Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of boron supplementation of layer diets varying in calcium and phosphorus concentrations on performance, egg quality, bone strength and mineral constituents of serum, bone and faeces

Abstract 1. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to investigate the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and supplemental boron (B) (0, 75, and 150 mg/kg) on the performance, egg quality, bone strength, and mineral constituents in bone, serum and faeces. 2. A reduction by 18% in the dietary Ca-P concentration from the recommended levels for the hen strain reduced (P < 0.01) faecal excretion of ash, Ca and P concentrations, and shear force with stress of the tibia in association with decreased feed intake, whereas improved albumen height and Haugh unit values in the egg. 3. Supplemental B significantly decreased the feed consumption, egg weight and final body weight in hens, as well as the albumen height, but had no effect on either the biomechanical characteristics of bones or the mineral profile of the bones and serum. However, there was a significant increase in the egg production rate and a reduction in the damaged and shell-less egg ratio, and in the feed conversion rate in hens fed adequate Ca-P with 150 mg/kg B compared to those of the unsupplemented controls. 4. The amount of B that accumulated in the bones and serum was correlated with the amount of B consumed. B increased the faecal excretion of ash, Ca and B. In general, dietary variables had no effect on mineral composition of serum and tibia. 5. The magnitude of the response to dietary B was much more pronounced in hens fed a diet deficient in Ca-P with 75 mg/kg B; these hens exhibited a production performance and an egg quality comparable to those given adequate Ca-P with no added B. 6. The data presented in this study describing the measured bone properties did not corroborate the hypothesis that B is a trace element playing an important role in mineral metabolism and bone strength through an interaction with Ca, P and Mg.
Double-Layered Collagen Gel Hemisphere for Cell Invasion Assay: Successful Visualization and Quantification of Cell Invasion Activity

Although various methods for collagen gel–based cell invasion assays have been described, there continues to be a need for a simpler and more objective assay. Here, we describe an easy-to-prepare double-layered collagen gel hemisphere (DL-CGH) system that satisfies these requirements, and we demonstrate the advantages of this new system for visualizing cell movements during invasion. DL-CGH consists of a central core collagen layer surrounded by an outer cover collagen layer. A droplet of collagen I solution (containing cells to be examined) naturally forms a small hemisphere on the bottom of the culture dish. After this central core layer gels, a second droplet is placed atop the first gel, encapsulating it completely. The hemisphere is submerged in the medium and cultured. The invasive activity of cells that infiltrate from the inner to the outer layer can be evaluated optically. Using this in vitro system, we measured the inhibitory effect of E-cadherin expression on cancer cell invasion. DL-CGH also allowed visualization of interactions between invading cancer cells and the stroma. Cancer cells, which lack the proteases required for direct entrance into the three-dimensional collagen matrix, were seen to slip like amoebas through matrix gaps generated by the pericellular proteolytic activity of fibroblasts. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Cell Communication and Adhesion for the following free supplemental resources: Movies 1–3; 4a and b].
NIA-Funded Alzheimer Centers Are More Efficient than Commercial Clinical Recruitment Sites for Conducting Secondary Prevention Trials of Dementia

Study participant dropout compromises clinical trials by reducing statistical power and potentially biasing findings. We use data from a trial of treatments to delay the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer disease (AD) [NEJM 2005;352 (23):79 to 88] to determine predictors of study participant dropout and inform the design and implementation of future trials. Time to study discontinuation was modeled by proportional hazards regression with censoring at incident dementia or trial completion. Of 769 participants, 230 (30%) discontinued prematurely. Risk of dropout was higher among nonwhites [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1, P=0.0007], participants with less than college education (HR=1.6, P=0.02), participants with a Hamilton Depression score of 6 or more (HR=1.3, P=0.04), unmarried males (HR=2.1 relative to married males, P=0.003) and participants recruited by commercial clinical sites (HR=2.2 relative to participants recruited by NIA-funded AD research centers, P<0.0001). A trial using commercial sites with the discontinuation rates and incident dementia event rates experienced in this trial would require 80% more participants than a comparably powered trial using NIA-funded AD research center sites. Targeted retention efforts and utilization of academic sites could substantively improve the statistical power and validity of future clinical trials of cognitively impaired elderly.
The Non-uniform in Time Small-Gain Theorem for a Wide Class of Control Systems with Outputs

The notions of non-uniform in time robust global asymptotic output stability and non-uniform in time input-tooutput stability (IOS) are extended to cover a wide class of control systemswith outputs that includes (finite or infinitedimensional) discrete-time and continuous-time control systems. A small-gain theorem,which makes use of the notion of non-uniform in time IOS property,is presented.
Infections That Induce Autoimmune Diabetes in BBDR Rats Modulate CD4+CD25+ T Cell Populations12

Viruses are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1A diabetes in humans. This pathogenic process can be modeled in the BBDR rat, which develops pancreatic insulitis and type 1A-like diabetes after infection with Kilham’s rat virus (RV). The mechanism is unknown, but does not involve infection of the pancreatic islets. We first documented that RV infection of BBDR rats induces diabetes, whereas infection with its close homologue H-1 does not. Both viruses induced similar humoral and cellular immune responses in the host, but only RV also caused a decrease in splenic CD4+CD25+ T cells in both BBDR rats and normal WF rats. Surprisingly, RV infection increased CD4+CD25+ T cells in pancreatic lymph nodes of BBDR but not WF rats. This increase appeared to be due to the accumulation of nonproliferating CD4+CD25+ T cells. The results imply that the reduction in splenic CD4+CD25+ cells observed in RV-infected animals is virus specific, whereas the increase in pancreatic lymph node CD4+CD25+ cells is both virus and rat strain specific. The data suggest that RV but not H-1 infection alters T cell regulation in BBDR rats and permits the expression of autoimmune diabetes. More generally, the results suggest a mechanism that could link an underlying genetic predisposition to environmental perturbation and transform a “regulated predisposition” into autoimmune diabetes, namely, failure to maintain regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cell function.
A candidate pair of standard targets for calibrating a scientific echo sounder over the frequency band 80–130 kHz

The potential design of a new scientific echo sounder, with nominal operating frequency band 80-130 kHz, raises the question of its calibration. It is proposed that this be done by the standard-target method. Based on an earlier study, which optimized a pair of solid elastic spheres for a broadband multibeam sonar with operating frequency band 70-120 kHz [Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/OCEANS.2006. 306944], a new target pair is specified by scaling considerations. Using the respective center frequencies of the two bands, the diameters of the new standard spheres of tungsten carbide with 6% cobalt binder are roughly 19/21 of the previous diameters, 75 and 84 mm, hence 68 and 76 mm. The broadband target strengths of the two targets are computed over a range of environmental conditions, proving their robustness.
Association of retrospective time estimation and severity of cognitive impairment

ABSTRACT Introduction. Time perception has an important role in everyday life, but is not commonly measured in clinical routine assessment of suspected cognitive impairment, given the complexity of available assessment methods. Furthermore, evidence on the pattern of retrospective time perception in neurodegenerative diseases is contradictory. Method. We asked 321 patients referred to neuropsychological assessment to retrospectively estimate the duration of the neuropsychological assessment session. We calculated the session actual duration, ratio, and accuracy of response. Patients were grouped into three categories: subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and mild to moderate dementia. Results. We found an overall tendency for underestimation of time, but no significant differences between groups regarding time estimation. There were significant, but weak, associations between time estimation and severity of cognitive impairment in several domains, with slightly different patterns across groups. Conclusions. Regardless of etiology, the majority of patients underestimated time, which was weakly associated with the severity of cognitive impairment. Global retrospective estimation may be clinically informative, particularly in a minority of extreme cases.
Experiments in 17th century English: manual versus automatic conceptual history

Previous research in conceptual history, the study of change over time of key terms and value systems, has been carried out manually using a restricted number of pre-identified texts. We propose that a method combining techniques from corpus and computational linguistics can be exploited to support conceptual history with semantic searches on a vast sample of texts. To exemplify this method, we focus on a fundamental concept in modern science, the experimental method, in order to trace how the pre-existing and primarily religious concept of experiment (or experience) took on its modern, scientific meaning. We contrast a manual approach using the existing Early English Books Online search interface with an automatic method using corpus linguistics software and methods to turn the transcribed portion of the same dataset into a corpus. Both approaches allow us to separate the religious and scientific senses and plot their change over time. We observe a rapid change in the meaning of experimental from overwhelmingly religious to largely scientific within the 1660s. However, the automatic corpus method is much more efficient and will support future scholars in carrying out iterative studies in a matter of minutes rather than through weeks of painstaking work. Such methodological innovation has the potential to support the formation of new research questions which could not have been considered previously.
3D antenna patterning for MIMO and phased-array systems: Energy-based built-in-self-test for multiphysics co-design

Liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrates are used to design 3D conformal antenna elements in laser direct structuring technology (LDS) for MIMO and phased-array applications. Perspectives for energy-oriented built-in-self-test (BIST) compensation solutions are drawn for multiphysics electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical co-design of chip-package-PCB systems undergoing stochastic changes in their integration environments. Broadband equivalent circuit models accounting for radiation effects are extracted for proper random EM-fields-circuit co-simulation which can give consideration to random variations in impedance and noise matching networks.
Translation and validation of Chinese version of International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form

Purpose. To translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF-C) to Chinese. Method. Forward and backward translations were conducted by two bilingual professional translators. Content validity was verified by a panel of a senior orthopaedic surgeon and six physiotherapists. The IKDC-SKF-C was tested on 84 patients. Psychometric testing included internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and test–retest reliability. Convergent validity used Spearman's correlation coefficient (rho) tests by comparing its score with the Chinese version of SF-36. Results. The Internal consistency was excellent with Cronbach's α == 0.97. Test-retest reliability was supported with an ICC == 0.87. The IKDC-SKF-C was moderately related to concurrent measures of physical function and bodily pain (r == 0.64, p <0.05). Conclusion. The translated Chinese IKDC-SKF is a reliable and valid tool with equal measurement properties and conceptual equivalent to the original version.
Re: cervical kyphotic deformity correction using 360-degree reconstruction.

In Response: We read with great interest the paper of Nottmeier et al entitled ‘‘Cervical Kyphotic Deformity Correction Using 360-degree Reconstruction’’ published in August 2009. Nottmeir et al report their experience in treating cervical kyphotic deformity with circumferential correction. Their work is similar to our study, published in December 2008, which they did not reference. Of note, there did seem to be an interesting difference between the 2 studies. In Nottmeir et al’s study, there were 2 cases of postoperative neurologic deficit, including 1 case of quadriparesis. They did not report using neurophysiologic monitoring during the cases. In contrast, we did use neuromonitoring for all of our cases, and did not have any significant neurologic complications. We believe that this suggests a benefit of neuromonitoring (motor evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials, and electromyographic potentials), particularly in cases of cervical deformity correction. We would be interested to know Nottmeir et al’s opinion of the use of neuromonitoring for such cases. We congratulate Nottmeir et al on their paper. Sanjay S. Dhall, MD* Praveen V. Mummaneni, MDw *Department of Neurosurgery Emory University, School of Medicine wDepartment of Neurosurgery University of California, San Francisco
Ordinal Versions of Coefficients Alpha and Theta for Likert Rating Scales

Two new reliability indices, ordinal coefficient alpha and ordinal coefficient theta, are introduced. A simulation study was conducted in order to compare the new ordinal reliability estimates to each other and to coefficient alpha with Likert data. Results indicate that ordinal coefficients alpha and theta are consistently suitable estimates of the theoretical reliability, regardless of the magnitude of the theoretical reliability, the number of scale points, and the skewness of the scale point distributions. In contrast, coefficient alpha is in general a negatively biased estimate of reliability. The use of ordinal coefficients alpha and theta as alternatives to coefficient alpha when estimating the reliability based on Likert response items are recommended. The choice between the two ordinal coefficients depends on whether one is assuming a factor analysis model (ordinal coefficient alpha) or a principal components analysis model (ordinal coefficient theta).
Applications of the Excimer Laser: A Review

BACKGROUND The 308-nm excimer laser has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo. Its ability to treat localized areas has led to many studies determining its potential in the treatment of focal diseases with inflammation or hypopigmentation. OBJECTIVE To review the different applications of the 308-nm excimer laser for treating dermatologic conditions. METHODS AND MATERIALS An extensive literature review was conducted by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, and ClinicalKey to find articles pertaining to dermatologic conditions treated with the 308-nm excimer laser. Articles published that contributed to new applications of the excimer laser were included, as well as initial studies utilizing the excimer laser. RESULTS The outcomes and results were compiled for different dermatologic conditions treated with the excimer laser. CONCLUSION The 308-nm excimer laser has a wide range of uses for focal inflammatory and hypopigmented conditions. Treatment is generally well tolerated, with few adverse reactions. Larger studies and studies evaluating the long-term effects of the 308-nm excimer laser are needed.
Divergent tree growth response to recent climatic warming, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Many dendroclimatic studies have been conducted in Alaska to understand recent climate changes, identify past and current warming trends, and determine how climate change may influence ecosystems. Four new white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) ring‐width chronologies from four sites along a 30 kilometer north‐south transect in the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve on the Alaskan Peninsula span a common interval from AD 1769 to 2003. Two sites show an internally consistent positive growth response to increasing April–July temperatures after 1950. The two other sites each contain two subpopulations showing varying growth responses. One subpopulation diverges from historical temperature data after 1950 and one shows increased growth consistent with warming or exceeds expected growth increases. The growth decline may be due to temperature‐induced drought stress that acts on some trees. Unprecedented climatic changes are triggering diverse growth responses between and within study sites that may greatly complicate dendroclimatic reconstructions of past climate conditions.
Learning Agents for Dynamic Supply Network Management

Supply networks rely increasingly on dynamic information flow between organisations. Providing intelligent automated collaboration requires learning capability i.e. an agent should be capable of adapting behaviour as conditions change. This paper proposes a scalable multi-agent system which uses case-based reasoning as a framework for part of its intelligence. Agents operate at two levels: an inter-enterprise level and a product/logistics level. Tests with a simulated system for buyer side operations show that such a buyer agent is capable of learning the best supplier and of adapting if supply conditions change e.g. if average delivery times deteriorate or a new supplier enters the market.
Elastobuoyant Heavy Spheres: A Unique Way to Study Nonlinear Elasticity

Large deformations in soft elastic materials are ubiquitous, yet systematic studies and methods to understand the mechanics of such huge strains are lacking. Here, we investigate this complex problem systematically with a simple experiment: by introducing a heavy bead of radius a in an incompressible soft elastic medium. We find a scaling law for the penetration depth (δ) of the bead inside the softest gels as δ ∼ a 3=2 , which is vindicated by an original asymptotic analytic model developed in this article. This model demonstrates that the observed relationship is precisely at the demarcating boundary of what would be required for the field variables to either diverge or converge. This correspondence between a unique mathematical prediction and the experimental observation ushers in new insights into the behavior of the deformations of strongly nonlinear materials.
Survey of the States: Special Education Knowledge Requirements for School Administrators

Regular education administrators must possess a knowledge of special education to effectively implement P. L. 94-142, and to experiment with and accomplish many of the proposed objectives of the regular education initiative. To determine the existing knowledge base of school administrators in special education and special education law, we surveyed state directors of special education. This article reports the results of the survey, discusses implications, and offers suggestions for improvement.
Model of care in chronic disease: inclusion of a theory of nursing

In implementing the Chronic Care Model, the nurse has been indicated as key. The present study gives a theoretical reflection which aims to reflect on the integration of a theory of nursing into the Chronic Care Model. This reflection originates from a thesis project, in the context of a University Hospital which is a benchmark in the attendance of patients with diabetes, in specialized and hospital care. This proposal relates four elements of the model for organizing the nursing care for this clientele, associated with Horta's Basic Human Needs Theory. It is considered that using the Chronic Care Model, associated with Horta's Basic Human Needs Theory, can advance nursing practice with this clientele, evidencing the practice's elements and, consequently, evidencing the visibility of the nurse's competences and practice activities in care for the chronic illnesses. descriPtors: Nursing. Nursing theory. Chronic illness. Diabetes mellitus.
Immunosuppressant Target Protein FKBP12 Is Required for P-Glycoprotein Function in Yeast*

The mammalian P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a ~170-kDa membrane protein that mediates multidrug resistance in many chemotherapy-resistant tumors by effluxing toxic compounds from the cell. Pgp homologs are expressed in many organisms, from bacteria to yeast and mammals. Previous studies established a model system to analyze the function of murine, human, and Plasmodium falciparum Pgp by heterologous expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, such studies have been hampered by the inherent resistance of yeast cells to chemotherapeutic agents. We find that an erg6 mutation, which blocks the final synthetic step of the membrane sterol ergosterol, renders yeast sensitive to anthracyclines and dactinomycin, clinically relevant Pgp substrates. We demonstrate that expression of the murine mdr3 gene confers dactinomycin resistance in both the erg6 mutant yeast strain and in an erg6 rad52 DNA repair mutant yeast strain. Similarly, murine mdr3 expression confers resistance to the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506 in a CsA-FK506-sensitive vph6 mutant yeast strain. CsA and FK506 are known to partially overcome Pgp-mediated drug resistance, suggesting the targets of these drugs might regulate Pgp function. We find that both murine mdr3 and the yeast Pgp homolog STE6 function in yeast mutants lacking the CsA target proteins cyclophilin A and calcineurin. In contrast, murine mdr3 function was severely compromised in yeast mutants lacking the FK506/rapamycin target protein FKBP12. Both wild-type FKBP12 and an F43Y FKBP12 mutant with reduced prolyl isomerase activity supported mdr3 function. Our results support the model that immunosuppressants reverse multidrug resistance by competing with other Pgp substrates but reveal that inhibition of FKBP12-dependent Pgp function may also contribute to reversal of multidrug resistance by FK506 and rapamycin.