Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast growth factor‐2 stimulates embryonic cardiac mesenchymal cell proliferation

The proliferation response of stage 36 chick atrioventricular valve mesenchymal cells to fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) was studied in the tissue‐like environment of three‐dimensional cell aggregates maintained in organ culture. The mitogenic effects of FGF‐2 on mesenchymal tissue depended on the FGF‐2‐stimulated formation of a fibronectin‐containing extracellular matrix. The matrix was absent in unstimulated aggregates, and co‐localized with regions of actively proliferating cells in stimulated aggregates. Inhibition of fibronectin matrix formation by the inclusion of Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐containing peptides, which compete with fibronectin for binding to the cell surface α5β1 integrin receptors, abolished the proliferation effects of FGF‐2. Inhibition of sulfation of cell surface glycosaminoglycans by treatment with sodium chlorate significantly reduced both the formation of the fibronectin matrix and cell proliferation in response to FGF‐2, suggesting an involvement of the low‐affinity sulfated glycosaminoglycan FGF receptor system. Thus, the FGF‐stimulated growth of embryonic atrioventricular valve mesenchyme in vitro involves the production of a fibronectin matrix. We suggest that the stimulation of the fibronectin matrix represents an essential element in growth factor signaling of mesenchymal tissue, with the matrix serving as an anchorage substratum for the proliferating cells. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A state estimation algorithm for monitoring topology changes in distribution systems

This paper proposes a state estimation algorithm for the monitoring of topological changes in distribution networks, using real measurements at substations, pseudo measurements at load and distributed generation buses, and zero injections at transition buses. This is accomplished by a generalized state estimation formulation, based on a weighted least squares approach with equality constraints, which involves both real and pseudo analog measurements and operational constraints for the switching devices. Estimates of state variables and switching device statuses are simultaneously provided. The normalized residual test is used to effectively identify gross errors in analog and topological data. The network splitting problem, caused by switching operations, is also investigated by introducing appropriate pseudo measurements. An advantage over previous methods is that the proposed approach eliminates the need of repeated state estimation runs for alternative hypothesis evaluation. A 17-bus distribution network is employed to demonstrate its effectiveness.
An Outline of the Principal Forms of Tuberculosis in Man

Introduction In about 50 per cent. of the population in most parts of Europe and North America, tuberculous infection occurs before the age of i6 to 20 years. The infection usually remains latent but sometimes, either soon after the infection or later, clinical disease develops. Infection itself has, however, a long lasting effect on the body, for the response of the tissues to tubercle bacilli differs from that evoked when the bacillus is first introduced. This altered response (allergy) is found even in those who have never shown clinical symptoms or signs of tuberculous disease. It is recognized in two ways: (i) By long'persistence of the property of reacting positively to the tuberculin test, and (2) by the fact that the anatomical character of post-primary lesions differs from those of the primary lesion. The latter remains recognizable as such even in a late stage -by the characteristic picture of a caseous (calcified or ossified) focus in the lung, associated with a similar caseous (calcified or ossified) focus in the regional lymph node. Tuberculosis has been classified anatomically in several ways. Three only deserve discussion here. i. Childhood and adult forms. The distinction between childhood and adult tuberculosis has no place in pathology. Primary infection with its sequel-disseminated tuberculosis-was regarded as the childhood manifestation and pulmonary consumption as the adult form of tuberculosis. But primary tuberculosis is not limited to childhood; the percentage of primary infections in adults is considerable and anatomically the lesion is no different from that found in childhood. The factor that does vary with age is the severity of the disease. The physical and chemical conditions of the tissues, the metabolism of the body and the endocrine activity, these are the factors upon which variation in severity depend and these vary with age. Such age differences underlie the comparatively severe course of tuberculosis in early infancy, in puberty and in elderly people after 50 years and probably its benign course in children of school age. Dissemination of the disease to several organs occurs at any age and has no preference to any one age group. 2. Acute and chronic forms. These two clinical forms are observed at every age in individuals of widely differing types and races and may appear in the course of disseminated tuberculosis as well as in forms limited to the lungs. 3. Forms depending upon the effect of the specific response of the whole body. There exist three fundamental anatomical types of tuberculosis which are due to a specific response of the whole body and are independent of constitutional factors, viz.: (a) Primary infection. (b) Haematogenous dissemination. (c) Lesions limited to the lungs (bronchogenic tuberculosis, so termed because it tends to spread by the bronchi).
Cortical and Trabecular Load Sharing in the Human Vertebral Body

The biomechanical role of the vertebral cortical shell remains poorly understood. Using high‐resolution finite element modeling of a cohort of elderly vertebrae, we found that the biomechanical role of the shell can be substantial and that the load sharing between the cortical and trabecular bone is complex. As a result, a more integrative measure of the trabecular and cortical bone should improve noninvasive assessment of fracture risk and treatments.
Significant influence of scaler tip design on root substance loss resulting from ultrasonic scaling: a laserprofilometric in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES Ultrasonic scalers have become increasingly popular for subgingival debridement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different working tip designs (narrow versus wide) on root substance loss caused by either magnetostrictive or piezoelectric ultrasonic devices. METHODS In this in vitro study, a magnetostrictive ultrasonic system with either Slimline or TFI-10 inserts and a piezoelectric ultrasonic system with either Perioprobe or Type-A inserts were compared at different application forces. Loss of root dentin was determined by defect width, defect depth and defect volume resulting from standardized instrumentation using laser profilometry. RESULTS There were consistent and statistically significant differences between all groups. The mean observed dentin alterations for the magnetostrictive ultrasonic device operating a Slimline insert at a lateral force of 0.3 N were 254.4 microm, 6.3 microm and 22.5 microm3 and for the TFI-10 tip 759.0 microm, 23.5 microm and 160.2 microm3 for the parameters defect width, depth and volume, respectively. For the piezoelectric ultrasonic system operating a Perioprobe insert, the corresponding mean values were 352.0 microm/12.1 microm/56.4 microm3 and for the universal Type-A insert they were 402.4 microm/14.0 microm/133.4 microm3. With application forces of 0.7 N, root substance removal increased up to twofold. CONCLUSION The present investigation could demonstrate that the aggressiveness of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric ultrasonic devices to root substance was significantly influenced by the scaler tip designs, increasing for wider scaler tips as compared with narrow, probe-shaped inserts.
Interrater Reliability of the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule

Objective: Australian mental health policy aims to introduce evidence-based practice within a community care approach. This aim requires reliable measures that can be used by a wide variety of professionals. The interrater reliability of the Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule (CANSAS) was assessed under routine conditions. Method: Three interviewer-observer dyads assessed the needs of 14 inpatients and 18 day patients of a psychiatric rehabilitation unit in New South Wales, Australia. Results: Agreement on the identification of an area of need was high. However, agreement was higher on patient ratings than on staff ratings. Correlations on staff ratings of met needs were also moderate (r = 0.53), suggesting discrepancies in rating the level of need. Conclusion: Differences in staff ratings may be attributed to ambiguity in the definition of need and levels of need and/or the sources of information used by the rater making the assessment. An approach to establishing an operational definition of need is suggested, and an increase in the number of levels of need is recommended. Implications for Australian mental health policy are noted.
Quality of care for uninsured patients with diabetes in a rural area.

OBJECTIVE We compared quality of care for uninsured patients with diabetes in private physician offices and community/migrant health centers (C/MHCs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional medical record review in a convenience sample of eight physician offices and three C/MHC sites in rural North Carolina. Billing systems generated lists of self-pay patients with diabetes. Abstraction of the medical records (n = 142) yielded data on process and intermediate outcome measures of diabetes care, which were derived from the Diabetes Quality Improvement Project. RESULTS Medical records of patients in C/MHCs demonstrated higher rates on four of six process measures of quality of care, including measurement of HbA(1c) (98 vs. 75%; P < 0.001), cholesterol (82 vs. 51%; P < 0.001), and urine protein (90 vs. 25%; P < 0.001). Nonsignificant trends in documented eye examinations and the intermediate outcome of blood pressure control were found in medical records of C/MHC patients. No differences were seen in the intermediate outcomes of glucose or lipid control. Notable differences in provider type, time since training, and use of flow sheets were found. CONCLUSIONS In our sample, uninsured patients with diabetes in C/MHCs had higher quality of care as suggested by higher rates of processes of care. Outcomes were similar in the two settings and well below targets. Further work is required to replicate these findings and to understand which features of C/MHCs may facilitate quality care for the uninsured and are replicable in other settings.
Spectator consumption practices at the Roman games

Purpose – This study seeks to further understanding of spectator consumption practices by applying modern consumer theory in a much different historical context: the gladiator games during the time of the Roman Empire. The objective is to validate modern ideas of consumption practices with evidence from the past.Design/methodology/approach – The research draws from a sampling of classical and contemporary literatures as well as the interpretation of the images and inscriptions delineated on archaeological artifacts such as relief sculptures on sarcophagi, floor mosaics, fresco paintings, and terracotta and glass lamps. The visual content and consumption themes of selected objects are described and analyzed.Findings – Spectators at the Roman games used these events for the sake of the experience, for integrating themselves into their community, for classifying themselves in a certain group category, and for interacting and socializing with other people. As in modern sporting events, consuming the Roman gam.
The role of selected plant families with dietary Ethnomedicinal species used as anticancer

The uses of ethnomedicinal plants for human healthcare still remain the most widely used medication system in developing and least developed nation. This article reviews the research on use of ethnomedicinal plants as anticancer. The investigations focused primarily on dietary ethnomedicinal species reported with anticancer bioactive compounds distributed from 24 plant families. Population rise, insufficient supply of drugs, unaffordable cost of treatments, side effects of several allopathic drugs and development of resistance to currently used drugs for diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments. As such ethnomedicinal plants have been used to cure cancer since the conventional therapeutic and surgical approaches have not been able to control the incidence of most cancer types. The article unveils the most recent studies on dietary ethnomedicinal species and their families used to treat various types of cancer. The article also reveals the most up to date findings in understanding of biological significance of their bioactive compounds used as anticancer.
Habit as moderator of the intention–physical activity relationship in older adults: a longitudinal study

This longitudinal study examined whether habit strength moderates the intention–physical activity (PA) relationship in older adults, within the framework of the attitude–social influences–efficacy (ASE) model and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A total of 1836 older adults (M age = 62.95 years, SD age = 8.17) completed a questionnaire on social cognitive constructs and PA habit strength at baseline, and six months later a measure of PA. Three PA habit groups (i.e. low, medium and high) were composed, based on tertiles of the mean index score. Multi-group structural equation modelling analyses showed that intention significantly determined PA behaviour only in participants with a low or medium habit strength towards PA. This result suggests that PA is not intentional at high levels of habit strength and demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating habit in the ASE and TPB models. Results also showed that about half of the participants with a strong PA habit did not meet the recommended PA level. As strong habits may prevent intentional behavioural change and may hinder the receptiveness and openness for informational PA change strategies, additional intervention strategies, such as awareness raising and the use of implementation intentions, are needed for strongly habitual, but insufficiently active older adults.
Type II Collagen‐induced Arthritis

When susceptible rodents are immunized with native type I1 collagen, they develop an inflammatory polyarthritis after an interval of latency. ’ This arthritis is characterized by synovial hyperplasia, infiltration of the subsynovial tissue with inflammatory cells, exudation of cells into the joint space, marginal erosion, periostitis, and cartilage degeneration. Disease is often seen first in the ankles but may involve virtually any peripheral joint. Lesions are not usually found in the axial ~keleton? ~ The earliest change visible by routine histologic examination is fibrin deposition in the synovium. ’ This is followed within a few days by synovial hyperplasia and infiltration of both polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells. Klareskog et al. characterized the cellular infiltrates by using rabbit anti-Ia antibodies and monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface markers? Infiltrates in lesions of animals with early disease had an abundance of Ia-positive cells. Based on their reaction with the monoclonal antibody W3/25, the majority of infiltrating lymphocytes were T helper cells. It is curious that most of the activity seen in early disease takes place in the synovial tissue, since the inciting antigen is not known to be present there but is confined to the cartilage. In studies concentrating on the cartilage surface, DeSimone et al. noted a loss of proteoglycan, manifested by a loss of Safranin 0 positive staining material beginning at the time cellular infiltrates first appeared? Chondrocytes obtained from the superficial zone of articular cartilage were subjected to transmission electron microscopy. During one month of disease, these chondrocytes lost ultrastructural detail and gradually degenerated. Electron dense material resembling fibrin was deposited on the articular surface very early in the disease. They also noted that synoviocytes on the articular surface contained little rough endoplasmic reticulum but numerous mitochrondria. Late in the disease, the proportion of degenerating chondrocytes increased. Morphologic changes in the collagen itself, however, were not striking. Relative collagen content was increased, but this probably reflected only a disproportionate loss of proteoglycans. Although type I1 collagen is structurally very similar to the other interstitial collagens, immunization with them using an identical protocol is not effective in causing arthritis. Types IV and V collagen are also ineffective but other newer types of collagen including la, 2a, and 3a have not been thoroughly tested. In rats, types I and I11 collagen are also less immunogenic than type 11. Responses to injection of types I and I11 collagen were extremely low when these antigens were emulsified in incomplete Freund‘s adjuvant! Shoen et al. coupled collagen to spleen cells by using a water
Effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) therapy on body composition and insulin resistance in IGF-I gene deletion.

We have recently reported a patient with a homozygous partial deletion of the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) gene, resulting in IGF-I deficiency, insulin resistance, and short stature. Recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) therapy has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity (Si) and growth in other causes of IGF-I deficiency. We now report results of 1 yr of rhIGF-I therapy on body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin sensitivity, and linear growth in this patient. rhIGF-I therapy was initiated at age 16.07 yr (bone age, 14.2 yr), at a starting dose of 40 microg/kg daily, increasing after 3 months to 80 microg/kg daily. Body composition, BMD, markers of bone mineralization, and auxological parameters (height, weight) were measured at 0, 6, and 12 months after start of therapy. Si, acute insulin response to glucose, and glucose effectiveness were determined at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months into therapy. On IGF-I therapy, body mass index increased from 17 kg/m2 to 18.6 kg/m2. Body composition studies (dual-energy x-ray absorbtiometry) revealed an initial decrease in total body fat, from 19.9% at baseline to 15.1% at 6 months; but by 12 months of therapy, this had reversed, with an increase to 21.8%. Si, calculated using Bergman's minimal model, was substantially reduced at baseline at 1.45 x 10-4 min-1 (microU/mL) [normal value, 5.1 x 10-4 min 1 (lean adult male)]. rhIGF-I therapy resulted in a dose-related improvement of Si into the normal range (NR) (rhIGF-I dose: 40 microg/kg x day, Si = 2.06 x 10-4 min-l; rhIGF-I dose: 80 microg/kg x day, Si = 4.39 x 10-4 min-1). Baseline reduction in Si was accompanied by elevated acute insulin response to glucose, which also fell in a dose-dependent manner. Baseline BMD was severely reduced when compared with age-matched controls (-4.88 SD); however, calculation of bone mineral apparent density indicated that the true reduction in BMD was minimal. rhIGF-I therapy increased BMD by 17% and bone mineral apparent density by 7%, indicating that IGF-I has a greater effect on bone growth than bone mineralization. Bone turnover markers also increased on rhIGF-I; mean serum osteocalcin: 8.3 ng/mL pretreatment, 21.7 ng/mL after 6 months of rhIGF-I (NR for adult male, 3.4-9.1 ng/mL); mean bone specific alkaline phosphatase: 36.5 U/L pretreatment, 82.2 U/L after 6 months of therapy (NR for adult male, 15-41). Height velocity increased from 3.8 cm/yr pretreatment to 7.3 cm/yr on 80 microg/kg.day of rhIGF-I. In this patient with severe insulin resistance, therapy with rhIGF-I resulted in beneficial effects on Si, body composition, bone size, and linear growth. These results have implications for IGF-I therapy in a variety insulin resistant states.
Energy-efficiency in wireless sensor networks. (Économie d'énergie dans les réseaux de capteurs sans fil)

In this thesis, we propose new strategies for energy conservation in wireless sensor networks, so that the operational time of these networks can be extended. The work can be divided into two main focus area, namely general wireless sensor networks, and healthcareoriented wearable sensor networks. In the first part of this thesis we provide a comprehensive survey of the existing energy-efficient mechanisms. Then, we propose two new solutions: the first one optimizes the displacement of a mobile base station as well as buffer usage and data routing at sensor nodes; the second one optimizes the deployment of wireless chargers in the network to satisfy the energy demand of the sensors. The second part of this thesis is dedicated to healthcare application where wearable sensors are used to remotely supervise a patient. We begin with a state-of-the-art of the energy-efficient techniques existing in the literature. We then introduce a new energy-efficient architecture that allows to optimize the lifetime of both the sensor and the base station. This is a context-aware solution that takes into consideration heterogeneous devices. Our results show that the lifetime of the sensor networks can be extended using the proposed strategies. All the results obtained are supported by numerical experiments and extensive simulations.
Information diffusion and its impacts on artificial stock markets in different learning process

Empirical studies have divergence on whether the false information can affect market in the long term or not. Theoretical model can only explain part of these empirical studies. In this paper, we incorporate information diffusion model into an agent-based artificial market and test if the difference of investment experience leads the long time impact of false information. Our result provides an explanation to empirical studies that if connected agents are rich in investment experiences, they can distinguish false information under the condition of heterogeneous information sources. Consequently, informed agents have a low probability to release false information in the long term.
The design strategies of Chinese information display in supervisory control systems

A queueing theory was employed to model Chinese information processing in a supervisory control system. The objective of this study was to verify the learning effect on the change of system design limit developed from a previous study. The main factors in the design of information display were information category and the number of conditions per category. The dependent variables were response time, waiting time, utilization, and number of errors. In this experiment, number of information categories was a repeated measure. The results indicated that learning effects could overcome the original design limit point.
Optimizing outcomes in patients with serious Gram-positive infections.

This article forms part of a supplement based on the proceedings of a Novartis-sponsored symposium at the 18th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), April 2008, entitled ‘Positive outcomes in Gram-positive infections. ’ The supplement is supported by an educational grant for production and distribution from Novartis, with editorial and writing support provided by Chameleon Communications International with Novartis Pharma AG sponsorship.
Noise analysis for no load operating power transformers

In this paper is presented a statistical analysis of the sound power emitted by power transformers. The power of the analyzed transformers within this analysis is greater than 6 MVA in no-load operation when the cooling system is turned off. Using this statistical approach the complex multiphysics problem of estimating the transformer sound power is greatly simplified.