Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis, prognosis and decision-making in the treatment of combined periodontal-endodontic lesions.

Exposed dentinal tubules in areas of denuded cementum may serve as communication pathways between the pulp and periodontal ligament (Fig. 1). Exposure of dentinal tubules may occur due to developmental defects, disease, or periodontal procedures. In the root, dentinal tubules extend from the pulp to the dentinocemental junction (73). They run a relatively straight course and range in size from 1 to 3 mm in diameter (126). The diameter of the tubules decreases with age or as a response to a continuous low grade stimuli by the apposition of highly mineralized peritubular dentin. The number of dentinal tubules varies from approximately 8,000 at the dentinocemental junction to 57,000 per square millimeter at the pulpal end (126). In the cervical area of the root there are about 15,000 dentinal tubules per square millimeter (73). These tubules may be denuded of their cementum coverage as a result of periodontal disease, surgical procedures or developmentally when the cementum and enamel do not meet at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) thus leaving areas of exposed dentin. Patients experiencing cervical dentin hypersensitivity are an example of such a phenomena. Scanning electron microscopic studies have demonstrated that dentin exposure at the CEJ occurrs in 18% of teeth in general and in 25% of anterior teeth in particular (132). Furthermore, the same tooth may have different CEJ characteristics with dentin exposure on one side while the other sides are covered with cementum (162). This area becomes important in assessing the progression of endodontic pathogens (Fig. 2), as well as the effect of root scaling and planing on cementum integrity, and bleaching-induced root resorption following the use of 30% hydrogen peroxide (50, 78, 153, 154). Other areas of dentinal communication may be through developmental grooves, both palatogingival and apical (173).
Curiosity-driven exploration enhances motor skills of continuous actor-critic learner

Guiding the action selection mechanism of an autonomous agent for learning control behaviors is a crucial issue in reinforcement learning. While classical approaches to reinforcement learning seem to be deeply dependent on external feedback, intrinsically motivated approaches are more natural and follow the principles of infant sensorimotor development. In this work, we investigate the role of incremental learning of predictive models in generating curiosity, an intrinsic motivation, for directing the agent's choice of action and propose a curiosity-driven reinforcement learning algorithm for continuous motor control. Our algorithm builds an internal representation of the state space that handles the computation of curiosity signals using the learned predictive models and extends the Continuous-Actor-Critic-Learning-Automaton to use extrinsic and intrinsic feedback. Evaluation of our algorithm on simple and complex robotic control tasks shows a significant performance gain for the intrinsically motivated goal reaching agent compared to agents that are only motivated by extrinsic rewards.
The Market Reaction to Stock Splits — Evidence from Germany

This paper investigates the market reaction to stock splits, using a set of German firms. Similar to the findings in the U.S., I find significant positive abnormal returns around both the announcement and the execution day of German stock splits. I also observe an increase in return variance and in liquidity after the ex-day.Apparently, legal restrictions strongly limit the ability of German companies to use a stock split for signaling. I find that abnormal returns around the announcement day are consistently much lower in Germany than in the U.S. Further, I find that abnormal returns around the announcement day are not related to changes in liquidity, but (negatively) to firm size, thus lending support to the neglected firm hypothesis.On the methodological side the effect of thin trading on event study results is examined. Using trade-to-trade returns increases the significance of abnormal returns, but the difference between alternative return measurement methods is relatively small in short event periods. Thus, the observed market reaction cannot be attributed to measurement problems caused by thin trading.
Contraception for Adolescents and Young Adults in the Inpatient Setting: The Providers' Perspective.

OBJECTIVES To assess pediatric providers' attitudes and barriers to initiating a contraceptive method in the inpatient setting. METHODS Pediatric attending physicians and trainees from 5 academic institutions were surveyed about contraceptive prescribing practices, attitudes, and potential barriers to initiating contraception in the inpatient setting. RESULTS In 2016, 271 pediatric providers (34.0% were attending physicians, 18.1% fellows, and 47.9% residents) completed the survey; the response rate was 19.2%. Most participants practiced in both inpatient and outpatient settings (95.7% and 85.0%, respectively). More providers felt confident screening for sexual activity among young adults as compared with adolescents (71.9% vs 65.6%). The same was true for discussing contraceptive options (44.0% vs 38.8%, respectively). Inpatient providers reported seeing adolescents and young adults privately, discussing confidentiality, and asking about sex less than half of the time. More than 80% of providers agreed that it would be appropriate to initiate a contraceptive method for inpatients; 35.8% had done so, and 85.2% indicated that having additional consultation would increase initiation of a contraceptive method in the hospital (88.1% felt similarly for long-active reversible contraception methods). General barriers to initiating contraception included insufficient training, insufficient exposure to adolescents and young adults to maintain skills, and lack of time. Barriers specific to the inpatient setting included concerns about follow-up, confidentiality, and interference with the treatment plan. CONCLUSIONS Initiation of a contraceptive method in the inpatient setting is acceptable to providers. In our findings, it is suggested that strategies are needed to enhance provision of these services by addressing confidentiality concerns and educating providers.
NESTING SUCCESS OF GRASSLAND AND SAVANNA BIRDS ON RECLAIMED SURFACE COAL MINES OF THE MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES

Abstract Reclaimed surface coal mines in southwestern Indiana support many grassland and shrub/ savanna bird species of conservation concern. We examined the nesting success of birds on these reclaimed mines to assess whether such “unnatural” places represent productive breeding habitats for such species. We established eight study sites on two large, grassland-dominated mines in southwestern Indiana and classified them into three categories (open grassland, shrub/savanna, and a mixture of grassland and shrub/savanna) based on broad vegetation and landscape characteristics. During the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons, we found and monitored 911 nests of 31 species. Daily nest survival for the most commonly monitored grassland species ranged from 0.903 (Dickcissel, Spiza americana) to 0.961 (Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum). Daily survival estimates for the dominant shrub/savanna nesting species ranged from 0.932 (Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufum) to 0.982 (Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii). Vegetation and landscape effects on nesting success were minimal, and only Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) showed a clear time-of-season effect, with greater nesting success in the first half of the breeding season. Rates of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism were only 2.1% for grassland species and 12.0% for shrub/savanna species. The nesting success of birds on reclaimed mine sites was comparable to that in other habitats, indicating that reclaimed habitats on surface mines do not necessarily represent reproductive traps for birds.
Beat-to-beat T-peak T-end interval duration variability assessed by RR-interval histogram analysis in health sedentary and Athlete

Ventricular repolarization duration (VRD) to RR-interval coupling relates to autonomic control and myocardial electrical stability. T-peak to T-end (TpTe) interval defined as the interval between the peak and the end of the T wave is an index of transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) with potential clinical implication. However, the dynamic coupling between TpTe- and RR-interval still needs clarification. This study investigated TpTe- and RR-interval coupling to assess· dynamic repolarization adaptation in healthy sedentary (Control; n = 10) and well-conditioned male subjects (Athlete; n = 10). Both groups underwent 15 min resting ECG. Supervised fiducial point detection was carried out after low-pass filtering at 15 Hz. Histogram of RR-interval series was calculated, with 100 ms class width, ranging from 600 ms to 1200 ms. For each class, mean of normal RR-intervals (MRR) and mean of the TpTe-interval (MTpTe) were calculated. Regression lines of MTpTe as function of MRR were computed and Student t-test compared slopes between groups (α < 0.05). In Control and Athlete, respectively, MTpTe was 82.2 ± 6.2 ms and 94.4 ± 6.9 ms (p < 0.05) and MRR interval was 849.2 ± 109.1 ms and 1027.5 ± 124.0 ms (p < 0.05). MTpTe significantly increased as a function of MRR in Athlete, whereas, in Control, slope was nonsignificantly negative. In athletes, TpTe-interval increases as a linear function of RR-interval in a wide physiological RR-interval range at rest, whereas, in sedentary subjects, TpTe-interval remained unchanged.
ffects of salinity on short-term waterborne zinc uptake , ccumulation and sub-lethal toxicity in the green shore crab ( Carcinus aenas )

Waterborne zinc (Zn) is known to cause toxicity to freshwater animals primarily by disrupting calcium (Ca) homeostasis during acute exposure, but its effects in marine and estuarine animals are not well characterized. The present study investigated the effects of salinity on short-term Zn accumulation and sub-lethal toxicity in the euryhaline green shore crab, Carcinus maenas. The kinetic and pharmacological properties of short-term branchial Zn uptake were also examined. Green crabs (n = 10) were exposed to control (no added Zn) and 50 M (3.25 mg L−1) of waterborne Zn (∼25% of 96 h LC50 in 100 seawater) for 96 h at 3 different salinity regimes (100%, 60% and 20% seawater). Exposure to waterborne Zn increased tissue-specific Zn accumulation across different salinities. However, the maximum accumulation occurred in 20% seawater and no difference was recorded between 60% and 100% seawater. Gills appeared to be the primary site of Zn accumulation, since the accumulation was significantly higher in the gills relative to the hepatopancreas, haemolymph and muscle. Waterborne Zn exposure induced a slight increase in haemolymph osmolality and chloride levels irrespective of salinity. In contrast, Zn exposure elicited marked increases in both haemolymph and gill Ca levels, and these changes were more pronounced in 20% seawater relative to that in 60% or 100% seawater. An in vitro gill perfusion technique was used to examine the characteristics of short-term (1–4 h) branchial Zn uptake over an exposure concentration range of 3–12 M (200–800 g L−1). The rate of short-term branchial Zn uptake did not change significantly after 2 h, and no difference was recorded in the rate of uptake between the anterior (respiratory) and posterior (ion transporting) gills. The in vitro branchial Zn uptake occurred in a concentration-dependent manner across different salinities. However, the rate of uptake was consistently higher in 20% seawater relative to 60% or 100% seawater – similar to the trend observed with tissue Zn accumulation during in vivo exposure. The short-term branchial Zn uptake was found to be inhibited by lanthanum (a blocker of voltage-independent Ca channels), suggesting that branchial Zn uptake occurs via the Ca transporting pathways, at least in part. Overall, our findings indicate that acute exposure to waterborne Zn leads to the disruption of Zn and Ca homeostasis in green crab, and these t the l effects are exacerbated a ∗ Corresponding author at: Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 12 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada. E-mail address: som.niyogi@usask.ca (S. Niyogi). ttp://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.aquatox. 2016.07. 012 166-445X/© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. ower salinity. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Interaction between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and variants at 17q12‐21 on respiratory infections

25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) deficiency and genetic variants at the 17q12‐21 locus are independent risk factors for respiratory tract infections (RTIs). We aimed to investigate whether the effect of 25(OH)D at birth and 1 year of age and the polymorphism at the 17q12‐21 locus, or interactions between these two factors, increase susceptibility to RTIs in the first year of life.
Identification of an unusual variant peroxisome biogenesis disorder caused by mutations in the PEX16 gene

Background Zellweger syndrome spectrum disorders are caused by mutations in any of at least 12 different PEX genes. This includes PEX16, which encodes an integral peroxisomal membrane protein involved in peroxisomal membrane assembly. PEX16-defective patients have been reported to have a severe clinical presentation. Fibroblasts from these patients displayed a defect in the import of peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins, resulting in a total absence of peroxisomal remnants. Objective To report on six patients with an unexpected mild variant peroxisome biogenesis disorder due to mutations in the PEX16 gene. Patients presented in the preschool years with progressive spastic paraparesis and ataxia (with a characteristic pattern of progressive leucodystrophy and brain atrophy on MRI scan) and later developed cataracts and peripheral neuropathy. Surprisingly, their fibroblasts showed enlarged, import-competent peroxisomes. Results Plasma analysis revealed biochemical abnormalities suggesting a peroxisomal disorder. Biochemical variables in fibroblasts were only mildly abnormal or within the normal range. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of import-competent peroxisomes, which were increased in size but reduced in number. Subsequent sequencing of all known PEX genes revealed five novel apparent homozygous mutations in the PEX16 gene. Conclusions An unusual variant peroxisome biogenesis disorder caused by mutations in the PEX16 gene, with a relatively mild clinical phenotype and an unexpected phenotype in fibroblasts, was identified. Although PEX16 is involved in peroxisomal membrane assembly, PEX16 defects can present with enlarged import-competent peroxisomes in fibroblasts. This is important for future diagnostics of patients with a peroxisomal disorder.
Converting Legacy Relational Database into XML Database through Reverse Engineering

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) has emerged and is being gradually accepted as the standard for data interchange over the Internet. Since most data is currently stored in relational database systems, the problem of converting relational data into XML assumes special significance. Many researchers have already done some accomplishments in this direction. They mainly focus on finding XML schema (e.g., DTD, XML-Schema, and RELAX) that best describes a given relational database with a corresponding well-defined database catalog that contains all information about tables, keys and constraints. However, not all existing databases can provide the required catalog information. Therefore, these applications do not work well for legacy relational database systems that were developed following the logical relational database design methodology, without being based on any commercial DBMS, and hence do not provide well-defined metadata files describing the database structure and constraints. In this paper, we address this issue by first applying the reverse engineering approach described in (Alhajj 2003) to extract the ER (Extended Entity Relationship) model from a legacy relational database, then convert the ER to XML Schema. The proposed approach is capable of reflecting the relational schema flexibility into XML schema by considering the mapping of binary and nary relationships. We have implemented a first prototype and the initial experimental results are very encouraging, demonstrating the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Correlations between satisfaction with life and selected personal resources among students of Universities of the Third Age

Purpose The aim of the study was to identify personal resources, including health-related resources, sense of self-efficacy, attitude to life (optimism/pessimism) and self-assessment, and to determine their relationship with satisfaction with life in members of the Universities of the Third Age (U3As) in Poland. The impact of sociodemographic factors was analyzed. Materials and methods The study included 320 participants of U3As; their mean age was 67.5 years and the vast majority of them were women (92.5%). The study was a screening test based on a diagnostic survey using validated scales, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and a survey of own design. Results Men showed significantly higher mean SWLS scores than women. SWLS scores were found to correlate significantly with LOT-R (r=0.411; P<0.001) and GSES scores (r=0.451; P<0.001). The respondents’ financial situation had a significant impact on their scores in all scales: SWLS (P<0.001), LOT-R (P<0.001) and GSES (P<0.001). Educational attainment of the respondents showed a significant correlation with SWLS (P=0.004) and GSES (P=0.011). Conclusion In the process of preparation for successful aging, particular emphasis should be placed on the continuous development of an individual, as it leads to the improvement of their socioeconomic status. Also, promoting positive personality traits and responsibility for one’s own life, including health, is of vital importance. The study is particularly important for the early identification of individuals at risk of unsuccessful aging.
Cementless Stem for Femoral Neck Fractures in a Patient’s 10th Decade of Life: High Rate of Periprosthetic Fractures

Background: Subsidence of cementless femoral stems in hemiarthroplasty (HA) and increased fracture rates are ongoing concerns of orthopedic surgeons when treating fractures in very old patients. Additionally, bone cement implantation syndrome may result in perioperative cardiac or pulmonary complications, especially in older patients, leading to morbidity and mortality. This study was performed to analyze possible subsidence and intraoperative fractures in a cohort of very old patients treated with cementless stems. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive cohort of patients aged ≥90 years with femoral neck fractures treated by uncemented HA and an anterior minimally invasive approach. Immediate full-weight bearing was allowed postoperatively. Pelvic radiographs were examined for subsidence immediately postoperatively and 6 weeks later. Results: We treated 109 patients (74% women; mean age, 93 years; range, 90-102 years) by HA from January 2010 to March 2016. The 30-day mortality rate was 16%, and the morbidity rate was 47%. There were 11 (12%) intraoperative fractures: 8 (Vancouver B2) had to be addressed immediately during the primary operation, while 3 (1 Vancouver B1 and 2 Vancouver AG) were treated conservatively. One periprosthetic femoral fracture (Vancouver B1) was documented during follow-up. In 17 patients, subsidence of >2.0 mm (median, 3.9 mm; range, 2.5-9.0 mm) was documented. Conclusion: Early subsidence was low in this very old cohort treated with an uncemented stem and not showing a periprosthetic fracture. The risk of intraoperative periprosthetic fractures was high. The use of uncemented implants in osteoporotic bone continues to be an intervention with high risk and should only be performed by experienced surgeons. Level of Evidence: Level III, Therapeutic study.
Activation of mutant TERT promoter by RAS-ERK signaling is a key step in malignant progression of BRAF-mutant human melanomas

Significance Mutations in BRAF are dominant drivers of melanoma, and hence targeting them has been a success story in treatment of cancer. However, resistance to BRAF inhibitors is rapidly acquired and is a major impediment to cancer therapy. BRAF mutations per se only lead to nevi that remain nonmalignant for decades. What then is the key rate-limiting determinant of BRAF signaling for progression to melanomas? We show that mutant TERT promoter is a key downstream target of RAS-ERK and its activation downstream of BRAF signaling is a major rate-limiting step in melanoma progression, suggesting that simultaneous disruption of BRAF signaling and active chromatin remodeling at mutant TERT promoters may be an attractive strategy to overcome BRAF-inhibitor resistance during melanoma therapy. Although activating BRAF/NRAS mutations are frequently seen in melanomas, they are not sufficient to drive malignant transformation and require additional events. Frequent co-occurrence of mutations in the promoter for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), along with BRAF alterations, has recently been noted and correlated with poorer prognosis, implicating a functional link between BRAF signaling and telomerase reactivation in melanomas. Here, we report that RAS-ERK signaling in BRAF mutant melanomas is critical for regulating active chromatin state and recruitment of RNA polymerase II at mutant TERT promoters. Our study provides evidence that the mutant TERT promoter is a key substrate downstream of the RAS-ERK pathway. Reactivating TERT and hence reconstituting telomerase is an important step in melanoma progression from nonmalignant nevi with BRAF mutations. Hence, combined targeting of RAS-ERK and TERT promoter remodeling is a promising avenue to limit long-term survival of a majority of melanomas that harbor these two mutations.
Austerity and health: the impact in the UK and Europe

Abstract Austerity measures—reducing social spending and increasing taxation—hurts deprived groups the most. Less is known about the impact on health. In this short review, we evaluate the evidence of austerity’s impact on health, through two main mechanisms: a ‘social risk effect’ of increasing unemployment, poverty, homelessness and other socio-economic risk factors (indirect), and a ‘healthcare effect’ through cuts to healthcare services, as well as reductions in health coverage and restricting access to care (direct). We distinguish those impacts of economic crises from those of austerity as a response to it. Where possible, data from across Europe will be drawn upon, as well as more extensive analysis of the UK’s austerity measures performed by the authors of this review.