Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An alternative method to reduce polymerization shrinkage in direct posterior composite restorations.

BACKGROUND Polymerization shrinkage is one of dental clinicians' main concerns when placing direct, posterior, resin-based composite restorations. Evolving improvements associated with resin-based composite materials, dental adhesives, filling techniques and light curing have improved their predictability, but shrinkage problems remain. METHODS The authors propose restoring enamel and dentin as two different substrates and describe new techniques for placing direct, posterior, resin-based composite restorations. These techniques use flowable and microhybrid resin-based composites that are polymerized with a progressive curing technique to restore dentin, as well as a microhybrid composite polymerized with a pulse-curing technique to restore enamel. Combined with an oblique, successive cusp buildup method, these techniques can minimize polymerization shrinkage greatly. CONCLUSIONS Selection and appropriate use of materials, better placement techniques and control polymerization shrinkage may result in more predictable and esthetic Class II resin-based composite restorations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS By using the techniques discussed by the authors, clinicians can reduce enamel microcracks and substantially improve the adaptation of resin-based composite to deep dentin. As a consequence, marginal discoloration, recurrent caries and postoperative sensitivity can be reduced, and longevity of these restorations potentially can be improved.
Terfenadine Blocks Time‐Dependent Ca2+, Na+, and K+ Channels in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

Terfenadine, which blocks delayed rectifier K+ channels (Ik), is structurally related to diphenylalkylamine L-type Ca2+ channel (ICa) blockers and has been reported to render Purkinje fibers inexcitable. We used standard whole-cell patch clamp techniques in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes to investigate the direct effect of terfenadine on ICa after discovering that the upstrokes of early afterdepolarizations in guinea pig myocytes were inhibited by the drug at concentrations > or = 10(-6)M. Some data analyzing the effect of terfenadine on time-dependent Na+ channels (INa) and IK also were obtained. All experiments were controlled for time of intracellular dialysis. Terfenadine (3 x 10(-6)M) reduced peak ICa (measured in either K+-containing or Cs+-substituted intracellular solutions from holding potentials of -40 mV) after 10 min exposure [peak at 0 mV in K+-deficient dialysis solution -4.2 +/- 2.3 pA/pF (mean +/- SD, n = 5) versus -13.02 +/- 4.33 pA/pF in control solution (n = 5), p < 0.01], and ICa was almost completely blocked after 15 min drug exposure. Ten minutes of exposure to terfenadine (3 x 10-6M) also caused near-complete blockade of peak INa when INa was measured at -40 mV after 300 ms conditioning pulses from a holding potential of -40 to potentials between -60 and -90 mV. The effect was much less pronounced when INa was measured from a holding potential of -90 mV. After exposure to terfenadine 3 x 10 (-6)M, IK density, measured as peak tail current at -40 mV after 300-ms depolarizations, was also reduced but not eliminated at membrane potentials between -20 and +60 mV. In contrast, exposure to terfenadine caused no significant change in the current-voltage relationship after 300-ms steps from -90 to +60 mV. Terfenadine had no effect on time constants of decay of IK or ICa. These results suggest that terfenadine blocks several time- and voltage-dependent channels, possibly by binding to a common protein structure, not related to ion selectivity, that is primarily associated with time-dependent activation of channel conductance.
The heparin‐binding domain of laminin is responsible for its effects on neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival.

The survival of cultured chick sympathetic neurons and the outgrowth of neurites were stimulated by the basement membrane protein laminin coated onto polyornithine culture substrates. The survival‐potentiating activity was dependent on the presence of nerve growth factor. Both effects of laminin could be completely inhibited by affinity‐purified antibodies against laminin fragment 3, the product of a limited proteolysis that corresponds to the heparin‐binding globular domain at the end of the long arm of the laminin molecule. Antibodies against other laminin fragments were inactive, including those against previously determined cell‐binding domains. A large laminin fragment, E8, was produced by brief elastase digestion and shown to consist of fragment 3 and an adjacent rod‐like structure. Although lacking the cell binding domains, fragment E8 potentiated both neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth, and these effects could be blocked by antibodies against fragment 3. Weak survival and neurite potentiating activity was also detected in another fragment corresponding to the short arms of laminin, but as these effects were not inhibited by any of the antibodies tested they probably arose de novo during proteolysis. The heparin‐binding domain of laminin is therefore responsible for its effects on neurons.
The Birds, the Bees, and the Virtual Flowers: Can Pollinator Behavior Drive Ecological Speciation in Flowering Plants?*

Biologists have long assumed that pollinator behavior is an important force in angiosperm speciation, yet there is surprisingly little direct evidence that floral preferences in pollinators can drive floral divergence and the evolution of reproductive (ethological) isolation between incipient plant species. In this study, we expose computer‐generated plant populations with a wide variation in flower color to selection by live and virtual hummingbirds and bumblebees and track evolutionary changes in flower color over multiple generations. Flower color, which was derived from the known genetic architecture and phenotypic variance of naturally occurring plant species pollinated by both groups, evolved in simulations through a genetic algorithm in which pollinator preference determined changes in flower color between generations. The observed preferences of live hummingbirds and bumblebees were strong enough to cause adaptive divergence in flower color between plant populations but did not lead to ethological isolation. However, stronger preferences assigned to virtual pollinators in sympatric and allopatric scenarios rapidly produced ethological isolation. Pollinators can thus drive ecological speciation in flowering plants, but more rigorous and comprehensive behavioral studies are required to specify conditions that produce sufficient preference levels in pollinators.
3D visualization of gene clusters and networks

In this paper, we try to provide a global view of DNA microarray gene expression data analysis and modeling process by combining novel and effective visualization techniques with data mining algorithms. An integrated framework has been proposed to model and visualize short, high-dimensional gene expression data. The framework reduces the dimensionality of variables before applying appropriate temporal modeling method. Prototype has been built using Java3D to visualize the framework. The prototype takes gene expression data as input, clusters the genes, displays the clustering results using a novel graph layout algorithm, models individual gene clusters using Dynamic Bayesian Network and then visualizes the modeling results using simple but effective visualization techniques.
Title Decreased levels of autoantibody against histone deacetylase 3 in patientswith systemic sclerosis

Title Decreased levels of autoantibody against histone deacetylase 3 in patients with systemic sclerosis. Author(s) Kuwatsuka, Yutaka; Ogawa, Fumihide; Iwata, Yohei; Komura, Kazuhiro; Muroi, Eiji; Hara, Toshihide; Takenaka, Motoi; Shimizu, Kazuhiro; Hasegawa, Minoru; Fujimoto, Manabu; Sato, Shinichi Citation Autoimmunity, 42(2), pp.120-125; 2009 Issue Date 2009-02 URL http://hdl.handle. net/10069/23058 Right NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE
Application of a breeder genetic algorithm for system identification in an adaptive finite impulse response filter

We describe in this paper the application of a breeder genetic algorithm to the problem of parameter identification for an adaptive finite impulse filter. A breeder genetic algorithm was needed due to the epistiasis phenomena, which is present for this type of adaptive filter. The results of the genetic algorithm were compared to the traditional statistical method and, we found that the breeder genetic algorithm was clearly superior (in accuracy) in most of the cases. However, the statistical least mean squares method is faster then the genetic algorithm. For this reason we suggest using the genetic algorithm for off-line adaptation. Ay hybrid method combining the advantages of both methods is proposed for real world applications.
Systematic review of surgical treatments for cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs.

Surgery for cranial cruciate ligament disease is often recommended; however, it is unclear if one procedure is superior. The aim of this systematic review was to answer the a priori question, "Is there a surgical procedure that will allow a consistent return to normal clinical function in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease and is that procedure superior to others? " A systematic literature search was performed through September 2013. Peer reviewed publication in the English language and 6 mo of postoperative follow-up were required. In total, 444 manuscripts were identified and reviewed, and 34 met the inclusion criteria. Two studies provided level 1, 6 provided level 2, 6 provided level 3, and 20 provided level 4 evidence relative to the study question. The most common surgical procedures included tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO, n = 14), lateral extracapsular suture (n = 13), tibial tuberosity advancement (n = 6). The strength of the evaluated evidence most strongly supports the ability of the TPLO in the ability to return dogs to normal function. It also provided strong support that functional recovery in the intermediate postoperative time period was superior following TPLO compared with lateral extracapsular suture. There was insufficient data to adequately evaluate other surgical procedures.
Effects of divalent cations on muscarinic receptor cationic current in smooth muscle from guinea‐pig small intestine.

1. Effects of Mg2+ and Ca2+ on muscarinic receptor cationic current (Icat) in guinea‐pig ileal smooth muscle cells have been studied using patch‐clamp techniques (whole‐cell recording). Icat was activated either by externally applied carbachol or, to bypass receptors, by intracellular GTP‐gamma‐S. 2. Independently of the main permeant cation the current‐voltage (I‐V) relation for Icat was U‐shaped between the reversal potential (usually 0 mV) and very negative potentials such as ‐120 mV where current could be virtually lost. Adding Ca2+ to Ca(2+)‐ and Mg(2+)‐free external solution reduced inward current and made it less U‐shaped whereas adding Mg2+ reduced inward current and shifted more positively the potential at which maximum inward current occurred. 3. Activation of the conductance underlying Icat could be described by the Boltzmann relation which was shifted positively by adding Ca2+ or Mg2+. Extracellular Ca2+ also distorted the relation by increasing the slope factor; maximal conductance was reduced in all cases. Icat relaxation at negative potentials was accelerated by increasing Mg2+ and slowed down by Ca2+. 4. These data suggest the presence of fixed negative surface charges on or near the muscarinic receptor cationic channel, which allow its modulation through alteration of surface potential. Additional more direct ion binding to and blocking of the channel cannot be ruled out. Some additional effects of Ca2+ (if compared with Mg2+) could be explained on the assumption that the Ca(2+)‐binding activation site known to be present on the internal side of the channel can be accessible to Ca2+ entering through the open channel during muscarinic receptor stimulation, as Ca2+ ions contribute to a limited extent to Icat. 5. We conclude that voltage‐dependent gating of muscarinic receptor cationic channels is an intrinsic channel property and that Ca2+ and Mg2+ have strong modulatory effects.
Dietary Trans Fatty Acids Affect Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentrations in Plasma and Liver but not Brain of Pregnant and Fetal Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the maternal-fetal transport, incorporation, and effects on liver delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase activity of dietary trans fatty acids in pregnant rats. Three groups of six rats each were fed three experimental diets containing approximately 0%, 15%, and 30% of trans fatty acids but containing the same proportion of linoleic (18:2 n-6) and α-linolenic (18:3 n-3) acids for 10 wk. On d 20 of pregnancy, the animals from each group were killed. We determined the fatty acid profiles in plasma, brain, and liver microsomes of pregnant rats, as well as in placenta and fetal liver and brain. No changes were found in the number of fetuses of the pregnant rats. Trans fatty acids were incorporated in high concentrations in placenta and in maternal and fetal tissues, except brain, strongly elevating the linoleic acid proportion and lowering that of docosahexaenoic acid. The delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase activity in the liver microsomes of the pregnant rats was inhibited by trans isomers. In conclusion, high intakes of trans fatty acids partially inhibit liver delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase in pregnant rats, which may explain, in part, the low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid in pregnant and fetal tissues. However, the fatty acid composition of both fetal and pregnant rat brain remains mostly unaffected regardless of the dietary trans fatty acid content.
An effect of straight and serpentine flow fielddesign on proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is energy conversion device especially in future use in stationary and vehicular applications. PEMFC’s provide high efficiency and power density with null emission, low operating temperature, quickly start and long life. One aspect that is crucial to optimizing the performance of PEM fuel cells understands is the physics in the flow field and how changes in flow field geometry affect the performance. Hence, in the present study, a model of PEM fuel cell was simulated to understand the effect of straight and serpentine flow field on performance of fuel cell and to predict the effects of changes in the flow field geometry. Commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software was used to extend a numerical three dimensional model of a single PEM fuel cell. Numerical model assumed as a steady state, including Navier-Stokes equations, phase equilibrium, governing electrochemical equations and energy equation. These equations resolved in order to get flow channel and gas diffusion media characteristics, the local current density on the membrane surface, velocity along flow channel and the temperature of the entire control volume. The results show that the local velocity distributions become more uniform for straight flow field designs compare to the serpentine flow field designs. The simulation work here also gives a good agreement with the experimental results and gave a high confidence for the results in order to determine the effectiveness of the flow field design in PEMFC.
Ketoconazole in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas): Reproductive toxicity and biological compensation

Ketoconazole (KTC) is a model pharmaceutical representing imidazole and triazole pesticides, which inhibit fungal growth through blocking a cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐mediated step in ergosterol biosynthesis. Several of these fungicides have been shown to be reversible inhibitors of CYPs in vertebrates (primarily mammals), including CYP isoforms involved in the pathway that converts cholesterol to active sex steroids. In these studies, we assessed the effects of KTC on aspects of steroidogenesis and reproductive function in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Exposure of spawning adults to the fungicide for 21 d significantly decreased egg production at a water concentration as low as 25 μg/L. Despite evidence of reduced ex vivo testosterone production by gonads from KTC‐exposed fathead minnows, circulating plasma concentrations of sex steroids (testosterone, 17β‐estradiol) were not affected. Exposure to KTC caused an increase in the gonadosomatic index in both sexes and, in males, the fungicide caused a marked proliferation of interstitial (Leydig) cells. In addition, mRNA transcripts for two key steroidogenic enzymes, cytochrome P450 side‐chain cleavage (CYP11A) and cytochrome P450 c17α hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17), were elevated by exposure to KTC. Both the changes in transcript levels and proliferation of gonad tissue represent potential adaptive or compensatory responses to impaired steroidogenic capacity. Overall our data indicate that, although KTC does adversely affect steroidogenesis and reproduction in the fathead minnow, the fish can compensate to some degree to mitigate effects of the fungicide. This has important implications for the interpretation of data from tests with endocrine‐active chemicals.
Use of Stable Isotopes To Measure the Metabolic Activity of the Human Intestinal Microbiota

ABSTRACT The human intestinal microbiota is a complex biological system comprising a vast repertoire of microbes with considerable metabolic activity relevant to both bacterial growth and host health. Greater strides have been made in the analysis of microbial diversity than in the measurement of functional activity, particularly in vivo. Stable isotope probing offers a new approach by coupling measurements of metabolic activity with microbial identification. Using a low-enrichment labeling strategy in vitro, this study has identified metabolically active bacterial groups via magnetic-bead capture methodology and stable isotope ratio analysis. Using five probes (EUB338, Bac303, Bif164, EREC482, and Clep866), changes in the activities of key intestinal microbial groups were successfully measured by exploiting tracers of de novo RNA synthesis. Perturbation of the nutrient source with oligofructose generated changes in the activity of bifidobacteria as expected, but also in the Bacteroides-Prevotella group, the Eubacterium rectale-Clostridium coccoides group, and the Clostridium leptum subgroup. Changes in activity were also observed in response to the medium type. This study suggests that changes in the functional activity of the gut microbiota can be assessed using tracers of de novo nucleic acid synthesis combined with measurement of low isotopic enrichment in 16S rRNA. Such tracers potentially limit substrate bias because they are universally available to bacteria. This low-enrichment labeling approach does not depend on the commercial availability of specific labeled substrates and can be easily translated to in vivo probing experiments of the functional activity of the microbiota in the human gut.
Pinch grip, power grip and wrist twisting strengths of healthy older adults

Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to collect data on handgrip and wrist twisting strengths of healthy older adults and to arrive at regression equations that estimate pinch and power grip strengths of communitydwelling older adults in the United Kingdom. Methods. The study sample comprised 65 males and 85 females within the age range of 55 to 85 years. A strain-gauge hand-held dynamometer was used to measure various pinch and power grip strengths. A torque meter was used to measure wrist twisting strength. Results. The correlation between pinch grip and power grip strengths was high (r>0.65) resulting in a linear regression equation. A multiple regression equation was developed, with power grip strength as the dependent variable and age, hand area, and mid arm circumference as predictor variables. Conclusion. Knowing a relationship between pinch grip and power grip strengths, and an equation to calculate the power grip strength, designers of food packaging can estimate pinch strengths of healthy older individuals living in the community. A torque value of 1.3 Newton-metre, as calculated in this paper, can be recommended as a removal torque for opening child-resistant bottle tops.
Furosemide Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics following Gastroretentive Dosage Form Administration to Healthy Volunteers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of furosemide following gastroretentive dosage form (GRDF) administration. A furosemide (60 mg) GRDF, releasing the drug during 6 hours in vitro, or an immediate‐release tablet was administered to healthy male volunteers (N = 14) in a crossover design. Food and liquid intake were standardized; urine was collected, weighed, and assayed for furosemide and sodium concentrations. Pharmacokinetics of furosemide following the GRDF administration, as compared to the tablet, showed lower Cmax and indicated a prolonged absorption phase leading to longer mean residence time in the stomach. The sustained input of the drug significantly improved diuretic and natriuretic efficiencies during the first 5 hours and thereby increased the total effects measured over 24 hours. The unfolding controlled‐release GRDF of furosemide improved the pharmacodynamic actions due to the sustained absorption in the stomach and jejunum, which delayed the body's counteractivity to the drug effect.
Positive charge prevalence in cosmic rays: Room for dark matter in the positron spectrum

PHYSICAL REVIEW D 94, 063006 (2016) Positive charge prevalence in cosmic rays: Room for dark matter in the positron spectrum M. A. Malkov, 1 P. H. Diamond, 1 and R. Z. Sagdeev 2 CASS and Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0424, USA University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-0280, USA (Received 12 July 2016; published 15 September 2016) The unexpected energy spectrum of the positron/electron ratio is interpreted astrophysically, with a possible exception of the 100–300 GeV range. The data indicate that this ratio, after a decline between 0.5 and 8 GeV, rises steadily with a trend towards saturation at 200–400 GeV. These observations (except for the trend) appear to be in conflict with the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) mechanism, operating in a single supernova remnant (SNR) shock. We argue that e þ =e − ratio can still be explained by the diffusive shock acceleration if positrons are accelerated in a subset of SNR shocks which (i) propagate in clumpy gas media and (ii) are modified by accelerated cosmic ray protons. The protons penetrate into the dense gas clumps upstream to produce positrons and charge the clumps positively. The induced electric field expels positrons into the upstream plasma where they are shock accelerated. Since the shock is modified, these positrons develop a harder spectrum than that of the cosmic ray electrons accelerated in other SNRs. Mixing these populations explains the increase in the e þ =e − ratio at E > 8 GeV. It decreases at E 8 GeV. Below this energy, it declines, thus creating a deficit. The decline, the rise, and the clear minimum between them (at 8 GeV) are all pivotal to the mechanism proposed here. These aspects are intrinsic to a single-source mechanism proposed, revealing unique characteristics of the acceler- ator. By contrast, assuming two or more independent positron contributions to the spectrum (as, e.g., in Refs. [21–23]), one fits the nonmonotonic positron fraction, but with no constraints on the underlying acceleration mechanisms. The position of the minimum in the positron fraction is then coincidental, and the fit does not add © 2016 American Physical Society