Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the Assessment of Dental Age by the Nolla Method Valid for Eastern Turkish Children?

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the Nolla method is appropriate for Turkish children for the determination of the dental age (DA). A group of 719 children between the ages of 6 and 18 years were included in the study. DAs from orthopantograms by the Nolla method were estimated. The results obtained were compared with chronologic age (CA). Paired t and the Wilcoxon tests were performed. Both genders were underestimated in dental maturity when compared with the reference samples in total (−0.3 years) (p < 0.01). The differences in girls were statistically significant in total and in all groups except for 7–7.9. The differences in boys between the CAs and DAs were not statistically significant in total and in all groups except for 7–7.9 and 8–8.9. Although the accuracy of this method was suitable for boys, according to our findings, it was not suitable for girls.
Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients with Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Treated with Weekly and Monthly Bisphosphonates

Objective. The present study was designed to assess the effect of monthly ibandronate on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis previously treated with weekly bisphosphonates. Methods. HR-QoL was assessed by Euroqol (EQ-5D) and Osteoporosis Targeted Quality of Life (OPTQoL) questionnaires. Results. The EQ-5D questionnaire showed significant improvement associated with ibandronate treatment, occurring in mobility (p < 0.01), usual activity (p < 0.01), pain/discomfort (p < 0.05), and anxiety/depression (p < 0.05). In addition, ibandronate treatment considerably improved patients' perceived health on a visual analog scale (p < 0.001). For the OPTQoL questionnaire, patients reported less physical difficulty (p < 0.001), fewer adaptations in their lives (p < 0.001), and less fear (p < 0.001) with ibandronate than with weekly bisphosphonates. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that patients who were transferred from weekly bisphosphonates to a monthly ibandronate experienced improved HR-QoL.
Factors Influencing Resource Use by African American and African Caribbean Women Disclosing Intimate Partner Violence

Many victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) do not access services. Education and severity of physical violence have previously been shown to predict resource utilization, but whether these hold true specifically among women of African descent is unknown. This article furthers our understanding of the relationship between IPV and resource use, considering sociodemographics and aspects of IPV by presenting results from a study conducted with African American and African Caribbean women in Baltimore, Maryland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 545 women included in this analysis, 95 (18%) reported emotional abuse only, 274 (50%) reported experiencing physical abuse only, and 176 (32%) had experienced both physical and sexual abuse by an intimate partner. Resource utilization was relatively low among these women, with only 57% seeking any help. Among those who did, 13% sought medical, 18% DV, 37% community, and 41% criminal justice resources. Generalized linear model results indicated that older age and severe risk for lethality from IPV and PTSD were predictive of certain types of resource use, while education, insurance status, and depression had no influence. Perceived availability of police and shelter resources varied by site. Results suggest that systems that facilitate resource redress for all abused women are essential, particularly attending to younger clients who are less likely to seek help, while building awareness that women accessing resources may be at severe risk for lethality from the violence and may also be experiencing mental health complications. In addition, greater efforts should be made on the community level to raise awareness among women of available resources.
Outbreak of a nosocomial infection with a strain of Proteus rettgeri resistant to many antimicrobials.

Over a three-month period, Proteus rettgeri infections occurred in ten patients on one general medical ward. This organism was resistant to all antimicrobials tested by the Bauer-Kirby and tube dilution methods including tobramycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, carbenicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, polymyxin and rifampin. Clinical Illness from this organism was directly related to local or systemic host deficiencies. Typically, patients were chronically ill with recent urinary tract instrumentation and infection and previous antimicrobial therapy. Two immunosuppressed patients became infected, one after renal transplantation. Tissue invasion was demonstrated in three patients by the occurrence of a subcutaneous abscess, renal abscesses, and bacteremia, respectively. Aside from the patients no reservoir was shown by culturing personnel, catheter kits, the hospital environment, and the stools and urine of every patient on the ward. Probable spread was by contact through the intermediary of hospital personnel. Control was obtained by having personnel use disposable gloves and contact isolation of patients. The importance of this organism is stressed by the fact that no therapeutic agent was effective in vitro and in vivo .
Effect of ionizing radiation on liver protein oxidation and metabolic function in C57BL/6J mice

Abstract Purpose: Protein oxidation in response to radiation results in DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress/unfolded protein response, cell cycle arrest, cell death and senescence. The liver, a relatively radiosensitive organ, undergoes measurable alterations in metabolic functions following irradiation. Accordingly, we investigated radiation-induced changes in liver metabolism and alterations in protein oxidation. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice were sham irradiated or exposed to 8.5 Gy 60Co (0.6 Gy/min) total body irradiation. Metabolites and metabolic enzymes in the blood and liver tissue were analyzed. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and OxyBlot™ were used to detect carbonylated proteins that were then identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. Results: Analysis of serum metabolites revealed elevated glucose, bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), high-density lipoprotein, and aspartate aminotransferase within 24–72 h post irradiation. Liver tissue LDH and alkaline phosphatase activities were elevated 24–72 h post irradiation. OxyBlotting revealed that the hepatic proteome contains baseline protein carbonylation. Radiation exposure increased carbonylation of specific liver proteins including carbonic anhydrase 1, α-enolase, and regucalcin. Conclusions: 8.5 Gy irradiation resulted in distinct metabolic alterations in hepatic functions. Coincident with these changes, radiation induced the carbonylation of specific liver enzymes. The oxidation of liver enzymes may underlie some radiation-induced alterations in hepatic function.
Explaining Exchange Rate Anomalies in a Model with Taylor-Rule Fundamentals and Consistent Expectations

We introduce boundedly-rational expectations into a standard asset-pricing model of the exchange rate, where cross-country interest rate differentials are governed by Taylor-type rules. Agents augment a lagged-information random walk forecast with a term that captures news about Taylor-rule fundamentals. The coefficient on fundamental news is pinned down using the moments of observable data such that the resulting forecast errors are close to white noise. The model generates volatility and persistence that is remarkably similar to that observed in monthly exchange rate data for Canada, Japan, and the U.K. Regressions performed on model-generated data can deliver the well-documented forward premium anomaly.
Increase in the intensity of thermoluminescence Q-band during leaf ageing is due to a block in the electron transfer from Q( A) to Q( B).

The thermoluminescence (TL) parameters in intact leaves and thylakoids isolated from leaves showed a different pattern of change during leaf ageing. Ageing of leaves brought about a decrease in the B-band and a simultaneous increase in the Q-band. Thylakoids showed only a decrease in the B-band. The TL bands further show that there is generation of an endogenous electron transport inhibitor during leaf ageing.
Computational modelling and analysis of mechanical conditions on cell locomotion and cell–cell interaction

Between other parameters, cell migration is partially guided by the mechanical properties of its substrate. Although many experimental works have been developed to understand the effect of substrate mechanical properties on cell migration, accurate 3D cell locomotion models have not been presented yet. In this paper, we present a novel 3D model for cells migration. In the presented model, we assume that a cell follows two main processes: in the first process, it senses its interface with the substrate to determine the migration direction and in the second process, it exerts subsequent forces to move. In the presented model, cell traction forces are considered to depend on cell internal deformation during the sensing step. A random protrusion force is also considered which may change cell migration direction and/or speed. The presented model was applied for many cases of migration of the cells. The obtained results show high agreement with the available experimental and numerical data.
Analytic Thinking Promotes Religious Disbelief

Overthinking Religion? Many theories of human cognition make a distinction between System I, which tends to be rapid and to rely on heuristics or rules of thumb, and System II, which tends to be more deliberative and analytic. This dual-process framework, within which both processes may operate simultaneously and competitively, has been used to explain a variety of situational influences upon decision-making. Gervais and Norenzayan (p. 493) studied the application of a dual-process framework to religious disbelief and found that triggering analytic thinking processes through a variety of experimental manipulations resulted in a tendency for subjects to report lower levels of religious belief. A dual-process theory posits a competition between analytical thought and religious belief. Scientific interest in the cognitive underpinnings of religious belief has grown in recent years. However, to date, little experimental research has focused on the cognitive processes that may promote religious disbelief. The present studies apply a dual-process model of cognitive processing to this problem, testing the hypothesis that analytic processing promotes religious disbelief. Individual differences in the tendency to analytically override initially flawed intuitions in reasoning were associated with increased religious disbelief. Four additional experiments provided evidence of causation, as subtle manipulations known to trigger analytic processing also encouraged religious disbelief. Combined, these studies indicate that analytic processing is one factor (presumably among several) that promotes religious disbelief. Although these findings do not speak directly to conversations about the inherent rationality, value, or truth of religious beliefs, they illuminate one cognitive factor that may influence such discussions.
Sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase. VII. Concurrent inhibition of NA + -K + -adenosine triphosphatase and activation K + -nitrophenylphosphatase activities.

Abstract Activation of K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity occurs concurrently with inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity when either glycerol or dimethyl sulfoxide is added to the reaction medium. The effects on both activities are reversible. The Na+-dependent ADP-ATP phosphotransferase reaction and K+-dependent acetyl phosphatase activities are also inhibited by dimethyl sulfoxide. The effects of these solvents are consistent with a decreased interaction of phosphokinase and phosphatase sites with the phosphoryl acceptor site and an increased accessibility of p-nitrophenylphosphate to the phosphatase site.
Design of double layered metamaterial antenna

In this paper, a new design of metamaterial antenna based on the Composite Right/Left-Handed (CRLH) Transmission Line (TL) model is presented. The antenna is developed by using two layers of CRLH mushroom structure. The second layer of the CRLH is used to reduce the reactance of the small antenna and improve the matching between the antenna and the feed line. The size of the patch is λ0/13 × λ0/13, while the total electrical size of the antenna (including the substrate and the ground plane) at the zeroth order is 0. 343λ<inf>0</inf> × 0. 294λ<inf>0</inf> × 0. 062λ<inf>0</inf>, where λ0 is the free space wavelength. The results show that the total efficiency of the antenna has been increased from 35% to 58% (in the case of double layer CRLH).
A new intellectual disability syndrome caused by CTNNB1 haploinsufficiency

A girl patient born to healthy nonconsanguineous parents was referred at age 3 years and 2 months to our genetics department for testing due to developmental delay and postnatal microcephaly. Initial clinical evaluation revealed an overall developmental delay, mildly dysmorphic features, thin, sparse fair hair, and fair skin. Postnatal microcephaly and progressive ataxia and spasticity appeared later. Array CGH karyotyping showed a 333 kb de novo microdeletion on 3p22 covering the entire genomic sequence of a single gene, CTNNB1, which codes for β‐catenin. β‐catenin is a sub‐unit of a multiprotein complex, which is part of the Wnt signaling pathway. In mice, a conditional homozygous β‐catenin knockout displays loss of neurons, impaired craniofacial development, and hair follicle defects, which is similar to the phenotype presented by the patient described in this clinical report. Thus, CTNNB1 haploinsufficiency causes neuronal loss, craniofacial anomalies and hair follicle defects in both humans and mice. Point mutations in CTNNB1 in human have recently been reported but this is the first observation of a new recognizable multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome caused by CTNNB1 haploinsufficiency. This clinical report should prompt a search for point mutations in CTNNB1 in patients presenting developmental delay, mild hair, skin and facial anomalies, and neurodegeneration characterized by postnatal microcephaly, and progressive ataxia and spasticity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thoracoabdominal asynchrony and ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow over total expiratory time in adolescents with cystic fibrosis

Thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) and the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow over total expiratory time (TME/TE) have been used to assess airway obstruction in infants and adults. We obtained these measurements using calibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) on 15 adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and varying disease severity. The measurements were then compared to 15 normal age‐matched controls. TAA was expressed as a phase angle (ϕ) calculated from the abdominal (AB) and ribcage (RC) signals acquired from scalar strip chart recordings. Using CODAS (DATAQ Instruments, Akron, OH) software, the analog signals were digitized, and the differentiated sum (AB + RC) signal was used to calculate TME/TE. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) were obtained using RIP in all subjects.
Exclusion of WNT4 as a major gene in Rokitansky‐Küster‐Hauser anomaly

Unite´INSERM U-493, 32 rue des Carnets, 92140 Clamart, FranceTo the Editor:Rokitansky-Ku¨ster-Hauser (RKH) anomaly [Ludwig, 1998]comprises absence of vagina and rudimentary uterus in 46,XXindividuals with normal ovaries, normal secondary sexualcharacteristics, and normal chromosomes. Two variants ofRKH syndrome are distinguished on the basis of laparoscopyﬁndings [Strubbe et al., 1993; Acien et al., 2004]: (i) typicalcases with uterus reduced to symmetrical and non-canalizedmuscular bud with normal fallopian tubes, (ii) atypical RKHwithasymmetricalmuscularbudsorabnormalfallopiantubes.In those later cases, abnormalities of the urinary tract arecommon such as agenesis, ectopy, malrotation of one kidney(renal adysplasia sequence [Opitz, 1987], and less commonskeletal anomalies suggesting embryological links betweengenitourinary and bone development.The cause of the RKH anomaly remains unknown; butseveral reports of familial cases, mostly affected sisters, sug-gest that the RKH anomaly may be due to a female-limitedautosomal dominant trait with variable expression and reduc-ed penetrance [Anger et al., 1966; Jones and Mermut, 1972]. Recently, a heterozygous WNT4 gene missense mutation wasreported in a woman with primary amenorrhea, absence ofmu¨llerian derivatives, unilateral renal agenesis and signs ofvirilization, a phenotype resembling RKH anomaly [Biason-Lauber et al., 2004]. This ﬁnding and the Wnt4
PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE OF A PROTOTYPE FORWARD‐VIEWING CURVED LINEAR ARRAY ECHOENDOSCOPE IN A TRAINING PHANTOM MODEL

Oblique‐viewing curved linear array (OV‐CLA) echoendoscopes have been widely used to perform endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine needle aspiration and interventional endoscopic ultrasonography. Recently a prototype forward‐viewing curved liner array (FV‐CLA) echoendoscope was developed. In the present trial, 11 endoscopists participated in a hands‐on trial and a questionnaire survey to evaluate the operation performance and visualization performance of a prototype FV‐CLA scope in a phantom model designed for training of endoscopic ultrasonography. The results of our trial suggested that the FV‐CLA scope is slightly inferior or equivalent to the conventional OV‐CLA scope in operation performance, and that the FV‐CLA scope is equivalent to the OV‐CLA scope with regard to the visualization performance in a phantom model.
Degradation of the Fungicides, Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole in Soil and their Influence on Soil Microbial Activity

The non-target effects of Amistar TM (azoxystrobin) and Score TM (difenoconazole) were studied in terms of changes in the soil microbial populations, soil respiration and activity of soil enzymes. Both the fungicides significantly reduced the fungal population in the soils even at the lowest concentration used (0.44 g. (a.i.) g -1 soil) and totally eliminated it at the recommended dose for field application (2.2 g. (a.i.) g -1 soil). On the other hand, the populations of bacteria and actinomycetes in the treated soil increased with increasing concentrations of the fungicides. Soil respiration decreased significantly with increasing concentrations of Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole. However, there was an increase in the rate of soil respiration when up to 0.44 g. (a.i.) g -1 soil of Difenoconazole was applied. The activities of soil enzymes cellulase, xylanase and protease increased with increasing concentrations of the fungicides Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole. On the other hand, the activities of urease and acid phosphatase decreased with the application of these fungicides. Both the rate of soil respiration and the activities of the tested soil enzymes reached the same level as controls after prolonged incubation. Degradation of Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole in two different soils was estimated using HPLC. Azoxystrobin was degraded by 95% in a period of 96 hours in the slightly alkaline Coimbatore soil, whereas in the acidic Valparai soil, the degradation was only 70% during the same period. Difenoconazole, however, was quickly degraded in both Coimbatore (95%) and Valparai (97%) soils after 96 hours.
Stability and Change in Positive Self-Appraisal from Midlife to Later Aging

This research investigated stability and change in the self-appraisal of having lived up to one's abilities from midlife to later aging. The subjects were 185 participants in the Terman Study of the Gifted, who had been asked to rate themselves with respect to living up to their abilities in 1960 (at an average age of 48) and in 1996 (at an average age of nearly 85). While there was a positive relation between self-appraisal at the 2 times, net change favored a more positive appraisal in aging. Those who rated themselves positively at both times had more positive personality characteristics in early to mid-adulthood, more education, better self-rated health in midlife, somewhat higher ambition in early adulthood and midlife, and greater satisfaction with their achievement in early aging. Those who changed positively in their self-appraisal, as compared with those with a negative later self-appraisal, had somewhat better education, better self-rated health in midlife, higher level occupations, and greater satisfaction with their achievement in early aging. Self-appraisals in later aging were related to current life satisfaction. The results are discussed in terms of the role of the self-concept and the self-narrative in life-span development.
Flare Energy and Magnetic Field Variations

We describe ways in which the photospheric vector magnetic field might vary across the duration of a solar flare or CME. We also quantitatively assess the back reaction on the photosphere and solar interior by the coronal field evolution required to release flare energy. Our estimates suggest that the work done by Lorentz forces in this back reaction could supply enough energy to explain observations of flare-driven seismic waves.
Consequences of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia on vascular function in atherosclerotic monkeys.

Moderate elevation of plasma homocyst(e)ine is associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease. In a previous study, we observed impaired vascular function in nonatherosclerotic monkeys with moderate hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that dietary intervention to lower plasma homocyst(e)ine corrects vascular dysfunction in atherosclerotic monkeys. Cynomolgus monkeys were fed an atherogenic diet that produces both hypercholesterolemia and moderate hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. After 17 months, the atherogenic diet was supplemented with B vitamins (5 mg folic acid, 400 micrograms vitamin B-12, and 20 mg vitamin B-6 daily) for 6 months. Total plasma homocyst(e)ine decreased from 12.8 +/- 2.8 to 3.5 +/- 0.3 mumol/L (n = 9; mean +/- SE; P < .01) after vitamins were added to the diet, but plasma cholesterol remained elevated (522 +/- 63 versus 514 +/- 41 mg/dL; P > .05). In response to intra-arterial infusion of collagen, blood flow to the leg decreased by 30 +/- 3% and 38 +/- 5%, respectively, before and after vitamin supplementation (P > .05). In vivo responses of resistance vessels to endothelium-dependent vasodilators (acetylcholine or ADP) were impaired at baseline and did not improve after vitamin supplementation. In carotid artery studied ex vivo, relaxation to low doses of acetylcholine improved after vitamin supplementation, but maximal relaxation remained impaired. Ex vivo thrombomodulin anticoagulant activity was threefold higher in monkeys fed the atherogenic diet (with or without B vitamins) than in normal monkeys (P < .05). We conclude that normalization of plasma homocyst(e)ine is insufficient to restore normal vascular function in atherosclerotic monkeys with persistent hypercholesterolemia and that atherosclerosis, with or without hyperhomocyst(e)inemia, is associated with elevated thrombomodulin activity.