Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in oral disadvantage, a measure of oral health-related quality of life: 24-month incidence.

OBJECTIVES This paper estimates the incidence of oral disadvantage based on the subject's approach to dental care, sex, race, and financial status; identifies demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that were associated with oral disadvantage; and determines if these characteristics were differentially associated with the three domains of oral disadvantage. METHODS The Florida Dental Care Study was a longitudinal study of oral health in diverse groups of persons who at baseline had at least one tooth, were 45 years or older, and were either African American or non-Hispanic white. Incidence rates, odds ratios, and 95 percent confidence intervals were used to describe oral disadvantage and its relation to race, income, and other key sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS The strongest independent predictors of oral disadvantage were approach to dental care (problem-oriented attenders or regular), and situation if faced with an unexpected $500 dental bill. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were differentially associated with each disadvantage domain. CONCLUSIONS African Americans, females, rural residents, individuals who did not graduate from high school, individuals with limited financial resources, and problem-oriented dental attenders had significantly higher occurrences of oral disadvantage. Racial and sex disparities in oral disadvantage were largely explained by differences in approach to dental care and financial resources between these groups.
Resource Allocation in Cloud Computing Using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm with Reliability Approach

Cloud computing has become a universal trend now. So, for users, the reliability is an effective factor to use this technology. In addition, users prefer to implement and get their work done quickly. This paper takes into account these two parameters for resource allocation due to their importance In this method, the Imperialist Competitive algorithm with the addition of a cross layer of cloud architecture to reliability evaluation is used. In this cross layer, initial reliability is considered for all the resources and the implementation of their tasks and due to the success or failure of implementation, reliability of resources is increased or reduced. Reliability and makespan are used as a cost function in ICA for resource allocation. Results show that the proposed method can search the problem space in a better manner and give a better performance when compared to other methods.
Wind power plant hierarchical control systems: Dynamic operation in the Romanian transmission grid

The paper describes wind power plants hierarchical control systems operation, and shows simulation results. The operation principle of the voltage regulation systems will be presented and the main factors on which regulator actions depend (reactive power reserve, wind speed, number of turbines in operation) also the procedure used by the National Control Centre will be described. Studies were made with a Eurostag modeled version of the secondary voltage control system from Tariverde wind power plant connection substation. Using the National Power System Eurostag database various operation scenarios were simulated to show the impact in the transmission power grid.
Production of reactive nitrogen intermediates by bone marrow‐derived macrophages on treatment with cisplatin in vitro

L929 culture medium (a source of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF) or recombinant granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (rGM‐CSF)‐derived bone marrow macrophages treated with cisplatin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 μ/ml) were effective in the production of L‐arginine‐dependent reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) and generation of tumouricidal activity. The abilities of RNI secretion and related tumouricidal activity against P 815 mastocytoma cells were compared. These parameters were found to be closely correlated in various experiments, RNI secretion and generation of bone marrow macrophage‐mediated tumouricidal activity were significantly inhibited by L‐N‐monomethyl arginine (L‐NMMA), a specific inhibitor of the L‐arginine pathway, but L‐NMMA did not inhibit macrophage‐mediated killing of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐sensitive Wehi cells, suggesting that activated macrophages exhibit at least two cytolytic mechanisms, one by L‐arginine‐dependent nitric oxide pathway and another by TNF‐mediated killing. The present findings suggest that the mechanism of tumour cell killing by activated macrophages may differ, depending on the tumour cell type, and reactive nitrogen intermediates play a major role in cisplatin‐mediated activation of bone marrow‐derived macrophages.
A bent-ends spiral antenna above a fan-shaped electromagnetic band-gap structure

This paper describes radiation characteristics of a bent-ends two-arm Archimedean spiral antenna above a fan-shaped electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure. The EBG structure consists of fan-shaped EBG patch cells. The fan-shaped EBG patches are arranged homogeneously in the circumferential direction but are set non-homogeneously in the radial direction. The analysis is performed using the method of moment. It is revealed that wideband radiation characteristics, including input impedance and axial ratio, are mitigated by replacing a perfect electric conductor (PEC) reflector with the fan-shaped EBG structure.
Alternatively Spliced EDA Domain of Fibronectin Is a Target for Pharmacodelivery Applications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract:The antibody-based pharmacodelivery of cytokines to sites of disease has been extensively studied for various indications but not for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Here, we report that the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis and of tissue remodeling, is expressed in the dextran sodium sulfate mouse model of colitis and in patients with inflammatory bowel conditions, while being virtually undetectable in most normal adult tissues. Radiolabeled preparations of the F8 antibody, specific to the EDA domain of fibronectin, were shown to selectively localize to sites of inflammation in mice with colitis, as revealed by autoradiographic analysis. Fusion proteins of the F8 antibody with various murine payloads (interleukin-4, the p40 subunit of interleukin-12, interleukin-13) were administered to mice with colitis. IL12p40-F8 mediated an anti-inflammatory activity, which was comparable with the one of cyclosporine, whereas F8-IL4 did not inhibit colitis and F8-IL13 worsened the inflammatory conditions.
[Effects of drilling on ovarian volume and follicle count in polycystic ovary syndrome].

AIM To evaluate the effects of drilling on the reduction of the ovarian volume and on the count of antral follicles in case of resistance to clomifene citrate induction, METHODS We carried a prospective study over two years (2004-2005) in Antoine Beclère hospital. We compared two groups of patients, the first, including 20 patients with PCOS and undergoing an ovarian drilling, the second group involving 19 patients with PCOS and without any medical help to procreate. RESULTS From our study, the ovarian drilling seems to reduce the number of antral follicles, as well as the ovarian volume. CONCLUSION the ovarian drilling, easy and reproducible procedure reduces the number of antral follicles and ovarian volume, leading to normalization of ovarian functioning and thus better results on fertility.
Lack of immunological cross-reactivity between parasite-derived and recombinant forms of ES-62, a secreted protein of Acanthocheilonema viteae

The longevity of filarial nematodes is dependent on secreted immunomodulatory products. Previous investigation of one such product, ES-62, has suggested a critical role for post-translationally attached phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties. In order to further investigate this, ES-62 lacking PC was produced, using the Pichia pastoris recombinant gene expression system. Unlike parasite-derived ES-62, which is tetrameric the recombinant material was found to consist of a mixture of apparently stable tetramers, dimers and monomers. Nevertheless, the recombinant protein was considered to be an adequate PC-free ES-62 as it was recognized by existing antisera against the parasite-derived protein. However, subsequent to this, recognition of parasite-derived ES-62 by antibodies produced against the recombinant protein was found to be absent. In an attempt to explain this, recombinant ES-62 was subjected to structural analysis and was found to (i) contain 3 changes in amino acid composition; (ii) demonstrate significant alterations in glycosylation; (iii) show major differences in protein secondary structure. The effects of these alterations in relation to the observed change in immunogenicity were investigated and are discussed. The data presented clearly show that recognition by existing antibodies is insufficient proof that recombinant proteins can be used to mimic parasite-derived material in studies on nematode immunology and vaccination.
Pyruvate Fermentation by Oenococcus oeni and Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Role of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase in Anaerobic Fermentation

ABSTRACT The heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria Oenococcus oeni and Leuconostoc mesenteroides are able to grow by fermentation of pyruvate as the carbon source (2 pyruvate → 1 lactate + 1 acetate + 1 CO2). The growth yields amount to 4.0 and 5.3 g (dry weight)/mol of pyruvate, respectively, suggesting formation of 0.5 mol ATP/mol pyruvate. Pyruvate is oxidatively decarboxylated by pyruvate dehydrogenase to acetyl coenzyme A, which is then converted to acetate, yielding 1 mol of ATP. For NADH reoxidation, one further pyruvate molecule is reduced to lactate. The enzymes of the pathway were present after growth on pyruvate, and genome analysis showed the presence of the corresponding structural genes. The bacteria contain, in addition, pyruvate oxidase activity which is induced under microoxic conditions. Other homo- or heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria showed only low pyruvate fermentation activity.
RAPID DECLINE IN FITNESS OF MUTATION ACCUMULATION LINES OF GONOCHORISTIC (OUTCROSSING) CAENORHABDITIS NEMATODES

Evolutionary theory predicts that the strength of natural selection to reduce the mutation rate should be stronger in self‐fertilizing than in outcrossing taxa. However, the relative efficacy of selection on mutation rate relative to the many other factors influencing the evolution of any species is poorly understood. To address this question, we allowed mutations to accumulate for ∼100 generations in several sets of “mutation accumulation” (MA) lines in three species of gonochoristic (dieocious) Caenorhabditis (C. remanei, C. brenneri, C. sp. 5) as well as in a dioecious strain of the historically self‐fertile hermaprohodite C. elegans. In every case, the rate of mutational decay is substantially greater in the gonochoristic taxa than in C. elegans (∼4× greater on average). Residual heterozygosity in the ancestral controls of these MA lines introduces some complications in interpreting the results, but circumstantial evidence suggests the results are not primarily due to inbreeding depression resulting from residual segregating variation. The results suggest that natural selection operates to optimize the mutation rate in Caenorhabditis and that the strength (or efficiency) of selection differs consistently on the basis of mating system, as predicted by theory. However, context‐dependent environmental and/or synergistic epistasis could also explain the results.
A Research on the Motives and Economic Consequences of the Executives’ Subscription in the Private Placement —A Case Study of Zhejiang Hangxiao Steel Structure Co. Ltd.

Nowadays, more and more executives and controlling shareholders of the listed companies inject funds through private placement, and what is the motivation? In different market quotation, did enterprises have existed market timing in the private placement, did shareholders have tunneled their way to send interest to themselves from the listed company through market timing? And what are the factors that affect the proportion of senior executives’ subscription? In this paper, based on the case of the directional private placement to senior executives of Zhejiang Hangxiao Steel Structure Co. Ltd. (shorted for “HXSS”), we have studied the motivation of directional private placement to senior executives, and we have further analyzed market timing and the market reaction after the private offering.
Comparison of analgesics in ameliorating the pain of circumcision.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to compare two methods of pain control during neonatal circumcision: a sucrose-dipped pacifier and an analgesic cream (EMLA). STUDY DESIGN This study was conducted in our well-baby nursery where 80 male infants were placed into one of four groups: control (water-dipped pacifier only), sucrose alone, EMLA alone, or sucrose and EMLA. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and crying time were measured as indicators of pain. The primary data analysis was a 2 x 2 factorial analysis of variance with repeated measures. RESULTS Physiologic and behavioral parameters indicated significantly (p < 0.05) decreased pain response in all treatment groups compared with that in the control group. The combination of sucrose and EMLA was most effective in reducing pain responses; sucrose alone was significantly less effective. There were no side effects of treatment. CONCLUSION Pain during neonatal circumcision can be optimally ameliorated by combined use of a sucrose-dipped pacifier and a local analgesic cream.
Formation of bile acid glucosides by a sugar nucleotide-independent glucosyltransferase isolated from human liver microsomes.

A heat-labile protein has been detected in microsomes from human liver which catalyzes the formation of glucosides of the bile acids chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, and ursodeoxycholic acids. This glucosyltransferase activity has been purified about 900-fold from human liver microsomes, resulting in homogeneity as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The subunit molecular weight was calculated to be about 56,000. The enzyme was separated from bile acid UDP-glucuronosyltransferase [UDP-glucuronate beta-D-glucuronosyltransferase (acceptor-unspecific), EC 2.4. 1.17] during purification and does not catalyze the formation of bile acid glucuronides. The purified glucosyltransferase utilizes lipophilic alkyl beta-D-glucopyranosides as artificial donor substrates and dolichyl phosphoglucose as natural donor for the transfer of glucose to bile acids and does not exhibit bile acid conjugating activity in the presence of sugar nucleotides such as UDP-glucose. The apparent Km values estimated for various alkyl beta-D-glucopyranosides decreased with increasing alkyl chain length from 680 X 10(-6) M for hexyl beta-D-glucopyranoside to 20 X 10(-6) M as estimated for decyl and dodecyl beta-D-glucopyranoside. The results suggest that a glucoside-conjugation pathway of bile acids exists in humans. This conjugation is catalyzed by a sugar nucleotide-independent glucosyltransferase and is therefore distinct from the known mechanisms of glycoside conjugation.
Keyboard user verification: toward an accurate, efficient, and ecologically valid algorithm

This paper proposes new measures of individual differences in typing behaviour which provide a means of accurately verifying the identity of the typist. A first study examined the efficacy of a multivariate measure of inter-key latencies and a probabilistic discriminator statistic in conjunction with an individual filtering system which eliminates occasional disfluent keystrokes. The results indicate that, under optimum conditions but with a very small test sample, these measures lead to better typist verification than measures suggested earlier by Umphress and Williams and then Leggett and Williams. A second study validated the improved algorithm under more ecologically valid conditions and showed that when training and test sessions were separated by one week, typist verification using the new algorithm achieved combined false-acceptance and false-rejection rates of 0.9% and 3.8% for test samples of 300 and 50 digraphs respectively.
Fracaso empresarial y efectos contagio. Un análisis espacial para España

El gravisimo problema de caida de la actividad economica y desempleo en Espana encuentra un fiel reflejo en el circulo vicioso que genera el cierre de empresas, aproximado en este trabajo por la figura legal del concurso de acreedores. Este articulo se propone examinar el fenomeno desde un punto de vista geografico para analizar el posible contagio entre provincias. Los resultados muestran que no hay efecto contagio del fracaso en el sector de la construccion, pero si en el industrial. Es en este sector donde se contagia a la economia vista en su conjunto, pero solo para los anos anteriores a la crisis. En el periodo de recesion parece que tienen mas fuerza los factores macroeconomicos negativos que afectan a la totalidad de las empresas que el contagio, que es un efecto particular que ejercen sobre cada compania las empresas proximas con las que tiene relacion
Temporal patterns in human epileptic activity are modulated by perceptual discriminations

WE studied subdural recordings from a patient with an unusually focal and stable occipito-temporal epileptic discharge under four experimental conditions. The series of time intervals between successive spike discharges displayed a few (3–5) clusters of periodic values representing statistically significant short-term periodicities when tested against surrogate data. This short-term predictability was modulated during the different experimental conditions by periodicity shifts of the order of 15–30 ms. Correspondingly, there was an increased gamma-band (30–70 Hz) coherence between the epileptic focus and surrounding recording sites. We conclude that the focal epileptic activity is part of an extended network of neural activities which exert a fast modulation reflected in changes of transiently periodic activities.
A cytogenetic approach to evaluate in vivo somatic aneuploidy. Effects of diethylstilboestrol on mouse bone marrow cells.

A cytogenetic approach to estimate in vivo mitotic nondisjunction is proposed, based on chromosomal counting of mouse bone marrow metaphases differentially stained by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The method allows the simultaneous assessment of cell cycle delay, aneuploidy and SCE induction. Male mice, implanted with agar-coated BrdU tablets, were injected i.p. with diethylstilboestrol-diphosphate (DES-dp) in the dose range 10-300 mg/kg and killed 18 or 24 h later. To investigate possible sex differences a group of female mice of the same strain and age was injected with 100 mg/kg. As positive controls six males were injected with 1.8 mg/kg of vinblastine (VBL) sulphate. The induction of cell cycle delay was estimated by the relative frequency of first, second and third mitoses after treatment. In spite of a large biological variability, a dose-dependent delay of cellular proliferation kinetics was observed in DES-treated male mice. Treatment with VBL strongly delayed cell cycle progression, according to its antimitotic activity. Hyperploidy was assessed by chromosome counting of second generation metaphases only. After VBL injection, 10.2% of second mitoses were hyperploid, which is a frequency significantly higher than the 0.2% seen in control mice. No significant effect was detected at any DES dose. SCE induction was estimated in the same cells. A significant increase over the control frequency was observed after 200 and 300 mg/kg of DES. By analysis of variance (MANOVA) the dose--effect relationship was fitted by a quadratic model. A sex difference was observed only for spontaneous frequency of SCE with females showing higher levels probably due to their lower weight and relatively higher BrdU in vivo concentration.
A novel sEMG control-based variable stiffness exoskeleton

In recent years, surface electromyography (sEMG) signals which are biomedical signals generated by muscles have been utilized to estimate human's muscular torque and predict their intention. In this paper, a variable stiffness exoskeleton which utilizes EMG signals to adjust the stiffness of the output link to meet different environmental requirements and guarantee the wearer's safety has been proposed. There is a stiffness adjustment mechanism located on the forearm part of the exoskeleton. Two dry electrodes which collect sEMG signals from agonist and antagonist muscles pair were attached on the subject's skin of corresponding muscle fibers respectively. The collected sEMG signals could be utilized to adjust the stiffness of output link according to the subject's intention. Combining sEMG signals with variable stiffness actuator (VSA) in the proposed exoskeleton, different outputs of stiffness could be realized in a compact and light hardware system. Experimental results showed the stiffness could be adjusted smoothly according to the Intention-based sEMG control.
Environmental Change and Adaptation in Kentucky Emerging Research Institution Sponsored Programs Offices: A Multiple Case Study

OF DISSERTATION ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND ADAPTATION IN KENTUCKY EMERGING RESEARCH INSTITUTION SPONSORED PROGRAMS OFFICE: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY The decline in funding allocations to state-supported institutions of higher education (IHEs) in Kentucky has compelled these universities to secure alternate forms of funding to support their capacity to meet public expectations. These other funding streams include increasing enrollment numbers, securing philanthropic support, and acquiring sponsored funding for research projects and programs. While smaller statesupported IHEs face resource and credibility challenges in their pursuit to expand external funding activity, these Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) continue to strategically bolster their respective research enterprises amid shrinking budgets and increased competition for external funds. Research administration offices are the institutional units responsible for facilitating and supporting the pursuit of sponsored research and are integral to the research missions of these ERIs as an essential structure that enhances the capacity to secure externally sponsored funding. This study explores how external and internal environmental changes influenced adaptive responses, including reconfiguring institutional policies, modifying the role of research administrators, and restructuring offices of sponsored programs to increase the amount of ERI federal research productivity and procurement. This research employs qualitative methods to gain an understanding of how ERIs adapt to a decline in state appropriations and reconfigure organizational structures and roles to facilitate adaptation. The chief research officer (CRO) and staff of sponsored programs offices (SPOs) at three purposefully selected state-supported ERIs in Kentucky were given pre-surveys and interviewed. Next numerous documents related to each site’s research enterprise were collected and analyzed to understand how sponsored program offices are structured, how duties are officially codified and delineated, and what policies are in place to govern research activity. Key findings in the study support the importance of upper-administrative knowledge building and leadership in expanding the ERI research enterprise. Additionally, strategic resource allocation, organizational restructuring, a strong policy base and a focus on research development activities are critical elements in bolstering competitive external funding procurement.