Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Efficacy Of 0.2% Chlorhexidine versus Herbal Oral Rinse on Plaque Induced Gingivitis- A Randomized Clinical Trail

Background: Supragingival plaque control is fundamental to the prevention and management of periodontal diseases. However significant proportions of all individuals fail to practice a high standard of plaque removal. The adjunctive use of chemicals would, therefore appear a way of overcoming deficiencies in mechanical tooth cleaning habits. This prospective, randomized positively controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the short-term clinical effects of a Herbal mouthwash in the reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation in subjects with gingivitis. Methods: Fifty subjects, 20 to 40 years of age diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 Chlorhexidine mouthwash, Group 2 Herbal mouthwash. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index, the plaque index and bleeding on probing at baseline, 1 weeks, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Results: Both chlorhexidine and herbal mouthwash showed a significant reduction in Plaque and gingival index scores from baseline to 1st week, 2nd week and at 4th week. However, the improvement in plaque and gingival index scores were better in chlorhexidine group than herbal mouthwash. Both mouthwashes were found to be equally effective in reducing bleeding on probing. Conclusions: Unlike chlorhexidine mouthwash, herbal mouthwash was not associated with any discoloration of teeth or unpleasant taste and was effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. However, Chlorhexidine still remains a gold standard in reducing plaque, gingivitis and bleeding on probing.
Consistency, Consolidation, and Cognition in Autobiographical Memories: a Flashbulb Memory Approach

Flashbulb memories are highly vivid and long-lasting memories for events that are emotionally significant and personally important. These memories are held in very high confidence in accuracy over an extended period. In particular, individuals believe that they can remember the personal details surrounding the event such as where they were and what they were doing at the time the event occurred. Evidence from research, however, indicates that this may not be the case. The study of flashbulb memories has typically been confined to negative events such as September 11, 2001. In the current study, we employ the methods of Talarico and Rubin (2003) to investigate flashbulb memory formation to a positive event. The event is the assassination of Osama bin Laden, which resonated as a highly positive event for many Americans evidenced by the thousands of people flooding the streets of Washington, D.C. and New York City to celebrate. We examined various memory properties over a one-year period, including vividness, rehearsal, belief in accuracy, and consistency. Results confirm the formation of flashbulb memories to the assassination event, but results did not support many of the proposed hypotheses. Some differences were found for different testing groups (i.e., immediate versus one week delay), but these were not replicated at the one year follow-up. Overall, however, it is believed that the current event, while still a flashbulb memory, was not a strong enough event to stir strong emotions and form memories on par with 9/11.
Spread of Plague Among Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs is Associated with Colony Spatial Characteristics

ABSTRACT Sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) is an exotic pathogen that is highly virulent in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and causes widespread colony losses and individual mortality rates >95%. We investigated colony spatial characteristics that may influence inter-colony transmission of plague at 3 prairie dog colony complexes in the Great Plains. The 4 spatial characteristics we considered include: colony size, Euclidean distance to nearest neighboring colony, colony proximity index, and distance to nearest drainage (dispersal) corridor. We used multi-state mark—recapture models to determine the relationship between these colony characteristics and probability of plague transmission among prairie dog colonies. Annual mapping of colonies and mark—recapture analyses of disease dynamics in natural colonies led to 4 main results: 1) plague outbreaks exhibited high spatial and temporal variation, 2) the site of initiation of epizootic plague may have substantially influenced the subsequent inter-colony spread of plague, 3) the longterm effect of plague on individual colonies differed among sites because of how individuals and colonies were distributed, and 4) colony spatial characteristics were related to the probability of infection at all sites although the relative importance and direction of relationships varied among sites. Our findings suggest that conventional prairie dog conservation management strategies, including promoting large, highly connected colonies, may need to be altered in the presence of plague.
Current measurements by SAR along-track interferometry from a Space Shuttle

We present one of the first studies on ocean current retrievals from interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data acquired during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in February 2000. The InSAR system of SRTM was designed for high-resolution topographic mapping of the Earth's land surfaces, using two SAR antennas on a Space Shuttle with a cross-track separation of 60 m. An additional along-track antenna separation of 7 m resulted in an effective time lag of about 0.5 ms between the two images, which could theoretically be exploited for target velocity retrievals. However, the feasibility of ocean current measurements with SRTM has been questionable, since the time lag was much shorter than the theoretical optimum (about 3 ms at X-band) and the signal-to-noise ratio over water was quite low. Nevertheless, some X-band InSAR images of coastal areas exhibit clear signatures of tidal flow patterns. As an example, we discuss an image of the Dutch Wadden Sea. We convert the InSAR data into a line-of-sight current field, which is then compared with results of the numerical circulation model KUSTWAD. For tidal phases close to the conditions at the time of the SRTM overpass; we obtain correlation coefficients of up to 0.6 and rms differences on the order of 0.2 m/s. Furthermore we find that SRTM resolves current variations down to spatial scales on the order of 1 km. This is consistent with predictions of a numerical InSAR imaging model. Remaining differences between SRTM- and KUSTWAD-derived currents can be attributed mainly to residual motion errors in the SRTM data as well as to a limited representation of the conditions at the time of the SRTM overpass in the available KUSTWAD results.
Effects of sensorimotor learning on the human mirror neuron system

The discovery, in the monkey, of “mirror” neurons, which fire in response both to the performance and to the observation of specific actions, has prompted extensive research into their properties, and into the possible functions of a putative mirror neuron system in humans. Little is known, however, about how such neurons acquire their matching properties. This thesis addresses this question using a variety of techniques. Imitation is one of the key processes thought to be subserved by the mirror neuron system; Chapter 3 shows that automatic imitation effects are separable from spatial compatibility effects. This establishes automatic imitation effects as suitable targets for experimental manipulations of mirror neuron system function. Strengthening this conclusion, Chapter 4 indicates that automatic imitation effects can be delayed by repetitive theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the inferior frontal gyrus, an area homologous with the premotor F5 mirror neuron area in the macaque. In Chapter 5, single-pulse TMS is used to produce motor evoked potentials (MEPs). In an action observation experiment, an automatic muscle-specific “mirror” effect is shown: the size of the MEP in a given muscle is sensitive to the identity of the muscle that would be used to perform the observed movement. It is then demonstrated that this effect can be reversed following a period of incompatible sensorimotor training. This result is built upon in Chapter 6: it is shown behaviourally that incompatible sensorimotor training can reduce automatic imitation effects, and, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, that it can reverse neural responses to observed actions in the human mirror neuron system. It is concluded that sensorimotor learning can reconfigure the human mirror neuron system, and that it is, therefore, a mechanism through which the mirror neuron system can acquire its ability to match observed with performed actions.
Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum. Some clinical aspects.

Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum is a disorder which has tended to escape the attention of paediatricians, though the first symptoms and signs usually develop during childhood. Since the original independent descriptions in 1898 by Anderson and by Fabry, it has been recognized as a systemic disease rather than a dermatological curiosity. Recent work by Sweeley and Klionsky (1963, 1966) suggests that there is a defect in glycolipid synthesis leading to the accumulation of a previously unidentified substance mainly in the walls of blood vessels and in the kidneys. They showed that the major part of this stored glycolipid was ceramide trihexoside or ceramide dihexoside, perhaps resulting from failure of the normal katabolic process to remove further hexose units. They did not identify the defective enzyme reaction. Histological studies using an electron microscope showed the presence of 'myelin figures', resembling those found in Tay-Sachs' disease (Hashimoto, Gross, and Lever, 1965; Frost, Tanaka, and Spaeth, 1966). Hashimoto and his colleagues, therefore, suggested that the defect was in the lysosomal enzymes affecting phospholipoprotein metabolism. However, as the storage products are glycolipids, this is unlikely, but the abnormal enzyme may still be in the lysosomes. In 1962, Wise, Wallace, and Jellinek, in reviewing the cases reported up to that time, pointed out as characteristic features the pains in the extremities, the distribution and appearance of the rash, and the ocular abnormalities. Death usually occurred from renal failure. With wider recognition of the disease, it is becoming apparent that there is rather more variation in the clinical picture, not only between families but also in the same family. The present kindred illustrates this variability. In particular, it is now clear that the disorder may
Safety and Immunogenicity of the Malaria Vaccine Candidate MSP3 Long Synthetic Peptide in 12–24 Months-Old Burkinabe Children

Background A Phase Ia trial in European volunteers of the candidate vaccine merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3), a Plasmodium falciparum blood stage membrane, showed that it induces biologically active antibodies able to achieve parasite killing in vitro, while a phase Ib trial in semi-immune adult volunteers in Burkina Faso confirmed that the vaccine was safe. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and immunogenicity of this vaccine candidate in children aged 12–24 months living in malaria endemic area of Burkina Faso. Methods The study was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, dose escalation phase Ib trial, designed to assess the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of three doses of either 15 or 30 µg of MSP3-LSP adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide in 45 children 12 to 24 months of age randomized into three equal groups. Each group received 3 vaccine doses (on days 0, 28 and 56) of either 15 µg of MSP3-LSP, 30 µg of MSP3-LSP or of the Engerix B hepatitis B vaccine. Children were visited at home daily for the 6 days following each vaccination to solicit symptoms which might be related to vaccination. Serious adverse events occurring during the study period (1 year) were recorded. Antibody responses to MSP3-LSP were measured on days 0, 28, 56 and 84. Results All 45 enrolled children received three MSP3 vaccine doses. No serious adverse events were reported. Most of the adverse events reported were mild to moderate in severity. The only reported local symptoms with grade 3 severity were swelling and induration, with an apparently dose related response. All grade 3 adverse events resolved without any sequelae. Both MSP3 doses regimens were able to elicit high levels of anti-MSP3 specific IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies in the volunteers with very little or no increase in IgG2, IgG4 and IgM classes: i.e. vaccination induced predominantly the isotypes involved in the monocyte-dependent mechanism of P. falciparum parasite-killing. Conclusion Our results support the promise of MSP3-LSP as a malaria vaccine candidate, both in terms of tolerability and of immunogenicity. Further assessment of the efficacy of this vaccine is recommended. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00452088
Still slow, but even steadier: an update on the evolution of turtle cranial disparity interpolating shapes along branches

In a previous study, we estimated the cranial disparity of turtles (Testudinata) through time using geometric morphometric data from both terminal taxa and hypothetical ancestors to compensate for temporal gaps in the fossil record. While this method yielded reasonable results for the Mesozoic and the early Cenozoic, we found a large drop in cranial disparity for the Miocene, for which we found no correlation with known environmental changes or extinction events. Instead, we speculated that the Miocene dip was a result of poor sampling of fossils or ancestors in this time bin. To countervail this problem, we here updated our original dataset and interpolated changes of shape along the branch lengths and compared them with the previous data. We furthermore explored the impact of topological and temporal uncertainty, demonstrating that the Miocene dip, indeed, is a sampling artefact. All remaining conclusions of the previous study could be more or less supported, nevertheless, including an apparent correlation with global biogeographic events, a minor correlation between cranial disparity and global temperature, and resilience across the K/T extinction event.
Comparison of the cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory properties of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective COX-2 inhibitors, using sensitive microsomal and platelet assays.

Two forms of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity are involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and thromboxanes in mammalian cells. There is now convincing evidence, obtained with a number of structurally distinct inhibitors, that selective COX-2 inhibitors possess anti-inflammatory effects with an improved gastrointestinal tolerability compared with conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) affecting both COX-1 and COX-2. As more selective COX-2 inhibitors are being developed, assays with a high degree of sensitivity to inhibition are needed to compare the relative effects of compounds on COX-1 activity. In the present report, we describe a sensitive assay for the inhibition of human COX-1 based on the production of prostaglandin E2 by microsomes from U937 cells incubated with a subsaturating concentration of arachidonic acid. More than 45 NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors were tested in this assay. IC50 values ranged from 1 nM for flunixin and flurbiprofen to about 200-500 microM for salicylate and acetaminophen. Potent and nonselective NSAIDs such as sulindac sulfide, diclofenac, and indomethacin showed IC50 values of < 20 nM. Among the compounds that have been reported to show selectivity for COX-2, the rank order of potency against COX-1 was DuP 697 > SC-58451 > celecoxib > nimesulide-meloxicam-piroxicam-NS-398-RS-57067 > SC-57666 > SC-58125 > flosulide > etodolac > L-745,337 > DFU-T-614, with IC50 values ranging from 7 nM to 17 microM. A good correlation was obtained between the IC50 values for the inhibition of microsomal COX-1 and both the inhibition of TXB2 production by Ca2+ ionophore challenged platelets and the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production by CHO cells stably expressing human COX-1. However, the microsomal assay was more sensitive to inhibition than cell-based assays and allowed the detection of inhibitory effects on COX-1 for all NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors examined with discrimination of their potency under conditions of limited availability of arachidonic acid.
Nucleosynthesis in a simmering universe

Primordial nucleosynthesis is considered a success story of the standard big bang (SBB) cosmology. The cosmological and elementary particle physics parameters are believed to be severely constrained by the requirement of correct abundances of light elements. We demonstrate nucleosynthesis in a class of models very different from SBB. In these models the cosmological scale factor increases linearly with time from the period during which nucleosynthesis occurs. It turns out that weak interactions remain in thermal equilibrium upto temperatures which are two orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding temperatures in SBB. Inverse beta decay of the proton can ensure adequate production of several light elements while producing primordial metallicity much higher than that produced in SBB. Other attractive features of these models are the absence of the horizon, flatness and initial singularity problems, consistency with the age of globular clusters and consistent relationships between redshift and luminosity distance, angular diameter distance and the galaxy number count.
Performance comparison of image segmentation techniques for Infrared images

Thermographic images are used for condition monitoring of electrical equipment. To identify thermal anomalies, segmentation is performed on infrared images. Segmentation of IR images needs special attention as compared to visual images because of over-centralized intensity distribution in Infrared images. This paper presents an effort to compare various segmentation techniques and to find out a technique which is more suitable for Infrared images. Comparison has been done in terms of Accuracy, Precision, Sensitivity and Specificity. Five most promising methods available in the literature are considered for analysis and comparison. Region growing method gives better result for Infrared images. All other techniques cause over-segmentation because of un-even distribution of intensity in thermographic images.
A Novel Subblock-Based Frequency-Domain Equalizer over Doubly-Selective Channels

A novel frequency-domain equalizer (FDE) is proposed for single-carrier block transmission over a doubly-selective channel. The proposed FDE partitions a received block into multiple subblocks in order to reduce the effect of the time variation of the channel. The nonuniformity in the error statistics of a subblock-based FDE is analyzed, when a one-tap minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) equalizer is employed. The nonuniformity is exploited to remove the drawback of subblock processing so that the performance of a subblock-based FDE is significantly improved. Numerical results show that the proposed FDE has much better performance than other known subblock-based FDEs. Furthermore, it has robust performance over high Doppler environments.
Prior authorization for antidepressants in Medicaid: effects among disabled dual enrollees.

BACKGROUND Prior authorization is a popular, but understudied, strategy for reducing medication costs. We evaluated the impact of a controversial prior authorization policy in Michigan Medicaid on antidepressant use and health outcomes among dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollees with a Social Security Disability Insurance designation of permanent disability. METHODS We linked Medicaid and Medicare (2000-2003) claims for dual enrollees in Michigan and a comparison state, Indiana. Using interrupted time-series and longitudinal data analysis, we estimated the impact of the policy on antidepressant medication use, treatment initiation, disruptions in therapy, and adverse health events among continuously enrolled (Michigan, n = 28 798; Indiana, n = 21 769) and newly treated (Michigan, n = 3671; Indiana, n = 2400) patients. RESULTS In Michigan, the proportion of patients starting nonpreferred agents declined from 53% prepolicy to 20% postpolicy. The prior authorization policy was associated with a small sustained decrease in therapy initiation overall (9 per 10,000 population; P = .007). We also observed a short-term increase in switching among established users of nonpreferred agents overall (risk ratio, 2.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-4.42) and among those with depression (2.04; 1.22-3.42). However, we found no evidence of increased disruptions in treatment or adverse events (ie, hospitalization, emergency department use) among newly treated patients. CONCLUSIONS Prior authorization was associated with increased use of preferred agents with no evidence of disruptions in therapy or adverse health events among new users. However, unintended effects on treatment initiation and switching among patients already taking the drug were also observed, lending support to the state's previous decision to discontinue prior approval for antidepressants in 2003.
The Effects of Storage Temperature on the Growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Organoleptic Properties in Oysters

During harvesting and storage, microbial pathogens and natural spoilage flora may grow, negatively affecting the composition and texture of oysters and posing a potential health threat to susceptible consumers. A solution to these problems would mitigate associated damaging effects on the seafood industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of storage temperature on growth of vibrios as well as other microbial, sensory, and textural characteristics of post-harvest shellstock Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Oysters harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, during summer months (June, July, and August, 2010) were subjected to three storage temperatures (5, 10, and 20°C) over a 10-day period. At selected time intervals (0, 1, 3, 7, and 10 days), two separate samples of six oysters each were homogenated and analyzed for pH, halophilic plate counts (HPC), total vibrios, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). Oyster meats shucked after storage were also organoleptically evaluated (acceptability, appearance, and odor). Texture analysis was performed using a texture analyzer on meats shucked from oysters held under the same conditions. The pH of the oyster homogenates showed no consistent pattern with storage time and temperature. The HPC (4.5–9.4 log CFU/g) were highest on day 7 at 20°C while olfactory acceptance reduced with time and increasing storage temperatures. The Vp counts increased over time from 3.5 to 7.5 log MPN/g by day 10. Loss of freshness as judged by appearance and odor was significant over time (p < 0.05). Toughness of oysters increased with storage time at 5 and 10°C from days 1 to 3 but was inconsistent after day 7. The results indicate that the length of storage and temperature had a significant effect on bacterial counts and olfactory acceptance of oysters but had an inconsistent effect on texture.