Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Torsional superelasticity of NiTi archwires.

OBJECTIVE To reproduce and compare the intraoral torsional behavior of 10 commonly used preformed upper NiTi 0.017 x 0.025 archwires in 0.018-slot brackets at 20 degrees C, 35 degrees C, and 55 degrees C. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten upper preformed NiTi archwires were compared to a multibraided stainless steel wire. An original testing bench was used to reproduce palatal root torque applied onto an upper central incisor with a maximum value of 1540 g x mm. Ten samples of each wire type were tested at 20 degrees C, 35 degrees C, and 55 degrees C each. RESULTS Loading and unloading at 20 degrees C revealed three categories of wires: a group of four NiTi wires of relative stiffness bereft of any superelasticity, a group of six NiTi wires displaying some horizontal plateau, and finally the stainless steel wire of lesser stiffness. Testing at the average oral temperature of 35 degrees C produced the same three categories of wires, with only 2 of 10 NiTi wires displaying a superelastic effect (Copper NiTi 35 degrees C and 40 degrees C). None of the NiTi wires was superelastic at 55 degrees C. Moments increased with temperature as the martensite was replaced by the more rigid austenite. CONCLUSION This study showed that most NiTi wires did not exhibit in torsion the superelastic effect traditionally described in bending. The combination of straight-wire prescriptions and rectangular superelastic NiTi archwires did not provide optimal constant moments necessary to gain third-order control of tooth movement early in treatment. A braided stainless steel rectangular archwire displayed better torsional behavior at 35 degrees C than most NiTi archwires of the same dimensions.
Sensory subtypes in children with autism spectrum disorder: latent profile transition analysis using a national survey of sensory features.

BACKGROUND Sensory features are highly prevalent and heterogeneous among children with ASD. There is a need to identify homogenous groups of children with ASD based on sensory features (i.e., sensory subtypes) to inform research and treatment. METHODS Sensory subtypes and their stability over 1 year were identified through latent profile transition analysis (LPTA) among a national sample of children with ASD. Data were collected from caregivers of children with ASD ages 2-12 years at two time points (Time 1 N = 1294; Time 2 N = 884). RESULTS Four sensory subtypes (Mild; Sensitive-Distressed; Attenuated-Preoccupied; Extreme-Mixed) were identified, which were supported by fit indices from the LPTA as well as current theoretical models that inform clinical practice. The Mild and Extreme-Mixed subtypes reflected quantitatively different sensory profiles, while the Sensitive-Distressed and Attenuated-Preoccupied subtypes reflected qualitatively different profiles. Further, subtypes reflected differential child (i.e., gender, developmental age, chronological age, autism severity) and family (i.e., income, mother's education) characteristics. Ninety-one percent of participants remained stable in their subtypes over 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Characterizing the nature of homogenous sensory subtypes may facilitate assessment and intervention, as well as potentially inform biological mechanisms.
Dna2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Possesses a Single-stranded DNA-specific Endonuclease Activity That Is Able to Act on Double-stranded DNA in the Presence of ATP*

To gain further insights into the biological functions of Dna2, previously known as a cellular replicative helicase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we examined biochemical properties of the recombinant Dna2 protein purified to homogeneity. Besides the single-stranded (ss) DNA-dependent ATPase activity as reported previously, we were able to demonstrate that ssDNA-specific endonuclease activity is intrinsically associated with Dna2. Moreover, Dna2 was capable of degrading duplex DNA in an ATP-dependent fashion. ATP and dATP, the only nucleotides hydrolyzed by Dna2, served to stimulate Dna2 to utilize duplex DNA, indicating their hydrolysis is required. Dna2 was able to unwind short duplex only under the condition where the endonuclease activity was minimized. This finding implies that Dna2 unwinds only partially the 3′-end of duplex DNA and generates a stretch of ssDNA of limited length, which is subsequently cleaved by the ssDNA-specific endonuclease activity. A point mutation at the conserved ATP-binding site of Dna2 inactivated concurrently ssDNA-dependent ATPase, ATP-dependent nuclease, and helicase activities, indicating that they all reside in Dna2 itself. By virtue of its nucleolytic activities, the Dna2 protein may function in the maintenance of chromosomal integrity, such as repair or other related process, rather than in propagation of cellular replication forks.
Relationship between cerebral perfusion in frontal-limbic-basal ganglia circuits and neuropsychologic impairment in patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.

UNLABELLED Early detection of neuropsychologic impairment in cirrhotic patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) is important for their prognosis and quality of life. Abnormal MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) findings have been proposed as early markers of brain damage in these patients, but the role of functional neuroimaging in this field still has to be defined. In this study, the SPECT perfusion pattern in patients with SHE was investigated, and the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the MRI, MRS, neuropsychologic evaluation and biochemical data of these patients was assessed. METHODS Data were obtained from 13 cirrhotic patients with SHE and 13 age-matched healthy volunteers. Fasting venous blood ammonia and manganese sampling and a battery of standardized neuropsychologic tests related to basal ganglia function and sensitive to the effects of liver disease were all performed on the same day. MRI and 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime SPECT were performed within 2 wk. RESULTS A pattern of decreased prefrontal rCBF was found in patients with SHE compared with healthy volunteers. Basal ganglia and mesial temporal rCBF correlated inversely with performance on motor tasks involving speed (Purdue pegboard test) and frontal premotor function (Luria graphic alternances and Stroop tests). Thalamic rCBF correlated positively with T1-weighted MRI signal hyperintensity in the globus pallidus and with abnormal MRS findings. Neither the MRI signal intensity of the globus pallidus nor MRS correlated with neuropsychologic test results. CONCLUSION Cirrhotic patients with SHE show a SPECT pattern of impaired prefrontal perfusion that does not seem to account for their neuropsychologic deficits. On the other hand, perfusion in some parts of the limbic system and limbic-connected brain regions, such as the striatum and the mesial temporal regions, increased with neuropsychologic impairment. These findings suggest that brain SPECT may be more sensitive than MRI in delineating cirrhotic patients requiring in-depth clinical testing to reveal basal ganglia-related neuropsychologic alterations.
A Relationship Study Comparing Satisfaction, Participation, and Commitment to Intramural and Club Sports with Students' Intention to Return to Campus

Recruitment and retention is a crucial and central goal for almost all higher education institutions. Therefore, it is important for universities and colleges to provide diverse activities and events to keep the students and prospective students interested and engaged. Previous research suggests that intramural and club sports programs are activities that could help increase recruitment and retention (McElveen & Rossow, 2014; Kampf & Teske, 2013). There is still a need, however, to show the impact of participation in intramural and club sports on a student’s intention to return to campus. This study examined how participation, commitment, and satisfaction levels effect a student’s intention to return to campus the following semester. The sample consisted of 140 students that responded to the questionnaire but only 82 (58.6%) of those were usable (57.3% male and 42.7% female). Results of this study showed that participation levels had no significant effect on retention of the student for both intramural and club sports (.067 and .162 respectively). However, commitment and satisfaction had a significant impact on the student’s intention to return for the intramural and club sports programs (intramural = .035 & .012; club sports = .016 & .017 respectively). These results show that overall experience of intramural and club sports matter much more to the student’s behavior than level of participation. Universities/colleges should be focusing more on the satisfaction of their participants to keep them committed to continue playing and coming back to campus the following year.
The Plain Touch Doctrine: Political Affiliation and Judicial Decision-Making

by Michael Shane Klein, Ph.D. Washington State University May 2016 Chair: Craig Hemmens The Plain Touch exception to the Fourth Amendment allows police officers to seize contraband that is found during a Terry frisk. The exception, as outlined in the case of Minnesota v. Dickerson, extends the doctrine of Terry v. Ohio and further bolsters the abilities of police officers to seize evidence without a warrant. Critics of the Dickerson decision believed that the plain touch exception was a “conservative” decision that would destroy essential civil liberties. This study tested whether or not “conservative” politics have influenced the development of the plain touch doctrine. A doctrinal analysis of the appellate court cases in both federal circuit courts and state supreme courts revealed that the plain touch doctrine has developed in a manner that still safeguards civil liberties. However, a binary logistic regression analysis did reveal that the political affiliation of state supreme court judges had influenced the development of the plain
"I Can Haz Applicants": An Analysis of Police Recruitment and Marketing Through Social Media

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iii DEDICATION . iv LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . viii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Where We Can Gain Information . 3 Differences Among Generations. 5 Transformations in Social Media . 7 CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW . 10 Types of Social Media Networking Sites . 11 Facebook . 11 Twitter . 12 Instagram. 13 LinkedIn . 14 Social Media and Marketing . 15 Police Recruitment and Social Media . 17 Future Police Recruitment Research . 23 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY . 25 vi CHAPTER IV – RESULTS . 43 Question 1 . 43 Question 2 . 51 Question 3 . 52 CHAPTER V – DISCUSSION . 56 Reflections on Use of Social Media. 66 CHAPTER VI CONCLUSION . 70 Limitations . 71 Future Research . 72 APPENDIX A –Website Examples . 74 APPENDIX B – Regression Diagnostics for Question 2 . 76 APPENDIX C – Regression Diagnostics for Question 3 (Part 1) . 78 APPENDIX D – Regression Diagnostics for Question 3 (Part 2) . 80 REFERENCES . 82
Early repeated infections with Trichomonas vaginalis among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to examine whether early repeated infections due to Trichomonas vaginalis among human immunuodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative women are reinfections, new infections, or cases of treatment failure. METHODS Women attending an HIV outpatient clinic and a family planning clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana, who had culture results positive for T. vaginalis were treated with 2 g of metronidazole under directly observed therapy. At 1 month, detailed sexual exposure and sexual partner treatment information was collected. Isolates from women who had clinical resistance (i.e., who tested positive for a third time after treatment at a higher dose) were tested for metronidazole susceptibility in vitro. RESULTS Of 60 HIV-positive women with trichomoniasis, 11 (18.3%) were T. vaginalis positive 1 month after treatment. The 11 recurrences were classified as 3 probable reinfections (27%), 2 probable infections from a new sexual partner (18%), and 6 probable treatment failures (55%); 2 of the 6 patients who experienced probable treatment failure had isolates with mild resistance to metronidazole. Of 301 HIV-negative women, 24 (8.0%) were T. vaginalis positive 1 month after treatment. The 24 recurrences were classified as 2 probable reinfections (8%) and 22 probable treatment failures (92%); of the 22 patients who experienced probable treatment failure, 2 had strains with moderate resistance to metronidazole, and 1 had a strain with mild resistance to metronidazole. CONCLUSION HIV-positive women were more likely to have sexual re-exposure than were HIV-negative women, although the rate of treatment failure was similar in both groups. High rates of treatment failure among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women indicate that a 2-g dose of metronidazole may not be adequate for treatment of some women and that rescreening should be considered.
Hybrid PWM for High-Power Current-Source-Inverter-Fed Drives With Low Switching Frequency

In this paper, a hybrid pulsewidth modulation (PWM) scheme is proposed to suppress the LC resonance for the high-power current-source inverter (CSI) fed drives with low switching frequency. In CSI drive systems, the selective harmonic elimination (SHE) is selected due to the better performance of harmonics, but the LC resonance cannot be effectively damped due to the lack of control flexibility of SHE. In this paper, SHE is only used for the steady-state operation. The modulation scheme is then switched to space vector modulation with dynamic capacitor voltage control when the transient event occurs. The smoothed transitions between different modulation schemes are proposed. The proposed hybrid method effectively solves the resonant issues in CSI drives, while maintaining the power quality. Both simulation and experiments verify the performance of the proposed hybrid PWM scheme.
Light Harvesting in Anacystis nidulans Studied in Pigment Mutants.

Spontaneous pigment mutants of Anacystis nidulans were self-selected for improved growth in far red light (> 650 nanometers). Questions were asked about those features of the light-harvesting mechanism which altered to give the mutants improved photosynthetic performance in far red. Answers were sought by comparing pigment and reaction center concentrations for the parent and six mutants grown in gold fluorescent and in far red light. Three significant results emerged. The ratio of reaction centers for photoreactions I and II (RC1/RC2) varied by a value of about 2.1 for all clones grown in gold and a value of about 1.1 for all clones grown in far red. Alteration of the ratio was not evident in any of the mutants.Phycobilisome alterations were evident as decreased phycocyanin content in all mutants. In three mutants, allophycocyanin became the major remaining phycobilisome component. Action spectra for photoreactions I and II allowed estimates of chlorophylls serving each of the two reaction centers. Ratios of chlorophylls to reaction centers within each photosystem were chlorophyll I/RC1 = 118 +/- 11 and chlorophyll II/RC2 = 52 +/- 9 for all seven clones grown in both gold and far red light. Remarkable constancy of these ratios, in spite of wide variation in cell material, supports an hypothesis that in A. nidulans there are two chlorophyll proteins, each bearing a reaction center and chlorophylls in fixed ratio.
Structure of the Extracellular Domain of Tie Receptor Tyrosine Kinases and Localization of the Angiopoietin-binding Epitope*

Angiogenesis is essential for tissue repair and regeneration during wound healing but also plays important roles in many pathological processes including tumor growth and metastasis. The receptor protein tyrosine kinase Tie2 and its ligands, the angiopoietins, have important functions in the regulation of angiogenesis. Here, we report a detailed structural and functional characterization of the extracellular region of Tie2. Sequence analysis of the extracellular domain revealed an additional immunoglobulin-like domain resulting in a tandem repeat of immunoglobulin-like domains at the N terminus of the protein. The same domain organization was also found for the Tie1 receptor that shares a high degree of homology with Tie2. Based on structural similarities to other receptor tyrosine kinases and cell adhesion molecules, we demonstrate that the N-terminal two immunoglobulin-like domains of Tie2 harbor the angiopoietin-binding site. Using transmission electron microscopy we furthermore show that the extracellular domain of Tie receptors consists of a globular head domain and a short rod-like stalk that probably forms a spacer between the cell surface and the angiopoietin-binding site. Mutational analysis demonstrated that the head domain consists of the three immunoglobulin-like domains and the three epidermal growth factor-like modules and that the stalk is formed by the three fibronectin type III repeats. These findings might be of particular interest for drug development because Tie receptors are potential targets for treatment of angiogenesis-associated diseases.
Underlying Constructs of Farmers’ Perceptions towards Bt Cotton Among Former Cotton Farmers in Northern Ghana: Empirical Application of Q Methodology

It is often argued that learning from best examples in the neighbouring Burkina Faso and elsewhere, Ghana can succeed in revamping the collapsing cotton industry by introducing Bt cotton to farmers. This paper therefore presents a survey findings on farmers’ views and perceptions towards the possible introduction of Bt cotton. A stratified random sampling techniques was applied in selecting 254 farmers from the four cotton producing zones in northern Ghana and Q methodology adopted in collecting narratives and perceptions towards Bt cotton. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was applied in extracting the underlying constructs from farmers’ narratives on Bt cotton. The extraction method was guided by Kaiser’s Eigenvalue-greater-than-one rule follow by Parallel analysis method of Monte Carlo and Scree test techniques. Results of the PCA identified five broad issues representing farmers’ views about the introduction of Bt cotton. The broad issues explaining farmers’ views and perception towards Bt cotton are ‘contractual issues with cotton companies’, ‘issues relating to problems and challenges in cotton farming’, ‘issues relating to farmers desire to go back to cotton farming’, ‘positive views on Bt cotton’ and ‘some reservations on Bt cotton’. This paper therefore recommends that for government and other stakeholders to succeed in revamping the cotton industry, there is the need for farmers’ concerns on contractual issues to be addressed and for more information on Bt cotton to be provided to resolve the reservation farmers have about Bt cotton.
Comparison between DFT- and DWT-based speech/non-speech detection for adverse environments

The goal of this paper is to evaluate the wavelet/frequency-based voice activity detection (VAD) algorithms under harsh conditions. A new frequency-based speech classifier has been developed based on a single subband distance feature in cooperating with adaptive percentile filter. Experimental results in clean, noisy and reverberant environments are provided. Results show that: (i) the group of algorithms exploiting the subband power distance feature mostly outperforms the state-of-the-art VAD standardized for the G. 729 B, the ETSI AFE ES 202 050 in terms of classification measures; (ii) the robustness of the model-based VAD methods still holds in a completely mismatched reverberant environment.
Interaction of Surfactant Protein A with Peroxiredoxin 6 Regulates Phospholipase A2 Activity*

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a “moonlighting” protein with both GSH peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities. This protein is responsible for degradation of internalized dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, the major phospholipid component of lung surfactant. The PLA2 activity is inhibited by surfactant protein A (SP-A). We postulate that SP-A regulates the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 through direct protein-protein interaction. Recombinant human Prdx6 and SP-A isolated from human alveolar proteinosis fluid were studied. Measurement of kinetic constants at pH 4.0 (maximal PLA2 activity) showed Km0.35 mm and Vmax 138 nmol/min/mg of protein. SP-A inhibited PLA2 activity non-competitively with Ki 10 μg/ml and was Ca2+ -independent. Activity at pH 7.4 was ∼50% less, and inhibition by SP-A was partially dependent on Ca2+. Interaction of SP-A and Prdx6 at pH 7.4 was shown by Prdx6-mediated inhibition of SP-A binding to agarose beads, a pull-down assay using His-tagged Prdx6 and Ni2 -chelating beads, co-immunoprecipitation from lung epithelial cells and from a binary mixture of the two proteins, binding after treatment with a trifunctional cross-linker, and size-exclusion chromatography. Analysis by static light scattering and surface plasmon resonance showed calcium-independent SP-A binding to Prdx6 at pH 4.0 and partial Ca2+ dependence of binding at pH 7.4. These results indicate a direct interaction between SP-A and Prdx6, which provides a mechanism for regulation of the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 by SP-A.
Macular thickness evaluation using the optical coherence tomography in normal Indian eyes.

PURPOSE To determine the normative values for macular thickness and volume by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT 3) in healthy Indian subjects. METHODS The macula of 170 consecutive, randomly selected normal subjects was imaged on OCT 3 in this cross-sectional study. OCT parameters of macular thickness were analysed with baseline variables including age, gender, axial length and refractive error. RESULTS The average foveal thickness in the population under study was 149.16 +/- 21.15 micro. Macular thickness and volume parameters of OCT correlated significantly (Pearson's Correlation coefficient) with age (r=0.23, P<0.01), but not with gender, axial length and refraction. CONCLUSIONS The macular thickness and volume parameters have a significant correlation with age. This normative database of macular thickness by OCT in Indian eyes may be a useful guideline for management and further research in diseases of the macula and glaucoma.
Cell size and growth rate are major determinants of replicative lifespan

Yeast cells, like mammalian cells, enlarge steadily as they age. Unabated cell growth can promote cellular senescence; however, the significance of the relationship between size and cellular lifespan is not well understood. Herein, we report a genetic link between cell size, growth rate and lifespan. Mutations that increase cell size concomitantly increase growth rate and decrease lifespan. As a result, large cells grow, divide and age dramatically faster than small cells. Conversely, small cell mutants age slowly and are long-lived. Investigation of the mechanisms involved suggests that attainment of a maximal size modulates lifespan. Indeed, cumulative results revealed that life expectancy is size-dependent, and that the rate at which cells age is determined in large part by the amount of cell growth per generation.