Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo degradation of collagen barrier membranes exposed to the oral cavity.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this human clinical trial was to compare the degradation profiles of three different collagen membranes under conditions mimicking exposure to the oral cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three collagen membranes, ribose cross-linked (RCL), glutaraldehyde cross-linked (GCL), and non-cross-linked (NCL) were tested. The membranes were placed over the buccal mucosa of 20 human volunteers, apical to the gingival margins in the maxillary premolar and molar region. A periodontal dressing was placed over the membranes and secured in the interproximal spaces. The dressing was removed after 10 days, and membrane integrity was evaluated by two examiners using a Likert-like grading scale (grades 1-5). RESULTS Eight subjects withdrew from the study due to discomfort, pain, or dislodging of the pack. Of the three membranes tested, RCL appeared to be the most resistant to degradation (median grade 5), compared with GCL (2.25) and NCL (1.75). CONCLUSIONS Marked differences in membrane integrity were found between the three tested membranes after 10 days in the oral cavity. These differences may be part of the important factors determining the outcome of the regenerative treatment modality in cases of premature membrane exposure.
SDGs, Foreign Ministries and the Art of Partnering with the Private Sector

Government policies supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability criteria, as well as commercial goals, aim at an enabling multi‐actor environment. However, they do not prevent friction, lack of mutual understanding and cultural clashes with the private sector. We argue that this relational issue is a considerable and relatively neglected concern, albeit readily recognized by practitioners, and is potentially obstructing the achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. It also deserves more scholarly attention. In articulating and discussing public–private relations, in this exploratory project we point to a theoretical challenge that touches on the ontological and epistemological core of international studies. Apart from analysing relevant literatures, we have benefited from varied data collection with input from policy makers, diplomats, business representatives and consulted experts across cultures. Our starting point is that public–private partnerships that are necessary to reach the targets of the UN's 2030 Agenda pose a test for ministries of foreign affairs (MFAs). These new kinds of SDG partnerships differ from early 21st‐century public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the field of development cooperation. Leaving aside risk factors facing companies in our research, we identify three main SDG partnership puzzles for government.
Association of anti-oxidized LDL and candidate genes with severity of coronary stenosis in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is believed to play a key role in the initiation of the atherosclerotic process. Recent studies show that inflammation and autoimmune reactions are also relevant in atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the association of antibodies against oxLDL (anti-oxLDL) with the severity of CAD in 558 Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study samples (465 whites; 93 blacks) determined by coronary stenosis (<20%, 20%–49%, >50% stenosis). We also examined the relationship of anti-oxLDL with serum lipid levels and nine candidate genes including APOE, APOH, APOA5, LPL, LRP1, HL, CETP, PON1, and OLR1. IgM anti-oxLDL levels were significantly higher in the >20% stenosis group than in the ≥20% stenosis group in whites (0.69 ± 0.02 vs. 0.64 ± 0.01, respectively; P = 0.02). IgM anti-oxLDL levels correlated significantly with total cholesterol (r2 = 0.01; P = 0.03) and LDL cholesterol (r2 = 0.017; P = 0.004) in whites. Multiple regression analysis revealed a suggestive association of LPL/S447X single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with both IgG anti-oxLDL (P = 0.02) and IgM anti-oxLDL (P = 0.07), as well as between IgM anti-oxLDL and the OLR1/3′UTR SNP (P = 0.020). Our data suggest that higher IgM anti-oxLDL levels may provide protection against coronary stenosis and that genetic variation in some candidate genes are determinants of anti-oxLDL levels.
Convergence of Frequency-Domain Iterative MF-DFE for Single-Carrier Modulation

An error transfer chart is introduced to trace the iterative process of the decision feedback equalizer for the single-carrier modulation. In the investigated iterative MF-DFE structure, the forward filter is set to the matched filter to maximize the signal power, while the feedback filter is used to cancel the inter-symbol interference. MMSE detection is applied to minimize the decision error power. The trajectory of iterations is shown in the error transfer chart, in which MF-DFE maps a decision error power to an SINR and MMSE detection further converts the SINR to a new decision error power. The final state of iterations is shown to be the intersection of the MMSE curve and error power transfer curve corresponding to the MF-DFE algorithm. It is shown by simulation that the error transfer chart is a useful tool to analyze the convergence of non-linear iterative equalizers.
Why Firms Should Care for All Consumers

We compare the strategic potential of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Customer Orientation (CO) as commitments to larger quantities in Cournot competition, modeled as a multi-stage game. First, in addition to profits, firms can choose to care for the surplus of either all consumers (CSR) or their own customers only (CO). Second, they decide upon the weight of this additional objective. We find that firms prefer to care for all consumers, choosing positive levels of CSR. This result provides an explanation for the recent shift in corporate culture from CO to CSR.
High‐resolution genomic profiling of adenomas and carcinomas of the salivary glands reveals amplification, rearrangement, and fusion of HMGA2

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca‐ex‐PA) is an epithelial malignancy developing within a benign salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Here we have used genome‐wide, high‐resolution array‐CGH, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to identify genes amplified in double min chromosomes and homogeneously staining regions in PA and Ca‐ex‐PA and to identify additional genomic imbalances characteristic of these tumor types. Ten of the 16 tumors analyzed showed amplification/gain of a 30‐kb minimal common region, consisting of the 5′‐part of HMGA2 (encoding the three DNA‐binding domains). Coamplification of MDM2 was found in nine tumors. Five tumors had cryptic HMGA2‐WIF1 gene fusions with amplification of the fusion oncogene in four tumors. Expression analysis of eight amplified candidate genes in 12q revealed that tumors with amplification/rearrangement of HMGA2 and MDM2 had significantly higher expression levels when compared with tumors without amplification. Analysis of individual HMGA2 exons showed that the expression of exons 3–5 were substantially reduced when compared with exons 1–2 in 9 of 10 tumors with HMGA2 activation, indicating that gene fusions and rearrangements of HMGA2 are common in tumors with amplification. In addition, recurrent amplifications/gains of 1q11‐q32.1, 2p16.1‐p12, 8q12.1, 8q22‐24.1, and 20, and losses of 1p21.3‐p21.1, 5q23.2‐q31.2, 8p, 10q21.3, and 15q11.2 were identified. Collectively, our results identify HMGA2 and MDM2 as amplification targets in PA and Ca‐ex‐PA and suggest that amplification of 12q genes (in particular MDM2), deletions of 5q23.2‐q31.2, gains of 8q12.1 (PLAG1) and 8q22.1‐q24.1 (MYC), and amplification of ERBB2 may be of importance for malignant transformation of benign PA. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure-Function Analysis of CD14 as a Soluble Receptor for Lipopolysaccharide*

CD14 is a glycophosphatidylinositol-linked protein expressed by myeloid cells and also circulates as a plasma protein lacking the glycophosphatidylinositol anchor. Both membrane and soluble CD14 function to enhance activation of cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which we refer to as receptor function. We have previously reported the LPS binding and cell activation functions of a group of five deletion mutants of CD14 (Viriyakosol, S., and Kirkland, T.N. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 361–368). We have now studied the functional impact of these mutations on soluble CD14. We found that some deletions that abrogated LPS binding in membrane CD14 have no effect on LPS binding in soluble CD14. In fact, some of the soluble CD14 deletion mutants bound LPS with an apparent higher affinity than wild-type CD14. Furthermore, we found that all five deletions essentially ablated soluble CD14 LPS receptor function, whereas only two of the deletions completely destroyed membrane CD14 LPS receptor function. Some of the mutants were able to compete with wild-type CD14 in soluble CD14-dependent assays of cellular activation. We concluded that the soluble and membrane forms of CD14 have different structural determinants for LPS receptor function.
Features of the in Vitro Established Rat Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukaemia RNK‐16

A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukaemia cell line from the Fisher/F344 rat strain called RNK‐16 has been established in vitro, maintaining the same surface markers as the tumour cell growing in vivo. The tumour has also maintained its specificity pattern and cytotoxic reactivity and serves as a suitable source of natural killer (NK)‐like effector cells in vitro. The cells show no evidence of dependency on, or production of, interleukin 2 or interferons, not is the cytotoxic capacity influenced by treatment with mitogens. The in vitro line does not produce natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF) in a constitutive manner, hut can be induced to do so via coculture with tumour target cells. When the fine specificity patterns were analysed, the RNK‐16 cells express species‐preferential lysis of susceptible target cells and a highly discriminatory power to kill only 1 out of 5 rat erythroleukaemia cell lines. When testing normal target susceptibility patterns. RNK‐16 kills lymphoblasts of B type better than T blasts, which is well in line with previous findings on normal NK cell specificity patterns.
Synthesis of 5′-Triphosphate Mimics (P3Ms) of 3′-Azido-3′,5′-Dideoxythymidine and 3′,5′-Dideoxy-5′-Difluoromethylenethymidine as HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

3′-Azido-3′,5′-dideoxythymidine 5′-phosphonate and 3′,5′-dideoxy-5′-difluoromethylenethymidine 5′-phosphonate were prepared by multistep syntheses. The nucleoside 5′-phosphonates were converted to their triphosphates and triphosphate mimics (P3Ms) containing β,γ-difluoromethylene, β,γ-dichloromethylene, or β,γ-imodo by condensation with pyrophosphate or pyrophosphate mimics, respectively. Inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by the nucleoside P3Ms is briefly discussed.
Metabolite profiling of doenjang, fermented soybean paste, during fermentation.

BACKGROUND A fermented soybean paste known as doenjang is a traditional fermented food that is widely consumed in Korea. The quality of doenjang varies considerably by its basic ingredients, species of microflora, and fermentation process. The classification of predefined metabolites (e.g. amino acids, organic acids, sugars and sugar derivatives, and fatty acids) in doenjang samples according to fermentation was performed by using GC-FID and GC-MS data sets with the application of a multivariate statistical method. RESULTS The predominantly produced amino acids included alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, glutamine, phenylalanine and lysine, showing remarkable increases in amounts during the later stages of fermentation. Carbonic acid, citric acid, lactic acid and pyrogultamic acid were identified as the major organic acids. Significant amounts of erythrose, xylitol, inositol and mannitol were detected during fermentation. Regarding fatty acids, relatively higher amounts of palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid were found in the doenjang at each fermentation time point. Principal component analysis (PCA) successfully demonstrated changes in composition patterns as well as differences in non-volatile metabolites according to fermentation period. CONCLUSION A set of metabolites could be determined representing the quality of doenjang during fermentation, and which might also be correlated with taste ingredients, flavour, nutrition, and physiology activities that are claimed to be dependent on the quality control of commercial doenjang.
The Conceptual Flaw in the Microeconomic Foundations of Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Models

ABSTRACT First-generation dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models have been criticized for their lack of financial markets but, more perceptively, for their barter properties. This note explains why the second of these criticisms is fundamental. All DSGE models are built on frictionless, perfect barter, Walrasian microeconomic foundations. Introducing money and banks into such models converts them into a ‘friction’ contra the fundamental principle that monetary exchange is more efficient than barter. This insoluble difficulty with the microeconomic foundations of DSGE models arises because theorists ignore the Hahn problem that applies to all monetary models based on Walrasian general equilibrium (GE) microeconomic foundations. The Hahn problem reveals three things. First, a perfect barter GE solution always exists in any ‘monetary’ model erected on Walrasian GE microeconomic foundations. Second, inessential monetary features are easily attached to perfect barter microeconomic foundations but as easily removed, leaving the perfect barter solution intact. Third, attaching such inessential additions leads to logical error; the misuse of language that produces invalid conclusions. A second-generation DSGE model that is intended to increase understanding of financial crises is then examined to show that it suffers from the Hahn problem; it converts banking and financial markets into ‘frictions’, and words and economic concepts take on different meanings. That renders the new DSGE model impossible to interpret or use as a basis for advice on monetary policy.
Social Ecology of Adherence to Hypertension Treatment in Latino Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Purpose: This study explored Latino migrant/seasonal farmworkers’ (MSFWs’) adherence to hypertension treatment. Design: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. Method: Forty-five Latino MSFWs from two farmworker health clinics completed Spanish versions of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Blood Pressure Knowledge Scale and Blood Pressure Self-Care Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans–II, the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish-Speaking Adults, health care access questions, and blood pressure measurements. Results: MSFWs had poor medication adherence (51%). Blood pressure knowledge, perceived stress, acculturation, health literacy, and health care access accounted for 49% of the variance in blood pressure self-care. Higher acculturation level and health literacy were associated with better blood pressure control (p = .01). Discussion: MSFWs had poor medication adherence and blood pressure control. Blood pressure knowledge and acculturation played a role in blood pressure self-care. Implications: Culturally appropriate educational programs are needed to help MSFWs’ adherence to hypertension treatment.
The Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Pleckstrin Homology Domain Binding at the Plasma Membrane Measured by Imaging Single Molecules in Live Mouse Myoblasts*

Pleckstrin homology (PH) domains act to target proteins to the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles by binding to specific phosphoinositol phospholipids. We have investigated the binding kinetics of PH domains found in the tail region of the molecular motor, myosin X. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we observed binding and release of individual PH domains fused to green fluorescent protein at the plasma membrane of living cells. Individual spots of light corresponding to single fluorescently tagged molecules were imaged onto a sensitive camera system, and digital image processing was then used to identify each fluorophore and store its trajectory in time and space. The PH domains bound with an apparent on-rate of 0.03 μm-1 μm-2 s-1 and a detachment rate constant of 0.05 s-1. The average residency time of the domains at the plasma membrane was about 20s. We found very limited movement of the membrane-bound PH domains in the mouse myoblast cells that we studied. This implies that the PH domains must either be attached to the cytoskeleton or corralled in a lipid compartment. Localization of the PH domains together with their rapid detachment rate is probably important in controlling the response of myosin X to signaling events and in regulating its cellular function.
Wear profile of canal wall surfaces and bond strength of endodontic sealers after in situ acid challenge

AIM To evaluate the wear of root wall surfaces, the bond strength of sealers to dentine and the demineralization around root filling materials after canals were exposed to acid challenge in situ. METHODOLOGY Eighty-seven roots of mandibular incisors were selected. Thirty-two were used in the laboratory bond strength study (n = 8), and 55 in the in situ study (n = 11). Root canals were prepared biomechanically and then filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus, MTA Fillapex, Sealapex or Endofill. For 14 days, 11 participants used intra-oral devices with five sterilized roots (four experimental and one control - only canal prepared). Drops of sucrose were dripped onto roots allowing the accumulation of biofilm on canal surfaces. Roots were removed, sectioned and analysed for the following: bond strength of filling material using a push-out test and also wear profile and dentine demineralization using confocal microscopy. Bond strength (MPa) was evaluated by two-way anova and Tukey test (α = 0.05), and wear profile was assessed by Kruskal-Wallis and t-tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS AH Plus had the highest bond strength values. Intermediate results were found in roots with MTA Fillapex and Endofill, whilst Sealapex had inferior results (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found amongst root thirds (P > 0.05). For wear profile, samples were associated with degradation of the filling materials after exposure to the oral environment (P < 0.05). Roots had signs of demineralization around the filling material when Sealapex and Endofill were used. CONCLUSIONS Sealers were not able to prevent degradation of the adhesive interface and dentine. AH Plus and MTA Fillapex had superior bond strength to dentine and less intense demineralization around the root filling.
The Role of Inflammation and Infection in Preterm Birth

Inflammation has been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for preterm and term parturition, as well as fetal injury. Out of all of the suspected causes of preterm labor and delivery, infection and/or inflammation is the only pathological process for which both a firm causal link with preterm birth has been established and a molecular pathophysiology defined. Inflammation has also been implicated in the mechanism of spontaneous parturition at term. Most cases of histopathological inflammation and histological chorioamnionitis, both in preterm and term labor, are sub-clinical in nature. The isolation of bacteria in the amniotic fluid, known as microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, is a pathological finding; the frequency of which is dependent upon the clinical presentation and gestational age. This article reviews the role of inflammation in preterm and term parturition.
Pindolol pharmacokinetics in relation to time course of inhibition of exercise tachycardia.

1 Pharmacokinetics of pindolol were studied in normal subjects given 5, 10 and 20 mg orally and 3 mg i.v. Plasma half time was 2.9 +/- 0.3 (s.e. mean) h for both routes; peak drug levels occurred 1--2 h after ingestion and bioavailability was 53%. Plasma protein binding was 38% and was independent of plasma concentration; the drug was not concentrated in the red cell. 2 Work-heart rate regression lines were calculated from resting heart rate and three grades of 'steady-state' exercise standardized for the maximum work capacity (Wmax) of each subject. The equation was characterized by slope and HR50 (calculated heart rate at 0.5 Wmax). 3 After giving 5 mg i.v. pindolol to produce maximum cardiac beta-adrenoceptor blockade there were differences in inhibition of resting heart rate, slope, HR50 and maximum heart rate suggesting differences in sympathetic components. However, estimates of the degree of inhibition were closely similar for each variable when determined before and after atropinization indicating that the accuracy of estimation was independent of the level of vagal activity. 4 After oral pindolol peak inhibition of resting heart rate, slope and HR50 coincided with peak plasma concentration. Peak reduction of resting heart rate was greatest at the lowest dose, but inhibition of slope and HR50 were similar at all doses. 5 The different heart rate parameters recovered at different rates. After 24 h slope had returned to control, and the residual inhibition of HR50 reflected residual beta-adrenoceptor blockade of resting heart rate, as demonstrated by a shift in isoprenaline-heart rate relationship. 6 Inhibition of HR50 and other exercise parameters were 20% less in the concentration range 5--20 ng/ml than peak inhibition obtained in the range 21--160 ng/ml. The higher potency of pindolol compared with propranolol can be accounted for by the difference in protein binding.
The Permeability of Public Contracts: Empirical Evidence from Renegotiations in the French Car Park Sector

Recent research suggests that public and private agreements are inherently different. Public contracts should indeed be more permeable to the external (and, more specifically, the political) environment. This paper studies empirically the intrinsic dierences between these two types of contracting. We focus in particular on the dierent impact local elections have on the execution of public and of private agreements. In order to do so, we investigate the occurrence of renegotiations of each type of contract prior to local elections. We believe that, as public contracts belong to the public sphere, their renegotiations should be aected by the electoral calendar, while renegotiations of private contracts should not. To test this, we use an original dataset comprising every renegotiation of the exhaustive set of public-private and private-private contracts signed by the French car park leader between 1968 and 2008. We use a dierence-in-dier ence methodology to show that, compared with private contract renegotiations, public contract renegotiations significantly increase before local elections. In particular, renegotiations aiming at modifying the enduser fees or the financial side of the contract (i.e. the remuneration of one of the parties) increase before an election, whereas all other types of renegotiation do not.