unknown cabinets in kitchen environments. Our framework consists of the following four components: (1) a module for detecting both Lambertian and non-Lambertian (i.e. specular) handles, (2) a module for opening and closing novel cabinets using impedance control and for learning their kinematic models, (3) a module for storing and retrieving information about these objects in the map, and (4) a module for reliably operating cabinets of which the kinematic model is known. The presented work is the result of a collaboration of three PR2 beta sites. We rigorously evaluated our approach on 29 cabinets in five real kitchens located at our institutions. These kitchens contained 13 drawers, 12 doors, 2 refrigerators and 2 dishwashers. We evaluated the overall performance of detecting the handle of a novel cabinet, operating it and storing its model in a semantic map. We found that our approach was successful in 51.9% of all 104 trials. With this work, we contribute a well-tested building block of open-source software for future robotic service applications.
Partitioning net ecosystem carbon exchange and the carbon isotopic disequilibrium in a subalpine forest

We investigate the utility of an improved isotopic method to partition the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (F) into net photosynthesis (FA) and nonfoliar respiration (FR). Measurements of F and the carbon isotopic content in air at a high‐elevation coniferous forest (the Niwot Ridge AmeriFlux site) were used to partition F into FA and FR. Isotopically partitioned fluxes were then compared with an independent flux partitioning method that estimated gross photosynthesis (GEE) and total ecosystem respiration (TER) based on statistical regressions of night‐time F and air temperature. We compared the estimates of FA and FR with expected canopy physiological relationships with light (photosynthetically active radiation) and air temperature. Estimates of FA and GEE were dependent on light as expected, and TER, but not FR, exhibited the expected dependence on temperature. Estimates of the isotopic disequilibrium D, or the difference between the isotopic signatures of net photosynthesis (δA, mean value −24.6‰) and ecosystem respiration (δR, mean value −25.1‰) were generally positive (δA>δR). The sign of D observed here is inconsistent with many other studies. The key parameters of the improved isotopic flux partitioning method presented here are ecosystem scale mesophyll conductance (gm) and maximal vegetative stomatal conductance (gcmax). The sensitivity analyses of FA, FR, and D to gcmax indicated a critical value of gcmax (0.15 mol m−2 s−1) above which estimates of FA and FR became larger in magnitude relative to GEE and TER. The value of D decreased with increasing values of gm and gcmax, but was still positive across all values of gm and gcmax. We conclude that the characterization of canopy‐scale mesophyll and stomatal conductances are important for further progress with the isotope partitioning method, and to confirm our anomalous isotopic disequilibrium findings.
Preliminary evaluation of dynamic load balancing using loop re-partitioning on Omni/SCASH

Increasingly large-scale clusters of PC/WS continue to become majority platform in HPC field. Such a commodity cluster environment, there may be incremental upgrade due to several reasons, such as rapid progress in processor technologies, or user needs and it may cause the performance heterogeneity between nodes from which the application programmer will suffer as load imbalances. To overcome these problems, some dynamic load balancing mechanisms are needed. In this paper, we report our ongoing work on dynamic load balancing extension to Omni/SCASH which is an implementation of OpenMP on Software Distributed Shared Memory, SLASH. Using our dynamic load balancing mechanisms, we expect that programmers can have load imbalances adjusted automatically by the runtime system without explicit definition of data and task placements in a commodity cluster environment with possibly heterogeneous performance nodes.
Implementing Telos

This paper describes experiences in implementing Telos [MBJK90, TK89], a knowledge representation scheme developed at the University of Toronto. In a nutshell, Telos is a hybrid of an object-centered representation for representing entities, a logic-based language for representing deductive rules and integrity constraints, and an interval-based language for representing time. The language is unique for its tight integration of temporal knowledge and for its meta-level capabilities which include a class/metaclass hierarchy and a reflective inference engine.
MEF2 signaling and human diseases

The members of myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2) protein family was previously believed to function in the development of heart and muscle. Recent reports indicate that they are also closely associated with development and progression of many human diseases. Although their role in cancer biology is well established, the molecular mechanisms underlying their action is yet largely unknown. MEF2 family is closely associated with various signaling pathways, including Ca2+ signaling, MAP kinase signaling, Wnt signaling, PI3K/Akt signaling, etc. microRNAs also contribute to regulate the activities of MEF2. In this review, we summarize the known molecular mechanism by which MEF2 family contribute to human diseases.
Effect of dietary fiber incorporation on the characteristics of pregnant sows slurry

Masse, D.I. , Croteau, F. , Masse, L. , Bergeron, R. , Bolduc, J., Ramonet, Y. , Meunier-Salaun, M.C. and Robert, S. 2003. Effect of dietary fiber incorporation on the characteristics of pregnant sows slurry. Canadian Biosystems Engineering/Le genie des biosystemes au Canada 45: 6.7-6.12. Feeding pregnant sows with a bulky diet rich in dietary fibers could improve animal welfare without providing excessive feed energy. However, this type of diet would have an impact on manure volume and composition, and a diet treatment to improve sow welfare by reducing their persistent hunger cannot be recommended without examining its impact on manure composition and handling. This study investigated the effects of high-fiber diets on the daily production and physico-chemical characteristics of manure slurry from pregnant sows. Three isoenergetic diets, very high-fiber (VHF), high fiber (HF), and concentrated (C), were fed twice daily to two groups of four fourth parity pregnant sows. Fecal and urine production was measured separately on days 17 and 18 of the 21-day treatment period. Physico-chemical analyses were performed on a slurry sample (mixture of feces and urine). Dietary fiber addition significantly (P < 0.05) increased fecal mass but tended to decrease urine production. Consequently, manure slurry (feces plus urine) production was similar with all diets, but total solids (TS) content was significantly increased (P < 0.05) as fiber addition increased. Mean TS concentration was 3.8, 11.1, and 18.3% in the manure from sows fed the C, HF, and VHF diets, respectively. As a result, manure slurry consistency was changed from a liquid state (less than 10% TS) when the C diet was fed to a semi-solid state (TS content between 10 and 20%) with the two high fiber diets. The use of high fiber diets may thus cause a challenge with the liquid manure handling, storage, and land application systems currently used on many commercial farms. Other major changes in manure slurry characteristics due to dietary fiber incorporation included significant (P < 0.05) increases in apparent viscosity, total and soluble chemical oxygen demand, and volatile fatty acid concentrations. Total amount of mineral elements excreted in the manure slurry was not affected by dietary fiber addition.
Race and Authoritarianism: Effect on the Perception of Roots

The televised presentation of Alex Haley's book Roots in a twelve-hour series, presented on eight consecutive nights in January 1977, ignited a viewing phenomenon never before experienced in North American television history. According to A.C. Nielsen television rating services, every Roots episode is included within the fifteen top-rated programs of all time. Seven of the eight are listed among the top ten of all time. Aside from its enormous number of viewers, Roots was a unique broadcasting event in several ways. First, it was broadcast on eight consecutive nights. Second, it was an amalgam of historical fact (a documentary) and fiction (a drama): a "docudrama. " Third, this docudrama covered a broad segment of history, providing viewers a rare insight into the birth, growth, and death of cultures, social institutions, families, and individuals. Fourth, the series centered on the topic of black slavery in the United States in a manner sympathetic and empathic to the black perspective; a manner not often found in televised presentations.
Effect of illicit direct to consumer advertising on use of etanercept, mometasone, and tegaserod in Canada: controlled longitudinal study

Objective To assess the impact of direct to consumer advertising of prescription drugs in the United States on Canadian prescribing rates for three heavily marketed drugs—etanercept, mometasone, and tegaserod. Design Controlled quasi-experimental study using interrupted time series analysis. Population Representative sample of 2700 Canadian pharmacies and prescription data from 50 US Medicaid programmes. Main outcome measures Differences in number of filled prescriptions per 10 000 population per month between English speaking and French speaking (control) Canadian provinces before and after the start of direct to consumer advertising in the United States. Results Spending on direct to consumer advertising for study drugs ranged from $194m to $314m (£104m-£169m; €131m-€212m) over the study period. Prescription rates for etanercept and mometasone did not increase in English speaking provinces relative to French speaking controls after the start of direct to consumer advertising. In contrast, tegaserod prescriptions increased 42% (0.56 prescriptions/10 000 residents, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.76) in English speaking provinces immediately after the start of US direct to consumer advertising. Uncontrolled analysis of US Medicaid data showed a larger 56% increase in tegaserod prescriptions. However, this increase did not persist over time in either country, despite continued advertising. Conclusions Exposure to US direct to consumer advertising transiently influenced both Canadian and US prescribing rates for tegaserod, a drug later withdrawn owing to safety concerns. The impact of direct to consumer advertising on drug use seems to be highly variable and probably depends on the characteristics of the advertised drug, the level of exposure to direct to consumer advertising, and the cultural context.
Improvements to Combinational Equivalence Checking

The paper explores several ways to improve the speed and capacity of combinational equivalence checking based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT). State-of-the-art methods use simulation and BDD/SAT sweeping on the input side (i.e. proving equivalence of some internal nodes in a topological order), interleaved with attempts to run SAT on the output (i.e. proving equivalence of the output to constant 0). This paper improves on this method by (a) using more intelligent simulation, (b) using CNF-based SAT with circuit-based decision heuristics, and (c) interleaving SAT with low-effort logic synthesis. Experimental results on public and industrial benchmarks demonstrate substantial reductions in runtime, compared to the current methods. In several cases, the new solver succeeded in solving previously unsolved problems
Repriming by PrimPol is critical for DNA replication restart downstream of lesions and chain-terminating nucleosides

ABSTRACT PrimPol is a DNA damage tolerance enzyme possessing both translesion synthesis (TLS) and primase activities. To uncover its potential role in TLS-mediated IgVλ hypermutation and define its interplay with other TLS polymerases, PrimPol−/− and PrimPol−/−/Polη−/−/Polζ −/− gene knockouts were generated in avian cells. Loss of PrimPol had no significant impact on the rate of hypermutation or the mutation spectrum of IgVλ. However, PrimPol−/− cells were sensitive to methylmethane sulfonate, suggesting that it may bypass abasic sites at the IgVλ segment by repriming DNA synthesis downstream of these sites. PrimPol−/− cells were also sensitive to cisplatin and hydroxyurea, indicating that it assists in maintaining / restarting replication at a variety of lesions. To accurately measure the relative contribution of the TLS and primase activities, we examined DNA damage sensitivity in PrimPol−/− cells complemented with polymerase or primase-deficient PrimPol. Polymerase-defective, but not primase-deficient, PrimPol suppresses the hypersensitivity of PrimPol−/− cells. This indicates that its primase, rather than TLS activity, is pivotal for DNA damage tolerance. Loss of TLS polymerases, Polη and Polζ has an additive effect on the sensitivity of PrimPol−/− cells. Moreover, we found that PrimPol and Polη-Polζ redundantly prevented cell death and facilitated unperturbed cell cycle progression. PrimPol−/− cells also exhibited increased sensitivity to a wide variety of chain-terminating nucleoside analogs (CTNAs). PrimPol could perform close-coupled repriming downstream of CTNAs and oxidative damage in vitro. Together, these results indicate that PrimPol's repriming activity plays a central role in reinitiating replication downstream from CTNAs and other specific DNA lesions.
Adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 promotes the extracellular matrix expression in degenerative nucleus pulposus cells

To construct a recombinant adenovirus vector-carrying human growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) gene, investigate the biological effects of adenovirus-mediated GDF-5 (Ad-GDF-5) on extracellular matrix (ECM) expression in human degenerative disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, and explore a candidate gene therapy method for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Human NP cells of a degenerative disc were isolated, cultured, and infected with Ad-GDF-5 using the AdEasy-1 adenovirus vector system. On Days 3, 7, 14, and 21, the contents of the sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp), synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen II, gene expression of collagen II and aggrecan, and NP cell proliferation were assessed. The adenovirus was an effective vehicle for gene delivery with prolonged expression of GDF-5. Biochemical analysis revealed increased sGAG and Hyp contents in human NP cells infected by Ad-GDF-5 whereas there was no conspicuous change in basal medium (BM) or Ad-green fluorescent protein (GFP) groups. Only cells in the Ad-GDF-5 group promoted the production of ECM, as demonstrated by the secretion of proteoglycan and up-regulation of collagen II and aggrecan at both protein and mRNA levels. The NP cell proliferation was significantly promoted. The data suggest that Ad-GDF-5 gene therapy is a potential treatment for IDD, which restores the functions of degenerative intervertebral disc through enhancing the ECM production of human NP cells.
A 3D CFD Simulation and Analysis of Flow-Induced Forces on Polymer Piezoelectric Sensors in a Chinese Liquors Identification E-Nose

Chinese liquors can be classified according to their flavor types. Accurate identification of Chinese liquor flavors is not always possible through professional sommeliers’ subjective assessment. A novel polymer piezoelectric sensor electric nose (e-nose) can be applied to distinguish Chinese liquors because of its excellent ability in imitating human senses by using sensor arrays and pattern recognition systems. The sensor, based on the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) principle is comprised of a quartz piezoelectric crystal plate sandwiched between two specific gas-sensitive polymer coatings. Chinese liquors are identified by obtaining the resonance frequency value changes of each sensor using the e-nose. However, the QCM principle failed to completely account for a particular phenomenon: we found that the resonance frequency values fluctuated in the stable state. For better understanding the phenomenon, a 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation using the finite volume method is employed to study the influence of the flow-induced forces to the resonance frequency fluctuation of each sensor in the sensor box. A dedicated procedure was developed for modeling the flow of volatile gas from Chinese liquors in a realistic scenario to give reasonably good results with fair accuracy. The flow-induced forces on the sensors are displayed from the perspective of their spatial-temporal and probability density distributions. To evaluate the influence of the fluctuation of the flow-induced forces on each sensor and ensure the serviceability of the e-nose, the standard deviation of resonance frequency value (SDF) and the standard deviation of resultant forces (SDFy) in y-direction (Fy) are compared. Results show that the fluctuations of Fy are bound up with the resonance frequency values fluctuations. To ensure that the sensor's resonance frequency values are steady and only fluctuate slightly, in order to improve the identification accuracy of Chinese liquors using the e-nose, the sensors in the sensor box should be in the proper place, i.e., where the fluctuations of the flow-induced forces is relatively small. This plays a significant reference role in determining the optimum design of the e-nose for accurately identifying Chinese liquors.
Aluminum fluoride stimulates surface protrusions in cells overexpressing the ARF6 GTPase

To study the effector function of the ADP- ribosylation factor (ARF) 6 GTP-binding protein, we transfected HeLa cells with wild-type, epitope- tagged ARF6. Previously shown to indirectly activate the ARF1 GTPase, aluminum fluoride (AIF) treatment of ARF6-transfected cells resulted in a redistribution of both ARF6 and actin to discrete sites on the plasma membrane, which became increasingly protrusive over time. The effects of AIF were reversible, specific to cells transfected with wild-type ARF6, and resembled the cellular protrusions observed in cells expressing the GTPase defective mutant of ARF6. Importantly, the protrusions observed in cells transfected with ARF6 were distinct from the enhanced stress fibers and membrane ruffles observed in cells transfected with RhoA and Rac1, respectively. In cells forming protrusions, there was an apparent stimulation of macropinocytosis and membrane recycling within the protrusive structures. In contrast, no block in transferrin uptake or alteration of the distribution of clathrin AP-2 complexes was detected in these cells. The AIF-induced, ARF6- dependent formation of protrusive structures was blocked by cytochalasin D and inhibitors of the lipoxygenase pathway. These observations support a novel role for the ARF6 GTPase in modeling the plasma membrane and underlying cytoskeleton.
Measuring the Hebbian components of selective attention using eye-tracking and dynamic field theory

A technique for measuring the relative strengths of associative learning of eyemovements is introduced. In experiment designs that manipulate feedback signals, the strength of the learning associated with the signal can be measured by looking at the amount of perseveration to irrelevant information after a learning criterion is met. In contrast to previous models of attentional learning, shifts of attention are explained primarily by the joint influence of habituated motor movements and the gain derived from the anti-correlated components of abstract categories. For this to work, a realistic model of ocular-motor movements is required in order to ground the concept of attentional allocation. A dynamic neural field model of eye-movements is thus presented which captures a number of the mesoscopic neurodynamics known to influence visual attention during learning. Under a number of different simulation constraints, this model shows an ability to fit aspects of human performance.