Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degree of Conversion and Oxygen-Inhibited Layer Effect of Three Dental Adhesives

This study investigated the effect of the oxygen-inhibited layer on the degree of conversion (DC) of three dental adhesives, comparing two different protocols. Quartz–tungsten–halogen (QTH) light curing and light-emitting diode (LED) were used to cure three adhesives: OptiBond All in One (OAIO), Adper Easy Bond (AEB) and ExciteF (EXF). The DC was calculated utilizing Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) (n = 12). The two protocols used were as follows: (i) prevent the oxygen-inhibited layer using a Mylar plastic strip pushed onto each bonding adhesive; and (ii) polymerize samples without a plastic strip. The data was analyzed statistically by a three-way ANOVA, and Tukey Test (a = 0.05). The presence of an oxygen-inhibited layer reduced the DC of the adhesives by 64% for EXF, 46% for AEB and 32% for OAIO. This study suggests that there are differences among the oxygen-inhibited layers present for the adhesives tested.
Concurrent Alterations in EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancers Associated with Resistance to EGFR Kinase Inhibitors and Characterization of MTOR as a Mediator of Resistance

Purpose: To identify molecular factors that determine duration of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and to identify novel mechanisms of drug resistance, we molecularly profiled EGFR-mutant tumors prior to treatment and after progression on EGFR TKI using targeted next-generation sequencing. Experimental Design: Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on 374 consecutive patients with metastatic EGFR-mutant lung cancer. Clinical data were collected and correlated with somatic mutation data. Erlotinib resistance due to acquired MTOR mutation was functionally evaluated by in vivo and in vitro studies. Results: In 200 EGFR-mutant pretreatment samples, the most frequent concurrent alterations were mutations in TP53, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, and RB1 and focal amplifications in EGFR, TTF1, MDM2, CDK4, and FOXA1. Shorter time to progression on EGFR TKI was associated with amplification of ERBB2 (HR = 2.4, P = 0.015) or MET (HR = 3.7, P = 0.019), or mutation in TP53 (HR = 1.7, P = 0.006). In the 136 posttreatment samples, we identified known mechanisms of acquired resistance: EGFR T790M (51%), MET (7%), and ERBB2 amplifications (5%). In the 38 paired samples, novel acquired alterations representing putative resistance mechanisms included BRAF fusion, FGFR3 fusion, YES1 amplification, KEAP1 loss, and an MTOR E2419K mutation. Functional studies confirmed the contribution of the latter to reduced sensitivity to EGFR TKI in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: EGFR-mutant lung cancers harbor a spectrum of concurrent alterations that have prognostic and predictive significance. By utilizing paired samples, we identified several novel acquired alterations that may be relevant in mediating resistance, including an activating mutation in MTOR further validated functionally. Clin Cancer Res; 24(13); 3108–18. ©2018 AACR.
Assessment of DNA damage in ceramic workers

It is known that ceramic workers are potentially exposed to complex mixture of chemicals such as silica, inorganic lead, lime, beryllium and aluminum that can be associated with an increased risk of several diseases. All operations in the ceramic industries such as mixing, moulding, casting, shaking out and finishing jobs, have been associated with the higher exposure levels and in most of the silica-related industries, average overall exposure exceeded permissible exposure levels for respirable crystalline silica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible genotoxic damage in ceramic workers exposed to complex mixture of chemicals mainly crystalline silica. For this purpose, the blood and buccal epithelial cell samples were taken from the ceramic workers (n = 99) and their controls (n = 81). The genotoxicity was assessed by the alkaline comet assay in isolated lymphocytes and whole blood. Micronucleus (MN), binucleated (BN), pyknotic (PYC), condensed chromatin (CC), karyolytic (KYL), karyorrhectic (KHC) and nuclear bud (NBUD) frequencies in buccal epithelial cells and plasma 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels were also evaluated. In the study, 38 workers were diagnosed with silicosis, 9 workers were suspected to have silicosis, whereas 52 workers were found to be healthy. DNA damage in blood and lymphocytes; MN, CC + KHC, PYC frequencies in buccal epithelial cells and 8-oxodG levels in plasma were increased in workers compared to their controls. These results showed that occupational chemical mixture exposure in ceramic industry may cause genotoxic damage that can lead to important health problems in the workers.
Emerging Themes in Epidemiology Analytic Perspective Open Access

A tutorial in estimating the prevalence of disease in humans and animals in the absence of a gold standard diagnostic Abstract Epidemiological methods for estimating disease prevalence in humans and other animals in the absence of a gold standard diagnostic test are well established. Despite this, reporting apparent prevalence is still standard practice in public health studies and disease control programmes, even though apparent prevalence may differ greatly from the true prevalence of disease. Methods for estimating true prevalence are summarized and reviewed. A computing appendix is also provided which contains a brief guide in how to easily implement some of the methods presented using freely available software.
The Effect of the Lunar Cycle on Fecal Cortisol Metabolite Levels and Foraging Ecology of Nocturnally and Diurnally Active Spiny Mice

We studied stress hormones and foraging of nocturnal Acomys cahirinus and diurnal A. russatus in field populations as well as in two field enclosures populated by both species and two field enclosures with individuals of A. russatus alone. When alone, A. russatus individuals become also nocturnally active. We asked whether nocturnally active A. russatus will respond to moon phase and whether this response will be obtained also in diurnally active individuals. We studied giving-up densities (GUDs) in artificial foraging patches and fecal cortisol metabolite levels. Both species exhibited elevated fecal cortisol metabolite levels and foraged to higher GUDs in full moon nights; thus A. russatus retains physiological response and behavioral patterns that correlate with full moon conditions, as can be expected in nocturnal rodents, in spite of its diurnal activity. The endocrinological and behavioral response of this diurnal species to moon phase reflects its evolutionary heritage.
Performance of wastewater stabilization ponds in treatment of endocrine disrupting estrogens in Morogoro urban and peri-urban, Tanzania

The aim of the study was to assess the performance of wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) in treatment of endocrine disrupting estrogens particularly estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and ethinylestradiol(EE2). The study was conducted at Mafisa and Mzumbe wastewater stabilization ponds located in Morogoro Urban and Periurban areas respectively. The endocrine disrupting estrogens in low quality water and sludge were detected and quantified using competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The recovery of estrogens in this study ranged from 65% to 90%. The EE2, E1 and E2 were detected in all samples of low quality water and sludge from anaerobic to maturation ponds in both study sites. The overall estrogen reduction at Mafisa was 95.8%, 95.3%, 94.9% for EE2, E1 and E2 respectively. At Mzumbe the overall estrogen reduction was 81.6%, 89.3% and 82.5% for EE2, E1 and E2 respectively. The mean concentrations of estrogens in influent to effluent at Mafisa ranged from 35.6 to 1.5. 60.7 to 2.9 and 85.6 to 4.4 ng/ L for EE2, E1 and E2 respectively. The corresponding mean concentration at Mzumbe WSPs ranged from 25.5 to 2.7, 23.8 to 4.4 and 39.4 to 6.9 ng/L for EE2, E1 and E2 respectively. Sludge from anaerobic pond contained significant high amount of estrogens, whereas in other ponds median concentrations were significant low. The endocrine disrupting estrogens were significantly reduced in the wastewater stabilization ponds.
Heterosynaptic GABAergic plasticity bidirectionally driven by the activity of pre- and postsynaptic NMDA receptors

Significance The plasticity of inhibitory synapses is involved in regulating the balance between excitation and inhibition. Although a wide range of plastic mechanisms was analyzed in GABAergic synapses, a bidirectional plasticity engaged by NMDA signaling has never been observed. We report here that the synapse between Golgi cells and granule cells in the cerebellar granular layer can be modulated by heterosynaptic plasticity in a bidirectional manner, depending on NMDA receptors. Long-term potentiation is expressed in response to postsynaptic NMDAR activation via nitric oxide retrograde diffusion. Conversely, long-term depression is triggered by presynaptic NMDAR activation. The present results provide a plastic mechanism controlling signal processing in neural networks. Dynamic changes of the strength of inhibitory synapses play a crucial role in processing neural information and in balancing network activity. Here, we report that the efficacy of GABAergic connections between Golgi cells and granule cells in the cerebellum is persistently altered by the activity of glutamatergic synapses. This form of plasticity is heterosynaptic and is expressed as an increase (long-term potentiation, LTPGABA) or a decrease (long-term depression, LTDGABA) of neurotransmitter release. LTPGABA is induced by postsynaptic NMDA receptor activation, leading to calcium increase and retrograde diffusion of nitric oxide, whereas LTDGABA depends on presynaptic NMDA receptor opening. The sign of plasticity is determined by the activation state of target granule and Golgi cells during the induction processes. By controlling the timing of spikes emitted by granule cells, this form of bidirectional plasticity provides a dynamic control of the granular layer encoding capacity.
Observed and modeled meridional overturning circulation related flow into the Caribbean

[1] A major pathway of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is the warm inflow into the Caribbean Sea. The transport and the contribution of water from the South Atlantic is calculated from observations (ADCP data and hydrography) and compared to the results of the ° FLAME model. The model and the observations show high consistency in the strength of the mean total inflow and its range of variability as well as in the general distribution of water from South Atlantic origin. The measurements give an annual mean South Atlantic Water (SAW) transport into the Caribbean of 9.3 Sv with high variability. This estimate has to be regarded as a lower bound since the present method (using temperature and salinity data) cannot identify the SAW included in the North Equatorial Current (NEC), which recirculated and was transformed in the interior tropical Atlantic. The model transport reproduces the observational values rather closely, with an annual mean inflow of 8.6 Sv and similar high variability. Closer inspection of the SAW pathways in the model suggest that the additional contribution by the NEC-pathway is only about 2 Sv. The model results confirm the relative importance of the MOC pathways suggested by observations: the Caribbean inflow seems to be the main pathway (63%) for the warm and central water (σθ < 27.1 kg m−3), whereas for the intermediate water a larger fraction (59%) is transported northward at the eastern side of the Lesser Antilles.
Differences in molar relationships and occlusal contact areas evaluated from the buccal and lingual aspects using 3-dimensional digital models

Objective The aims of this study were to use a 3-dimensional (3D) system to compare molar relationship assessments performed from the buccal and lingual aspects, and to measure differences in occlusal contact areas between Class II and Class I molar relationships. Methods Study casts (232 pairs from 232 subjects, yielding a total of 380 sides) were evaluated from both the buccal and lingual aspects, so that molar relationships could be classified according to the scheme devised by Liu and Melsen. Occlusal contact areas were quantified using 3D digital models, which were generated through surface scanning of the study casts. Results A cusp-to-central fossa relationship was observed from the lingual aspect in the majority of cases classified from the buccal aspect as Class I (89.6%) or mild Class II (86.7%). However, severe Class II cases had lingual cusp-to-mesial triangular fossa or marginal ridge relationships. Mean occlusal contact areas were similar in the Class I and mild Class II groups, while the severe Class II group had significantly lower values than either of the other 2 groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions Buccal and lingual assessments of molar relationships were not always consistent. Occlusal contact areas were lowest for the Class II-severe group, which seems to have the worst molar relationships - especially as seen from the lingual aspect.
Computational Study of Laminar Flow Control on a Subsonic Swept Wing Using Discrete Roughness Elements

A combination of parabolized stability equations and secondary instability theory has been applied to a low-speed swept airfoil model with a chord Reynolds number of 7.15 million, with the goals of (i) evaluating this methodology in the context of transition prediction for a known configuration for which roughness based crossflow transition control has been demonstrated under flight conditions and (ii) of analyzing the mechanism of transition delay via the introduction of discrete roughness elements (DRE). Roughness based transition control involves controlled seeding of suitable, subdominant crossflow modes, so as to weaken the growth of naturally occurring, linearly more unstable crossflow modes. Therefore, a synthesis of receptivity, linear and nonlinear growth of stationary crossflow disturbances, and the ensuing development of high frequency secondary instabilities is desirable to understand the experimentally observed transition behavior. With further validation, such higher fidelity prediction methodology could be utilized to assess the potential for crossflow transition control at even higher Reynolds numbers, where experimental data is currently unavailable.
Evidence of Different Thermoregulatory Mechanisms between Two Sympatric Scarabaeus Species Using Infrared Thermography and Micro-Computer Tomography

In endotherms insects, the thermoregulatory mechanisms modulate heat transfer from the thorax to the abdomen to avoid overheating or cooling in order to obtain a prolonged flight performance. Scarabaeus sacer and S. cicatricosus, two sympatric species with the same habitat and food preferences, showed daily temporal segregation with S. cicatricosus being more active during warmer hours of the day in opposition to S. sacer who avoid it. In the case of S. sacer, their endothermy pattern suggested an adaptive capacity for thorax heat retention. In S. cicatricosus, an active ‘heat exchanger’ mechanism was suggested. However, no empirical evidence had been documented until now. Thermographic sequences recorded during flight performance showed evidence of the existence of both thermoregulatory mechanisms. In S. sacer, infrared sequences showed a possible heat insulator (passive thermal window), which prevents heat transfer from meso- and metathorax to the abdomen during flight. In S. cicatricosus, infrared sequences revealed clear and effective heat flow between the thorax and abdomen (abdominal heat transfer) that should be considered the main mechanism of thermoregulation. This was related to a subsequent increase in abdominal pumping (as a cooling mechanism) during flight. Computer microtomography scanning, anatomical dissections and internal air volume measurements showed two possible heat retention mechanisms for S. sacer; the abdominal air sacs and the development of the internal abdominal sternites that could explain the thermoregulation between thorax and abdomen. Our results suggest that interspecific interactions between sympatric species are regulated by very different mechanisms. These mechanisms create unique thermal niches for the different species, thereby preventing competition and modulating spatio-temporal distribution and the composition of dung beetle assemblages.
Dual graph-regularized Constrained Nonnegative Matrix Factorization for Image Clustering

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) has received considerable attention due to its effectiveness of reducing high dimensional data and importance of producing a parts-based image representation. Most of existing NMF variants attempt to address the assertion that the observed data distribute on a nonlinear low-dimensional manifold. However, recent research results showed that not only the observed data but also the features lie on the low-dimensional manifolds. In addition, a few hard priori label information is available and thus helps to uncover the intrinsic geometrical and discriminative structures of the data space. Motivated by the two aspects above mentioned, we propose a novel algorithm to enhance the effectiveness of image representation, called Dual graph-regularized Constrained Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (DCNMF). The underlying philosophy of the proposed method is that it not only considers the geometric structures of the data manifold and the feature manifold simultaneously, but also mines valuable information from a few known labeled examples. These schemes will improve the performance of image representation and thus enhance the effectiveness of image classification. Extensive experiments on common benchmarks demonstrated that DCNMF has its superiority in image classification compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Repeated microendoscopic discectomy for recurrent lumbar disk herniation

OBJECTIVES: To explore the microendoscopic discectomy technique and inclusion criteria for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation and to supply feasible criteria and technical notes to avoid complications and to increase the therapeutic effect. METHODS: A consecutive series of 25 patients who underwent posterior microendoscopic discectomy for recurrent lumbar disc herniation were included. The inclusion criteria were as follows: no severe pain in the lumbar region, no lumbar instability observed by flexion-extension radiography and no intervertebral discitis or endplate damage observed by magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were diagnosed by clinical manifestations and imaging examinations. RESULTS: Follow-up visits were carried out in all cases. Complications, such as nerve injuries, were not observed. The follow-up outcomes were graded using the MacNab criteria. A grade of excellent was given to 12 patients, good to 12 patients and fair to 1 patient. A grade of excellent or good occurred in 96% of cases. One patient relapsed 3 months after surgery and then underwent lumbar interbody fusion and inner fixation. The numerical rating scale of preoperative leg pain was 7.4± 1.5, whereas it decreased to 2.1±0.8 at 7 days after surgery. The preoperative Oswestry disability index of lumbar function was 57.5±10.0, whereas it was 26.0±8.5 at 7 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: In these cases, microendoscopic discectomy was able to achieve satisfactory clinical results. Furthermore, it has advantages over other methods because of its smaller incision, reduced bleeding and more efficient recovery.
Exact Topology and Parameter Estimation in Distribution Grids with Minimal Observability

Limited presence of nodal and line meters in distribution grids hinders their optimal operation and participation in real-time markets. In particular lack of real-time information on the grid topology and infrequently calibrated line parameters (impedances) adversely affect the accuracy of any operational power flow control. This paper suggests a novel algorithm for learning the topology of distribution grid and estimating impedances of the operational lines with minimal observational requirements-it provably reconstructs topology and impedances using voltage and injection measured only at the terminal (end-user) nodes of the distribution grid. All other (intermediate) nodes in the network may be unobserved/hidden. Furthermore no additional input (e.g., number of grid nodes, historical information on injections at hidden nodes) is needed for the learning to succeed. Performance of the algorithm is illustrated in numerical experiments on the IEEE and custom power distribution models.
Hierarchical Multi-Functional Layered Spatial Modulation

In pursuit of optimal index modulation -aided multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where information is implicitly conveyed by relying on the on/off mechanism of the system’s components in addition to the classical amplitude, phase, or frequency components, we present in a tutorial style our novel multi-functional (MF) architecture of layered multi-set (LMS) modulation. This generalized framework subsumes various MIMO techniques exhibiting different multiplexing and diversity functionalities. Our LMS design relies on three constituents, namely the space-time (ST) unit, the layered unit and the spatial switching unit. More specifically, the ST unit relies on the generalized space-time shift keying (GSTSK) scheme, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P$ </tex-math></inline-formula> – rather than one – out of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Q$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ST dispersion matrices are selected for dispersing an equivalent number of phase-shift keying/quadrature amplitude modulation symbols across the antennas and time-slots. In the layered unit, multiple GSTSK codewords are stacked within the layers of codewords spread over time and space. The spatial switching unit activates <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{c}^{t}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> out of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{t}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> transmit antennas. Owing to its hierarchical MF architecture, our LMS system strikes a flexible design trade-off between the achievable throughput as well as the attainable diversity gain and it can potentially subsume various conventional MIMO schemes, such as Bell Lab’s Layered Space-Time, space-time block codes, layered steered space-time codes, spatial modulation (SM), space-shift keying, linear dispersion codes, generalized SM, STSK, GSTSK, quadrature SM and multi-set STSK. Additionally, we derive the LMS system’s discrete-input continuous-output memoryless channel capacity, which encompasses the capacity limit of all the LMS subsidiaries. We also propose a two-stage serially concatenated soft-decision (SD) based LMS detector by relying on an inner and an outer decoder that iteratively exchange their extrinsic information in order to achieve a near-capacity performance. Last but not least, we utilize the extrinsic information transfer charts for analyzing the convergence behavior of our SD-aided coded LMS scheme.