Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Effector Functions by Fc N‐Glycan Remodeling in Vitro

N‐Glycans at Asn297 in the Fc domain of IgG molecules are required for Fc receptor‐mediated effector functions such as antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). In this study we have specifically remodeled the Fc N‐glycans of intact recombinant IgG1 therapeutic monoclonal antibody (Mab) products, Rituxan and Herceptin, with a soluble recombinant rat β‐1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (rGnTIII) produced by baculovirus‐infected insect cells. N‐Glycan remodeling in vitro permitted a controlled and selective transfer of a bisecting β1,4‐linked GlcNAc to the core β‐linked mannose of degalactosylated Mab N‐glycans to yield Mabs varying in bisecting GlcNAc content from 31% to 85%. This was confirmed by analysis of N‐glycans by both normal phase HPLC and MALDI‐MS, the latter yielding the expected mass increase of 203.2 Da with no other oligosaccharide modifications evident. ADCC of remodeled Rituxan and Herceptin Mabs was determined using peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effectors and either CD20+ (SKW6.4 and SU‐DHL‐4) or Her2+ (SKBR‐3) target cells, respectively. A conserved 10‐fold increase in ADCC was observed for both remodeled therapeutic Mabs with high (>80%) bisecting GlcNAc content. In contrast, although the presence of a bisecting GlcNAc had minimal effect on CDC, degalactosylation of Rituxan reduced CDC by approximately half, relative to unmodified (variably galactosylated) control Mab. In summary, our data suggests that in vitro remodeling of therapeutic Mab Fc N‐glycans may be utilized to control the therapeutic efficacy of Mabs in vivo and to offer a more “humanized” glycoform profile for recombinant Mab products.
Effect of i.v. lignocaine on pain and the endocrine metabolic responses after surgery.

Pain intensity, and blood glucose and plasma cortisol concentrations were measured following abdominal hysterectomy in 18 patients allocated randomly to receive either i.v. lignocaine 1.5 mg kg-1 plus 2 mg kg-1 h-1, or saline. The administration of lignocaine resulted in plasma concentrations between 1.5 and 2.0 micrograms ml-1 during the 2-h study period. However, the administration of lignocaine i.v. had no effect on the intensity of pain after surgery, or on the adrenocortical and hyperglycaemic responses to surgery.
Comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of root dentin to resin sealers and a MTA sealer: An in vitro study

Background: Endodontic obturating materials should form monoblocks, reinforcing the treated teeth against fracture. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of two resin sealers and a MTA sealer on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Materials and Methods: Fifty single-rooted mandibular premolars, decoronated at cemento-enamel junction, were divided into 5 groups (n = 10 each). Group 1 and group 2 served as negative and positive controls. Cleaning and shaping of root canals was done using ProTaper rotary files and 3% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Obturation was done using AH plus (Dentsply, Germany) (group 3), MetaSEAL (Parkell, USA) (group 4), MTA Fillapex (Angeles, Brazil) (group 5) sealers and gutta-percha. Teeth were subjected to vertical loading using a universal testing machine and the point at which fracture of the roots occurred was recorded. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by pair-wise comparison using Tukey's Post-hoc test. Results: AH Plus showed better fracture resistance among the sealer groups. Statistically, no significant difference was found between MetaSEAL and Fillapex groups. Conclusion: MTA Fillapex as a root canal sealer was not able to reinforce the tooth against fracture.
Approaching Environmental Health Disparities and Green Spaces: An Ecosystem Services Perspective

Health disparities occur when adverse health conditions are unequal across populations due in part to gaps in wealth. These disparities continue to plague global health. Decades of research suggests that the natural environment can play a key role in sustaining the health of the public. However, the influence of the natural environment on health disparities is not well-articulated. Green spaces provide ecosystem services that are vital to public health. This paper discusses the link between green spaces and some of the nation’s leading health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular health, heat-related illness, and psychological health. These associations are discussed in terms of key demographic variables—race, ethnicity, and income. The authors also identify research gaps and recommendations for future research.
Molecular Testing for miRNA, mRNA, and DNA on Fine-Needle Aspiration Improves the Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules With Indeterminate Cytology.

CONTEXT Molecular testing for oncogenic mutations or gene expression in fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) from thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology identifies a subset of benign or malignant lesions with high predictive value. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate a novel diagnostic algorithm combining mutation detection and miRNA expression to improve the diagnostic yield of molecular cytology. SETTING Surgical specimens and preoperative FNAs (n = 638) were tested for 17 validated gene alterations using the miRInform Thyroid test and with a 10-miRNA gene expression classifier generating positive (malignant) or negative (benign) results. DESIGN Cross-sectional sampling of thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) cytology (n = 109) was conducted at 12 endocrinology centers across the United States. Qualitative molecular results were compared with surgical histopathology to determine diagnostic performance and model clinical effect. RESULTS Mutations were detected in 69% of nodules with malignant outcome. Among mutation-negative specimens, miRNA testing correctly identified 64% of malignant cases and 98% of benign cases. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the combined algorithm was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73-97%) and 85% (95% CI, 75-92%), respectively. At 32% cancer prevalence, 61% of the molecular results were benign with a negative predictive value of 94% (95% CI, 85-98%). Independently of variations in cancer prevalence, the test increased the yield of true benign results by 65% relative to mRNA-based gene expression classification and decreased the rate of avoidable diagnostic surgeries by 69%. CONCLUSIONS Multiplatform testing for DNA, mRNA, and miRNA can accurately classify benign and malignant thyroid nodules, increase the diagnostic yield of molecular cytology, and further improve the preoperative risk-based management of benign nodules with AUS/FLUS or FN/SFN cytology.
Natural history of untreated otitis media

Objective/Hypothesis: Data from cohort studies and untreated groups in randomized controlled trials can be identified through systematic literature review and synthesized with meta‐analysis to estimate natural history of acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME). Study Design: Systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. Method: Source articles were identified by MEDLINE search through August 2002 plus manual crosschecks of bibliographies and published meta‐analyses. Data were abstracted independently by two investigators and combined with random effects meta‐analysis to estimate spontaneous resolution, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: Sixty‐three articles met inclusion criteria. AOM symptoms improved within 24 hours without antibiotics in 61% of children (95% CI, 50–72%), rising to 80% by 2 to 3 days (95% CI, 69–90%). Suppurative complications were comparable if antibiotics were withheld (0.12%) or provided (0.24%). Children entered recurrent AOM trials with a mean rate of 5.5 or more annual episodes but averaged only 2.8 annual episodes while on placebo (95% CI, 2.2–3.4). No AOM episodes occurred in 41%, and only 17% remained otitis prone (3 or more episodes). OME after untreated AOM had 59% resolution by 1 month (95% CI, 50–68%) and 74% resolution by 3 months (95% CI, 68–80%). OME of unknown duration had 28% spontaneous resolution by 3 months (95%, CI 14–41%), rising to 42% by 6 months (95% CI, 35–49%). In contrast, chronic OME had only 26% resolution by 6 months and 33% resolution by 1 year. Conclusions: The natural history of otitis media is very favorable. Combined estimates of spontaneous resolution provide a benchmark against which to judge new or established interventions. The need for surgery in children with recurrent AOM or chronic OME should be balanced against the likelihood of timely spontaneous resolution and the potential risk of learning, language, or other adverse sequelae from persistent middle ear effusion. Further research is needed to identify prognostic factors that can target children unlikely to improve spontaneously for earlier intervention.
A Digital PLL Scheme for Three-Phase System Using Modified Synchronous Reference Frame

This paper proposes a novel phase-locked loop (PLL) control strategy to synthesize unit vector using the modified synchronous reference frame (MSRF) instead of the traditional synchronous reference frame. The unit vector is used for vector rotation or inverse rotation in vector-controlled three-phase grid-connected converting equipment. The developed MSRF-PLL is fast in transient response compared to standard PLL technique. The performance is robust against disturbances on the grid, voltage wave with harmonic distortion, and noise. The proposed algorithm has been analyzed in detail and was fully implemented digitally using digital signal processor TMS320F2812. The experimental evaluation of the MSRF-PLL in a shunt active power filter confirms its fast dynamic response, noise immunity, and applicability.
The Rough Mile: Testing a Framework of Immersive Practice

We present our case study on gifting digital music, The Rough Mile, as an example of a Framework of Immersive Practice, intended for researchers and practitioners in HCI and interaction design. Although immersion is a frequently used term in the HCI and related literatures, we find no definitions or frameworks that are robust enough to capture the full range of multi-sensory, emotional, and cognitive engagement that the richest of these experiences can entail. We therefore turn to the theatrical performance literature to distil a theory-based framework of practices that can apply to interdisciplinary projects as well as works with an entirely aesthetic aim. The design choices and findings of The Rough Mile are presented in terms of this framework, leading to a discussion of the design guidelines that can shape its use in any HCI or interaction design project aiming for a deep, personal engagement through technology.
Care of Children and Families in the CICU: A Focus on Their Developmental, Psychosocial, and Spiritual Needs

The staff of Patient and Family Support Services oversees the developmental, psychosocial, and spiritual care of the child in the cardiac intensive care unit. Staff collaborate with medical team members, as well as the patient's family, to promote holistic care. This article describes the roles and responsibilities of the child life specialist, the social worker, and the chaplain and identifies discipline-specific assessment techniques and interventions. The article highlights identified needs of children and their families, offering tools and interventions health care clinicians can use in the cardiac intensive care unit.
Female‐biased expression of odourant receptor genes in the adult antennae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Olfaction plays an important role in the life history of insects, including key behaviours such as host selection, oviposition and mate recognition. Odour perception by insects is primarily mediated by the large diverse family of odourant receptors (Ors) that are expressed on the dendrites of olfactory neurones housed within chemosensilla. However, few Or sequences have been identified from the Lepidoptera, an insect order that includes some of the most important pest species worldwide. We have identified 41 Or gene sequences from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) genome, more than double the number of published Or sequences from the Lepidoptera.
Revealing Learner Interests through Topic Mining from Question-Answering Data

In a question-answering system, learner generated content including asked and answered questions is a meaningful resource to capture learning interests. This paper proposes an approach based on question topic mining for revealing learners' concerned topics in real community question-answering systems. The authors' approach firstly preprocesses all questions associated with learners. Afterwards, it analyzes each question with text features and generates a weight feature matrix using a revised TF/IDF method. In order to decrease the sparsity issue of data distribution, the authors employ three concept-mapping strategies including named entity recognition, synonym extension, and hyponym replacement. Applying an SVM classifier, their approach categorizes user questions into representative topics. Three experiments are conducted based on a TREC dataset and an actual dataset containing 1,120 questions posted by learners from a commercial question-answering community. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method compared with conventional classifiers as baselines.
Over-Allotment Options in Ipos on Germany's Neuer Markt - an Empirical Investigation

Over-allotment arrangements are nowadays part of almost any initial public offering. The underwriting banks borrow stocks from the previous shareholders to issue more than the initially announced number of shares. This is combined with the option to cover this short position at the issue price. We present empirical evidence on the value of these arrangements to the underwriters of initial public offerings on the Neuer Markt. The over-allotment arrangement is regarded as a portfolio of a long call option and a short position in a forward contract on the stock, which is different from other approaches presented in the literature. Given the economically substantial values for these option-like claims we try to identify benefits to previous shareholders or new investors when the company is using this instrument in the process of going public. Although we carefully control for potential endogeneity problems, we find virtually no evidence for a reduction in underpricing for firms using over-allotment arrangements. Furthermore, we do not find evidence for more pronounced price stabilization activities or better aftermarket performance for firms granting an over-allotment arrangement to the underwriting banks.
A Structural View of Egg Coat Architecture and Function in Fertilization1

Species-restricted interaction between gametes at the beginning of fertilization is mediated by the extracellular coat of the egg, a matrix of cross-linked glycoprotein filaments called the zona pellucida (ZP) in mammals and the vitelline envelope in nonmammals. All egg coat subunits contain a conserved protein-protein interaction module—the “ZP domain”—that allows them to polymerize upon dissociation of a C-terminal propeptide containing an external hydrophobic patch (EHP). Recently, the first crystal structures of a ZP domain protein, sperm receptor ZP subunit zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3), have been reported, giving a glimpse of the structural organization of the ZP at the atomic level and the molecular basis of gamete recognition in vertebrates. The ZP module is divided in two related immunoglobulin-like domains, ZP-N and ZP-C, that contain characteristic disulfide bond patterns and, in the case of ZP-C, also incorporate the EHP. This segment lies at the interface between the two domains, which are connected by a long loop carrying a conserved O-glycan important for binding to sperm in vitro. The structures explain several apparently contradictory observations by reconciling the variable disulfide bond patterns found in different homologues of ZP3 as well as the multiple ZP3 determinants alternatively involved in gamete interaction. These findings have implications for our understanding of ZP subunit biogenesis; egg coat assembly, architecture, and interaction with sperm; structural rearrangements leading to postfertilization hardening of the ZP and the block to sperm binding; and the evolutionary origin of egg coats.
The Photon-Assisted Cascaded Electron Multiplier Operation in CF$_{4}$ for Ion Backflow Suppression

The operation of the recently introduced photon assisted cascaded electron multiplier (PACEM) in CF4 is investigated. The PACEM uses the VUV scintillation produced in the electron avalanches of the first multiplier of the cascade to transfer the signal to the subsequent ones. The VUV scintillation induces the emission of a large number of photoelectrons from a Csl photocathode placed on the top-surface of the second multiplier. The photoelectrons are further multiplied in the subsequent stages of the cascade, resulting in efficient signal amplification. A mesh, set at a fixed voltage, is placed between the first and the second multipliers to block the charge transfer between them, thus suppressing all the ion backflow (IBF) heading to the first cascade element. The PACEM electrically isolates the first multiplier of the cascade and only the ions produced in the electron avalanches of the first element may flow back into the drift region. Operating in CF4, absolute IBFs as low as ~1 ion per primary electron are achieved for drift fields of 0.1 kV/cm, while for fields of 0.5 kV/cm the absolute IBF is ~10 ions/primary electron. This corresponds to an IBF of 10-4 at gains of 104, for time projection chambers (TPC) operating conditions, and IBFs of ~10-5 at gains of 106 for gaseous photomultipliers (GPM) operating conditions.
Successful Strategies for User Participation in Systems Development

Past MIS research has indicated a mixed relationship between user participation and user satisfaction with system development projects, suggesting that user participation is not equally effective in all situations. This has led researchers to investigate the contexts within which user participation can be used to improve user satisfaction. This study builds on this past body of research by examining the relationship between specific user participative behaviors and user satisfaction in different contextual situations in order to identify the most successful participative behaviors. To do this, data were collected from 151 independent system development projects in eight different organizations. The context of development was described by two factors--task complexity and system complexity. As suggested in the literature, the combination of these two contextual factors determine the need for user participation. The relationship between specific participative behaviors and user satisfaction was then examined where the need for participation was high and those results were compared with situations with a lower need for participation. Not all participative behaviors were equally effective in all situations. Depending on the level of task complexity and system complexity, some user participative behaviors resulted in improved user satisfaction, while others had no relationship with satisfaction. The results add to earlier studies by identifying those specific user participative behaviors most beneficial under different contexts. The implications apply to both practitioners involved in the development of systems and academicians seeking to explain where and how user participation should be used. Strategies based on the results are suggested for the most appropriate involvement for users during system development.
Sleep apneas are increased in mice lacking monoamine oxidase A.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Alterations in the serotonin (5-HT) system have been suggested as a mechanism of sleep apnea in humans and rodents. The objective is to evaluate the contribution of 5-HT to this disorder. DESIGN We studied sleep and breathing (whole-body plethysmography) in mutant mice that lack monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and have increased concentrations of monoamines, including 5-HT. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Compared to wild-type mice, the mutants showed similar amounts of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REMS), but exhibited a 3-fold increase in SWS and REMS apnea indices. Acute administration of the MAOA inhibitor clorgyline decreased REMS amounts and increased the apnea index in wild-type but not mutant mice. Parachlorophenylalanine, a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, reduced whole brain concentrations of 5-HT in both strains, and induced a decrease in apnea index in mutant but not wild-type mice. CONCLUSION Our results show that MAOA deficiency is associated with increased sleep apnea in mice and suggest that an acute or chronic excess of 5-HT contributes to this phenotype.
Biopsychosocial predictors of prognosis in musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of the literature

Purpose: To review the prognostic factors of musculoskeletal disorders while adopting a multidimensional perspective and including studies on various pertinent outcomes to the adjustment process. We also aimed to highlight the overall and phase-specific evidence. Methods: We searched the Psychinfo and Ovid Medline(R) databases as well as pertinent periodicals and reviews and retained prospective studies of subjects suffering from specific or non-specific musculoskeletal pain that adopted multivariate statistical analysis. Results: We selected 105 studies, of which 68 included biopsychosocial and sociodemographic variables. For those studies using a biopsychosocial framework, we determined the level of evidence for every prognostic factor with each outcome. Strong evidence was found for recovery expectations and disability management with work participation outcomes. With disability outcomes, strong evidence was also found for recovery expectations, coping and somatization. Comorbidity and duration of episode strongly predicted pain outcomes. Some differences coinciding with phases of chronicity were also identified. Conclusions: Although uncertainty remains about the role of many prognostic factors, we found strong evidence to support the predictive value of clinically significant variables. There is, however, a need for additional research and replication, adopting more homogenous models and measurement methods. Implications for Rehabilitation Despite numerous studies, it remains difficult to identify a clear set of prognostic factors in musculoskeletal disorders. Outcomes in musculoskeletal disorders are determined by biopsychosocial prognostic variables although psychosocial factors appear predominant, as early as in the acute phase. There appears to be negligible differences between prognostic factors in acute, subacute and chronic phases and a biopsychosocial approach should be considered from the acute phase in rehabilitation practice. Outcomes in rehabilitation practice should also be evaluated from a biopsychosocial perspective.