Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in a rat model of syringomyelia after excitotoxic spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent experimental data have shown that an increase of excitatory amino acids and the initiation of inflammatory responses within the injured spinal cord may play a role in post-traumatic syringomyelia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diffusion-weighted MR imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps could provide earlier evidence of spinal cord cavitation in a rat model of syringomyelia than available with conventional MR imaging. METHODS The spinal cord gray matter of four rats was injected with the alpha-amino-3 hydroxy-5 methyl-4 isoxazole propionic acid/metabotropic receptor agonist quisqualic acid. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 4, or 8 weeks after injection, and the spinal cords were fixed in formalin for 1 week and imaged with T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted sequences. One control specimen was also imaged. ADC maps were constructed from the diffusion-weighted data. Histopathologic analyses of sections stained with cresyl violet were compared with the MR images. RESULTS By 1 week after injection, ADC maps at the level of injection showed areas within the gray matter of increased intensity and increased ADC values as compared with the control specimen. These bright areas corresponded to cysts or cavities within the cord parenchyma on the histopathologic sections. The ADC values within affected gray matter areas progressively increased at 4 and 8 weeks, also corresponding to cyst formation. Conventional T1- and T2-weighted images showed corresponding lesions with cystic characteristics at 4 and 8 weeks, but not at 1 week. CONCLUSION In an animal model of syringomyelia, diffusion-weighted imaging with ADC maps detected cystic lesions within spinal cord gray matter before they were seen on conventional T1- and T2-weighted images.
Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Oral Health and Nutrition

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that nutrition is an integral component of oral health. The Academy supports integration of oral health with nutrition services, education, and research. Collaboration between dietetics practitioners and oral health care professionals is recommended for oral health promotion and disease prevention and intervention. Scientific and epidemiological data suggest a lifelong synergy between diet, nutrition, and integrity of the oral cavity in health and disease. Oral health and nutrition have amultifaceted relationship. Oral infectious diseases, aswell as acute, chronic, and systemic diseases with oral manifestations, impact an individual’s functional ability to eat and their nutrition status. Likewise, nutrition and diet can affect the development and integrity of the oral cavity and progression of oral diseases. As knowledge of the link between oral and nutrition health increases, dietetics practitioners and oral health care professionalsmust learn to provide screening, education, and referrals as part of comprehensive client/patient care. The provision of medical nutrition therapy, including oral and overall health, is incorporated into the Standards of Practice for registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered. Inclusion of didactic and clinical practice concepts that illustrate the role of nutrition in oral health is essential in education programs for both professional groups. Collaborative endeavors between dietetics, dentistry, medicine, and allied health professionals in research, education, and delineation of practice roles are needed to ensure comprehensive health care. The multifaceted interactions between diet, nutrition, and oral health in practice, education, and research in both dietetics and dentistry merit continued, detailed delineation. POSITION STATEMENT It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that nutrition is an integral component of oral health. The Academy supports the integration of oral health with nutrition services, education, and research. Collaboration between dietetics practitioners and oral health care professionals is recommended for oral health promotion and disease prevention and intervention. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113:693-701. S CIENTIFIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL data demonstrate a lifelong synergy between nutrition and the integrity of the oral cavity in health and disease. Changes in the health care system toward patient/clientand population-centered health and an interprofessional team-based approach require collaboration among health professionals and emphasize the importance of evidence-based practice grounded in economic, sociological, and scientific evidence. Partnerships among dietetics practitioners, oral health care professionals, and other health professionals need to be established, strengthened, and expanded to encourage effective, integrated, and comprehensive education, training, and practice across disciplines. The relationships among oral, systemic, and nutritional health and dis-
Mechatronic models as a driver for digital plant engineering

The digital plant is still a vision since standard engineering tools and systems currently address only specific areas or phases in the engineering process and engineering methodologies are difficult to derive. This paper points out the importance of mechatronic domain models for integrated engineering tool and system landscapes and their significance as a driver for digital plant engineering. A strategy for developing an integrated tool and system landscape is suggested based on user-centric mechatronic domain models. In addition, the definition of mechatronic domain models is discussed.
Self-reported bruxism : Associated factors among media personnel with or without irregular shift work

1. LIST OF ORIGINAL PUBLICATIONS / 10 2. INTRODUCTION / 11 3. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE / 12 3.1. Bruxism / 12 3.1. 1. PubMed / 12 3.1. 2. Definitions of bruxism / 12 3.1. 3. Detecting sleep bruxism: electromyography (EMG) and polysomnography (PSG) / 13 3.1. 4. Detecting sleep bruxism: ambulatory EMG / 14 3.1. 5. Detecting sleep/awake bruxism: self-reports and clinical guidelines / 14 3.1. 6. Detecting awake bruxism / 15 3.1. 7. Prevalence of bruxism among populations / 15 3.1. 8. Etiological aspects of bruxism / 15 3.1. 9. The role of peripheral factors / 16 3.1. 10. Pathophysiological factors / 16 3.1. 11. Psychological factors / 16 3.2. Orofacial pain / 17 3.2. 1. Pain in the facial area / 17 3.2. 2. Assessing orofacial pain / 17 3.2. 3. Orofacial pain among populations and widespread pain / 17 3.2. 4. Bruxism and orofacial pain / 18 3.2. 5. Other factors associated with orofacial pain / 18 3.3. Sleep / 19 3.3.1. Sleep characteristics / 19 3.3.2. Circadian rhythm / 19 3.3.3. Insomnia and parasomnia / 19 3.3. 4. Prevalence of insomnia symptoms among populations / 20 3.3. 5. Gender, age, and sleep / 20 3.3. 6. Shift work and sleep / 21 3.3. 7. Sleep and health / health and sleep – the vicious circle / 21 3.3. 8. The role of stress / 23 3.3. 9. Sleep architecture and bruxism / 21 3.3.10. Restless legs syndrome / 22
Social relationships and social anxiety appeals in direct-to-consumer advertising

Abstract The use of social relationships as a promotional tool in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising has received limited attention despite relational impacts on illnesses and empirical evidence supporting social relationships’ positive influence with some patients. This content analysis provides insights into social relationship appeals’ use in DTC magazine ads for each drug-class category. Further, the current study introduces the concept of social anxiety appeals into the DTC advertising literature, which had previously focused more on fear appeals, such as the fear of pain. Social relationships appeared in 42.5% of the 421 DTC ads included in the sample. Social anxiety appeals appeared in 28.5% of ads with social relationships. Types of social relationships depicted (nonromantic, romantic, non-human pets or cartoon characters, and family) vary across drug-class categories. The current study affirms that DTC advertisers frequently appeal to the theoretical importance of relationships as an aid to improved health. It also raises ethical issues when neither the implied improvements in relationships nor decreased social anxiety are direct consequences of prescribed use of the advertised pharmaceutical.
Cellulose-binding domains: potential for purification of complex proteins.

The endoglucanase CenA and the exoglucanase Cex from Cellulomonas fimi each contain a discrete cellulose-binding domain (CBD), at the amino-terminus or carboxyl-terminus respectively. The gene fragment encoding the CBD can be fused to the gene of a protein of interest. Using this approach hybrid proteins can be engineered which bind reversibly to cellulose and exhibit the biological activity of the protein partner. Alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) from Escherichia coli, and a beta-glucosidase (Abg) from an Agrobacterium sp. are dimeric proteins. The fusion polypeptides CenA-PhoA and Abg-CBC(Cex) are sensitive to proteolysis at the junctions between the fusion partners. Proteolysis results in a mixture of homo- and heterodimers; these bind to cellulose if one or both of the monomers carry a CBD, e.g. CenA-PhoA/CenA-PhoA and CenA-PhoA/PhoA. CBD fusion polypeptides could be used in this way to purify polypeptides which associate with the fusion partner.
The pattern of prostate cancer local recurrence after radiation and salvage cryoablation.

OBJECTIVE We assessed the pattern of local recurrence after salvage cryoablation of the prostate, and the impact of local recurrence on intermediate-term outcome. METHODS One hundred twenty-two patients who underwent salvage cryoablation were studied after a mean follow-up of 56 months. Serial prostate biopsy was carried out after cryoablation. The histopathology of prostate biopsies before and after cryoablation were compared. The prognostic value of post-cryoablation biopsy was assessed with the Cox regression method. RESULTS 23.1% of patients had a positive biopsy for prostate cancer following salvage cryoablation. Most cancer recurrences occurred in the apex (51.5%), base (21.2%) and seminal vesicles (18.2%). The presence of cancer at the base of the prostate was found to be a prognostic factor for eventual biochemical failure. Overall 5-year biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) was 28%, however patients with cancer at the base of the prostate had a 5-year bDFS of 0%. CONCLUSION Cancer recurrences occurred in areas where aggressive freezing was avoided as it might result in serious problems (e.g., urethro-rectal fistula and incontinence). Post-cryoablation biopsies and the location of persistent disease are of prognostic value.
Factors affecting buyers' trust in e-commerce in Palestine

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is relatively a new concept and research topic in developing countries including Palestine. In this form of commerce, the first impression that users create about an organisation is often based on the organisation's website's trustworthiness. This has motivated many researchers to investigate the factors that influence buyers' trust in such websites. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the potential factors affecting buyers' trust in e-commerce in Palestine. More specifically, the study embraces a multi-dimensional construct of trust (integrity, benevolence, ability) rather than examining each single dimension of trustworthiness individually. In addition, the effect of independent variables including website design attitudes, reliability, privacy and security attitudes, customer satisfaction and governmental factors on e-commerce's trust dimensions have been mathematically investigated. To this end, relevant data from a random sample of 354 Palestinian citizens who have experienced the online shopping, or who have interest in online purchasing, were collected. Statistical analyses revealed significant effects of all independent variables except reliability on buyers' trust in e-commerce in Palestine. Also, four linear regression models relating the independent variables with e-commerce's trust and its three dimensions (integrity, benevolence, ability) have been built and statistically validated.
Global consolidation of industries and business failures: insights from brick-and-mortar and online outlets

Although online platforms are increasingly seen as a linchpin for firms competing in the 21st century, our understanding of competition between the traditional brick-and-mortar and online outlets, and how this can lead to different types of business failures, remains limited. In the light of the disjointed nature of the current streams of research, we propose an integrated framework that classifies the differential effects of online and brick-and-mortar competition. Based on a review of the literature, the study identified four competitive dynamics, i.e., bricks vs. bricks, clicks vs. bricks, clicks vs. clicks and brick-and-click, and explores how they can lead to different kinds of business. It is contended that the failure rate is likely to rise for small firms that adopt a sole brick-and-mortar strategy largely due to the risk of becoming 'research shops'. The study contributes to comparative strategic management literature by shedding light on the evolution of online and offline management strategies and practices across the globe. In this direction, the study provides insights on some aspects both universal and country-specific features in the evolution of online and offline. The analysis highlights the importance of championing successful blending of both online and offline platforms.
Augmented reality interface for taping robot

Applying masking tape to a particular area is a very important step for protecting an uninvolved surface in processes like mechanical part repairing or surface protection. In the past, the task was very time-consuming and required a lot of manual works. In recent years, with some advances in the fields of automatic robotic system and computer vision, the task now can be completed with the help of an automatic taping system containing a 3D scanner, a manipulator and a rotating platform. This implementation has been proved to provide better quality and be at least twice as fast as comparing to the work done by a human operator. However, there are still some limitations of this setup. First, it is difficult for the user to monitor the taping process since the system uses the 3D scanner to reconstruct the surface model and there is no calibrated projector to overlay the manipulator's trajectory over the real surface. Second, the main user is supposed to use a computer with keyboard and mouse to identify the area for masking which requires some expert knowledge and might not be appropriate in an industrial context where people wear protective equipment such as gloves or helmet. This paper introduces the use of spatial augmented reality technology and wearable device in the semi-automatic taping robotic system and the related calibration algorithms to enhance the user experience. The framework and its components are presented, with a case study and some results.
Gossypol reduction of tumor growth through ROS‐dependent mitochondria pathway in human colorectal carcinoma cells

Among 13 different cell lines, gossypol (GOS) showed the most potent cytotoxic effect against human colorectal carcinoma cells including HT29, COLO205, COLO320HSR and COLO320DM cells according to an MTT assay. The cytotoxic effect of GOS was mediated by its induction of apoptosis as characterized by the occurrence of DNA ladders, apoptotic bodies and chromosome condensation in both COLO205 and HT29 cells. Activation of caspase 3, 6, 8 and 9, but not caspase 1, accompanied by the appearance of cleaved fragments of PARP (85 kDa), and caspase 3 (p17/p15), was identified in GOS‐treated cells. Decreases in Bcl‐xL and phosphorylated Bad proteins were found in GOS‐treated cells. GOS induction of ROS production was detected by in vitro plasmid digestion, and an increase in the intracellular peroxide level was observed in GOS‐treated COLO205 cells by the DCHF‐DA assay. Antioxidants including N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC), catalase (CAT), tempol (TEM) and melatonin (MEL), but not allopurinol (ALL), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or diphenylene iodonium (DPI), significantly inhibited GOS‐induced Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through blocking the occurrence of apoptosis. GOS induced mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by a loss of the mitochondria membrane potential via DiOC6 staining, and the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to the cytoplasm was observed. Removing mitochondria by ethidium bromide (EtBr) treatment significantly reduced the apoptotic effect of GOS in COLO205 cells. Furthermore, an intraperitoneal injection of GOS or gossypol acetic acid (GAA) significantly reduced the growth of colorectal carcinoma induced by a subcutaneous injection of COLO205 cells in nude mice. Results of the present study provide the first evidences demonstrating the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of GOS via an ROS‐dependent mitochondrial apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis and design of sub-μW bandgap references in nano-meter CMOS

Analysis and design of nano-watt (nW) bandgap references (BGR) in nano-meter (nm) CMOS are presented. Three different BGR topologies are studied and design trade-offs are discussed. Based on the analysis results, a BGR is fabricated in a TSMC 90 nm CMOS process. A special feature is that it can generate proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) and complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) current individually which enables more possibility of system co-design. Measurements show temperature coefficient and line sensitivity without trimming are 47.1 ppm/°C and 0.8 %/V respectively. The power consumption of the BGR core with a 1.2 V supply is 315 nW at room temperature. The core area is 0.026 mm2.
Early response to inhaled nitric oxide and its relationship to outcome in children with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether the early response to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a measure of reversibility of lung injury and patient outcome in children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). DESIGN Retrospective review study. SETTING Pediatric ICUs. PATIENTS Thirty infants and children, aged 1 month to 13 years (median, 7 months) with severe AHRF (mean alveolar arterial oxygen gradient of 568+/-9.3 mm Hg, PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen of 56+/-2.3, oxygenation index [OI] of 41+/-3.8, and acute lung injury score of 2.8+/-0.1). Eighteen patients had ARDS. INTERVENTIONS The magnitude of the early response to iNO was quantified as the percentage change in OI occurring within 60 min of initiating 20 ppm iNO therapy. This response was compared to patient outcome data. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS There was a significant association between early response to iNO and patient outcome (Kendall tau B r=0.43, p < 0.02). All six patients who showed < 15% improvement in OI died; 4 of the 11 patients (36%) who had a 15 to 30% improvement in OI survived, while 8 of 13 (61%) who had a > 30% improvement in OI survived. Overall, 12 patients (40%) survived, 9 with ongoing conventional treatment including iNO, and 3 with extracorporeal support. CONCLUSIONS In AHRF in children, greater early response to iNO appears to be associated with improved outcome. This may reflect reversibility of pulmonary pathophysiologic condition and serve as a bedside marker of disease stage.
SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SCD) MANAGEMENT: A Theoretical Review

We present in this study a theoretical review of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), highlighting the history of the disease and its pathophysiology. In addition, we also spotlight the reactions involved in SCD, the kinetics and mechanism of hemoglobin oxygenation and deoxygenation in red blood cell (which is the bane for the change in cell geometry and membrane elasticity in sickle cell patients). Since SCD is a blood disease manifested in the polymerization and deformation of red blood cells, very small capillaries (≤ 10µm) are more prone to occlusion since irreversibly sickled cells (ISC) cannot pass through such vessels because of the loss in deformability. The mathematical models reviewed predicted occurrences (pertaining to red blood cell deformation and geometry) in the vessels to an appreciable accuracy but lacked the ability to predict vasoocclusion in the vessels.
The leucine-responsive regulatory protein binds to the fim switch to control phase variation of type 1 fimbrial expression in Escherichia coli K-12

Phase variation of type 1 fimbriation in Escherichia coli is associated with the site-specific recombination of a 314-bp DNA invertible element. The fim switch directs transcription of fimA, the major fimbrial subunit gene, in one orientation (on) but not the other (off). Switching requires either fimB (on-to-off or off-to-on inversion) or fimE (on-to-off inversion only) and is reduced sharply in strains containing lrp::Tn10 mutations. Both fimE-promoted switching and fimB-promoted switching are stimulated by the amino acids alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, and this regulation requires lrp. Here it is shown that the leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) binds in and adjacent to the fim switch. Mutations in fim that lower Lrp binding in vitro have corresponding effects on both fimB-promoted switching and fimE-promoted switching in vivo. Lrp initiates binding at one of two sites within the fim switch. Additional cooperative binding results in an extensive region of protection from both DNase I and 1,10-phenanthroline-copper complex-activated DNA cleavage. The region of protection can extend to within 12 bp of the right inverted repeat (switch off) and occupies over one-third of the switch. It is proposed that wrapping of fim DNA around an Lrp complex is required to form a recombination-proficient structure.
The Immunoglobulin Receptors on B Cells Bind Antigen, Focus Activation Signals to Them and Initiate Antigen‐Presentation

We do not agree with the analysis of Langman and Cohn on the function of Ig receptors. We have reviewed the available literature regarding anti‐Ig activation of B cells and found it contradictory and unconvincing. We have presented experimental evidence on the inability of Ig receptors on B cells to mediate activation or tolerogenic signals. We suggest that the Ig receptors serve to focus antigen to specific B cells so the B cells can be activated by TI antigens or helper T cells. The Ig molecules also bind foreign antigen and thereby initiate internalization and antigen processing. The processed peptides are exported to the membrane, where they associate with MHC class II antigens, thus transforming B cells into efficient antigen‐presenting cells.
Evaluation of algorithms for protein identification from sequence databases using mass spectrometry data

In this work, the commonly used algorithms for mass spectrometry based protein identification, Mascot, MS‐Fit, ProFound and SEQUEST, were studied in respect to the selectivity and sensitivity of their searches. The influence of various search parameters were also investigated. Approximately 6600 searches were performed using different search engines with several search parameters to establish a statistical basis. The applied mass spectrometric data set was chosen from a current proteome study. The huge amount of data could only be handled with computational assistance. We present a software solution for fully automated triggering of several peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) and peptide fragmentation fingerprinting (PFF) algorithms. The development of this high‐throughput method made an intensive evaluation based on data acquired in a typical proteome project possible. Previous evaluations of PMF and PFF algorithms were mainly based on simulations.