Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Author ' s response to reviews Title : Longitudinal study of dental caries incidence assiciated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in patients with intellectual disabilities

Title:Longitudinal study of dental caries incidence assiciated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in patients with intellectual disabilities Title: Longitudinal study of dental caries incidence associated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in patients with intellectual disabilities In their manuscript entitled " Longitudinal study of dental caries incidence associated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in patients with intellectual disabilities " Oda et al. investigate the prevalence and incidence of two cariogenic species, Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus in 145 mentally disabled young individuals (age 6-30) applying end-point PCR. Major Compulsory points The study population is quite interesting but their mental handicaps are not specified or " quantified ". They were followed longitudinally over one year in their caries and caries-agent quantities but the method applied (end-point PCR) is a kind of obsolete. The English language needs improvement. Response to reviewer: The subjects were defined, and I added a Table. I also described the some sentences in Methods section. Minor Essential points Background line 4: the term " pathogen " for mutans-streptococci is obsolete or –at least
The Relationship Between Nanoscale Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Vanadium Oxide Nanorolls

In this paper, we explore the relationship between the nanoscale structure and electrochemical performance of nanoscale scrolls of vanadium oxides (vanadium oxide nanorolls). The vanadium oxide nanorolls, which are synthesized through a ligand‐assisted templating method, exhibit different morphologies and properties depending upon the synthetic conditions. Under highly reducing conditions, nearly perfect scrolls can be produced which have essentially no cracks in the walls (well‐ordered nanorolls). If the materials are produced under less reducing conditions, nanorolls with many cracks in the oxide walls can be generated (defect‐rich nanorolls). Both types of samples were examined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) to characterize their local structure, local redox state, and nanoscale structure. After ion‐exchange to replace the templating ammonium ions with Na+, the ability of these materials to electrochemically intercalate lithium reversibly was investigated. In sweep voltammetry experiments, the well‐ordered nanorolls showed responses similar to those seen in crystalline orthorhombic V2O5. In contrast, the defect‐rich vanadium oxide nanorolls behaved electrochemically more like sol–gel‐prepared vanadium oxide materials. Moreover, the specific capacity of the well‐ordered nanorolls was about 240 mA h g–1 while that of the defect rich nanorolls was found to be as much as 340 mA h g–1 under these same conditions. Disorders on both the atomic and nanometer length scales are believed to contribute to this difference.
Handling Periodic Properties: Deductive Verification for Quantified Temporal Logic Specifications

We present a deductive verification technique for the specifications written in terms of quantified propositional linear-time temporal logic (QPTL). The system extends previous natural deduction constructions for the propositional linear-time temporal logic. Our result expands the applicability of the natural deduction based verification in the temporal setting to more sophisticated specifications due to the expressive power of QPTL, which is equivalent to Buchi Automata. In particular, the paper introduces a novel formal framework to verify specifications of a larger set of useful periodic properties that are particularly important to maintain during different cycles of software integration. Moreover, the novel elegant and succinct natural deduction based verification method enables tracing the dependency of the verified properties on the assumptions of the underlying model and brings prospects for automation.
The Role of Thiamine Pyrophosphate in Prevention of Cisplatin Ototoxicity in an Animal Model

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thiamine pyrophosphate against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs. Materials and Methods. Healthy guinea pigs (n = 18) were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 6) received an intraperitoneal injection of saline solution and cisplatin for 7 days, group 2 (n = 6) received an intraperitoneal injection of thiamine pyrophosphate and cisplatin for 7 days, and group 3 (n = 6) received only intraperitoneal injection of saline for 7 days. The animals in all groups were sacrificed under anesthesia, and their cochleas were harvested for morphological and biochemical observations. Results. In group 1, receiving only cisplatin, cochlear glutathione concentrations, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde concentrations significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. In group 2, receiving thiamine pyrophosphate and cisplatin, the concentrations of enzymes were near those of the control group. Microscopic examination showed that outer hair cells, spiral ganglion cells, and stria vascularis were preserved in group 2. Conclusion. Systemic administration of thiamine pyrophosphate yielded statistically significant protection to the cochlea of guinea pigs from cisplatin toxicity. Further experimental animal studies are essential to determine the appropriate indications of thiamine pyrophosphate before clinical use.
My past and thoughts;: The memoirs of Alexander Herzen

Alexander Herzen's own brilliance and the extraordinary circumstances of his life combine to place his memoirs among the great testimonies of the modern era. Born in 1812, the illegitimate son of a wealthy Russian landowner, he became one of the most important revolutionary and intellectual figures of his time - as theorist, polemicist and political actor; and fifty years after his death Lenin pronounced him 'the father of Russian socialism'. "My Past and Thoughts" uniquely assimilates the personal to the historical, and is both a classic of autobiography an an unparalleled record of his century's remarkable life. His account of a privileged childhood among the Russian aristocracy is illuminated with the insight of a great novelist; his friends and enemies - Marx, Wagner, Mill, Bakunin, Garibaldi, Kropotkin - are brought brilliantly to life; and as a sceptical and free-thinking observer, he unerringly traces the line of revolutionary development, from the earliest stirrings of Russian radicalism through the tumultuous ideological debates of the International. 'His power of observation is extraordinary. He tells a story with the economy of a great reporter. His gift is for knowing not only what people are, but how they are historically situated. Somewhere in the pages of this hard, honest observer of what movements do to men, we shall find ourselves' - V. S. Pritchett.
RNA-Containing Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies in Ciliated Bronchial Epithelium Months to Years after Acute Kawasaki Disease

Background Kawasaki Disease (KD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in developed nations. The KD etiologic agent is unknown but likely to be a ubiquitous microbe that usually causes asymptomatic childhood infection, resulting in KD only in genetically susceptible individuals. KD synthetic antibodies made from prevalent IgA gene sequences in KD arterial tissue detect intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (ICI) resembling viral ICI in acute KD but not control infant ciliated bronchial epithelium. The prevalence of ICI in late-stage KD fatalities and in older individuals with non-KD illness should be low, unless persistent infection is common. Methods and Principal Findings Lung tissue from late-stage KD fatalities and non-infant controls was examined by light microscopy for the presence of ICI. Nucleic acid stains and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed on tissues that were strongly positive for ICI. ICI were present in ciliated bronchial epithelium in 6/7 (86%) late-stage KD fatalities and 7/27 (26%) controls ages 9–84 years (p = 0.01). Nucleic acid stains revealed RNA but not DNA within the ICI. ICI were also identified in lung macrophages in some KD cases. TEM of bronchial epithelium and macrophages from KD cases revealed finely granular homogeneous ICI. Significance These findings are consistent with a previously unidentified, ubiquitous RNA virus that forms ICI and can result in persistent infection in bronchial epithelium and macrophages as the etiologic agent of KD.
The Effect of Previous Diet on Plaque pH Response to Different Foods

In this study we investigated the effect of previous diet on the response of plaque pH to three test foods. The study population consisted of 11 dental students. Plaque pH was measured, by means of the touch electrode method, on the first two upper molars. The study was conducted at two sessions, one week apart. Subjects followed a 48-hour high-sugar diet before the first test session and a 48-hour low-sugar diet before the second test session. During both 48-hour periods, students refrained from all oral hygiene practices and fluoride utilization. At each session, three foods were ingested at one-hour intervals : cola, beer, and chocolate bar. pH measurements at baseline and at selected times after food ingestion were recorded and analyzed. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant independent effects of food, previous diet, and their interaction on plaque pH. After the same foods were ingested, plaque pH response after a previous high-sugar diet was significantly more acidic than after a previous low-sugar diet.
RNN Decoding of Linear Block Codes

Designing a practical, low complexity, close to optimal, channel decoder for powerful algebraic codes with short to moderate block length is an open research problem. Recently it has been shown that a feed-forward neural network architecture can improve on standard belief propagation decoding, despite the large example space. In this paper we introduce a recurrent neural network architecture for decoding linear block codes. Our method shows comparable bit error rate results compared to the feed-forward neural network with significantly less parameters. We also demonstrate improved performance over belief propagation on sparser Tanner graph representations of the codes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the RNN decoder can be used to improve the performance or alternatively reduce the computational complexity of the mRRD algorithm for low complexity, close to optimal, decoding of short BCH codes.
The Human Genome Project: Assessing Confidence in Knowledge and Training Requirements for Community Pharmacists

Objectives. This study evaluated community pharmacists' confidence in their knowledge regarding the advances in the human genome project (HGP) and determined their requirements for education and training on this subject. Methods. A survey was administered to community pharmacists (N=377) working in the Houston Metropolitan Area using a convenient sampling process. Results. In general, respondents indicated that their confidence in knowledge regarding the HGP, genetic testing, and pharmacogenomics was less than 50%. Overall, pharmacists believe that they should receive training on the proper handling of drugs developed from the advances in the HGP. In addition, they agreed that pharmacists should be required to take at least 2 CE credits on human genetics and that pharmacy schools should include information regarding the advances in the HGP in their curriculum. Conclusion. Pharmacist should be educated in the advances of the HGP and the implications of such advances on their professional responsibilities.
Middle East Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in <12 Months Old Infants

This paper covers algorithms for the management of regurgitation, constipation and infantile colic in infants. Anti-regurgitation formula may be considered in infants with troublesome regurgitation, while diagnostic investigations or drug therapy are not indicated in the absence of warning signs. Although probiotics have shown some positive evidence for the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), the evidence is not strong enough to make a recommendation. A partially hydrolyzed infant formula with prebiotics and β-palmitate may be considered as a dietary intervention for functional constipation in formula fed infants. Lactulose has been shown to be effective and safe in infants younger than 6 months that are constipated. Macrogol (polyethylene glycol, PEG) is not approved for use in infants less than 6 months of age. However, PEG is preferred over lactulose in infants >6 months of age. Limited data suggests that infant formula with a partial hydrolysate, galacto-oligosaccharides/fructo-oligosaccharides, added β-palmitate may be of benefit in reducing infantile colic in formula fed infants in cases where cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is not suspected. Evidence suggests that the use of extensively hydrolyzed infant formula for a formula-fed baby and a cow's milk free diet for a breastfeeding mother may be beneficial to decrease infantile colic if CMPA is suspected. None of the FGIDs is a reason to stop breastfeeding.
Data Structure Optimization for Power- Efficient IP Lookup Architectures

Power consumption has become a limiting factor in designing next generation network routers. Recent observation shows that IP lookup engines dominate the power consumption of core routers. Previous work on reducing power consumption of routers mainly focused on network- and system-level optimizations. This paper represents the first thorough study on the data structure optimization for lowering the power consumption in static random access memory (SRAM)-based IP lookup engines. Three different SRAM-based IP lookup architectures are discussed: nonpipelined, simple pipelined, and memory-balanced pipelined architectures. For each architecture, we formulate the problem of power minimization by revisiting the time-space tradeoff in multibit tries. Two distinct multibit trie algorithms are investigated: the expanded trie and the tree bitmap trie, which are widely used in SRAM-based IP lookup solutions. A theoretical framework is proposed to determine the optimal strides for building a multibit trie so that the worst-case power consumption of the IP lookup architecture is minimized. Experiments using real-life routing tables including both IPv4 and IPv6 data sets demonstrate that careful selection of strides in building the multibit tries can reduce the power consumption dramatically. We believe our methodology can be applied to other variants of multibit tries and can help in designing more power-efficient SRAM-based IP lookup architectures.
Social Deprivation, Political Alienationand Community Empowerment.The geography of voter turnout in Ireland,1997-2002, andits Association with Social Deprivation.

The Irish political system has become increasingly characterised by declining turnout rates in the past few decades, with this accompanied by very low turnouts in a number of areas and for certain elections types. This thesis addresses this context through analysing turnout variations in recent election using a spatial framework and focussing particularly on how these spatial patterns in turnout are associated with levels of social well being. Other factors were also analysed in terms of their impacts on turnout variations, namely a range of social and political factors. Constituency level and sub-constituency level analyses are used to analyse the extent to which deprivation may influence turnout levels and to determine whether this relationship is stronger in urban or rural areas or for different types of elections. The use of marked register turnout data allows this relationship to be tested using very detailed data for small geographical areas. The ecological modelling of turnout variance is upheld by the use of individual level analyses (through the use of questionnaires and interviews). Strong associations between turnout and social well-being for urban areas were uncovered in the Dublin study area, with turnouts generally lower in the more deprived areas. There was no evidence of such a relationship in the rural areas for local elections, although there was a pattern in which turnouts were lower in the more deprived areas in general elections and, especially, referenda. Election-specific influences on the relationship between turnout and deprivation were uncovered, with class influences being more pertinent in relation to referendum turnouts. Other socio-economic and demographic influences were shown to have a bearing on spatial variations in Irish turnouts, such as age and residential mobility, with the effect of such influences being particularly pronounced in certain geographical contexts. Political mobilisation factors were also shown to have a bearing on Irish turnout variations, with local election turnouts in areas being especially determined by the presence, or nonpresence, of candidates local to the area in the contest.
Randomized trial of pragmatic education for low-risk COPD patients: impact on hospitalizations and emergency department visits

Background: Most interventions aimed at reducing hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have employed resource-intense programs in high-risk individuals. Although COPD is a progressive disease, little is known about the effectiveness of proactive interventions aimed at preventing hospitalizations and ED visits in the much larger population of low-risk (no known COPD-related hospitalizations or ED visits in the prior year) patients, some of whom will eventually become high-risk. Methods: We tested the effect of a simple educational and self-efficacy intervention (n = 2243) versus usual care (n = 2182) on COPD/breathing-related ED visits and hospitalizations in a randomized study of low-risk patients at three Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in the upper Midwest. Administrative data was used to track VA admissions and ED visits. A patient survey was used to determine health-related events outside the VA. Results: Rates of COPD-related VA hospitalizations in the education and usual care group were not significantly different (3.4 versus 3.6 admissions per 100 person-years, respectively; 95% CI of difference −1.3 to 1.0, P = 0.77). The much higher patient-reported rates of non-VA hospitalizations for breathing-related problems were lower in the education group (14.0 versus 19.0 per 100 person-years; 95% CI −8.6 to −1.4, P = 0.006). Rates of COPD-related VA ED visits were not significantly different (6.8 versus 5.3; 95% CI −0.1 to 3.0, P = 0.07), nor were non-VA ED visits (32.4 versus 36.5; 95% CI −9.3 to 1.1, P = 0.12). All-cause VA admission and ED rates did not differ. Mortality rates (6.9 versus 8.3 per 100 person-years, respectively; 95% CI −3.0 to 0.4, P = 0.13) did not differ. Conclusion: An educational intervention that is practical for large numbers of low-risk patients with COPD may reduce the rate of breathing-related hospitalizations. Further research that more closely tracks hospitalizations to non-VA facilities is needed to confirm this finding.
Immunocytochemical studies of cardiac myofibrillogenesis in early chick embryos. I. Presence of immunofluorescent titin spots in premyofibril stages

Our initial attempts to immunolabel intact myocardial walls of 4-12 somite stage chick embryos were hindered by the presence of the cardiac jelly that covers the inner myocardial wall surface and prevents the access of antibodies to that surface. We overcame this difficulty by treating the specimens with hyaluronidase, which made the cardiac jelly permeable to the antibodies. An additional nonionic detergent treatment made the two or more cell layers of the myocardial wall accessible to the antibodies from both surfaces of the wall. Specimens treated in this manner were fluorescently labeled with antibodies to titin, myosin, or actin or with NBD-phallacidin for F-actin and examined as whole mount preparations or cut into semithin sections after resin embedding. These preparations and sections revealed that titin, a putative scaffolding protein of sarcomeres, is present in a punctate state and also in a diffuse form throughout the cytoplasm of cardiac myocytes in the premyofibril stages (4-7 somite stages) as well as in the early stages of myofibril formation. We interpreted the punctate and diffuse states to represent an aggregated state of several titin molecules and a dispersed state of individual titin molecules, respectively. In the 4-7 somite cardiac primodia, myosin and actin show only a uniform labeling throughout the cytoplasm of the myocytes. These observations are in contrast to a previous report that titin and myosin are tightly linked during in vitro skeletal myofibrillogenesis (Hill, C. S., S. Duran, Z. Ling, K. Weber, and H. Holtzer, 1986, J. Cell Biol., 103:2185-2196). In the 8-11 somite stage hearts, the number of individual titin spots rapidly reduces, while the number of myofibrils with periodically aligned titin spots increases, which strongly suggests that the titin spots are incorporated into the newly arising myofibrils. Titin spots were seen as doublets only after titin spots were incorporated into the first myofibrils. However, the fact that the distance between the components of the narrowest doublet was close to the resolution limit of the light microscope left open the possibility that undiscernible doublets of submicroscopic separations might exist in the premyofibril stages. The myosin labeling revealed the sarcomeric periodicity in an earlier stage of myofibril development than the F- actin labeling. In addition, we made two morphogenic observations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
AGE AT MENARCHE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH: SECULAR TRENDS AND ASSOCIATION WITH ADULT ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES AND SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS

Summary Age at menarche has been shown to be an important indicator for diseases such as breast cancer and ischaemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to document secular trends in age at menarche and their association with anthropometric measures and socio-demographic factors in university students in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 995 students from Rajshahi University using a stratified sampling technique between July 2004 and May 2005. Trends in age at menarche were examined by linear regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association of age at menarche with adult anthropometric measures and various socio-demographic factors. The mean and median age of menarche were 13.12±1.16 and 13.17 years, respectively, with an increasing tendency among birth-year cohorts from 1979 to 1986. Menarcheal age was negatively associated with BMI (p<0.01), but positively associated with height (p<0.05). Early menarche was especially pronounced among students from urban environments, Muslims and those with better educated mothers. Increasing age at menarche may be explained by improved nutritional status among Bangladeshi populations. Early menarche was associated with residence location at adolescence, religion and mother's education.