Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Tooth Shape and Size in tabby and Non-tabby Mice

Cermakova P., M. Peterka. 1. Capkovli, J. Ture~kova. 1. V. Ruch, H. Lesot. R. Pe te rko v Ii: Comparison of the Tooth Shape and Size in Tabby and NOll-tabby Mice. Acta vet. Brno 1998,67: 3-14. Basic anatomical and embryological investigations of the dental disorder in tabby mice were performed some 20-30 years ago. In order to bridge the gap in research activity in this field and as a prerequisite for future developmental studies, the dental characteristics of the tabby mice were updated in a stock presently available. Qualitative and quantitative parameters of the functional teeth were determined in 50 males and females of different phenotypes segregated from the stock of tabby mice. A parallel investigation was made in a common laboratory mouse (ICR stock). In ICR mice. the body weight was two times higher and this was reflected in the cheek teeth which were significantly larger (but similar in shape) when compared to the wild type non-tabby controls. Among tabby homozygous and hemizygous mice, at least one incisor was absent in 50% of females. and in 70% of males where predominance of the right side was apparent. In these groups the mean length and width of the cheek teeth were significantly reduced compared to the corresponding wild type controls, despite similar body weight. Changes in crown pattern. including also reduction or absence of cusps. resulted in characteristic morphology of the cheek teeth. In contrast to the earlier literature, duplication of an incisor or an explicit supernumerary tooth in the cheek region were not found in the present tabby collection and the heterozygous specimens were less affected. Gelle. mUTatioll. syndrome. allomaly. development Congenital decreases or increases in tooth number (hypodontia, hyperodontia) and size (microdontia, macrodontia) are well recognised clinical features in dental pathology. The most frequent disturbance is hypodontia, which is more common in humans than in other species. It affects about 7% of the human population (exclusive of agenesis of the third molars, which occurs in 10-25% of population). (Jorgenson 1980). In patients with orofacial clefts, congenital tooth agenesis increases to 10-40% (Poyry and Ranta 1985). Hypodontia may be associated with microdontia. Hyperodontia and macrodontia are much less frequent (Ra vn 1971). Dental anomalies have been reported in more than 25 genetic syndromes exhibiting autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked heredity. The dentition is severely affected in ectodermal dysplasias. The classic variety hypohidrotic (anhidrotic) ectodermal dysplasia includes hypodontia (or even anodontia); the existing teeth exhibit smaller size and modified shape (Salmon and Lindenbaum 1978; Jorgenson 1980; Crawford et al. 1991). The hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is considered to be homologous to the Address for correspondence: Ml"Dr. Renata Peterkova. CS~. InstJ[utc: of Experimental ~kJidne. Academ) of Sdences of the Czech Republ ic Videflsk:i 1083, 1-/. 2:W Prague 4. Czech Republic Phone: +420-2-4751232 Fa" +~20·2-~752604 E-maiL repete@biomed.ca~. cz
Kinetics of 2D-constrained orbitally-shaken particles

We present an experimental study of the kinetics of orbitally-shaken macroscopic particles confined to a two-dimensional bounded domain. Discounting the forcing action of the external periodic actuation, the particles show translational velocities and diffusivity consistent with a confined random walk model. Such experimental system may therefore represent a suitable macroscopic analog to investigate aspects of molecular dynamics and self-assembly.
Medical Rehabilitation of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Manipulative Action Techniques

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of manipulative action techniques in complex treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and represents the results of clinical and functional tests. Differentiated indications for use of different techniques of chest massage and manual therapy were proposed. Parallel group randomized prospective comparative study was conducted on 137 patients with COPD. In accordance with the classification (GOLD, 2013), all patients were diagnosed with COPD of medium severity. 75 (54.7%) patients had persistent disease, 80 (58.4%) and 57 (41.6%) patients suffered from respiratory insufficiency of I and II degree, respectively. Respiration function was assessed by pneumotachometry study performed during forced expiratory maneuvers and by spirometry methods; pulmonary hemodynamics and myocardial contractile function of the right ventricle were assessed by reopulmonography methods; central hemodynamics was assessed by tetrapolar thoracic rheography. The research led to the following overall findings. The massage technique focused on asymmetric areas of the chest develops the most active anti-inflammatory action as compared to other physical impact techniques we investigated. This technique should be used with caution in the presence of hypokinetic type of blood circulation and pulmonary hypertension. The classical massage technique of the chest has the advantage as we can consider the possibility to prescribe this technique to patients with more severe course of COPD, including but not limited to presence of pulmonary and systemic cardiac hemodynamic disorders, alveolar hypoxia.
Evaluating An Alternative To Finance Higher Education: Human Capital Contracts In Colombia

Se presenta un ejercicio para la valuacion de Contratos de Capital Humano (CCH), siguiendo a Palacios (2004), en el cual se utilizan datos del Observatorio Laboral para la Educacion y su Encuesta de Seguimiento a Graduados–2007. El analisis se hace a traves de un modelo Monteriano y uno de Splines para encontrar los pronosticos deterministicos del ingreso. Se encuentra que los retornos a la educacion superior proveen un incentivo para la implementacion de CCHs para financiar completamente los programas de las universidades publicas y parcialmente en las universidades privadas. Financiar los programas de las universidades privadas requiere mas ayudas para hacer los contratos rentables para los inversionistas y atractivos para los estudiantes.
Protogalactic Disk Models of Damped Lyα Kinematics

We present new observational results on the kinematics of the damped Lyα systems. Our full sample now comprises 31 low-ion profiles and exhibits characteristics similar to those of the sample from our previous paper.The primary exception is that the new distribution of velocity widths includes values out to a maximum of nearly 300 km s-1, ≈ 100 km s-1 greater than the previous maximum. These high velocity width systems will significantly leverage models introduced to explain the damped Lyα systems. Comparing the characteristics from low-redshift and high-redshift subsamples, we find no evidence for significant evolution in the kinematic properties of protogalaxies from z = 2.0 to z = 3.3. The new observations give greater statistical significance to the main conclusions of our first paper. In particular, those models inconsistent with the damped Lyα observations in the first paper are ruled out at even higher levels of confidence. At the same time, the observations are consistent with a population of rapidly rotating thick disks (the TRD model) at high redshift, as predicted by cosmologies with early structure formation. Buoyed by the success of the TRD model, we investigate it more closely by considering more realistic disk properties. Our goal is to demonstrate the statistical power of the damped Lyα observations by investigating the robustness of the TRD model. In particular, we study the effects of warping, realistic rotation curves, and photoionization on the kinematics of disks in the TRD model. The principal results are the following: (1) Disk warping has only a minimal effect on the kinematic results, primarily influencing the effective disk thickness. (2) The TRD model is robust to more realistic rotation curves; we point out, however, that the rotation curve derived from centrifugal equilibrium with H I gas alone does not yield acceptable results but that rather flat rotation curves such as those generated by dark matter halos are required. (3) The effects of photoionization require thicker disks to give consistent velocity width distributions.
The Effect of National Culture on IS: Implications for International Information Systems

The objectives of this article are 1) to make a comparative analysis of previous international and cross-cultural studies, 2) to incorporate the variables specific to cultural environments into a general framework of information systems, and 3) to examine the implications of the findings for global information systems research and implementation. One result is a list of national cultural variables affecting information systems. These variables are classified into three main groupsâ€”economic, demographic and socio-psychological. These three groups are integrated into existing frameworks of IS research. The variables were further classified into â€œconstantsâ€ and â€œchangeables. â€ This classification identifies those variables which can be adapted by the execution of national and organizational IS policies. Another result is a compilation of findings from cross-cultural and non-US research into IS. This research is characterized on two dimensions so as to facilitate classification and integration of research findings. The study indicates a need for considerable research effort in the field of international information systems to facilitate IS technology transfer, for constructing indigenous IS, and for formulating national IS policies.
Transcriptome analysis of copper stress response in rice seedling using DNA microarray

Heavy metal contamination along with the increase in food demand are a primary concern in Vietnam and all over the world. In order to enhance crop tolerance to unfavorable cultivation conditions including heavy metal toxicity, understanding of plant response system under the effect of heavy metals is necessary. In the current study, physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic changes of rice seedings (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR64) were investigated under copper (Cu) stress. Root elongation and root fresh weight were decreased whereas accumulation of copper in root was enhanced significantly with increasing copper concentration from 2.5 to 15 M. In addition, copper induced endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activated isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The molecular mechanism of rice roots in response to copper toxicity at mRNA expression level was analyzed by microarray technique. Functions and roles of genes were also analyzed by bioinformatic tools AgriGO and MapMan. Gene ontology analysis revealed that 1900 Cu responsive genes were involved in phytohormones, reactive oxygen species, signaling pathways, transcription factors, transport activities, antioxidant defense systems. Through phytohormones and reactive oxygen species, Cu may inhibit rice root growth. Phytohormones and reactive oxygen species can also be signal molecules in signaling pathways with the participation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, and transcription factors in response to Cu stress. Detoxification and protection mechanisms may involve transport activities and antioxidant defense systems during Cu treatment. These results may provide new insights into mechanisms of rice plant to tolerate with Cu toxicity conditions.
Thermodynamic Evidence That Ganglioside-Mediated Insertion Of Botulinum A Into The Cholinergic Nerve Ending May Precede Endocytosis And Acidification: A Langmuir Film Study

THERMODYNAMIC EVIDENCE THAT GANGLIOSIDE-MEDIATED INSERTION OF BOTULINUM A INTO THE CHOLINERGIC NERVE ENDING MAY PRECEED ENDOCYTOSIS AND ACIDIFICATION: A LANGMUIR FILM STUDY Bradley A. Strongin Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology Master of Science Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) is one of the most potent toxins known to human kind. The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was employed to investigate the conditions under which BoNT type A heavy chain would bind and/or insert into mica supported dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers. As an alternate technique, DPPC/GT1b or total ganglioside extract (80:20) monolayers of a Langmuir Blodgett (LB) Trough were adapted to be artificial membrane models for toxin insertion studies. We conclude that LB monolayer studies are a promising candidate for BoNT/A membrane insertion investigation. Botulinum neurotoxin serotype A insertions into the LB monolayers in the presence of BoNT/A low affinity ganglioside receptor alone, independent of pH. This thermodynamic evidence indicates that BoNT/A may begin its heavy chain insertion into the cholinergic nerve ending before endocytosis and acidification.
MODELING IMPACTS OF SOIL CONSERVATION ON PRODUCTIVITY AND YIELD VARIABILITY: EVIDENCE FROM A HETEROSKEDASTIC SWITCHING REGRESSION

The impact of soil conservation adoption on yield and yield risk is investigated using a conditionally heteroskedastic production function with endogenous switching. Analysis shows that controlling for plot-specific factors, adopters exhibit lower yields and higher yield variance than non-adopters. Regression results indicate soil conservation increases yields and reduces yield variance.
Morphometric and meristic comparisons of populations of Qanat tailor fish, Alburnoides qanati Coad & Bogutskaya, 2009 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) in Kor River basin Iran

Inter- and intra-population variations of a recently described endemic cyprinid fish Alburnoides qanati Coad and Bogutskaya, 2009 collected from three localities in the Kor River basin, Iran, were studied by applying morphometric and meristic characters using canonical discriminate function analysis (DFA), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). In DFA, the overall random assignment of individuals into their populations was 96.6% based on all the adjusted morphometric characters, 94.6% for meristic characters, and 100% based on both morphometric and meristic characters, indicating that the original grouped cases were correctly classified and they belonged to three morphologically distinct populations. The first principal component (PC) accounted for 16% and the second PC accounted for 15.8% of the shape variations among the samples. The Cluster analysis revealed a similar pattern of separation of one population from the others. The morphological heterogeneity observed in this species should be considered in conservation management and stock enhancement programs, especially during drought conditions in the region.
Institutional transition and the financing of high-tech SMEs in China: A longitudinal perspective

This article examines changes in Chinese high-tech SMEs’ access to both bank and informal finance in response to the institutional changes relating to the private sector and financial transactions. It draws upon two rounds of face-to-face interviews with the owners of high-tech SMEs and finance providers in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi covering two consecutive time periods: from 1998 to 2004 and then from 2004 to 2009. The findings show that the effects of the changes in institutional regulations on the availability of finance to high-tech SMEs vary according to the type of finance provider. Access to informal sources of finance grew, including to longer-term equity finance, whereas that to bank finance did not significantly improve.
Two-degree-of-freedom formulation of vehicle handling improvement by active steering

Presents coprime factors based two-degree-of freedom H/sub /spl infin// control for vehicle handling improvement. Control synthesis uses a linear vehicle model which includes the yaw motion and disturbance input. The synthesis procedure allows the separate processing of the robust stabilization problem and reference signal or disturbance rejection. The control action is applied as an additional steering angle, by combination of the driver input and feedback of the yaw rate. The synthesized controller is tested in both disturbance rejection and driver imposed yaw reference tracking maneuvers. The maneuvers are completed at different speeds and road conditions.
Biologically Inspired Adaptive Multi-Path Routing in Overlay Networks

In this paper we propose a multi-path routing scheme based on a biologically inspired attractor selectio n model. The advantage of this approach is that it is highly noise-tolerant and capable to operate in a very robust manner under varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, the route selection is performed in accordance to the recommendations given in [1] to reduce the selfishness in favor of an improved overall system performance.
Eddy Lifetime, Number, and Diffusivity and the Suppression of Eddy Kinetic Energy in Midwinter

The wintertime evolution of the North Pacific storm track appears to challenge classical theories of baroclinic instability, which predict deeper extratropical cyclones when baroclinicity is highest. Although the surface baroclinicity peaks during midwinter, and the jet is strongest, eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and baroclinic conversion rates have a midwinter minimum over the North Pacific. This study investigates how the reduction in EKE translates into a reduction in eddy potential vorticity (PV) and heat fluxes via changes in eddy diffusivity. Additionally, it augments previous observations of the midwinter storm-track evolution in both hemispheres using climatologies of tracked surface cyclones. In the North Pacific, the number of surface cyclones is highest during midwinter, while the mean EKE per cyclone and the eddy lifetime are reduced. The midwinter reduction in upper-level eddy activity hence is not associated with a reduction in surface cyclone numbers. North Pacific eddy diffusivities exhibit a midwinter reduction at upper levels, where the Lagrangian decorrelation time is shortest (consistent with reduced eddy lifetimes) and the meridional parcel velocity variance is reduced (consistent with reduced EKE). The resulting midwinter reduction in North Pacific eddy diffusivities translates into an eddy PV flux suppression. In contrast, in the North Atlantic, a milder reduction in the decorrelation time is offset by a maximum in velocity variance, preventing a midwinter diffusivity minimum. The results suggest that a focus on causes of the wintertime evolution of Lagrangian decorrelation times and parcel velocity variance will be fruitful for understanding causes of seasonal storm-track variations.
Characterization of Streptococcus sanguis molecular receptors for Streptococcus mutans binding molecules

Background: Dental caries is a major problem in oral cavity. If dental caries causes cavity, the structure of dental hard tissue will not be reversible because of damage in the structure of the hard tissue. The early pathogenesis mechanism of dental caries is an adhesion interaction between cariogenic Streptococcus mutans microorganisms and tooth surface pellicles. The attachment involves a specific molecular component interaction between the bacterial complement molecules and the surface of the host. Streptococcus sanguis as a dominant ecology at the beginning of bacterial plaque aggregation will colonize the tooth surface earlier than S. mutans. The surface of bacterial cells can express some adesin. The bacteria also can express receptors for adhesins of other bacteria. Specific receptors for adhesions of S. Mutans bacteria are not only found in the pellicles, but also present in pioneer bacteria, such as S. sanguis. Adhesion between those bacteria is called as coagregation. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the characterization of Streptococcus sanguis molecular receptors for Streptococcus mutans binding molecules. Method: This study used a sonication method for protein isolation of S. mutans and S. sanguis bacterial biofilms, as well as electrophoresis method using 12 % SDS-PAGE gel and Western Blot analysis. Result: Results of the protein profile analysis of S. mutans biofilms using 12% SDS-PAGE showed that there were 17 bands, each of which molecular weights was 212, 140, 81, 65, 61, 48, 45, 44, 40, 39, 33 , 25, 23, 19, 17, 12, and 11 kDa. On the other hand, results of the protein profile analysis of S. sanguis biofilms using 12% SDS-PAGE showed that there were 15 bands, each of which molecular weight was 130, 85, 65, 61, 48, 46, 40, 37, 29, 25, 23, 21, 17, 15, and 12 kDa. And, results of the analysis of S. sanguis receptor molecules using Western blot showed that there were three bands, each of which molecular weight was 130, 85, and 40 kDa. Conclusion: S. sanguis bacteria have specific receptor molecules for S. mutans bacteria with the molecular weight of 130, 85, and 40 kDa.
A Qualitative Research to Define the Successful Decision Making Competencies in Public Sector: Evidence from Turkey

The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions on “strategy” of the executives in the public institutions, as well as to define the strategic decision making competencies of them through a case study method. To this end, 168 executives were asked to indicate a critical incident about the behaviors-antecedent of succesful strategic decision making-of an executive/leader whom they accept as successful strategic leader. It was also aimed to determine what these executives understand from the term of strategy. The interview forms were interpreted by two researchers seperately through the content analysis method and the management competencies related to a succesful strategic decision making and the perceptions of managers toward the term of strategy were determined. According to the results of analysis, 8 strategic decision making competencies and the frequency table of the perceptions towards the the term strategy (definitions of strategy) were derived.
Floodkey: increasing software keyboard keys by reducing needless ones without occultation

Floodkey is a software keyboard in which some keys are increased in size while needless ones are decreased. It uses a graph of sites that generates the keys. Each time a key is pressed, according to the probabilities of the key to be pressed, the sites are located by the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm that maintains the topology of the keyboard. Then the keyboard appears with no overlapping as a weighted Voronoi diagram. A simulation shows a mean increase of 97% and 70% in size for the key to be pressed with and without the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm. A preliminary usability test conducted with and without increasing the keys shows similar performance after 4 sessions of 3-minutes use. But the users found the combination between the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm and the weighted Voronoi less pleasant.