Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Genetics of Tooth Morphogenesis and Patterning: The Right Shape in the Right Place

Development of the mammalian tooth has for many years served as a useful model system for the study of cell-cell interactions in organogenesis. Early development of teeth (tooth buds) shows many morphological and molecular similarities with early development of other organs such as the lung, hair, kidney, etc. There has been much progress toward understanding epithelial/mesenchymal cell signaling in tooth germ formation. Advances in understanding the formation of different shapes of teeth (morphogenesis) at their correct positions in the jaws (patterning) has, until recently, been less forthcoming. We review here the latest ideas on the control of odontogenic patterning and morphogenesis. The stages of early tooth development are well-defined histologically and have been described in numerous textbooks. The progression from localized thickenings of oral epithelium to bud, cap, and bell stages provides an adequate description of the gross morphological changes seen in the epithelial cells of early developing tooth germs. Less obvious are the concomitant changes taking place in the dental (ecto)mesenchymal cells which originate from the cranial neural crest and which condense around the tooth bud epithelium. However, it is very clear that these mesenchymal cells are equal partners with epithelium during the early stages of tooth germ formation and undergo complex changes which, although not obvious histologically, are revealed with molecular (gene) probes. Genes identified as being important for the early communication between the epithelial and ectomesenchymal cells mainly comprise those which code for proteins which act as secreted signals between the cells (ligands) and those that code for nuclear proteins that act to control gene expression in response to the signals. Little is presently known about the changes in structural proteins such as cell adhesion molecules which are involved in mediating the physical interactions between cells and generating the morphological changes.
Does the Entry Mode of Foreign Banks Matter for Bank Efficiency? Evidence from Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland

This paper investigates the impact of specific modes of entry of foreign banks, i.e. greenfield investment versus merger and acquisition, on bank performance in three transition economies ? the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. We use stochastic frontier analysis to model and measure the cost efficiency of banks. We adopt a maximum likelihood approach to estimation in which the variance of the one-sided error term is modeled jointly with the cost frontier, thus enabling us to retrieve efficiency scores, as well as estimating the various determinants of X-inefficiency. We first find that foreign banks are generally more cost efficient than their domestic counterparts, a result that confirms those of the existing empirical literature. We then turn our focus to comparative performance of greenfield banks versus merger and acquisition banks (M&As), and of M&As versus domestic banks. The results show that on average, M&As are surpassed in terms of efficiency by greenfields banks, but no cost efficiency difference is apparent between M&As and domestic banks. However, we find a strong age effect with respect to M&As which suggests that the evolution of M&As? efficiency follows an inverse U-shape, that means M&As tend to get more inefficient following the acquisition, but approximately 4 years and a haft later, their efficiency starts to improve.
Characterization of the Fibronectin Binding Motif for a Unique Mycobacterial Fibronectin Attachment Protein, FAP*

Studies were performed to define the fibronectin binding motif of the previously identified Mycobacterium avium fibronectin attachment protein (FAP-A). Using synthetic peptides of a previously identified fibronectin binding region (amino acids 269–292), the minimal binding sequence was determined to be 12 amino acids, 269–280 (FAP-A-(269–280)). Synthetic peptides were prepared in which each amino acid in the 269–280 sequence was substituted with Ala. Assessment of the effect of Ala substitution on fibronectin binding showed that the presence of Ala at amino acids 273–276 (RWFV) completely abrogated fibronectin binding activity. Furthermore, the ability to inhibit the attachment of viableMycobacterium bovis BCG to fibronectin was abrogated by Ala substitution at the RWFV sites. To validate the function of RWFV, further studies were performed with recombinant FAP-A in which single Ala mutations were generated for the RWFV sites and as controls at amino acids 269 and 280. Mutant FAP-A containing single Ala substitutions at the RWFV sites (amino acids 273, 274, 275, or 276) showed significant abrogation of fibronectin binding function. Recombinant FAP-A with Ala substitutions at either 269 or 280 showed wild type activity. When the four essential amino acids (RWFV) were either substituted en bloc with Ala or were all deleted, complete loss of fibronectin binding function was observed. Control recombinant proteins with en bloc Ala substitutions or deletions at four positions outside the fibronectin binding region (amino acids 255–257) retained functional activity. These data show that the RWFV sequence is necessary for fibronectin binding function of FAP-A. Furthermore, the data suggest that mycobacterial FAP proteins, all of which share the RWFV binding motif, constitute a family of highly homologous proteins that bind fibronectin in a unique manner.
An adaptive text detection approach in images and video frames

In this paper, an adaptive edge-based text detection approach in images and video frames is proposed. The proposed approach can adopt different edge detection methods according to the image background complexity. It mainly consists of four stages: Firstly, images are classified into different background complexities. Secondly, different edge detectors are applied on the images according to their background complexities. Thirdly, connected component analysis is adopted on the edge image to obtain text candidates. Finally, the text candidates undergo the refinement algorithm to find the exact position. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is robust to text size and could effectively detect text lines in images and video frames in both simple background and complex background.
Estimating spatially distributed soil texture using time series of thermal remote sensing – a case study in central Europe

Abstract. For understanding water and solute transport processes, knowledge about the respective hydraulic properties is necessary. Commonly, hydraulic parameters are estimated via pedo-transfer functions using soil texture data to avoid cost-intensive measurements of hydraulic parameters in the laboratory. Therefore, current soil texture information is only available at a coarse spatial resolution of 250 to 1000 m. Here, a method is presented to derive high-resolution (15 m) spatial topsoil texture patterns for the meso-scale Attert catchment (Luxembourg, 288 km2) from 28 images of ASTER (advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer) thermal remote sensing. A principle component analysis of the images reveals the most dominant thermal patterns (principle components, PCs) that are related to 212 fractional soil texture samples. Within a multiple linear regression framework, distributed soil texture information is estimated and related uncertainties are assessed. An overall root mean squared error (RMSE) of 12.7 percentage points (pp) lies well within and even below the range of recent studies on soil texture estimation, while requiring sparser sample setups and a less diverse set of basic spatial input. This approach will improve the generation of spatially distributed topsoil maps, particularly for hydrologic modeling purposes, and will expand the usage of thermal remote sensing products.
Stationarity of some processes in transport protocols

This note establishes stationarity of a number of stochastic processes of interest in the study of Transport Protocols. For many of the processes studied in this note stationarity had been established before, but for one class the result is new. For that class, it was counterintuitive that stationarity was hard to prove. This note also explains why that class offered such stiff resistance.The stationarity is proven using Liapunov functions, without first proving tightness by proving boundedness of moments. After the 2006 MAMA workshop simple conditions for existence of such moments were obtained and were added to this note.
Local and distant sequences are required for efficient readthrough of the barley yellow dwarf virus PAV coat protein gene stop codon

Many viruses use stop codon readthrough as a strategy to produce extended coat or replicase proteins. The stop codon of the barley yellow dwarf virus (PAV serotype) coat protein gene is read through at a low rate. This produces an extended polypeptide which becomes part of the virion. We have analyzed the cis-acting sequences in the barley yellow dwarf virus PAV genome required for this programmed readthrough in vitro in wheat germ extracts and reticulocyte lysates and in vivo in oat protoplasts. Two regions 3' to the stop codon were required. Deletion of sections containing the first 5 of the 16 CCN NNN repeats located 3' of the stop codon greatly reduced readthrough in vitro and in vivo. Surprisingly, readthrough also required a second, more distal element that is located 697 to 758 bases 3' of the stop codon within the readthrough open reading frame. This element also functioned in vivo in oat protoplasts when placed more than 2 kb from the coat protein gene stop in the untranslated region following a GUS reporter gene. This is the first report of a long-range readthrough signal in viruses.
Difficulties in International Cooperation: The Case of WTO Agricultural Negotiations

In the course of current global economic crisis, once again it is observable how important international cooperation is. However, generally international negotiations are complicated and long and bargaining agreements are often unsatisfying. The Doha-Development Agenda negotiations can be taken as a prime example to show the difficulties in international conflict resolution. In order to structure the WTO agricultural negotiation process, dynamic aspiration adaptation theory is applied. In a first step, the negotiations on export subsidies are analyzed, as it is the most progressed negotiation area within agricultural negotiations. It is shown that aspiration forming and aspiration adaptation has taken place. Aspiration adaptation is due to own economical objectives and environmental changes, but to a large extend it is due to opponent’s bargaining behavior. Furthermore, it is shown, that agreements follow the aspiration balancing principle.
Brain metastasis in a patient with a sarcomatoid variant RCC with well-controlled extracerebral metastases by temsirolimus.

BACKGROUND The sarcomatoid variant of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has often an aggressive course and a poor prognosis, particularly when accompanied with brain metastasis. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a patient with sarcomatoid variant RCC in whom brain metastasis was observed as a new lesion during treatment with temsirolimus, despite other extracerebral metastatic lesions being well-controlled and progression-free. RESULTS This discrepancy between the effectiveness of temsirolimus for extracerebral metastases and the simultaneous progression of brain metastases of RCC raises a concern that while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy may have clinical efficacy, it may also carry a risk for new brain metastases due to weakening of the structure of the blood brain barrier. CONCLUSION This case indicates that computed tomography monitoring of the brain should be regularly performed during VEGF-targeted therapy in patients with sarcomatoid variant RCC, even if brain metastases are absent and extracerebral metastatic lesions are well controlled.
Autonomous control of distributed storages in microgrids

Operation of distributed generators in microgrids has widely been discussed, but would not be fully autonomous, if distributed storages are not considered. Storages in general are important, since they provide energy buffering to load changes, energy leveling to source variations and ride-through enhancement to the overall microgrids. Recognizing their importance, this paper presents a scheme for sharing power among multiple distributed storages, in coordination with the distributed sources and loads. The scheme prompts the storages to autonomously sense for system conditions, requesting for maximum charging energy only when excess generation capacity is available. As generation capacity drops or demand increases, energy drawn by the storages decreases spontaneously, until full source capacity is near. At which point, the storages release their stored energy for meeting the extra load demand. The described process takes place in an automated manner with energy sharing always maintained among the storages. To verify the concepts discussed, simulation was performed with its results shown near to the end of the paper.
In situ identification of idiotype‐positive cells participating in the immune response to phosphorylcholine

The phosphorylcholine idiotype (Id)/anti‐Id system has been used to study the role of antigen‐specific cells in antigen‐induced microenvironmental changes. Anti‐Id staining of lymph nodes following PC immunization shows the presence of Id on follicular dendritic cells at 12 h and in plasma cells beginning at day 3. Germinal centers began to form at day 3, peaking in size and number at days 8‐10. Scattered Id‐positive small lymphocytes are present in germinal centers but with rare exceptions over 98% of germinal center cells are Id‐negative. Idiotype‐positive small lymphocytes are depleted from primary follicles adjacent to germinal centers but not from distant, unstimulated nodes.
Experimental Study on Microwave Power Combining Based on Injection-Locked 15-kW  $S$ -Band Continuous-Wave Magnetrons

Microwave power combining based on dual 15-kW continuous-wave (CW) magnetrons in S-band is presented. The injection locking on 15-kW CW magnetrons has been successfully accomplished. The phase-locking bandwidth of each magnetron reaches 5 MHz with an improved dc power supply. Meanwhile, phase jitters are measured and analyzed briefly. The injection-locked 15-kW magnetrons have stable magnitude and tunable locked phase, which are suitable for coherent power combining. A dual-magnetron microwave power combining system has been designed and developed with an automatic phase controlling mechanism. The microwave power combining efficiency is higher than 95%. It is the first time to demonstrate a successful microwave power combining of dual 15-kW S-band CW magnetrons. The system will find industrial applications in producing diamond film from microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition. Large-power and high-efficiency microwave sources based on power combining from magnetrons are good candidates for industrial applications.
Contraception Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Adolescents at Risk of Pregnancy in Northeastern Brazil

Background: Contraceptive methods (CM) are important resources in the prevention of adolescent pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate adolescent knowledge, attitudes and practices related to contraception. Study Design: A cross-sectional and exploratory study was conducted with 7th to 9th grade adolescents in northeastern Brazil. Their knowledge, attitudes, and contraceptive method use were analysed by gender, age and sexual initiation groups. Results: A sexual debut had been experienced by 21% (n = 120) of all respondents (n = 570). The majority of the respondents who had experienced a sexual debut were male (73.3%, n = 88), their mean age was 15 years (SD = 1.46), and 49.3% (n = 59) never used any CM. The participants displayed low knowledge and unfavourable and ambivalent attitudes concerning contraception. Conclusion: Adolescents initiate sexual intercourse with knowledge and attitudes that limit the use of CM, which makes them more at risk of pregnancy. Further research that will be representative of the specific population in need of interventions is necessary.
Virtual synchronous machine method in renewable energy integration

The virtual synchronous machine (VSM) method is a power electronics based approach which was first introduced by Beck and Hesse in 2007 for renewable energy integration modeling. This method controls grid-connected renewable energy sources as electromechanical synchronous machines, which makes renewable energy sources behave as conventional power generation stations if viewed from the power grid. During the last decade, some developments have been made to operate power electronic converters as VSMs, which offers a promising way to design advanced control systems for renewable energy integration. Most publications on this topic actually occurred within the past two years. As an emerging new method with huge potential, the VSM method has been used to reduce voltage and frequency fluctuation of renewable energy sources, and improve power system stability. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review is conducted for the VSM method. The principle, and current state of the art control techniques to implement this method are reviewed and summarized in the paper.
The Facebook Effect: Secondary Markets and Insider Trading in Today's Startup Environment

The dismissal of a senior Facebook employee in connection with the purchase of Facebook shares on a private resale trading platform last year raised new concerns about secondary trading in the securities of private companies and insider trading. This practitioner-oriented essay explores these issues and suggests that startup companies consider adopting a variation on the standard insider trading policy widely adopted by public companies. The discussion is important in light of new attention being paid by regulators to insider trading as well as a debate in Congress about barriers to raising capital for smaller companies. This paper was included as a chapter in Research Handbook on Insider Trading edited by Stephen Bainbridge and published by Elgar.
Scanning electron microscopy of palatal mucosa maintained in organ culture: A method for three‐dimensional visualization of cell morphology

A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study of palatal mucosa maintained in organ culture (50% O2‐Eagle's MEM w/o serum) from 12 to 360 hours is presented. The morphological changes occurring in the explants during culture are illustrated and the findings are compared with those observed using transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. The results confirm that cellular fine structure in epithelium and connective tissue is more easily visualized when SEM is employed following in vitro maintenance of explants as opposed to examination of fresh uncultured biopsies. The in vitro system used would appear to be applicable to studies designed to investigate the effect of various substances on cell proliferation and cell interactions.
How to be a Successful Project Manager- Managing Challenges in IT Projects

IT projects continues to fail in spite of the vast amount of research on failure avoidance in IT projects. The research has identified several areas of challenge that project managers need to be aware of, and some of these studies have also focused on identifying general strategies for how to manage theses challenges. Despite this research, project continues to fail which suggests a gap between theory and practice. By interviewing project management consultants in a Swedish based IT company we aim to bridge this gap by identifying concrete, practical solutions for how to manage these challenges.
Faculty Experiences of Merger and Organizational Change in a Social Work Program

Social work programs are experiencing unprecedented organizational changes due to budget cuts, dwindling resources, global, and technological challenges. However, there is limited information in the literature about the merger experiences of faculty in social work programs. On one hand undergoing merger and reorganization provides the opportunity to reorganize, reprioritize, re-assess, develop strategies, and explore previously untapped opportunities for social work programs. Conversely, merger experiences have caused frustration, intention to quit, confusion, and loss of professional identity for social work faculty. In this article the authors utilize a journaling method and sense-making approach of the merger experiences of some of the faculty members of a social work program in the United States. The authors suggest a framework to understand how the faculty confronted the challenges, overcame the pitfalls, and maximized the opportunities offered during the merger and organizational change process.
Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein Exhibits Neuroprotection in Two Rat Models of Stroke

Background: Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) is prepared from apolipoprotein A-I, isolated from human plasma, and soybean-derived phosphatidylcholine and exhibits biochemical and functional characteristics similar to endogenous nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This study tested the hypothesis that pretreatment with rHDL may reduce neuronal damage in 2 experimental rat models of stroke. Methods: In the first model, an excitotoxic lesion was induced by unilateral injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in the right striatum (excitotoxic lesion model). In the second model, temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was attained by inserting a nylon thread through the carotid artery and blood flow was restored 30 min later (MCAo model). In both models, either rHDL (120 mg/kg) or saline (control) were infused over 4 h, starting 2 h before the injection of NMDA or the induction of ischemia, respectively. 24 h after the interventions, the rats were sacrificed and the brains removed for histochemical preparation. The necrotic area was delimited using an image analysis system. In addition, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human endothelial (ECV 304) and neuroblastoma (SK-N-BE) cell lines were measured fluorometrically as 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence in the presence and absence of rHDL and under basal and stress-induced conditions. Results: In the excitotoxic lesion and MCAo models, pretreatment with rHDL significantly reduced the brain necrotic area by 61 and 76%, respectively (p < 0.01). Overnight incubation of ECV 304 and SK-N-BE cells with 0.5 mg/ml rHDL decreased basal and stress-induced ROS levels by 73 and 72% (ECV 304) and by 76 and 43% (SK-N-BE), respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest that rHDL reduces neuronal damage after onset of ischemic stroke, possibly by involving an anti-oxidative mechanism. Thus, rHDL may be a powerful neuroprotective tool for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.