Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiographic Comparison of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Versus Traditional Fusion Approaches: Analysis of Sagittal Contour Change

Background Lateral approach to lumbar fusion has been gaining popularity in recent years. With increasing awareness of the significance of sagittal balance restoration in spinal surgery, it is important to investigate the potential of this relatively new approach in correcting sagittal deformities in comparison to conventional approaches. The aim of this study was to evaluate sagittal contour changes seen in lateral lumbar interbody fusion and compare them with radiographic changes in traditional approaches to lumbar fusion. Methods Lumbar fusion procedures from January 2008 to December 2009 were reviewed. Four approaches were compared: anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior spinal fusion (PSF). Standing pre-operative and 6-week post-operative radiographs were measured in terms of operative level, suprajacent and subjacent level, and regional lumbar lordosis (L1-S1) as well as operative level anterior (ADH) and posterior disc heights (PDH). T-test was used to analyze differences between and within different approaches (α=0.05). Results A total of 147 patients underwent lumbar fusion at 212 levels. Mean operative level segmental lordosis change after each procedure is as follows: ALIF 3.8 ± 6.6° (p < 0.01); LLIF 3.2 ± 3.6° (p<0.01); TLIF 1.9 ± 3.9° (p<0.01); and PSF 0.7 ± 2.9° (p =0.13). Overall lumbar lordosis change after each procedure is as follows: ALIF 4.2 ± 5.8° (p < 0.01); LLIF 2.5 ± 4.1° (p<0.01); TLIF 2.1 ± 6.0 (p = 0.02); PSF -0.5 ± 6.2° (p = 0.66). There were no significant changes in the supradjcent and subjacent level lordosis in all approaches except in ALIF where a significant decrease in supradjecent level lordosis was seen. Mean ADH and PDH significantly increased for all approaches except in PSF where PDH decreased post-operatively. Conclusion LLIF has the ability to improve sagittal contour as well as other interbody approaches and is superior to posterioronly approach in disc height restoration. However, ALIF provides the greatest amount of segmental and overall lumbar lordosis correction. Level of Evidence This is a Level III study. Clinical Relevance Regional lordosis correction may be effectively achieved with LLIF. This approach is a good addition to a surgeon's armamentarium in maintenance or restoration of normal lumbar sagittal alignment.
Student threat assessment associated with safety in middle schools.

Authorities in law enforcement and education have recommended the use of threat assessment to prevent violence, but few studies have examined its usefulness in middle schools. This retrospective, quasi-experimental study compared middle schools that use the Virginia Student Threat Assessment Guidelines (Cornell & Sheras, 2006; N 166) with schools that either do not use threat assessment (N 119) or use an alternative model of threat assessment (schoolor district-developed; N 47). Based on school records, schools using the Virginia Guidelines reported lower short-term suspension rates than both groups of schools. According to a statewide school climate survey, schools using the Virginia Guidelines also had fairer discipline and lower levels of student aggressive behaviors, as reported by students. Finally, teachers reported feeling safer in schools using the Virginia Guidelines, as opposed to both groups of schools. Additional analyses of school records found that the number of years a school used the Virginia Guidelines was associated with lower long-term suspension rates, student reports of fairer discipline, and lower levels of student aggressive behaviors. All analyses controlled for school size, minority composition, and socioeconomic status of the student body. These findings suggest that use of a threat assessment approach to violence prevention is associated with lower levels of student aggression and a more positive school climate.
Nitrosylation and nitration of mitochondrial complex I in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Impairment of the mitochondrial electron transport chain has been suggested to be a critical factor in the neuropathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), as inhibition of mitochondrial complex I (CI) activity is consistently detected in PD patients as well as in mitochondrial toxin models of the disorder. Increased levels of various reactive oxygen and nitrogen species appear to contribute to CI inhibition and mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as nitric oxide (NO) and its metabolite peroxynitrite (PN) may inhibit CI activity via several different mechanisms including S-nitrosylation, nitration, and protein thiol formation. Studies using various cell and animal PD models have demonstrated that selective mitochondrial CI inhibition in dopaminergic cells may be due to both NO-mediated S-nitrosylation and nitration of CI sub-units. Strategies to modulate mitochondrial NO levels will therefore likely be a promising approach to enhance mitochondrial function and protect dopaminergic neurons against oxidative or nitrosative insult.
Space charge phenomena in polyimide films and effects of absorbed water

Polyimide is widely used as a high-temperature insulating material. Space charge distributions in polyimide (PI) films strongly depend upon electric field, temperature, water content and so on. We observed space charge distributions in PI films with various water contents. When a dc field was applied to as-received PI films or water-treated PI films, positive and negative homo space charges were observed near the respective electrodes at 333 K. In dried PI films, the homo space charges were much reduced, and positive and negative hetero space charges in the bulk were clearly observed. The space charge amounts in water-treated PI films were smaller than in as-received ones, while the current density in water-treated PI film was larger than that in as-received one by two or more orders of magnitude. These suggest not only that the charge injection from the electrode is enhanced by absorbed water but also that absorbed water makes carriers mobile. The decay of space charge was also faster in water-treated PI than in as-received or dried one. This also supports the enhancement of apparent mobilities of carriers in PI by absorbed water.
An adaptive queue management mechanism for improving TCP fairness in the infrastructure WLAN

Research studies have uncovered the unfair WLAN bandwidth distribution between uplink and downlink TCP flows in the infrastructure WLAN using the distributed coordination function mode. Different mechanisms at or above the MAC layer have been proposed for handling this problem. This paper presents a simple but effective approach in order to achieve the fair distribution by using an adaptive queue management mechanism to manage the queue between the logic link and MAC layers at the access point. Extensive simulation results show that this approach outperforms other mechanisms discussed in the literature over a wide range of network scenarios in terms of fair distribution, small delay, and high WLAN bandwidth utilization
Overcoming Institutional Voids in Subsistence Marketplaces

This case study explores an entrepreneurial venture as it deals with the challenges of operating in Zimbabwe, a country with high levels of poverty, limited institutional frameworks, and no national currency. It investigates how the venture has overcome institutional voids to challenge the existing monopoly, and succeeded in establishing itself, and thrived, in a contracting Sub-Saharan economy. In so doing the case has reshaped the existing marketing system by increasing competition, lowering prices, providing income for more than 2,000 people, and better quality products for the urban subsistence community. Specifically this paper looks at what resources are critical to reshaping subsistence marketing systems, and provides insights into the marketing channels and networks that have led to this change.
CD8‐alpha T‐cell infiltration in human papillomavirus‐related oropharyngeal carcinoma correlates with improved patient prognosis

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal tumors display improved prognosis. The biological basis of this tumor phenotype is poorly understood. We investigated whether increased lymphocyte infiltrate in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas could account for better prognosis. We previously identified, in an Affymetrix GeneChip analysis of 83 HPV‐unrelated and 11 HPV‐related squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, several candidate genes, including CD8α and CD3ζ. Their expression was validated in this study by qRT–PCR on an independent clinical series of 144 oropharyngeal tumors. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor specimens was performed to evaluate infiltration of tumor stroma by CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. The prognostic value of CD8α and CD3ζ expression levels was measured by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression model analyses. Immune response‐related signaling pathways were found to be deregulated in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal tumors. Expression of CD8α, CD3ζ, granzyme K, CD28 and integrin αL RNAs was upregulated in HPV‐positive lesions when compared with HPV‐unrelated tumors (p < 0.05). Stroma of HPV‐positive tumors was frequently and strongly infiltrated by CD8α‐ and CD3ζ‐positive T cells. CD8α RNA expression correlated with both improved global (Kaplan–Meier; p = 0.005; Cox regression: p = 0.003) and disease‐free (Cox regression: p = 0.04) survival. CD3ζ RNA expression correlated with improved overall survival (Cox regression: p = 0.024). These results suggest that an increased cytotoxic T‐cell‐based antitumor immune response is involved in improved prognosis of patients with HPV‐positive tumors.
Modulation of Ca2+ signalling in rat atrial myocytes: possible role of the α1c carboxyl terminal

Ca2+ influx through L‐type Cav1.2 (α1c) Ca2+ channels is a critical step in the activation of cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and release of Ca2+ via Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release(CICR). The released Ca2+, in turn, is the dominant determinant of inactivation of the Ca2+ current (ICa) and termination of release. Although Ca2+ cross‐signalling is mediated by high Ca2+ fluxes in the microdomains of α1c‐RyR complexes, ICa‐gated Ca2+ cross‐signalling is surprisingly resistant to intracellular Ca2+ buffering and has steeply voltage‐dependent gain, inconsistent with a strict CICR mechanism, suggesting the existence of additional regulatory step(s). To explore the possible regulatory role of the carboxyl (C)‐terminal tail of α1c in modulating Ca2+ signalling, we tested the effects of introducing two α1c C‐terminal peptides, LA (1571–1599) and K (1617–1636) on the central α1c‐unassociated Ca2+‐release sites of atrial myocytes, using rapid (240 Hz) two‐dimensional confocal Ca2+ imaging. The frequency of spontaneously activating central sparks increased by approximately fourfold on dialysing LA‐ but not K‐peptide into myocytes voltage‐clamped at ‐80 mV. The rate but not the magnitude of caffeine (10 mM)‐triggered central Ca2+ release was significantly accelerated by LA‐ but not K‐peptide. Individual Ca2+ spark size and flux were larger in LA‐ but not in K‐peptide‐dialysed myocytes. Although LA‐peptide did not change the amplitude or inactivation kinetics of ICa, LA‐peptide did strongly enhance the central Ca2+ transients triggered by ICa at ‐30 mV (small ICa) but not at +20 mV (large ICa). In contrast, K‐peptide had no effect on either ICa or the local Ca2+ transients. LA‐peptide with a deleted calmodulin‐binding region (LM1‐peptide) had no significant effects on the central spark frequency but suppressed spontaneous spark frequency in the periphery. Our results indicate that the calmodulin‐binding LA motif of the α1c C‐terminal tail may sensitize the RyRs, thereby increasing their open probability and providing for both the voltage‐dependence of CICR and the higher frequency of spark occurrence in the periphery of atrial myocytes where the native α1c‐RyR complexes are intact.
Generation of mice with a conditional and reporter allele for Tmem100

Activin receptor‐like kinase 1 (ACVRL1; ALK1) is predominantly expressed in arterial endothelial cells and plays an important role in angiogenesis. ACVRL1 mutations cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a genetic vascular disorder for which the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. We have found that expression of transmembrane protein 100 (Tmem100) is downregulated in the lung of Acvrl1‐deficient mice; however, its function is unknown. To elucidate the role of Tmem100 in vivo, we generated a conditional knockout allele for Tmem100 in which exon3, containing the entire coding sequence, was flanked by loxP sequences. The targeted allele also possessed a lacZ reporter cassette in intron2 for visualization of Tmem100 expression. We found that Tmem100 was predominantly expressed in arterial endothelial cells of developing embryos. The conditional and reporter allele will be a useful resource to investigate the in vivo role of Tmem100, especially in angiogenesis. genesis 48:673–378, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Hazards of Expert Control: Chief Risk Officers and Risky Derivatives

At the turn of the century, regulators introduced policies to control bank risk-taking. Many banks appointed chief risk officers (CROs), yet bank holdings of new, complex, and untested financial derivatives subsequently soared. Why did banks expand use of new derivatives? We suggest that CROs encouraged the rise of new derivatives in two ways. First, we build on institutional arguments about the expert construction of compliance, suggesting that risk experts arrived with an agenda of maximizing risk-adjusted returns, which led them to favor the derivatives. Second, we build on moral licensing arguments to suggest that bank appointment of CROs induced “organizational licensing,” leading trading-desk managers to reduce policing of their own risky behavior. We further argue that CEOs and fund managers bolstered or restrained derivatives use depending on their financial interests. We predict that CEOs favored new derivatives when their compensation rewarded risk-taking, but that both CEOs and fund managers opposed new derivatives when they held large illiquid stakes in banks. We test these predictions using data on derivatives holdings of 157 large banks between 1995 and 2010.
Using chimeric piggyBac transposase to achieve directed interplasmid transposition in silkworm Bombyx mori and fruit fly Drosophila cells

The piggyBac transposon has been long used to integrate foreign DNA into insect genomes. However, undesirable transgene expression can result from random insertions into the genome. In this study, the efficiency of chimeric Gal4-piggyBac transposase in directing integration onto a DNA target plasmid was evaluated in cultured silkworm Bombyx mori Bm-12 and fruit fly Drosophila Schneider 2 (S2) cells. The Gal4-piggyBac transposase has a Gal4 DNA-binding domain (DBD), and the target plasmid has upstream activating sequences (UAS) to which the Gal4 DBD can bind with high affinity. The results indicate that, in the Bm-12 and S2 cells, transpositional activity of Gal4-piggyBac transposase was increased by 4.0 and 7.5 times, respectively, compared to controls, where Gal4-UAS interaction was absent. Moreover, the Gal4-piggyBac transposase had the ability of directing piggyBac element integration to certain sites of the target plasmid, although the target-directing specificity was not as high as expected. The chimeric piggyBac transposase has the potential for use in site-directed transgenesis and gene function research in B. mori.
Controlling a bipedal walking robot actuated by pleated pneumatic artificial muscles

This paper reports on the control structure of the pneumatic biped Lucy. The robot is actuated with pleated pneumatic artificial muscles, which have interesting characteristics that can be exploited for legged locomotion. They have a high power to weight ratio, an adaptable compliance and they can absorb impact effects. The discussion of the control architecture focuses on the joint trajectory generator and the joint trajectory tracking controller. The trajectory generator calculates trajectories represented by polynomials based on objective locomotion parameters, which are average forward speed, step length, step height and intermediate foot lift. The joint trajectory tracking controller is divided in three parts: a computed torque module, a delta-p unit and a bang-bang pressure controller. The control design is formulated for the single support and double support phase, where specifically the trajectory generator and the computed torque differs for these two phases. The first results of the incorporation of this control architecture in the real biped Lucy are given. Several essential graphs, such as pressure courses, are discussed and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is shown by the small deviations between desired and actual attained objective locomotion parameters.
Phytosulfokine Regulates Growth in Arabidopsis through a Response Module at the Plasma Membrane That Includes CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED CHANNEL17, H+-ATPase, and BAK1[OPEN]

The peptide receptor PSKR1 forms a nanocluster with the cation channel CNGC17 and the H+-ATPase at the plasma membrane that promotes cell expansion. Phytosulfokine (PSK) is perceived by the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase PSKR1 and promotes growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. PSKR1 is coexpressed with the CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE-GATED CHANNEL gene CNGC17. PSK promotes protoplast expansion in the wild type but not in cngc17. Protoplast expansion is likewise promoted by cGMP in a CNGC17-dependent manner. Furthermore, PSKR1-deficient protoplasts do not expand in response to PSK but are still responsive to cGMP, suggesting that cGMP acts downstream of PSKR1. Mutating the guanylate cyclase center of PSKR1 impairs seedling growth, supporting a role for PSKR1 signaling via cGMP in planta. While PSKR1 does not interact directly with CNGC17, it interacts with the plasma membrane-localized H+-ATPases AHA1 and AHA2 and with the BRI-associated receptor kinase 1 (BAK1). CNGC17 likewise interacts with AHA1, AHA2, and BAK1, suggesting that PSKR1, BAK1, CNGC17, and AHA assemble in a functional complex. Roots of deetiolated bak1-3 and bak1-4 seedlings were unresponsive to PSK, and bak1-3 and bak1-4 protoplasts expanded less in response to PSK but were fully responsive to cGMP, indicating that BAK1 acts in the PSK signal pathway upstream of cGMP. We hypothesize that CNGC17 and AHAs form a functional cation-translocating unit that is activated by PSKR1/BAK1 and possibly other BAK1/RLK complexes.
Interest premium and economic growth: the case of CEE

This paper views the growth and convergence process of the four Visegrad economies - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - through the lens of the open economy, stochastic neoclassical growth model. We use a unified framework to understand both the long-run convergence path and fluctuations around it. Our empirical exercise highlights both the role of initial conditions such as indebtedness and capital intensity, and random shocks in the growth process. In particular, we explore the importance of the external interest rate premium, and its role in driving investment and the trade balance.
Localisation of endothelin B receptor variants to plasma membrane microdomains and its effects on downstream signalling

The endothelin B (ETB) receptor can undergo a proteolytic cleavage resulting in an unglycosylated N-terminally truncated receptor. We investigated whether ETB receptor processing affects caveolar localisation and mitogenic signalling. Distinct subcellular localisations of ETB receptor constructs and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligands were analysed performing detergent-free caveolae preparations and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. ETB receptor-induced transactivation of the EGF receptor and its downstream signalling was investigated performing shedding assays and ERK1/2 phosphorylation analyses. In COS7 cells, the N-terminally truncated but not the full-length or glycosylation-deficient ETB receptor localised to caveolae. In caveolae-free HEK293 cells, only ETB receptor constructs fused to caveolin-2 localised to membrane microdomains. A caveolar accumulation of the ETB receptor disfavoured EGF receptor ligand shedding. Nonetheless, the activation of ERK1/2 was efficient and long-lasting. In HEK293 cells, the shedding activity was also impaired by N-terminal truncation. The subsequent ERK1/2 phosphorylation was long-lasting only for the full-length ETB receptor. We conclude that the ETB receptor localisation might depend on the presence of caveolae within the cell investigated. The data further suggest that caveolar enrichment of ETB receptors does not facilitate the release of EGF receptor ligands. However, independent of their localisation, ETB receptors are able to induce an ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
Homologies of the flower and inflorescence in the early-divergent grass Anomochloa (Poaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The grass subfamily Anomochlooideae is phylogenetically significant as the sister group to all other grasses. Thus, comparison of their structure with that of other grasses could provide clues to the evolutionary origin of these characters. METHODS We describe the structure, embryology, and development of the flower and partial inflorescence of the monotypic Brazilian grass Anomochloa marantoidea. We compare these features with those of other early-divergent grasses such as Pharus and Streptochaeta and closely related Poales such as Ecdeiocolea. KEY RESULTS Anomochloa possesses several features that are characteristic of Poaceae, notably a scutellum, a solid style, reduced stamen number, and an ovary with a single ovule that develops into a single indehiscent fruit. Interpretation of floral patterning in Anomochloa is problematic because the ramification pattern of the florets places the bracts and axes in unusual positions relative to the primary inflorescence axis. Our study indicates that there is a single abaxial carpel in Anomochloa, probably due to a cryptic type of pseudomonomery in Anomochloa that resembles the pseudomonomery of other grasses. On the other hand, the Anomochloa flower differs from the "typical" grass flower in lacking lodicules and possessing four stamens, in contrast with the tristaminate condition that characterizes many other grasses. CONCLUSIONS Using the median part of the innermost bract as a locator, we tentatively homologize the inner bract of the Anomochloa partial inflorescence with the palea of other grasses. In this interpretation, the pattern of monosymmetry due to stamen suppression differs from that of Ecdeiocolea.