Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A breakthrough therapy for dentin hypersensitivity: how dental products containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate work to deliver effective relief of sensitive teeth.

OBJECTIVE These studies have utilized a range of state-of-the-art surface techniques to gain insight into the mechanism of action of a new technology for dentin hypersensitivity relief based upon arginine and calcium carbonate and, in particular, to address important questions regarding the nature and extent of dentin tubule occlusion. METHODS Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to assess tubule occlusion. Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) have been used to identify the composition of the dentin plug. CLSM has also been used to compare the mechanism of action of the toothpaste and the desensitizing prophylaxis paste, to address whether both the arginine and the calcium carbonate components are essential to occlusion, to identify the location of the arginine within the occluded dentin, and to demonstrate resistance of the occlusion to acid challenge. Hydraulic conductance has been used to assess the effectiveness of the arginine-calcium carbonate technology in arresting dentin fluid movement, to evaluate the effects of pulpal pressure on the robustness of the occlusion, and to confirm the resistance of the occlusion to an acid challenge. RESULTS The CLSM, SEM, and AFM studies demonstrate that the arginine-calcium carbonate technology is highly effective in rapidly and completely occluding dentin tubules. The EDX and ESCA studies show that the dentin surface deposit and occluded tubule plug contain high levels of calcium and phosphate, as well as carbonate. CLSM has confirmed that the toothpaste and the desensitizing prophylaxis paste have the same mechanism of action, that the arginine and calcium carbonate components are both essential to the effectiveness of these products, and that the arginine becomes incorporated into the dentin plug. The hydraulic conductance studies demonstrate that the occlusion provided by the arginine-calcium carbonate technology results in highly significant reductions in dentin fluid flow, and that the tubule plug is resistant to normal pulpal pressure and acid challenge. CONCLUSION A breakthrough technology based upon arginine and calcium carbonate provides clinically proven benefits with respect to rapid and lasting relief of dentin hypersensitivity. It is unique in that two of its key components, arginine and calcium, are found naturally in saliva, and that the arginine and calcium carbonate work together to accelerate the natural mechanisms of occlusion to deposit a dentin-like mineral, containing calcium and phosphate, within the dentin tubules and in a protective layer on the dentin surface.
Information in the Tails of the Distribution of Analysts’ Quarterly Earnings Forecasts

Investors generally measure earnings announcement news on the basis of the difference between actual earnings and two salient benchmarks: earnings in the same quarter the previous year and a consensus drawn from a distribution of forecasts by financial analysts. We evaluate the implications of a third salient benchmark: the most optimistic forecast when actual earnings exceed the consensus and the most pessimistic forecast when the consensus exceeds actual earnings. We find that considering the information in these tails of the distribution of analysts’ earnings forecasts enhances the profitability of post–earnings announcement drift strategies. Editor’s note: This article was reviewed and accepted by Robert Litterman, executive editor at the time the article was submitted.
A novel stable deviation quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization to optimal piezoelectric actuator and sensor location for active vibration control

In this article, a novel stable deviation quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization for solving global optimization problem is presented. The proposed stable deviation quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization algorithm uses interpolation and stable deviation function. The method of recombination operator is employed to generate a new solution vector in the search space. Therefore, the chance of fast converging can be improved. The performance of the proposed stable deviation quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization algorithm is compared with a quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization and a quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization with quadratic interpolation recombination operator, which is an advanced variant of quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization. Finally, the proposed stable deviation quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied to constrained optimal piezoelectric actuator and sensor location for active vibration control of a simply supported plate under the different periodic loads.
Performance assessment of equivalent-circuit models for electrochemical energy storage systems

The accurate modeling of electrochemical batteries has to be considered a significant issue in the design of control algorithms applied to energy storage systems. In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of Energy Storage System models based on equivalent electric circuits is presented. Such models are compared by means of a multi-criteria approach considering performance, applications, battery technologies and dynamic behavior. An extensive experimental validation has been carried out in order to assess the performance and capabilities related to each model, including sensitivity to parameters uncertainty. The analysis reported in the paper can represent an effective tool to select the appropriate model for a given application.
Third-Level Education, Labour Force and the performance of Foreign Direct Investment in Greece. A Moral perspective for Europe

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is inevitably regarded as a major driver of economic development. The countries, both developed and developing ones, find many positive direct and indirect effects by attracting investments from abroad. However, FDI alone cannot guarantee an increase in a countryâ€Ÿs GDP. Greece, despite the current financial crisis, is among the countries in the European Union that cannot successfully attract FDI flows and a study based on its human capital structure is seemed important. The present paper gives particularly emphasis the educated labour force with respect to the tertiary education level of women while offering important results that can be implemented by policy makers in order Greece achieve higher and qualitative amounts of FDI inflows. As part of economic integration a synergy with respect to intra Eu- FDI flows across the member states seems crucial.
Effect of monophosphoryl lipid A on the in vitro function of peritoneal leukocytes from uremic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We analyzed the effects of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), a relatively nontoxic immunostimulant derived from bacterial endotoxin, on the depressed in vitro immune function of leukocytes derived from six patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and who had histories of recurrent bacterial peritonitis. MPL was also tested for its capacity to stimulate the proliferation of peritoneal fibroblasts, as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. In vitro incubation of peritoneal lymphocytes and macrophages (PM phi) with increasing amounts of MPL, up to 5 micrograms/ml, resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement of gamma interferon and interleukin-2 production by peritoneal lymphocytes and interleukin-1 release by PM phi. In vitro incubation of PM phi with MPL also resulted in an increase of PM phi bacterial killing and membrane Fc receptor number, although no change in peritoneal fibroblast proliferation was seen with any of the MPL concentrations tested. These results suggest that the peritoneal leukocyte dysfunction observed in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and who have high rates of peritonitis may be alleviated, to some degree, by MPL, without directly inducing a potentially deleterious fibrotic lesion.
Modular representation of autoencoder networks

An autoencoder (AE) is a nonlinear extension of principal component analysis (PCA). It can extract abstract information about input data with low dimensions by combining multiple dimensions of input data through a layered neural network. A trained AE network can be used in various applications like parameter initialization for another inference; however, there is still no method for interpreting the feature values provided by an AE. Here we propose applying the method for extracting modular representations of layered neural networks to AE networks. We show in experiments using both synthetic and practical datasets that this approach can properly decompose a trained AE network and provide clues for discovering knowledge of feature values extracted in a hidden layer of an AE network.
Tolerance of Duobinary and NRZ-OOK Signals to Second-Order Polarization-Mode Dispersion

The sensitivity of tightly filtered duobinary and conventional nonreturn-to zero on-off-keyed (NRZ-OOK) signals to second-order polarization-mode dispersion (SO-PMD) is assessed through extensive numerical simulations. On average, duobinary signals are significantly more sensitive to SO-PMD than to ordinary fiber chromatic dispersion (CD), whereas NRZ-OOK signals are more tolerant to SO-PMD than to CD. This seemingly contradicting behavior is explained by the difference in the frequency dependence of SO-PMD and CD. In addition, duobinary signals suffer from residual differential group delay, even after first-order PMD compensation, which is introduced between signal components that are transmitted in the launched principal state of polarization (PSP) and those that are coupled from the launched to the orthogonal PSP.
Efficient classification for multiclass problems using modular neural networks

The rate of convergence of net output error is very low when training feedforward neural networks for multiclass problems using the backpropagation algorithm. While backpropagation will reduce the Euclidean distance between the actual and desired output vectors, the differences between some of the components of these vectors increase in the first iteration. Furthermore, the magnitudes of subsequent weight changes in each iteration are very small, so that many iterations are required to compensate for the increased error in some components in the initial iterations. Our approach is to use a modular network architecture, reducing a K-class problem to a set of K two-class problems, with a separately trained network for each of the simpler problems. Speedups of one order of magnitude have been obtained experimentally, and in some cases convergence was possible using the modular approach but not using a nonmodular network.
Retrograde intraciliary trafficking of opsin during the maintenance of cone‐shaped photoreceptor outer segments of Xenopus laevis

Photoreceptor outer segments (OSs) are essential for our visual perception, and take either rod or cone forms. The cell biological basis for the formation of rods is well established; however, the mechanism of cone formation is ill characterized. While Xenopus rods are called rods, they exhibit cone‐shaped OSs during the early process of development. To visualize the dynamic reorganization of disk membranes, opsin and peripherin/rds were fused to a fluorescent protein, Dendra2, and expressed in early developing rod photoreceptors, in which OSs are still cone‐shaped. Dendra2 is a fluorescent protein which can be converted from green to red irreversibly, and thus allows spatiotemporal labeling of proteins. Using a photoconversion technique, we found that disk membranes are assembled at the base of cone‐shaped OSs. After incorporation into disks, however, Opsin‐Dendra2 was also trafficked from old to new disk membranes, consistent with the hypothesis that retrograde trafficking of membrane components contributes to the larger disk membrane observed toward the base of the cone‐shaped OS. Such retrograde trafficking is cargo‐specific and was not observed for peripherin/rds‐Dendra2. The trafficking is unlikely mediated by diffusion, since the disk membranes have a closed configuration, as evidenced by CNGA1 labeling of the plasma membrane. Consistent with retrograde trafficking, the axoneme, which potentially mediates retrograde intraflagellar trafficking, runs through the entire axis of OSs. This study provides an insight into the role of membrane reorganization in developing photoreceptor OSs, and proves that retrograde trafficking of membrane cargoes can occur there. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3577–3589, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gender Differences in Knowledge and Perceptions of HIV Resources Among Individuals Living with HIV in the Southeast

Objectives Ancillary services have been associated with beneficial health utilization outcomes among individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including greater retention in medical care and greater likelihood of antiretroviral use. Our primary objectives were to examine gender differences in barriers to ancillary services among people living with HIV in the Southeastern United States. Methods Survey and chart abstraction data were collected from six tertiary infectious diseases clinics in the Southeast. Using multivariate analyses, we examined the relationship between gender and 1) knowledge of how to access HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) resource information and 2) opinions about the helpfulness of local services for people with HIV/AIDS. Results Women were less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS resources and rated local services less favorably than men. Middle-aged and older African-American women rated local services as less helpful than other survey participants did. Conclusions These findings indicate a need for outreach services that are designed to address the specific needs of older African-American women, and women in general.
Three‐dimensional structures of three engineered cellulose‐binding domains of cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma reesei

Three‐dimensional solution structures for three engineered, synthetic CBDs (Y5A, Y31A, and Y32A) of cellobiohydrolase I (CBHI) from Trichoderma reesei were studied with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. According to CD measurements the antiparallel β‐sheet structure of the CBD fold was preserved in all engineered peptides. The three‐dimensional NMR‐based structures of Y31A and Y32A revealed only small local changes due to mutations in the flat face of CBD, which is expected to bind to crystalline cellulose. Therefore, the structural roles of Y31 and Y32 are minor, but their functional importance is obvious because these mutants do not bind strongly to cellulose. In the case of Y5A, the disruption of the structural framework at the N‐terminus and the complete loss of binding affinity implies that Y5 has both structural and functional significance. The number of aromatic residues and their precise spatial arrangement in the flat face of the type I CBD fold appears to be critical for specific binding. A model for the CBD binding in which the three aligned aromatic rings stack onto every other glucose ring of the cellulose polymer is discussed.
Ropivacaine myotoxicity after single intramuscular injection in rats

Background and objective: We conducted this study in order to evaluate the potential myotoxic effects of ropivacaine after single injection in rats and the time‐course of the possible damage. Methods: One hundred and twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were allocated to four different groups. The first three groups received intramuscular injections with ropivacaine 0.75%, ropivacaine 0.5% and normal saline, respectively, into the right tibialis anterior muscle. The fourth group received needle puncture without injection. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed 2, 4, 7 and 30 days after injection. Samples were blindly examined under light microscope for evidence of myotoxicity, scored as 0 = no damage to 3 = myonecrosis and statistically analysed. Samples obtained 7 days after injection were also examined under transmission electron microscope. Results: Ropivacaine 0.75% and ropivacaine 0.5% caused extensive destruction to muscles fibres, compared to saline or needle on days 2, 4 and 7. Statistically significant differences were found in muscle damage by drug injections among all groups except for saline vs. needle groups. Thirty days after injections all sample appearances had returned to normal. Conclusions: Ropivacaine after single intramuscular injection caused reversible muscle damage in a dose‐dependent manner.
The relationship between social support, depression and treatment for depression in people with multiple sclerosis

Background. Studies have been fairly consistent in finding a relationship between social support and depression. However, little is known about the relationship between depression and social support in the context of treatment for depression. This study examined the effects of treatment for depression on social support among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method. Sixty-three moderately depressed MS patients received 16 weeks of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), supportive expressive group psychotherapy (SEGP) or sertraline. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory and social support was measured using Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule. Results. Treatment for depression was associated with significant increases in perceived social support, utilized social support and satisfaction with support, as well as reduction in need for emotional support. There were no significant changes in structural support or need for physical support. There were also no differences in change in social support across treatments. All changes in social support were fully explained by depression. Improvements in utilized social support and satisfaction with social support were fully mediated by improvements in depression. Baseline depression predicted improvements in perceived support and need for emotional support. Conclusions. These findings suggest that improvements in social support among MS patients during treatment for depression can be explained by depression. However, different domains of social support may be differentially sensitive to changes in depression.
Phase II study of irinotecan and amrubicin in patients with relapsed non-small cell lung cancer: Okayama Lung Cancer Study Group Trial 0402

Abstract Background. The survival advantage achieved by existing anti-cancer agents as second-line therapy for relapsed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is modest and further improvement of treatment outcome is desired. Combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and amrubicin for advanced NSCLC has not been fully evaluated. Methods. The primary endpoint of this phase II clinical trial was objective response. Patients with NSCLC who had been treated previously with one or two chemotherapy agents were enrolled. Irinotecan and amrubicin were both administered on Days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle, at doses of 100 mg/m2 and 40 mg/m2, respectively. Results. Between 2004 and 2006, 31 patients received a total of 101 courses; the median number of courses administered was three (range, one to six). Objective response was obtained in nine of the 31 patients (29.0% response rate; 95% confidence interval (CI), 12.1–46.0%). With a median follow-up time of 43.9 months, median survival time and the median progression-free survival time were 14.2 and 4.0 months, respectively. Myelosuppression was the most frequently observed adverse event, with grade 3/4 neutropenia in 51% of patients. Febrile neutropenia developed after nine courses (9%) and resulted in one treatment-related death. Cardiac toxicity and diarrhea, possibly specific for both agents, were infrequent and manageable. Conclusion. Combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and amrubicin is effective in patients with NSCLC but showed moderate toxicities in second- or third-line settings.
A pencil balancing robot using a pair of AER dynamic vision sensors

Balancing a normal pencil on its tip requires rapid feedback control with latencies on the order of milliseconds. This demonstration shows how a pair of spike-based silicon retina dynamic vision sensors (DVS) is used to provide fast visual feedback for controlling an actuated table to balance an ordinary pencil. Two DVSs view the pencil from right angles. Movements of the pencil cause spike address-events (AEs) to be emitted from the DVSs. These AEs are transmitted to a PC over USB interfaces and are processed procedurally in real time. The PC updates its estimate of the pencil's location and angle in 3d space upon each incoming AE, applying a novel tracking method based on spike-driven fitting to a model of the vertical shape of the pencil. A PD-controller adjusts X-Y-position and velocity of the table to maintain the pencil balanced upright. The controller also minimizes the deviation of the pencil's base from the center of the table. The actuated table is built using ordinary high-speed hobby servos which have been modified to obtain feedback from linear position encoders via a microcontroller. Our system can balance any small, thin object such as a pencil, pen, chop-stick, or rod for many minutes. Balancing is only possible when incoming AEs are processed as they arrive from the sensors, typically at intervals below millisecond ranges. Controlling at normal image sensor sample rates (e.g. 60 Hz) results in too long latencies for a stable control loop.
High-performance universal GNSS antenna and enhancement techniques to overcome its performance limitations

With the intense and accelerated competition in the past few years, full deployment of various multiple GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) constellations are becoming a distinct reality in the near future. Specifically, the augmented US GPS (Global Positioning System), Russian GLONASS, China's Beidou (Compass), and probably Europe's Galileo, have accelerated toward full deployment in five years. The spectra of GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and Galileo spread densely across 1.15 – 1.62 GHz, covering a frequency bandwidth of 446 MHz or an octaval bandwidth of 1.383:1, as displayed in Fig. 1. For performance and redundancy, it is highly desirable for a GNSS receiver to cover more than one of these GNSS systems. Indeed, Universal GNSS Receivers covering all four systems are being developed and deployed at fairly low cost with the advent of modern electronics and software-defined radios with rapidly reduced costs as well as improved performance. As a result, GNSS antennas with continuous and broad instantaneous bandwidth are needed for these receivers.