Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complications of Inject able Synthetic Polymers in Facial Augmentation

BACKGROUND. Inject able synthetic materials have been used for augmentation of soft tissue defects, correction of wrinkles, and augmentation of facial features such as the nasal dorsum. Success has been limited by inflammatory reactions, material migration, and the difficulty of removal should complications occur. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate complications resulting from soft tissue augmentation with injectable allopathic materials. METHODS. Retrospective review of seven cases. Clinical history, treatment, histapathologic findings, and outcomes are assessed. RESULTS. Inflammatory reaction and tissue damage were refractory to antibiotics and steroids, and surgery was required to remove the foreign material. Histologic examination revealed giant cell foreign body reaction in all cases. CONCLUSION. Inject able synthetic polymers can produce significant complications including deformity and inflammatory tissue destruction, the control of which is complicated by the difficulty of removing the materials. Removable tissue fillers, such as e‐PTFE, or natural materials such as collagen, autologous, fat, or Alloderm, should be considered instead.
Offsetting obstacles of any shape for robot motion planning

SUMMARY We present an algorithm for offsetting the workspace obstacles of a circular robot. Our method has two major steps: It finds the raw offset curve for both lines and circular arcs, and then removes the global invalid loops to find the final offset. To generate the raw offset curve and remove global invalid loops, O(n) and O((n+k)log m) computational times are needed respectively, where n is the number of vertices in the original polygon, k is the number of self-intersections and m is the number of segments in the raw offset curve, where m ≤ n. Any local invalid loops are removed before generating the raw offset curve by invoking a pair-wise intersection detection test (PIDT). In the PIDT, two intersecting entities are checked immediately after they are computed, and if the test is positive, portions of the intersecting segments are removed. Our method works for conventional polygons as well as the polygons that contain circular arcs. Our algorithm is simple and very fast, as each sub-process of the algorithm can be completed in linear time except the last one, which is nearly linear. Therefore, the overall complexity of the algorithm is nearly linear. By applying our simple and efficient approach, offsetting obstacles of any shape make it possible to construct a configuration space that ensures optimized motion planning.
Beltrami flow in Hilbert space with applications to image denoising

Abstract. The Beltrami flow is an effective tool for dealing with images in many image-processing tasks. However, the important issue of how to set a proper embedding space is not solved in the Beltrami framework. We attempt to find a suitable embedding space by a nonlinear map. First, the image space is mapped into a high-dimensional feature space whose dimensionality may be infinite. It is found that directly dealing with the Beltrami flow in Hilbert space is impractical due to the unknown mapping function. Fortunately, using the well-known kernel methods, one can obtain the Beltrami flow in Hilbert space by performing inner products in the feature space. We refer to this flow as the kernel Beltrami flow. In addition, we also extend the kernel Beltrami flow to deal with vector-valued images. Finally, we show the effectiveness of the proposed method on gray-level and color images.
A practical and quantitative microtest for determination of neutralizing antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus.

Much information regarding the association of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with infectious mononucleosis, Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been derived from serological test procedures, involving a number of distinct antigen-antibody systems related to EBV. These relationships have been recently reviewed (Henle & Henle, 1972). Tests for neutralizing antibodies have been hampered by the lack of cells fully permissive for EBV. In addition, infectious virus can be obtained at present only from a few carrier lines and it undergoes essentially one abortive cycle of replication in appropriate lymphoblasts with the synthesis of EBV-induced early antigen (EA) and EBV-determined cell membrane antigens (MA), but little if any EB-virus capsid antigens (VCA) (Henle et al. 1970; Gergely, Klein & Ernberg, 1971; Durr et al. 1970). Nevertheless, three procedures for determination of neutralizing antibodies have been described.
Characterization and purification of a bacteriocin-like substance produced by Lactobacillus crispatus LBS 17-11 isolated from an oral cavity of human subject

Purpose: Lactobacillus crispatus LBS 17-11 was isolated from an oral cavity of human subject, and possess growth inhibition activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae. The objective of this study was to purify a bacteriocin-like substance, and to determine its characteristic properties. Materials and Methods: Antibacterial activities against S. pneumoniae ATCC 33400 during purification steps and against several oral bacteria were determined by a radial diffusion assay. Purification procedure for bacteriocin-like substance was achieved with ammonium sulfate precipitation of culture supernatant, and subsequent extraction with chloroform. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by liquid microdilution method. Results: The culture supernatant of L. crispatus LBS 17-11 showed a bacteriostatic activity against S. pneumoniae. This substance was partially purified up to 2045-fold specific activity (unit/mg protein). The inhibitory activity was shown against only S. pneumoniae, but Gram negative species. The antimicrobial activity was heat stable and partially lost by the treatment with proteases (trypsin and proteinase K). The molecular mass of bacteriocin-like substance was estimated to be approximately 7 kDa based on tricine SDS-PAGE. Binary combination of 1/2-MIC level of sodium lactate (56 mM) and the bacteriocin-like substance showed lower MIC level compared to that of the addition of the bacteriocin-like substance alone. Conclusion: Bacteriocin-like substance produced by L. crispatus LBS 17-11 showed bacteriostatic activity against S. pneumoniae. The partially purified bacteriocin-like substance was heat stable and degraded by proteases. Molecular mass was estimated to be approximately 7 kDa. (Asian Pac J Dent 2017; 17: 9-14.)
A genetic view of iron homeostasis.

Inherited disorders of iron metabolism are invariably disorders of iron balance or distribution. This review describes the proteins known to be involved in establishing and maintaining iron balance, and discusses regulation of iron homeostasis in the context of three cell types: intestinal enterocytes, reticuloendothelial macrophages, and hepatocytes. It emphasizes information gleaned from the use of genetic analyses, particularly in mice, and poses new questions to help advance our understanding of iron balance.
What Motivates Malaysian Hotel Employees : An Exploratory Study

The survival and success of service-oriented organizations, particularly hotels, depend on the caliber of its human resources: the employees. Thus, the two main objectives of this study are: first, to examine hotel employees’ perception regarding their jobrelated motivators; and second, to investigate whether these perceptions vary according to demographic factors such as gender, marital status, age, ethnicity, education, and job tenure. Statistical analysis on a sample of 118 employees revealed that extrinsic (hygiene) factors were perceived to be more important for optimal motivation compared to intrinsic job factors. The choices of important job-related factors that are bound to motivate employees also differ according to their demographic variables. For instance, women viewed good salary as more important in motivating them whereas men emphasized job security. In terms of the intrinsic job motivators, women placed importance on interesting work as opposed to men. Married workers emphasized intrinsic factors rather than extrinsic factors in motivating them. As for age, older workers rated job security as more important compared to younger employees. On the other hand, younger employees considered interesting work to be more important compared to older ones. Workers who possessed higher educational qualifications emphasized intrinsic job factors compared to less educated workers. Implications of the findings are discussed.
A class of fuzzy output feedback tracking controllers for robot manipulators with bounded torque inputs

To deal with the problem of the output feedback tracking (OFT) control with bounded torque inputs of robot manipulators, we propose a generalized fuzzy OFT controller based on a class of saturation functions. First, considering the fact that the output toque of joint actuators is limited, a general expression for a class of saturation functions is given. Taking it as template, different kinds of specific saturation functions can be created to be applied in the saturated control law. Second, to carry out the whole closed-loop control with only position measurements, a linear filter is involved to generate a pseudo velocity error signal. As a third contribution, a fuzzy self-tuning regulator is added to obtain an adaptive performance in tackling the disturbances during the tracking control. Moreover, an explicit stability proof of the control systems based on the theory of singularly perturbed systems is presented. Finally, numerical simulations on a sample controller are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Cellulose powder from Cladophora sp. algae

The surface are and crystallinity was measured on a cellulose powder made from Cladophora sp. algae. The algae cellulose powder was found to have a very high surface area (63.4 m2/g, N2 gas adsorption) and build up of cellulose with a high crystallinity (≈100%, solid state NMR). The high surface area was confirmed by calculations from atomic force microscope imaging of microfibrils from Cladophora sp. algae.
Cognitive and functional decline and their relationship in patients with mild Alzheimer's dementia.

BACKGROUND In patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the relationship between cognitive and functional progression is not fully understood; however, functional decline has been postulated to follow cognitive decline. OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between cognitive and functional treatment effects in mild AD dementia patients. METHODS Data of patients with mild AD were pooled from two multicenter, double-blind, Phase 3 studies. Patients were randomized to infusions of 400-mg solanezumab (n = 654), or placebo (n = 660) every 4 weeks for 18 months. Cognitive and functional outcome measures were assessed using the AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and the AD Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), respectively. Analyses included comparisons among normalized scales, correlations between outcome measures, and path analyses to model the relationship of treatment effect on cognition and function. RESULTS Normalized ADAS-Cog and ADCS-ADL scales showed cognitive impairment was more evident than functional impairment in mild AD. The correlation between cognition and function increased over time. Path analyses demonstrated that 87% of the treatment effect on function was driven by the treatment effect on cognition, with the remaining 13% due to direct treatment effect. CONCLUSION Findings from this study are consistent with the hypothesis that functional impairment is primarily driven by and follows cognitive decline in mild AD dementia. The cognitive treatment effect appeared to explain the majority of the functional treatment effect. It is possible that a cognitive treatment effect may be considered as a leading indicator for functional outcomes in an 18-month clinical trial for milder stages of AD.
Biofilm monitoring by photoacoustic spectroscopy.

The use of photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) as a new biofilm monitoring technique is presented. Growth and detachment of biofilms at three different positions inside a flow channel were monitored by photoacoustic measurements in the visible spectral range (lambda = 532 nm). The experimental approach allows the investigation of the influence of various process parameters (e.g. pH or flow conditions) on growth and detachment of biofilms. In addition, the distribution of the attached biomass can be monitored by depth-resolved photoacoustic measurements.
Diazoxide preconditioning protects against neuronal cell death by attenuation of oxidative stress upon glutamate stimulation

We examined the effects of diazoxide, the putative mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate‐sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channel opener, against glutamate excitotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Cells were treated with diazoxide for 24 hr and then exposed to 200 μM glutamate. Cell viability was measured 24 hr after glutamate exposure. We found that treatment 24 hr before glutamate exposure with 250 and 500 μM diazoxide but not with another mitoKATP channel opener, nicorandil, increased neuronal viability from 54 ± 2% to 84 ± 2% and 92 ± 3%, respectively (n = 25–40). These effects were not inhibited by the putative mitoKATP channel blocker 5‐hydroxydecanoic acid. Diazoxide application increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and coapplication of M40401, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, prevented delayed preconditioning. The 24 hr preconditioned neurons showed significantly reduced ROS production upon glutamate stimulation compared to that in untreated cells. These results suggest that diazoxide induces delayed preconditioning in cultured cortical neurons via increased ROS production and attenuation of oxidative stress upon glutamate stimulation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Immediate-Early Protein ICP27 Is Required for Efficient Incorporation of ICP0 and ICP4 into Virions

ABSTRACT Early in infection, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate-early (IE) proteins ICP0 and ICP4 localize to the nucleus, where they stimulate viral transcription. Later in infection, ICP0 and to a lesser extent ICP4 accumulate in the cytoplasm, but their biological role there is unknown. Previously, it was shown that the cytoplasmic localization of ICP0/4 requires the multifunctional IE protein ICP27, which is itself an activator of viral gene expression. Here, we identify a viral ICP27 mutant, d3-4, which is unable to efficiently localize ICP0 and ICP4 to the cytoplasm but which otherwise resembles wild-type HSV-1 in its growth and viral gene expression phenotypes. These results genetically separate the function of ICP27 that affects ICP0/4 localization from its other functions, which affect viral growth and gene expression. As both ICP0 and ICP4 are known to be minor virion components, we used d3-4 to test the hypothesis that the cytoplasmic localization of these proteins is required for their incorporation into viral particles. Consistent with this conjecture, d3-4 virions were found to lack ICP0 in their tegument and to have greatly reduced levels of ICP4. Thus, the cytoplasmic localization of ICP0 and ICP4 appears to be a prerequisite for the assembly of these important transcriptional regulatory proteins into viral particles. Furthermore, our results show that ICP27 plays a previously unrecognized role in determining the composition of HSV-1 virions.
Conformational Changes in Conantokin-G Induced upon Binding of Calcium and Magnesium as Revealed by NMR Structural Analysis*

The apo- and metal-bound solution conformations of synthetic conantokin-G (con-G, G1EγγL5QγNQγ10LIRγK15SN-CONH2, γ = γ-carboxyglutamic acid), an antagonist ofN-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-derived neuronal ion channels, have been examined by one- and two-dimensional1H NMR at neutral pH. A complete structure for the Mg2+-loaded peptide was defined by use of distance geometry calculations and was found to exist as an α-helix that spans the entire peptide. The α-helical nature of Mg2+/con-G was also supported by the small values (<5.5 Hz) of the3JHNα coupling constants measured for amino acid residues 3–5, 8, 9, and 11–16, and the small values (<4 ppb/K) of the temperature coefficients observed for the αNH protons of residues 5–17. This conformation contrasted with that obtained for apo-con-G, which was nearly structureless in solution. Docking of Mg2+ into con-G was accomplished by use of the genetic algorithm/molecular dynamics simulation method, employing the NMR-derived Mg2+-loaded structure for initial coordinates in the midpoint calculations. For the 3 Mg2+/con-G model, it was found that binding of one Mg2+ ion is stabilized by oxygen atoms from three γ-carboxylates of Gla3, Gla4, and Gla7; another Mg2+ is coordinated by two oxygen atoms, one from each of the γ-carboxylates of Gla7; and a third metal ion through three donor oxygen atoms of γ-carboxylates from Gla10 and Gla14. As shown from direct metal binding measurements to mutant con-G peptides, these latter two Gla residues probably stabilized the tightest binding Mg2+ ion. Circular dichroism studies of these same peptide variants demonstrated that all Gla residues contribute to the adoption of the Mg2+-dependent α-helical conformation in con-G. The data obtained in this investigation provide a molecular basis for the large conformational alteration observed in apo-con-G as a result of divalent cation binding and allow assessment of the roles of individual Gla residues in defining certain of the structure-function properties of con-G.
Does Repetitive Physical Loading Inhibit Radial Growth in Female Gymnasts

ObjectiveStress-related injuries to the distal radius have been noted in female gymnasts with potential for resultant premature closure and abnormal growth at this site. The purpose of this study was comprehensively to review and critically to appraise the available literature to examine the evidence related to this question: does repetitive physical loading inhibit growth of the radius in female gymnasts? Data sourcesMEDLINE and SPORT Discus were searched from 1975 to the present by using “gymnast” in combination with injury, growth plate, epiphysical, and lunar variance. Additional references were retrieved from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Study selectionAll descriptive and analytic studies that included data related to stress-related injuries affecting the distal radius of competitive female gymnasts were included. Conclusions regarding the effects of gymnastics training on radial growth of female gymnasts were limited to data from case reports, clinical series, cross-sectional studies, and descriptive cohort studies. Data from relevant experimental animal studies also were included. Data extractionand synthesis: In reviewing the literature, particular attention was paid to the relative strengths of the different study designs. From these data, information associated with growth inhibition at the distal radius was examined. Main resultsThe descriptive research reviewed included clinical, cross-sectional, and cohort studies that establish the existence of stress-related injuries affecting one or more constituent parts of the epiphysicalphysicalmetaphysical (EPM) complex of the distal radius, symptomatic ulnaradial-length difference (URLD), and distal radius physical arrest among female gymnasts. Five cross-sectional studies showed radiographic abnormalities consistent with distal radius physical stress reaction in 10–85|X% of gymnasts studied. Two cross-sectional studies indicated “abnormal” positive URLD in 8–20|X% of wrists radiographed. Four cross-sectional studies showed significant correlations between training intensity and URLD, suggesting a doseresponse relation. Three cross-sectional studies indicate greater URLD in gymnasts compared with nongymnasts. Radiographic evidence of distal radius physical arrest involving physically immature female gymnasts is presented in four studies (two clinical series, one cross-sectional, and one descriptive cohort). In animal studies, prolonged physical training has also been shown to inhibit or stop growth in weight-bearing long bones. However, there were no rigorous studies (i.e. randomized control trials or analytic cohorts) examining the question. ConclusionThe results of this critical review of the scientific literature support the plausibility of stress-related distal radius physical arrest with secondary URLD. However, the strength of evidence is inadequate to be conclusive.
Some secondary effects of sympathectomy; with particular reference to disturbance of sexual function.

THROUGH the work of Bernard,1 , 2 Gaskell,3 , 4 Langley,5 6 7 8 Cannon,9 10 11 12 13 14 White,15 , 16 Smithwick,17 18 19 Kuntz20 and others, the diversified activities carried out by the autonomic .
Temperature-dependent biquadratic coupling in antiferromagnetically coupled Fe/FeSi multilayers.

Fe/FeSi multilayers are known to exhibit a strong antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling peak centered at a nominal FeSi spacer thickness of {approximately}15{plus_minus}2 A at room temperature, and to develop remanence in the magnetic hysteresis loop upon cooling to {approximately}100 K. An analysis of the hysteresis loops is found to require the inclusion of a temperature-dependent biquadratic (90{degree} coupling) in addition to the bilinear coupling term in the energetics. The temperature dependence of the Fe/FeSi multilayer coupling can then be understood in terms that are applicable to conventional metallic multilayer systems such as Fe/Cr. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
Fluid Redistribution in Sleep Apnea: Therapeutic Implications in Edematous States

Sleep apnea (SA), a condition associated with increased cardiovascular risk, has been traditionally associated with obesity and aging. However, in patients with fluid-retaining states, such as congestive heart failure and end-stage renal disease, both prevalence and severity of SA are increased. Recently, fluid shift has been recognized to play an important role in the pathophysiology of SA, since the fluid retained in the legs during the day shifts rostrally while recumbent, leading to edema of upper airways. Such simple physics, observed even in healthy individuals, has great impact in patients with fluid overload. Correction of the excess fluid volume has risen as a potential target therapy to improve SA, by attenuation of nocturnal fluid shift. Such strategy has gained special attention, since the standard treatment for SA, the positive airway pressure, has low compliance rates among its users and has failed to reduce cardiovascular outcomes. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of edema and fluid shift, and summarizes the most relevant findings of studies that investigated the impact of treating volume overload on SA. We aim to expand horizons in the treatment of SA by calling attention to a potentially reversible condition, which is commonly underestimated in clinical practice.
A telephonic‐based trial to reduce depressive symptoms among Latina breast cancer survivors

Greater mental health symptomatology of Latina breast cancer (LBC) patients along with the paucity of intervention trials to reduce distress underscores the scientific and practice gaps in comprehensive care. This trial investigated the effect of a paraprofessionally delivered, telephonic‐based psycho‐educational intervention on depressive symptoms among LBC patients.