Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of ropivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine for intraligamentary anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2 different concentrations of ropivacaine with lidocaine containing epinephrine for intraligamentary anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Ethical approval was obtained and a randomized, double-blind, cross-over volunteer investigation was conducted. Twenty-four volunteers had intraligamentary injections of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine, 0.75% ropivacaine, or 1% ropivacaine at the upper lateral incisor and lower first bicuspid teeth. The response of the test teeth to electrical pulp testing and the reaction of the gingiva to sharp probing were assessed up to 29 minutes after injection. Injection discomfort and side effects were also recorded. Data were analyzed by using the chi-square test and analysis of variance. RESULTS Lidocaine with epinephrine was more successful than the ropivacaine solutions in obtaining pulpal anesthesia (chi-square = 12; P <.002) and produced longer-lasting pulpal (F = 21; P <.001) and soft tissue (F = 16; P <.001) anesthesia. Injection discomfort and incidence of side effects were similar between solutions, and none produced serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION Lidocaine with epinephrine is more effective than ropivacaine as an intraligamentary anesthetic.
Utility of apparent diffusion coefficients in the evaluation of solid renal tumors at 3T.

PURPOSE We assessed the usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for solid renal tumor imaging using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) at 3T. METHODS This retrospective study assessed ADCs of 31 patients with renal tumors that were imaged using preoperative DWI. DWI was performed with the b values of 50, 500, and 1000 s/mm(2), using a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (MAGNETOM Trio, 3T, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The ADC map was calculated using the b values of 50 and 1000 s/mm(2). ADCs of the different tumors were compared according to the Tukey-Kramer test. RESULTS The tumors were diagnosed as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC; n = 20), papillary RCC (n = 1), infiltrating urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the kidney (n = 4), cystic RCC (n = 1), poorly differentiated carcinoma (n = 1), and angiomyolipoma (AML; n = 4). The mean ADC of clear cell RCC was significantly higher than that of infiltrating UC of the kidney (1.423 vs. 0.931 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P < 0.05), and the mean ADC of AML was significantly lower than that of clear cell RCC (0.674 vs. 1.423 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION ADCs used in DWI at 3T may be useful for differentiation of different types of solid renal tumors.
Localization of Der f 2 in the gut and fecal pellets of Dermatophagoides farinae

Background: House dust mite derived materials are known to be the most potent agent inducing allergic diseases. Localization of Der f 2 was attempted to specify the sites and concentrations of Der f 2 within the mite, which may indicate the importance of secreted materials and nonexcreted body components as allergen sources.
Adolescent Women Induce Lower Blood Alcohol Levels Than Men in a Laboratory Alcohol Self-Administration Experiment.

BACKGROUND Adolescence is a critical period for the development of alcohol use disorders; drinking habits are rather unstable and genetic influences, such as male sex and a positive family history of alcoholism (FH), are often masked by environmental factors such as peer pressure. METHODS We investigated how sex and FH modulate alcohol use in a sample of 18- to 19-year-olds from the Dresden Longitudinal Study on Alcohol use in Young Adults. Adolescents reported their real-life drinking in a TimeLine Follow-Back interview. They subsequently completed a training and an experimental session of free-access intravenous alcohol self-administration (i.v. ASA) using the computer-assisted alcohol infusion system to control for environmental cues as well as for biological differences in alcohol pharmacokinetics. During i.v. ASA, we assessed subjective alcohol effects at 8 time points. RESULTS Women reported significantly less real-life drinking than men and achieved significantly lower mean arterial blood alcohol concentrations (aBACs) in the laboratory. At the same time, women reported greater sedation relative to men and rated negative effects as high as did men. A positive FH was associated with lower real-life drinking in men but not in women. In the laboratory, FH was not linked to i.v. ASA. Greater real-life drinking was significantly positively associated with higher mean aBACs in the laboratory, and all i.v. ASA indices were highly correlated across the 2 sessions. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that adolescent women chose lower aBACs because they experienced adverse alcohol effects, namely sedation and negative effects, at lower aBACs than men. A positive FH was not apparent as risk factor for drinking in our young sample. The i.v. ASA method demonstrated good external validity as well as test-retest reliability, the latter indicating that a separate training session is not required when employing the i.v. ASA paradigm.
The Fiscal Policy Response to Public Debt in Developing Countries

Theoretical models on fiscal sustainability hypothesize that indebted governments can lower their current debt by generating future primary surpluses, ceteris paribus. While both developed and developing countries struggle with the issue of debt stabilization, the latter, in particular face heightened sensitivity from creditors, which provides them an impetus to respond more strongly to stabilize their debt. Based on a panel of 53 developing countries, we examine the fiscal response of these countries to changes in their debt&#8208;to&#8208;gross domestic product ratio. We find evidence of a positive relationship between the debt and primary surplus and that countries adjust along both the revenue and expenditure margins at roughly the same rate.
Minijobs in der Gebäudereinigung

Die Problematik der Minijobs in der Gebäudereinigung kann hier nur in einigen Aspekten angerissen werden. Vorrangig geht es darum, zunächst die Bedeutung der Minijobs in dieser Branche anhand von Daten und Fakten kurz darzustellen und die tarifrechtliche wie auch gesetzliche Regulierung dieser Beschäftigungsform im Bereich der IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt (BAU) zu umreißen. Die immer wiederkehrenden Versuche, die individuellen wie auch kollektiven Rechte von Minijobberinnen und Minijobbern zu unterlaufen („dirty tricks“), werden mit konkreten Praxisbeispielen illustriert. Abschließend werden knappe Überlegungen angestellt, welche Konsequenzen daraus für die gewerkschaftliche Positionierung zum Thema „Minijobs“ resultieren können. Die Datenlage zu den oben genannten Aspekten ist in großen Teilen ungenügend, sodass der Beitrag sich auch auf die Erfahrungen und Recherchen der IG BAU und ihrer Beschäftigten wie auch auf Gespräche mit Beschäftigten aus der Branche stützt. Vor allem wurde auch auf die Kompetenzen der Abteilung Frauen und der sozialpolitischen Abteilung der IG BAU zurückgegriffen, die das Thema unter ihrem spezifischen Blickwinkel bearbeiten. Die Begriffe Minijob und geringfügiges Beschäftigungsverhältnis werden im Rahmen dieser Ausführungen synonym gebraucht.
Relation between antibiotic susceptibility and ultrastructure of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on surgical suture.

BACKGROUND Infectious biofilms are recalcitrant to antimicrobial therapy, but the mechanism(s) responsible for the greater resistance are unclear. Experiments were designed to clarify the association between antibiotic resistance and biofilm ultrastructure. METHODS Staphylococcus aureus was cultivated for 24 h on silk suture, where robust biofilms formed. Initial experiments compared the susceptibilities of planktonic (free-living) cells and mechanically dispersed biofilm cells to ampicillin, oxacillin, and vancomycin. Antibiotics in bactericidal concentrations were then incubated overnight with 24-h biofilms, and subsequent assays determined the viability of cells in mechanically dispersed biofilms, biofilm metabolic capacity and biomass, and biofilm ultrastructure (scanning electron microscopy). RESULTS Planktonic and biofilm cells had similar intrinsic antibiotic susceptibility. Nonetheless, a stable population of bacteria remained viable after biofilms were incubated with inhibitory drug concentrations, although biofilm metabolic capacity often was not detected, and biomass generally was reduced. Electron microscopy revealed that control (no drug) biofilms consisted primarily of bacterial clusters amid fibrillar elements. Antibiotic-treated biofilms had some staphylococci with smooth cells walls similar to planktonic cells, but other cocci were encased in extracellular material. This material was more abundant in antibiotic-treated than in control biofilms. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of high antibiotic concentrations, dense extracellular material may inhibit interaction of antibiotics with their bacterial targets.
Intravenous injection of leconotide, an omega conotoxin: synergistic antihyperalgesic effects with morphine in a rat model of bone cancer pain.

OBJECTIVE Leconotide (CVID, AM336, CNSB004) is an omega conopeptide similar to ziconotide, which blocks voltage sensitive calcium channels. However, unlike ziconotide, which must be administered intrathecally, leconotide can be given intravenously because it is less toxic. This study investigated the antihyperalgesic potency of leconotide given intravenously alone and in combinations with morphine-administered intraperitoneally, in a rat model of bone cancer pain. DESIGN Syngeneic rat prostate cancer cells AT3B-1 were injected into one tibia of male Wistar rats. The tumor expanded within the bone causing hyperalgesia to heat applied to the ipsilateral hind paw. Measurements were made of the maximum dose (MD) of morphine and leconotide given alone and in combinations that caused no effect in an open-field activity monitor, rotarod, and blood pressure and heart rate measurements. Paw withdrawal thresholds from noxious heat were measured. Dose response curves for morphine (0.312-5.0 mg/kg intraperitoneal) and leconotide (0.002-200 µg/kg intravenous) given alone were plotted and responses compared with those caused by morphine and leconotide in combinations. RESULTS Leconotide caused minimal antihyperalgesic effects when administered alone. Morphine given alone intraperitoneally caused dose-related antihyperalgesic effects (ED(50) = 2.40 ± 1.24 mg/kg), which were increased by coadministration of leconotide 20 µg/kg (morphine ED(50) = 0.16 ± 1.30 mg/kg); 0.2 µg/kg (morphine ED(50) = 0.39 ± 1.27 mg/kg); and 0.02 µg/kg (morphine ED(50) = 1.24 ± 1.30 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS Leconotide caused a significant increase in reversal by morphine of the bone cancer-induced hyperalgesia without increasing the side effect profile of either drug. CLINICAL IMPLICATION Translation into clinical practice of the method of analgesia described here will improve the quantity and quality of analgesia in patients with bone metastases. The use of an ordinary parenteral route for administration of the calcium channel blocker (leconotide) at low dose opens up the technique to large numbers of patients who could not have an intrathecal catheter for drug administration. Furthermore, the potentiating synergistic effect with morphine on hyperalgesia without increased side effects will lead to greater analgesia with improved quality of life.
Stress, social support and housing are related to health status among HIV-positive persons in the deep south of the United States

Self-report health status measures are consistently associated with medical outcomes and are cost-effective. Studies using such measures find that those who live in rural areas or have limited access to support experience poorer health status and poorer outcomes. A survey addressing these issues was administered to 401 HIV-positive persons throughout Alabama. Hierarchical regression models examined the relation of housing stability, stress, substance use and other variables to physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health status. The sample was 34% female and 66% African-American. Most were receiving antiretroviral medications, and nearly 20% were in unstable housing. Age showed a significant negative relationship to health status. CD4 cell count (p<0.01) was positively associated with PCS; perceived general stress (p<0.02) and housing stability (p<0.04) were negatively associated. The model accounted for 14% of the variance in PCS (p<0.001). For MCS, general stress (p<0.001) was negatively associated and substance use tended towards a negative association (p<0.075). Social support (p<0.02) was positively associated with MCS. The model accounted for nearly 31% of the MCS variance (p<0.001). Health status among HIV-positive persons may be improved by assessing and addressing social issues such as social isolation, life stressors and housing.
A Comprehensive Evaluation Method of E-commerce Websites Using GA, CA and AHP

The evaluation of e-commerce Web sites is the main measure of knowing the value, comparing the quality and guiding the construction of the Web sites. With the increasing use of e-commerce Web sites, it is gaining more and more attention, and becoming the focus of study. Of all the evaluation methods, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is favored by many researchers because of its strict mathematical principles, and considering comprehensive features at the same time. But as we all know, in the process of using AHP we should set up a comparison matrix by comparing pairs of criteria or subcriteria. When there are many Web sites involved, it is very possible that the compare results disagree with each other. However, the two new methods, grey analysis (GA) and concordance analysis (CA) demonstrate their advantages for their demand of comparably few data, simple calculation, and straightaway principles. Furthermore the two methods are easy to achieve programming. This paper presents that in the process of evaluation, we can first apply the two methods to evaluate the e-commerce Web sites. If the results of the two evaluations are the same, we accept the results. Otherwise we use AHP to select the better one of the best results acquired by using the above two methods. By using the combination of the three methods, we acquire a more objective and believable evaluation result. In the fourth part of the paper, we prove that the result of this comprehensive method is the same as only using AHP by applying it to a case. And this method would be much easier when it achieves programming in the future
A Study of Intraday Returns

To examine the time-series predictability of intraday stock returns, I generate winners and losers according to their hourly returns and compare their post performance within the same trading day for large and small NYSE stock samples separately. The empirical results suggest distinctly different intraday return patterns exist for these two samples. The large stock sample shows a "momentum-reversal" pattern, that is, winners will outperform losers for about one and half hours and then underperform them. However, for small stocks, I observe a "continued-momentum" intraday return pattern, which implies that the momentum lasts through the observation period and no reversal occurs. I also find that in both samples the momentum profit based on the winners and losers generated in the morning is more pronounced than that based on the winners and losers generated at noon. The empirical patterns found above may be caused by underreaction or liquidity-driven mechanism. The difference between large and small stock samples indicates that large stocks may have a faster speed when reacting to new information and achieving market efficiency than small stocks.
Synergistic mechanisms in the modulation of the neurotrophin BDNF in the rat prefrontal cortex following acute agomelatine administration

Abstract Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute modulation of the neurotrophin Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by the novel antidepressant agomelatine and the relative contribution of its melatonergic and serotonergic receptor components. Methods. BDNF mRNA levels were measured in rat hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after acute administration of agomelatine, melatonin or the 5-HT2C antagonist S32006. Results. BDNF expression was significantly increased 16 h after acute agomelatine administration, an effect that follows a specific temporal profile, is limited to the prefrontal cortex and it is due to changes of specific neurotrophin transcripts. Moreover, the acute up-regulation of BDNF mRNA levels appears to be the result of a synergistic effect between the melatonergic properties of agomelatine as MT1/MT2 agonist and its serotonergic 5-HT2C antagonism, since either melatonin or the 5-HT2C antagonist S32006 does not mimic the effects of agomelatine. Conclusions. These data provide evidence that acute agomelatine treatment modulates the expression of BDNF through a functional interaction between melatonergic MT1/MT2 and serotonergic 5-HT2C receptors, supporting the notion that intracellular events can be regulated via a synergistic activity of different neuromodulatory systems.
A systematic review of variables associated with the relationship between obesity and depression

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and disability worldwide, and depression is among the leading causes of burden of disease. Both disorders are increasingly prevalent and comorbid. This comorbidity compounds associated health. While there is consistent evidence of a bidirectional obesity depression relationship, little is known about the biopsychosocial variables associated with this relationship. A systematic review was undertaken to identify variables associated with the relationship between obesity (Body mass index > 30 kg m−2) and depression. Forty‐six studies were identified. Obesity, educational attainment, body image, binge eating, physical health, psychological characteristics and interpersonal effectiveness were consistently associated with the relationship between obesity and depression. The current review identified potential biopsychosocial variables associated with the relationship between obesity and depression. This knowledge can inform future research examining moderators, mediators and mechanisms of the relationship between obesity and depression. Improved understanding of this relationship will inform identification, prevention and intervention efforts.
Optimization of an enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN DHFET towards a high breakdown voltage and low figure of merit

Demonstrated in this work are the effects of lateral scaling on the figure of merit (R<inf>DS(on)</inf>×Q<inf>G</inf>) for a pGaN, enhancement-mode HEMT. To this end, the drift length (L<inf>drift</inf>) and the length of the gate field plate (L<inf>GFP</inf>) have been scaled to exhibit the influence of these terms on the on-state resistance (R<inf>DS(on)</inf>), gate charge (Q<inf>G</inf>), and breakdown voltage (V<inf>BR</inf>). Results conclude that for a given field plate length, the increase in breakdown voltage as L<inf>GD</inf> increases, saturates when L<inf>GD</inf> is greater than L<inf>GD(sat)</inf>. For this design, with L<inf>GFP</inf> at 5 μm, the saturation length L<inf>GD(sat)</inf> was 6 μm. Novelty of this study comes from a comprehensive look at drift length and field plate optimization for high voltage and low figure of merit designs, specifically for the enhancement-mode pGaN structure. Taking this optimization one step further, we have mapped out R<inf>DS(on)</inf> and Q<inf>G</inf> to suggest designs which optimize conduction losses versus switching losses for specificity in power electronics system design.
Does experience influence judgments of pain behaviour? Evidence from relatives of pain patients and therapists.

OBJECTIVE Judgments about an individual's pain can be profoundly important to sufferers. Relatively few studies have examined variables that may affect observers' judgments of the pain of others. The present article reports two studies investigating the relationship between different kinds of exposure to pain problems and observers' ratings of the pain intensity of patients. DESIGN In the first study, 82 observers were classified into groups with positive and negative family histories of chronic pain. They viewed a videotape showing the facial expressions of shoulder pain patients undergoing physiotherapy assessments and rated the pain experienced by the subjects. In the second study, the data from observers having no experience with pain problems were compared with data collected from therapists having considerable experience with pain problems. RESULTS Observers with a positive family history of chronic pain attributed greater pain to the patients than those with a negative family history of chronic pain. Professionals' pain judgments were lower than those of control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Together, the findings imply that one's experiences with the different problems of pain patients may affect pain judgments. Alternative interpretations of the findings are considered.
Maternal Gametophytic baseless1 Is Required for Development of the Central Cell and Early Endosperm Patterning in Maize (Zea mays)

In angiosperms, double fertilization of an egg cell and a central cell with two sperm cells results in the formation of a seed containing a diploid embryo and a triploid endosperm. The extent to which the embryo sac controls postfertilization events in the seed is unknown. The novel gametophytic maternal-effect maize mutation, baseless1 (bsl1) affects central cell development within the embryo sac, frequently by altering the position of the two polar nuclei. Despite this irregularity, fertilization is as efficient as in wild type. The spatial expression of basal endosperm-specific transcripts is altered in free-nuclear and cellular mutant endosperms. At later stages of seed development, bsl1 predominantly affects development of the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL). When bsl1/+ diploid plants were pollinated by wild-type tetraploid plants, the BETL abnormalities observed in bsl1/bsl1/+/+ tetraploid endosperms were diverse and of variable severity. Moreover, the frequency of kernels with severely perturbed BETL development correlated with the percentage of severely affected bsl1 central cells. Therefore, BSL1 is likely required in the central cell before fertilization for correct BETL patterning to occur. These findings provide new genetic evidence that a maternal gametophytic component is necessary for correct endosperm patterning.