Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Retrospective Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up of 205 Brånemark System Mk III TiUnite Implants Submitted to Either Immediate or Delayed Loading

Background:Studies are needed to evaluate long-term performance of immediately loaded implants with moderately rough surface. This retrospective study evaluated long-term survival and periimplant soft and hard tissue conditions in patients treated with TiUnite implants. Materials and Methods:Forty-one consecutive patients (mean age, 52.6 years) received 205 Brånemark System Mk III TiUnite implants (145 maxillary, 60 mandibular). The indication was single tooth (n = 7 implants), partial (n = 94), or full arches (n = 104). One hundred thirteen implants were immediately loaded. Cumulative survival rate (CSR) of implants was assessed. Long-term marginal bone remodeling, probing pocket depth (PPD), and periimplant mucosa conditions were assessed. Results:Follow-up averaged 8.8 years (range, 6.6–10.6 years). Eight implants in 5 patients failed. CSR was 96.1% (implant basis) and 87.8% (patient basis) up to 10 years. At the longest follow-up, bone loss averaged 0.43 ± 1.15 mm (n = 173), PPD averaged 3.64 ± 0.74 mm, and periimplant mucosa was healthy in 74.6% of cases. Furthermore, 50.3% and 35.5% of implants scored negative for plaque and bleeding, respectively. No significant difference in CSR and hard and soft tissue conditions was found in the long term between immediately and delayed loaded implants. Conclusion:Implants with TiUnite surface demonstrated excellent long-term survival, marginal bone response, and soft tissue conditions, despite a nonoptimal level of oral hygiene.
Prospective Study of Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: Alcohol intake reduces intraocular pressure, a risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We investigated whether alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of POAG. Methods: We followed female nurses from 1980 and male health professionals from 1986 to 2002. Eligible participants were 40+ years old, did not have POAG, and reported receiving eye examinations during follow-up. Information on alcohol consumption, potential confounders and POAG diagnoses were updated by using biennial questionnaires. We identified 856 self-reported POAG cases that were confirmed with medical record review. Cohort-specific and pooled analyses across cohorts were conducted to calculate multivariable rate ratios (RR) of POAG. Results: Alcohol consumption < 30 g/day did not influence POAG risk: compared with non-drinkers, the pooled RRs were 0.99 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.83–1.19) for drinking < 10 g/day, 0.96 (95% CI: 0.76–1.22) for 10–19 g/day, and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.68–1.33) for 20–29 g/day. Although there were suggestive inverse associations with drinking > 30 g/day (RR = 0.71), this was not significant (95% CI: 0.49–1.04), and no significant linear associations were detected. Risks of POAG did not differ by type of alcoholic beverage consumed. To evaluate the potential for detection bias, we controlled for additional factors, such as frequency of eye exams, but results were similar. Conclusion: In this large prospective study of men and women, alcohol consumption did not influence the risk of POAG.
Improving hydropower choices via an online and open access tool

This paper describes and validates the HydroCalculator Tool developed by Conservation Strategy Fund. The HydroCalculator Tool allows researchers, policy-makers and citizens to easily assess hydropower feasibility, by calculating traditional financial indicators, such as the levelized cost of energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions and the economic net present value including emissions costs. Currently, people other than project developers have limited or no access to such information, which stifles informed public debate on electric energy options. Within this context, the use of the HydroCalculator Tool may contribute to the debate, by facilitating access to information. To validate the tool’s greenhouse gas calculations, we replicate two peer-reviewed articles that estimate greenhouse gas emissions from different hydropower plants in the Amazon basin. The estimates calculated by the HydroCalculator Tool are similar to the ones found in both peer-reviewed articles. The results show that hydropower plants can lead to greenhouse gas emissions and that, in some cases, these emissions can be larger than those of alternative energy sources producing the same amount of electricity.
Biaxial deformation on AA5182-O aluminium alloy sheet at warm temperature

Warm temperature biaxial tension test apparatus was developed in this study. This device can achieve stress ratio and strain rate controls simultaneously because it is necessary to keep those parameters for an accurate measurement of equi-plastic work locus. The warm temperature biaxial tension tests were conducted on AA5182-O aluminium alloy sheet with the thickness of 1mm. The obtained results showed that the shapes of equi-plastic work loci did not have strong temperature dependency.
Development of Engineered Micro-Particles via Spray Drying for Respiratory Drug Delivery

In this study, respirable dry powders for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia complex infections in cystic fibrosis patients were developed. The feasibility of spray drying aqueous solutions containing bacteriophages was investigated. Bacteriophages KS4-M, KS14 and ФKZ/D3 cocktail (active against P. aeruginosa or Burkholderia cepacia) were spray dried in solutions containing other excipients including trehalose and L-leucine. Acceptable process loss (0.4-0.8 log pfu), high delivery efficiency (69.7% of capsule load for the lead formulation), and desirable particle size (2.5-2.8 μm MMAD) were achieved. Then, L-leucine was substituted by and tested against D-leucine in the lead formulation to help eradicate bacteria biofilms. Similar morphologies and MMADs (3.25±0.03 μm and 3.82±0.04 μm for Dand L-leucine/trehalose) were achieved. Both formulations had acceptable total lung mass fractions (62.0±7.81% and 63.66±16.37% of emitted mass for Dand L-leucine/trehalose). Substitution L-leucine with D-leucine was found to be feasible.
A Pointwise Approach to Training Dependency Parsers from Partially Annotated Corpora

We introduce a word-based dependency parser for Japanese that can be trained from partially annotated corpora, allowing for effective use of available linguistic resources and reduction of the costs of preparing new training data. This is especially important for domain adaptation in a real-world situation. We use a pointwise approach where each edge in the dependency tree for a sentence is estimated independently. Experiments on Japanese dependency parsing show that this approach allows for rapid training and achieves accuracy comparable to state-of-the-art dependency parsers trained on fully annotated data.
Effect of micro-lamellar talc on dimensional accuracy and stability in injection molding of PLA/PBSA blends

ABSTRACT The present work is aimed at developing innovative solutions to enhance mechanical and physical properties of Poly(Lactic) Acid (PLA) blends, specifically designed for melt processing applications. Attention is drawn on dimensional accuracy and stability of PLA-based components manufactured by injection molding. PLA belongs to the class of bioplastic materials, entirely relying on renewable resources. It is a semi-crystalline linear aliphatic polyester, highly prone to recrystallize in harsh temperature conditions that can arise during transportation or storage of injection-molded components. Recrystallization is known to cause shrinkage of polymeric materials and, consequently, a marked warpage of components produced from them, causing scraps or parts that do not conform to the functional requirements. In this context, the experimental investigation deals with the effect of increasing amounts of micro-lamellar talc in PLA and Poly(butylene) Succinate Co-Adipate (PBSA) blends. In particular, the role of talc aliquot on dimensional accuracy and stability of injection-molded coffee capsules manufactured by PLA/PBSA blends is studied, with emphasis on the key role of recrystallization. For that purpose, commercial grade PLA and PBSA are compounded with micro-lamellar talc and several processing additives by a twin screw co-rotating extruder. The resulting compound is reprocessed to form coffee capsules by injection molding. Characterization tests include Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy and Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG – SEM). Measurements of the characteristic dimensions of the molded components reveals the effect of increasing amounts of talc in PLA/PBSA blends on dimensional accuracy and stability properties of coffee capsules. Brewing tests allowed to identify the formulations that can ensure the utmost geometrical accuracy of the coffee capsules and their suitability for brewing in instant coffee machine. Based on experimental evidences, lowest shrinkage and improved stability are found on components manufactured by polymeric blends that involve the highest amount of talc. Graphical Abstract
Hybrid intelligent system for pricing the indices of dual-listing stock markets

In previous studies (Howe et al., 2002; Alaganar and Bhar, 2002; Samant and Korth, 1998) it has been found that there is strong correlation between the American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and the corresponding stocks in their native/primary markets in the long run. The results found that such correlation is mainly one way from the native markets to the ADRs. The method they employed is the econometrics and what they had studied are the correlation properties of these individual stocks. A simplified automated system is outlined to study the index of dual-listed stocks, namely ong Kong's Hang Seng Index and the Hang Seng London Reference Index. They have different trading hours and the possibility of incorporating London Reference Index into the pricing of the Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index is tested. One of the difficulties of AR method and neural network is how to choose suitable input. Evolutionary computation is outlined here of how to overcome this difficulty by employing it to simulate the markets' interactive dynamics. The study of the dual-listed index as a whole and the employment of the intelligent system in its pricing make it distinct from these previous econometrics studies in ADRs. The modelings here show positive results for incorporating the index movements in the secondary market into the pricing of the primary market. The percentage error is found to reduce by about 10%.
Delayed radionucleotide gastric emptying studies predict morbidity in diabetics with symptoms of gastroparesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of gastric emptying studies on the morbidity associated with diabetic gastroparesis. METHODS This was a parallel cohort study of 3 groups. Group A (n = 94) contained diabetic patients (type 1 and type 2) with classic symptoms of gastroparesis (including early satiety, postprandial fullness, bloating, abdominal swelling, nausea, vomiting, and retching) and delay in radionucleotide gastric emptying study. Group B (n = 94) contained diabetic subjects with classic symptoms of gastroparesis but negative scintigraphy. Group C (n = 94) contained diabetic subjects without symptoms of gastroparesis. Data were gathered on the number of days hospitalized and hospitalizations, office visits, emergency department visits, death rate, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, medications, and past medical history. RESULTS Group A had significantly more hospital days per 1000 patient days (25.5) than both group B (5.1; P < .01) and group C (2.3; P < .01). Group A also had significantly more hospitalizations, office visits, and emergency department visits than both group B and group C. Deaths and mean glycosylated hemoglobin levels did not differ between the groups. Patients in group A were more likely to have cardiovascular disease (19.2% vs 6.4%, A vs C; P < .05), hypertension (63% vs 43%, A vs C; P = .005), and retinopathy (33% vs 11.7%, A vs C; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS A delayed radionucleotide gastric emptying study predicts negative health outcomes in diabetic patients with symptoms of gastroparesis. We identified a correlation between diabetic gastroparesis and cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and retinopathy that may indicate an underlying vascular etiology.
Dental public health in India: An insight

Oral diseases are a major public health problem, and their burden is on increase in many low- and middle-income countries. Dental public health (DPH) aims to improve the oral health of the population through preventive and curative services. However, its achievements in India are being questioned probably because of lack of proficiency and skill among DPH personnel. The literature search for the present study was conducted utilizing various search engines and electronic databases such as PubMed and MEDLINE. Documents related to the Central and State Governments of India were also considered. Finally, 26 articles were selected for the present study from which relevant information can be extracted. The present study focuses on some of the important aspects relating to DPH in India such as priority for oral health, DPH workforce and curriculum, utilization of DPH personnel in providing primary oral health care, role of mobile dental vans, and research in DPH. It was concluded that more attention should be given toward preventive oral health care by employing more number of public health dentists in public sector, strengthening DPH education and research, and combining oral health programs with general health-care programs.
Different B Cell Populations Mediate Early and Late Memory During an Endogenous Immune Response

A cell enrichment technique reveals the dynamics of the endogenous memory B cell response. Memory B cells formed in response to microbial antigens provide immunity to later infections; however, the inability to detect rare endogenous antigen-specific cells limits current understanding of this process. Using an antigen-based technique to enrich these cells, we found that immunization with a model protein generated B memory cells that expressed isotype-switched immunoglobulins (swIg) or retained IgM. The more numerous IgM+ cells were longer lived than the swIg+ cells. However, swIg+ memory cells dominated the secondary response because of the capacity to become activated in the presence of neutralizing serum immunoglobulin. Thus, we propose that memory relies on swIg+ cells until they disappear and serum immunoglobulin falls to a low level, in which case memory resides with durable IgM+ reserves.
Ontogeny of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Monitor Lizards: Males Grow for a Longer Period, but not at a Faster Rate

Monitor lizards belong to the largest and the most sexually dimorphic lizards in terms of size, making this group an ideal model for studies analyzing ontogenetic causes of sexual dimorphism. Understanding of these ontogenetic factors is essential to the current discussion concerning patterns of sexual dimorphism in animals. We examined the ontogenetic trajectories of body weight and snout-vent length to analyze the emergence of sexual size dimorphism. Experimental animals were 22 males and 13 females of mangrove-dwelling monitors (Varanus indicus) hatched at the Prague Zoo. They were regularly weighed and measured up to the age of 33–40 months, and subsequently sexed by ultrasonographic imaging. The logistic growth equation was used to describe and analyze the observed growth patterns. Our results confirm considerable sexual size dimorphism in the mangrove monitor. The mean asymptotic body weight of males was nearly three times higher than that of females. As the body size of male and female hatchlings is almost equal, and the growth rate parameter (K) of the logistic growth equation as well as the absolute growth rate up to the age of 12 months do not differ between the sexes, size differences between fully grown males and females should be attributed to timing of the postnatal growth. Males continue to grow several months after they reach the age when the growth of females is already reduced. Therefore, the sexual size dimorphism emerges and sharply increases at this period.
The potential role of plasma exchange as a treatment for bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation: A report of two cases

Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome associated with gynecologic malignancies in women and pancreatic or lung carcinomas in men. The clinical presentation consists of the rapid onset of decreased visual acuity due to bilateral serous retinal detachment and cataracts. Pathologically, there is diffuse uveal thickening and proliferation of uveal melanocytes. The onset of blindness is often rapid, with some patients presenting with blindness. We describe the cases of two women with gynecologic malignancies who were treated with plasma exchange (PE) for BDUMP. After a course of five to seven procedures, their ocular disease stabilized. One patient has maintained her vision more than 1 year following the completion of the course of PE. The other patient, who also received treatment with corticosteroids, in addition to the PE, reported stable vision on telephone follow‐up 9 months after presentation. These cases suggest that PE may be a treatment option in this rare paraneoplastic syndrome which has otherwise been reported to invariably result in vision loss. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic Foreground object detection using Visual and Motion Saliency

This paper presents a saliency-based video object extraction (VOE) framework. The proposed framework aims to automatically extract foreground objects of interest without any user interaction or the use of any training data (i.e., not limited to any particular type of object). To separate foreground and background regions within and across video frames, the proposed method utilizes visual and motion saliency information extracted from the input video. A conditional random field is applied to effectively combine the saliency induced features, which allows us to deal with unknown pose and scale variations of the foreground object (and its articulated parts). Based on the ability to preserve both spatial continuity and temporal consistency in the proposed VOE framework, experiments on a variety of videos verify that our method is able to produce quantitatively and qualitatively satisfactory VOE results.
Role of the HPA axis and the A118G polymorphism of the mu-opioid receptor in stress-induced drinking behavior.

AIMS The present study sought to investigate the relationship between the HPA axis reactivity to stress, the endogenous opioid system and stress-induced drinking behavior. METHODS In the present study, 74 non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent subjects were tested under two mood conditions, neutral and stress, in separate testing sessions. Salivary cortisol measurements were obtained following stress induction and during the neutral control condition. Multiple measurements of alcohol intake, latency to access the alcohol cue and craving for alcohol were obtained during cue-availability testing. In addition, 52 of the study subjects were genotyped for the mu-opioid receptor. RESULTS A blunted cortisol response to stress was significantly correlated with increased alcohol intake following stress exposure compared to alcohol intake during the neutral session. There was not a clear correlation between the change in cortisol in response to stress and the change in latency to access alcohol or alcohol craving in response to stress. Carriers of the Asp40 variant of the mu-opioid receptor exhibited a dampened cortisol response to stress, higher alcohol intake and greater craving in response to stress compared to Asn40 homozygotes, although these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that a blunted biological stress response was correlated with increased drinking in response to stress. The Asp40 variant of the mu-opioid receptor may be associated with this HPA axis hyporeactivity although the small sample size used in the present study did not permit adequate evaluation of this association.
Bromfenac Sodium 0.1%, Fluorometholone 0.1% and Dexamethasone 0.1% for Control of Ocular Inflammation and Prevention of Cystoid Macular Edema after Phacoemulsification

Purpose: To compare bromfenac sodium 0.1%, fluorometholone 0.1% and dexamethasone 0.1% for the control of postoperative inflammation and prevention of cystoid macular edema (CME) after phacoemulsification. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive bromfenac sodium 0.1% for 1 month (OBS1) or 2 months (OBS2), or fluorometholone 0.1% for 1 month (OFM) or dexamethasone 0.1% for 1 month (ODM). Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density, photon count value and retinal foveal thickness were measured. Results: Mean photon count values were lower in the OBS1 and OBS2 groups compared with the ODM group during the first week. Bromfenac sodium cleared the ocular inflammation more rapidly than fluorometholone and dexamethasone. The foveal thickness was thinner in the second month and the incidence of CME was lower in the OBS1 and OBS2 groups compared with the OFM and ODM groups. Conclusion: Bromfenac sodium was more effective and safer than fluorometholone and dexamethasone as an anti-inflammatory, decreasing macular thickness and preventing CME in age-related cataract patients after cataract surgery.
Access to subsidized ACT and malaria treatment--evidence from the first year of the AMFm program in six districts in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria (AMFm) launched in April 2011 in Uganda on the use of Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) for malaria treatment. METHODS 2398 households across six districts in Eastern Uganda were monitored through monthly survey visits from April 2011 to April 2012. During each visit, health seeking modules were completed for any morbidity episode reported by the household. Additional surveys were conducted with 114 licensed drug shops in the same districts in April 2011 and April 2012. Changes in drug shops' stocking and pricing of ACTs, as well as changes in households' treatment behaviour and drug usage were analysed. RESULTS The fraction of licensed drug shops reporting that an ACT was one of their top five bestselling antimalarial drugs increased from 32% to 84% (Δ=0.517, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) [0.407, 0.628], P<0.001). The fraction of children under the age of 5 with fevers getting an ACT increased from 37% to 47% (Δ=0.103, 95% CI [0.070, 0.136], P<0.001), and the fraction of ACT treatments among patients getting any antimalarial increased from 51% to 65% (Δ=0.145, 95% CI [0.121, 0.169], P<0.001). The observed changes were particularly large among poorer households, and were smallest for households from the highest wealth quintile. CONCLUSIONS The study results suggest that, during its first year of implementation in Uganda, the AMFm achieved its main objective of increasing the availability and use of ACTs. Estimates of the impact of the AMFm on ACT use for children under 5 imply that the program should be considered highly cost-effective under current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The overall results look promising, but larger and longer term studies will be needed to assess the health impact and cost-effectiveness of the program.