Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelin B receptor Ca2+ signaling in shark vascular smooth muscle: participation of inositol trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors

SUMMARY In mammals, endothelin receptors are sub-classified into ETA receptors (ETAR), which are purely constrictive in vascular smooth muscle (VSM), and ETBR, which may produce constriction in VSM or dilatation by stimulating the production of nitric oxide (NO) from endothelial cells. In contrast, previous studies suggested that shark VSM is stimulated exclusively by ETBR. The Ca2+ signaling pathways utilized by shark VSM in response to stimulation by endothelin-1 (ET-1) have not previously been investigated. We measured cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in fura-2-loaded VSM of anterior mesenteric artery of Squalus acanthias and show that the ETBR agonists IRL 1620 and sarafotoxin S6c (SRX) increase [Ca2+]i in VSM to the same extent as ET-1 and ETBR appears to be the only ETR subtype in sharks. To investigate the participation of the inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3R), we utilized two inhibitors of the mammalian IP3R, TMB-8 and 2-APB. In Ca2+-free Ringer, these agents inhibit the response to ETBR agonist stimulation by 71%. The ryanodine-sensitive receptor (RyR) may be activated by low concentrations of ryanodine, by abrupt local increases of [Ca2+]i, (calcium-induced calcium release) or by cyclic adeninediphosphate ribose (cADPR). We employed three inhibitors of activation of the RyR, Ruthenium Red, 8-Br cADPR and high concentrations of ryanodine; these agents blocked the [Ca2+]i response to ETBR agonist stimulation by a mean of 39%. These data show for the first time that in VSM of the shark, ETBR activation stimulates both IP3R and RyR, and that cADPR is involved in RyR activation.
A survey of US dental practices' use of social media.

AIM Social media is becoming the way for businesses, including health care professionals, to communicate with consumers. The study examines the use of social media by dental practices in the US. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic survey was sent to 22,682 dentists in the United States. The survey consisted of questions related to the use of social media in the dental practice. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparisons were made using a Fisher's exact test. RESULTS A total of 573 responses were received. Social media was used in 52% of dental practices, the most common being Facebook. The use of social media was most commonly for marketing purposes (91%). Dentists younger than 45 years old were more likely to use social media in their practice than dentists 45 years or older (p > 0.001). CONCLUSION Dental practices actively use social media for marketing and communication. Many dentists are unsure how to measure the success of social media in their practice. Additional research is needed to measure the success of social media in a dental practice. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Social media is a common way practices market and interact with their patients. There are some difficulties in determining what appropriate content for social media is and how to evaluate the success.
An Efficient Approach for Seismoacoustic Scattering Simulation Based on Boundary Element Method

A seismogram synthesis is the theoretically calculated ground motion that would be recorded for a given crust structure and seismic source, which is an important tool that can be applied to the study of earthquake source from strong motion records. At the early stage of seismology, the reflectivity method [1] and the generalized ray method [2] were widely used for simulating seismic wave excitation and propagation, where a laterally homogeneous model is considered. The real Earth’s crust, however, is a laterally inhomogeneous structure indeed. To study the site effect of strong ground motion, a stratified structure with irregular interfaces is an eligible model for simulating seismic wave propagation. For the study of seismic waves propagating through a sediment filled basin in the case of rigid grains, the work [3-4] is noteworthy, where a model was proposed to reproduct a nonlinear effect experimentally observed for real seismic waves: site amplification decreases as the amplitude of the incident wave increases.
Amniotic Fluid Cell Culture I. Experimental Design for Evaluating Cell Culture Variables: Determination of Optimal Fetal Calf Serum Concentration

Extract: We have developed a randomized, multivariable block design for quantitative evaluation of conditions for amniotic fluid (AF) cell attachment to culture surface and subsequent growth rate. We report the use of this method to determine optimal fetal calf serum (FCS) concentration in the culture medium. The AF cell growth, in the form of discrete colonies, was scored by counting the number of colonies and measuring their diameters. A two-way analysis of variance of the preliminary experiment data (5–30% PCS) demonstrated a significant difference among AF cells grown at different percentages of FCS (P < 0.0005). From a studentized range analysis we concluded that 5% FCS is inferior to higher percentages. No difference was demonstrated among 15-30% FCS. Based on these data, a supplementary experiment was planned to compare 10 and 15% FCS. The 15% FCS yielded at least 0.31 colonies/ml AF more than did 10% FCS. We conclude that 15% FCS is sufficient for AF cell culture using our technique. Close agreement of the estimates of standard deviation of the preliminary and supplementary experiments (7.38 and 7.25) indicates that the assumptions required for our experimental design are correct and that our technical procedures are highly reproducible.A larger series of 76 AF specimens was used to correlate patient data with AF cell growth. We have shown that AF cell growth is independent of: (1) gestational age between 11 and 24 weeks; (2) maternal age between 14 and 42 years; (3) maternal ethnic group. A mean of 6 colonies/ml AF was obtained.Speculation: Development of highly efficient and reliable procedures for culturing AF cells depends upon statistically valid, quantitative assessment of all variables surrounding amniocentesis and subsequent cell culture. Using a randomized, multivariable block design, optimal culture procedures and conditions can be established and standardized which result in increased culture success rate and decreased time requirement for prenatal detection.
Theory of linear and integer programming

Introduction and Preliminaries. Problems, Algorithms, and Complexity. LINEAR ALGEBRA. Linear Algebra and Complexity. LATTICES AND LINEAR DIOPHANTINE EQUATIONS. Theory of Lattices and Linear Diophantine Equations. Algorithms for Linear Diophantine Equations. Diophantine Approximation and Basis Reduction. POLYHEDRA, LINEAR INEQUALITIES, AND LINEAR PROGRAMMING. Fundamental Concepts and Results on Polyhedra, Linear Inequalities, and Linear Programming. The Structure of Polyhedra. Polarity, and Blocking and Anti--Blocking Polyhedra. Sizes and the Theoretical Complexity of Linear Inequalities and Linear Programming. The Simplex Method. Primal--Dual, Elimination, and Relaxation Methods. Khachiyana s Method for Linear Programming. The Ellipsoid Method for Polyhedra More Generally. Further Polynomiality Results in Linear Programming. INTEGER LINEAR PROGRAMMING. Introduction to Integer Linear Programming. Estimates in Integer Linear Programming. The Complexity of Integer Linear Programming. Totally Unimodular Matrices: Fundamental Properties and Examples. Recognizing Total Unimodularity. Further Theory Related to Total Unimodularity. Integral Polyhedra and Total Dual Integrality. Cutting Planes. Further Methods in Integer Linear Programming. References. Indexes.
Post-Learning Sleep Transiently Boosts Context Specific Operant Extinction Memory

Operant extinction is learning to supress a previously rewarded behavior. It is known to be strongly associated with the specific context in which it was acquired, which limits the therapeutic use of operant extinction in behavioral treatments, e.g., of addiction. We examined whether sleep influences contextual memory of operant extinction over time, using two different recall tests (Recent and Remote). Rats were trained in an operant conditioning task (lever press) in context A, then underwent extinction training in context B, followed by a 3-h retention period that contained either spontaneous morning sleep, morning sleep deprivation, or spontaneous evening wakefulness. A recall test was performed either immediately after the 3-h experimental retention period (Recent recall) or after 48 h (Remote), in the extinction context B and in a novel context C. The two main findings were: (i) at the Recent recall test, sleep in comparison with sleep deprivation and spontaneous wakefulness enhanced extinction memory but, only in the extinction context B; (ii) at the Remote recall, extinction performance after sleep was enhanced in both contexts B and C to an extent comparable to levels at Recent recall in context B. Interestingly, extinction performance at Remote recall was also improved in the sleep deprivation groups in both contexts, with no difference to performance in the sleep group. Our results suggest that 3 h of post-learning sleep transiently facilitate the context specificity of operant extinction at a Recent recall. However, the improvement and contextual generalization of operant extinction memory observed in the long-term, i.e., after 48 h, does not require immediate post-learning sleep.
A Growth Chart for Premature and Other Infants

The growth chart covers the period from 28 weeks of fetal life to age 2 years, and allows weight, length, and head circumference to be charted. The time scale is logarithmic, providing the convenience of an extended scale for the earlier months of life, and giving the graphs an approximately linear form. Separate charts for boys and girls are provided, with 10th, 50th, and 90th centiles. Weight charts of individual low birthweight infants illustrate the striking `catch-up' growth often achieved by these infants.
The Measurement of Kinaesthetic Sensitivity in Children and Adults

A test of kinaesthetic sensitivity was constructed, consisting of three tasks: localization, discrimination of position and movement, and perception of pattern. The purposes were to devise a test of kinaesthetic perception in children and adults, and to study possible developmental trends in such sensitivity. 180 children (five to 12 years) and adults were tested.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON SOLIDS REDUCTIONS AND ON DEGRADATION KINETICS DURING THERMOPHILIC AEROBIC DIGESTION OF A SIMULATED SLUDGE

Abstract Laboratory‐scale experiments were conducted to determine the influence of higher thermophilic temperatures on thermophilic aerobic digestion treatment of a simulated sludge. The efficiency of the process was evaluated in respect of solids removal and degradation rate constants at four thermophilic temperatures. Batch runs were operated at a retention time of one day and temperatures of 65, 70, 72 and 75 °C. The results indicated that temperature increase did not impart any significant benefits to the digestion operation in terms of suspended solids and biochemichal oxygen demand reduction. The findings from this research also suggested that the treatment would not appear to benefit from temperatures higher than 65 °C, as classically suggested by Van’t Hoff‐Arrhenius. Therefore, increase of thermophilic temperature in the tested 65‐–75 °C range does not enhance the efficiency of thermophilic, aerobic sludge digestion treatment.
Sustainability or eco fraud? Perception and communication of ‘carbon capture and usage’

Capturing and utilizing CO2 for the production of goods (CCU) is a novel approach to tackle the problem of rising emissions and global warming. Companies introducing CCU goods need to consider the public perception of the technology. A general concern is that the negative public attitude towards a related approach (capturing and transferring CO2 to subterranean storages-CCS) may impact the perception of CCU. Moreover, it is unclear how domain experts and laymen perceive CCU. In this paper, both questions are investigated by applying text and web mining methods. The results indicate that the CCS discourse seems to have minor to none impact on the discussion of CCU. However, the discussion of CCU shows strong discrepancies concerning perceived risks and potentials. Insights from the study are highly relevant for technical communicators engaged in the communication of novel technologies such as CCU.
Adaptive Zoning for Transport Mode Choice Modeling

Adaptive zoning is a recently introduced method for improving computer modeling of spatial interactions and movements in the transport network. Unlike traditional zoning, where geographic locations are defined by one single universal plan of discrete land parcels or ‘zones’ for the study area, adaptive zoning establishes a compendium of different zone plans, each of which is applicable to one journey origin or destination only. These adaptive zone plans are structured to represent strong spatial interactions in proportionately more detail than weaker ones. In recent articles, it has been shown that adaptive zoning improves, by a large margin, the scalability of models of spatial interaction and road traffic assignment. This article confronts the method of adaptive zoning with an application of the scale and complexity for which it was intended, namely an application of mode choice modeling that at the same time requires a large study area and a fine‐grained zone system. Our hypothesis is that adaptive zoning can significantly improve the accuracy of mode choice modeling because of its enhanced sensitivity to the geographic patterns and scales of spatial interaction. We test the hypothesis by investigating the performance of three alternative models: (1) a spatially highly detailed model that is permissible to the maximum extent by available data, but requires a high computational load that is generally out of reach for rapid turnaround of policy studies; (2) a mode choice model for the same area, but reducing the computational load by 90% by using a traditional zone system consisting of fewer zones; and (3) a mode choice model that also reduces the computational load by 90%, but based on adaptive zoning instead. The tests are carried out on the basis of a case study that uses the dataset from the London Area Transport Survey. Using the first model as a benchmark, it is found that for a given computational load, the model based on adaptive zoning contains about twice the amount of information of the traditional model, and model parameters on adaptive zoning principles are more accurate by a factor of six to eight. The findings suggest that adaptive zoning has a significant potential in enhancing the accuracy of mode choice modeling at the city or city‐region scale.
A Markov Model of the 4500-year-old Indus Script

Although no historical information exists about the Indus civilization (fl. c. 2600-1900 BC), archaeologists have uncovered about 3800 short samples of a script that was used throughout the civilization. The script remains undeciphered, despite a large number of attempts and claimed decipherments over the past 80 years. Here, we propose the use of probabilistic models to analyze the structure of the Indus script. The goal is to reveal, through probabilistic analysis, syntactic patterns that could point the way to eventual decipherment. We illustrate the approach using a simple Markov chain model to capture sequential dependencies between signs in the Indus script. The trained model allows new sample texts to be generated, revealing recurring patterns of signs that could potentially form functional sub-units of an underlying language. The model also provides a quantitative way of testing whether a particular string belongs to the putative language as captured by the Markov model. Applying this test to Indus seals found in Mesopotamia and other sites in West Asia reveals that the script may have been used to express different content in these regions. Finally, we show how missing, ambiguous, or unreadable signs on damaged objects can be filled in with most likely predictions from the model. Taken together, our results indicate that the Indus inscriptions exhibit sequential structure and regularities that are suggestive of a linguistic rather than a nonlinguistic writing system.
Successful treatment of severe keratosis pilaris rubra with a 595-nm pulsed dye laser.

The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. K eratosis pilaris rubra and ulerythema ophryogenes (keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei) are keratinization disorders that have a genetic basis and are characterized by follicular hyperkeratosis on erythematous skin. 1 Given that topical treatments using urea-based keratolytics or retinoids often fail to improve the symptoms satisfactorily, there is a need for new and effective therapeutic options. We present a patient suffering from keratosis pilaris rubra and ulerythema ophryogenes, who benefited from therapy with the 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL)
Complete Genome Sequence of Clostridium septicum Strain CSUR P1044, Isolated from the Human Gut Microbiota

ABSTRACT Clostridium septicum is one of the first pathogenic anaerobes to be identified. Here, we announce the genome draft sequence of C. septicum strain CSUR P1044 isolated from the gut of a healthy adult. Its chromosome genome consists of 3.2 Mbp with a plasmid of 32 Kbp. C. septicum strain CSUR P1044 has a G+C content of 27.5%, and is composed of 3,125 protein-coding genes together with 103 RNA genes, including 22 rRNA genes.
Ionic mobilities in selected fused salt systems

Transport numbers were determined in the pure fused salts LiNO/sub 3/, NaNO/sub 3/, KNO/sub 3/, and AgNO/sub 3/ by measuring the volume changes of the material in the electrode compartments which took place during electrolysis of the melt. Transport numbers in the two binary fused salt systems AgNO/sub 3/- NaNO/sub 3/ and AgNO/sub 3/- KNO/sub 3/ were determined by measuring the volume changes accompanying electrolysis and the concentration changes accompanying electrolysis. The transport numbers of the pure fused salts were found to agree with a radius fraction expression which implied that the mobility of an ion moving through a melt is inversely proportional to its size. It is pointed out that this equation failed for other fused salts, so, factors other than the size must also affect the mobility of the ions in a fused salt. The variation with composition of the cation mobilities in the binary systems studied is discussed in terms of ordered and disordered regions in the melt. (auth)
Transcriptologs: A Transcriptome-Based Approach to Predict Orthology Relationships

The detection of orthologs is a key approach in genomics, useful to understand gene evolution and phylogenetic relationships and essential for gene function prediction. However, a reliable annotation of the encoded protein regions is still a limiting aspect in genomics, mainly due to the lack of confirmatory experimental evidence at proteome level. Nevertheless, the current ortholog collections are generally based on protein sequence comparisons, in addition to the availability of large transcriptome sequence collections. We developed Transcriptologs, a method for the prediction of orthologs based on similarities of translated fragments from messenger RNAs of 2 species. We implemented a procedure to extend BLAST-based alignments and to define orthologs based on the Bidirectional Best Hit approach. Results from a test case on Arabidopsis thaliana and Sorghum bicolor transcript collections revealed in some cases outperformance of Transcriptologs in comparison with a classical protein-based analysis in terms of alignment quality, revealing similarities otherwise not detectable.
Novel L558P Mutation of the TGFBI Gene Found in Ukrainian Families with Atypical Corneal Dystrophy

Purpose: To report a novel L558P mutation of the human transforming growth factor β-induced (TGFBI) gene found in Ukrainian families with atypical corneal dystrophy (CD). Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes of 12 members of 4 unrelated families with atypical CD. We performed genotype analysis of these families with microsatellite markers surrounding the TGFBI locus. Exons of the TGFBI gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and directly sequenced in 5 patients of 4 unrelated families. We utilized a simple PCR/restriction fragment length polymorphism-based technique for L558P mutation identification. Fifty normal individuals were also analyzed as controls. These assays were complemented by histological analysis of available corneal buttons excised during penetrating keratoplasty. Results: A heterozygous single-base-pair transition (CTC to CCC, leucine to proline) at codon 558 in exon 12 of the TGFBI gene (L558P) was detected in 10 individuals. Eight are affected, and 2 are teenagers with no clinical manifestation of the disease as yet. The mutation was not found in 2 healthy individuals from 2 high-risk CD families, nor in 50 normal controls. Histopathological examination identified amyloid deposits, mostly in the posterior central cornea. Haplotype analysis provided evidence of a common founder of the L558P mutation. The mutation works on the protein level by disrupting an α-helix, which is crucial for the normal functioning of keratoepithelin. Conclusion: A novel L558P mutation in the TGFBI gene causes an atypical type of stromal CD.
Is routine patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty necessary?

• Correspondence: O. Şahap Atik, M.D. Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, 06500 Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey. Tel: +90 312 202 55 28 Fax: +90 312 212 90 08 e-mail: satikmd@gmail.com We avoid routine patellar resurfacing during knee replacement because of the risk of major complications that include patellar fracture, avascular necrosis, patellar tendon injury and instability. [1,2] Advocates for routine patellar resurfacing declare increased incidence of anterior knee pain in patients with non-resurfaced patellae. [3,4]
Bistable Thin-Film Shape Memory Actuators for Applications in Tactile Displays

Bistable shape memory actuators were fabricated by microsystem technology processes and characterized with regard to their use in tactile graphic displays. The actuators were realized as sputter-deposited buckled metallic thin-film carriers, having structured Ti-Ni-Cu and Ti-Ni-Hf shape memory alloys on the top and at the bottom, respectively. They were sputtered on wavy-structured substrate and had lateral dimensions ranging from 2.2 to 3.5 mm in width and from 1 to 3 mm in length. The actuators were switched with voltages in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 V and with currents in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 A. A force of 2.2 mN with a displacement of 0.7 mm was reached. To improve the performance further, a special test setup was developed. The bistable actuators in it were sputtered on a planar substrate with lateral dimensions ranging from 6 to 8 mm in width and from 3 to 6 mm in length. These actuators were switched with actuation voltages in the range of 0.6 to 1.6 V and with currents in the range of 0.6 to 1.8 A. Thus, a force of 16 mN with a displacement of 1.2 mm was reached.