Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF CHEMO-BECHANICAL CARIES REMOVAL USING CARIE-CARE SYSTEM AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

Dental caries is considered as one of the most serious dental diseases that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified tooth tissues. As possible alternatives to conventional techniques of caries removal, chemo mechanical caries removal systems have emerged. AIM: To clinically observe the advantages of Chemo-mechanical method of caries removal over Conventional technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 teeth of 32children with class 1 open carious lesions were selected for the study from the school dental clinic after taking written consent. They were divided into two equal groups according to method of caries removal ( 32 chemomechanical and 32 conventional from both primary and permanent teeth respectively) . In Group I, caries was removed using the carie-care system and in Group II, with the conventional drill and were restored equally with amalgam and ketac molar respectively. The restored teeth were followed up after 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year respectively for its clinical success. RESULTS: The results were subjected to statistical analysis using students paired t-test and chi-square tests. It showed that though Chemomechanical technique took a marginal increase in time compared to the conventional technique, it was found to be more comfortable for all the children. Amalgam restorations showed better retention compared to ketac molar restorations in both the techniques. CONCLUSION: Chemomechanical technique though time consuming is definitely superior compared to conventional technique in pediatric dentistry, provided we use a less technique sensitive restorative material which retains in the oral cavity for longer period of time. It is definitely a better treatment protocol in school based dental treatment compared to conventional technique
Adsorption Behaviour of Lactic Acid on Granular Activated Carbon and Anionic Resins: Thermodynamics, Isotherms and Kinetic Studies

Solid-liquid extraction (adsorption or ion exchange) is a promising approach for the in situ separation of organic acids from fermentation broths. In this study, a diluted concentration of lactic acid ( 0.96) and the pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2 ~ 1) fitted better to the experimental data than the other models tested. Postulating the conditions for the real fermentation broth (pH: 5.0–6.5 and temperature: 30–80 °C), the resin AMB400 represents an ideal candidate for the extraction of lactic acid during fermentation.
Simultaneous study of cortisol and TSH daily variations in normal subjects and patients with hyperadrenalcorticism.

ABSTRACT In order to investigate the interrelationships between the circadian patterns of cortisoland TSH, serum levels of each hormone were measured every 30 min for 24 hr in 8 normal subjects and in 2 patients with active Cushing's syndrome. The well-known daily time-course of cortisol levels was observed in all normal subjects except one. A proper statistical analysis, the periodogram method, provided a quantitative description of the basal rhythmicity in terms of a sinusoid of amplitude ranging, in normal subjects, from 50 to 100% of the mean. The basal cortisol levels of patients with hyperadrenalcorticism were considerably elevated; the basal rhythmicity persisted but its amplitude was significantly reduced. In 7 of the 8 normal subjects, the daily rhythm of TSH levels was characterized by a peak between 3 am and 7 am whose height ranged from 33% to 335% of the basal value; all subjects displayed high frequency variations of low amplitude; a significant difference between night and day TSH levels wa.
ACTIVATED CASPASE-1 IS NOT A CENTRAL MEDIATOR OF INFLAMMATION IN THE COURSE OF ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION1

Background. Upon transplantation, donor organs subjected to prolonged ischemia suffer from reperfusion injury. Recent observations suggest that caspase activation is involved in inducing the deleterious inflammatory reaction that mediates reperfusion injury. Release of cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-18 may occur during apoptosis through activation of caspase-1/IL-1&bgr;-converting enzyme. We hypothesized that caspase-1 activation is a key event in apoptosis/caspase-dependent inflammation during the development of renal reperfusion injury. Methods. Caspase-1-/-, caspase-1+/+ as well as Swiss mice were subjected to 45 min of renal ischemia and 24 hr of reperfusion. Animals were administered agents capable of neutralizing the pro-inflammatory activation products of caspase-1 (IL-1 receptor antagonist, anti-IL-1 receptor antibody, and anti-IL-18 antibody). The extent of renal functional deterioration, inflammation, and apoptosis were compared. Results. No improvement in renal function as reflected by serum ureum and creatinine were found in caspase-1-/- mice as compared to wild type controls. Caspase-1-/- mice showed slightly attenuated renal inflammation as indicated by decreased renal neutrophil influx, but failed to show changes in intra- renal tumor necrosis factor-&agr; production. Moreover, caspase-1-/- mice clearly exhibited reperfusion-induced apoptosis as reflected by renal terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase histology and internucleosomal DNA cleavage. Treatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist, anti-IL-1 receptor antibody, or anti-IL-18 antibody minimally reduced renal functional deterioration, inflammation, and apoptosis. Conclusions. These findings suggest that activated caspase-1 and its inflammatory products are involved in, but not crucial to, the induction of inflammation after renal ischemia-reperfusion. Hence, apart from caspase-1, other (combinations of) activated caspases are likely to be more prominently involved in renal reperfusion injury.
Fractionation of carbon and oxygen isotopes in 13C-rich Palaeoproterozoic dolostones in the transition from medium-grade to high-grade greenschist facies: a case study from the Kola Superdeep Drillhole

Samples from the Kola Superdeep Drillhole (12 262 m), a deep drillhole (1060 m), and from the surface, seaprated by only around 10 km, provided a unique opportunity for direct tracing of δ13C and δ18O changes through a low- to high-grade greenschist-facies transition within impure, 13C-rich Palaeoproterozoic dolostones. The least-altered dolostones have δ13C of +9‰ and δ18O of 22‰. The metamorphic transition is expressed by dolomite + calcite1 + quartz ± K-feldspar ← tremolite + calcite2 ± dolomite ± calcite1 and defined by 13C depletion of calcite2 (c. 3.0‰), calcite1 (1.0–2.0‰) and dolomite (<1‰) which is associated with a Rayleigh distillation process. δ18O shows a considerable resetting in all carbonate components by around 6‰ caused by a Rayleigh distillation process coupled with isotopic exchange between the carbonates and fluids with an external source of oxygen. The retrograde alteration is expressed by the formation of quartz–chlorite veinlets within tectonically bound zones of brecciated and sheared dolostones. The maximum 18O depletion in dolomite (9‰) and calcite1 (c. 4‰) were probably controlled by infiltration into permeable zones of external fluids associated with retrograde alteration; δ13C remains largely unaffected.
Earnings Manipulation and the Cost of Capital

The widespread use of accounting information by investors and financial analysts to help value stocks creates an incentive for managers to manipulate earnings in an attempt to influence short-term stock price performance. This paper examines the role of earnings management in affecting a firm's cost of capital. Using an agency model with multiple firms whose cash flows are correlated, we demonstrate that the extent of earnings manipulation varies across the business cycle. Managers are more inclined to engage in manipulation during periods of economic expansion. Because of this dependence on the state of the economy, earnings manipulation influences a firm's cost of capital despite the forces of diversification. In particular, we find that manipulation reduces the correlation between the firms' cash flows and thus lowers the risk premium required by investors.
Role of magnesium sulphate in treatment of severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neoborn.

OBJECTIVE Treatment of severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neoborn remains controversial and various modalities of treatment have been tried. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) as a treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neoborn (PPHN) in full term babies. METHODS This study was carried out in the Maternity and Children's Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 1998 to 2000. A non-randomized study in 8 neoborn babies who where admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and diagnosis of PPHN based on echocardiogram was conducted to assess the efficacy of MgSO4 8% dilution in a loading dose of 200mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 20-100mg/kg/hour. No other vasodilators were given, patients were not hyperventilated. The aim was to keep magnesium levels 3.5-5.5mgmmol/l. RESULTS Seven out of 8 patients showed marked improvement in partial pressure oxygen at 6 hours and maximum improvement at 24 hours. The same improvement noticed in peak inspiratory pressure, and ventilatory time support. CONCLUSION Results suggests that MgSO4 may be considered as an alternative treatment in PPHN when no other modalities are available as it is a non aggressive and low cost treatment.
Current and future pharmacotherapies of premature ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION There are currently no oral or topical agents approved by government regulation agencies for the management of premature ejaculation (PE). AIM To review pharmacologic therapies for treatment of PE. METHODS The Sexual Medicine Society of North America hosted a State of the Art Conference on Premature Ejaculation on June 24-26, 2005 in collaboration with the University of South Florida. The purpose was to have an open exchange of contemporary research and clinical information on PE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Data were obtained by extensive examination of peer-reviewed published literature. RESULTS Chronic administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with an increased adverse event profile encompassing dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, and reduced libido. Their use may also facilitate the development of other sexual dysfunctions, such as anejaculation and erectile dysfunction (ED). Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors have also been investigated for the management of PE, as an indirect consequence of their ability to prolong erections. Trials have found PDE-5 inhibitors to be appropriate for men with PE secondary to ED, or when they are used in conjunction with other agents such as SSRIs. Trials of topical formulations that contain either anesthetic agents or other ingredients report significant increases in ejaculatory latency times; however, long-term safety and efficacy studies are lacking. New agents are being developed specifically for the management of PE. Among these are a topical formulation and numerous oral agents. Only one agent--dapoxetine hydrochloride (DPX)--has undergone Phase III trials. DPX is a serotonin transport inhibitor (STI) with a pharmacokinetic profile conducive to on-demand dosing for the management of PE. Unlike the current oral agents, DPX has a rapid onset of action and is effective from the first dose. CONCLUSIONS Well-designed clinical trials utilizing appropriate outcome measurements are needed to provide safe and effective pharmacologic options for men with PE.
Building brand loyalty through user engagement in online brand communities in social networking sites

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of user engagement in the context of online brand communities. A research model is proposed to explain how brand loyalty is developed through user engagement. Design/methodology/approach – The research model was empirically tested with an online survey study of 185 current Facebook users. Findings – Results revealed that user engagement influenced brand loyalty both directly and indirectly through online community commitment. Users tend to focus on the benefits (rather than the costs) derived from the usage when they engage in an online brand community. Research limitations/implications – The selection of respondents is bound to the Hong Kong area, while Facebook members are globally distributed. In addition, this study involved a cross-sectional design instead of investigating the development of brand loyalty from a long-term perspective. Practical implications – The results inform e-marketers the importance of user engagement behaviors for bu.
Fatigue-Related Changes in Torque Output and Electromyographic Parameters of Trunk Muscles During Isometric Axial Rotation Exertion: An Investigation in Patients With Back Pain and in Healthy Subjects

Study Design. A cross-sectional case–control study. Objectives. To examine the effect of fatigue on torque output as well as electromyographic frequency and amplitude values of trunk muscles during isometric axial rotation exertion in back pain patients and to compare the results with a matched control group. Summary of Background Data. Back pain patients exhibited different activation strategies in trunk muscles during the axial rotation exertions. Fatigue changes of abdominal and back muscles during axial rotation exertion have not been examined in patients with back pain. Methods. Twelve back pain patients and 12 matched controls performed isometric fatiguing axial rotation to both sides at 80% maximum voluntary contraction in a standing position. During the fatiguing exertion, electromyographic changes of rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, latissimus dorsi, iliocostalis lumborum, and multifidus were recorded bilaterally. The primary torque in the transverse plane and the coupling torques in sagittal and coronal planes were also measured. Results. No difference in the endurance capacity was found between back pain and control groups. At the initial period of the exertion, back pain patients demonstrated a statistical trend (P = 0.058) of greater sagittal coupling torque as well as lower activity of rectus abdominis and multifidus and higher activity in external oblique. During the fatigue process similar changes of coupling torque were demonstrated in both sagittal and coronal planes, but a smaller fatigue rate for right external oblique, increase in median frequency for latissimus dorsi, and lesser increase in activity for back muscles were found in the back pain group compared with the control group. Conclusions. Alterations in electromyographic activation and fatigue rates of abdominal and back muscles demonstrated during the fatigue process provide insights into the muscle dysfunctions in back pain and may help clinicians to devise more rational treatment strategies.
Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Pathological Correlations in a Case of Binswanger's Disease

ABSTRACT: The results of 3 computed tomography (CT) examinations carried out over a 7 year period and of a post-mortem magnetic resonance (MR) study showed aspects of a white matter disease in a hypertensive patient suffering from vascular dementia. Histopathology revealed the primary cause of dementia to be a white matter degeneration sparing the U fibers. Rarefaction of both the myelin sheaths and the axons was present together with severe thickening of the medullary arteries. These findings support the existence of Binswanger's disease (BD) as a distinct variety of arteriosclerotic dementia. CT and MR imaging are valuable aids for diagnosis. However, since there are many other causes of CT and MR demonstrated diffuse white matter degeneration in the elderly, a conclusive diagnosis of BD requires pathological confirmation.
The European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve

In the 4 years of its existence, the European Central Bank (ECB) has made significant contributions to the macroeconomic stability of the euro area. This paper takes a critical look at the ECB and compares its institutional structure, policy framework, and operational procedures with those of the longer-established US central bank. We discuss the implications of various differences between the ECB and the Federal Reserve with a view toward identifying successful elements of the practices of both these institutions. The paper recommends that the ECB abandon the first pillar of its monetary policy strategy that affords a special role to monetary aggregates in the evaluation of financial market conditions. It also suggests that the Federal Reserve should follow the ECB's lead and provide an explicit definition of price stability. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Survival follow-up and ipilimumab retreatment of patients with advanced melanoma who received ipilimumab in prior phase II studies.

BACKGROUND This report provides a survival update at a follow-up of >5 years (5.5-6 years) for patients with advanced melanoma who previously received ipilimumab in phase II clinical trials. Safety and efficacy data following ipilimumab retreatment are also reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who previously received ipilimumab 0.3, 3, or 10 mg/kg in one of six phase II trials (CA184-004, CA184-007, CA184-008, CA184-022, MDX010-08, and MDX010-15) were eligible to enroll in the companion study, CA184-025. Upon enrollment, patients initially received ipilimumab retreatment, extended maintenance therapy, or were followed for survival only. Overall survival (OS) rates were evaluated in patients from studies CA184-004, CA184-007, CA184-008, and CA184-022. Safety and best overall response during ipilimumab retreatment at 10 mg/kg were assessed in study CA184-025. RESULTS Five-year OS rates for previously treated patients who received ipilimumab induction at 0.3, 3, or 10 mg/kg were 12.3%, 12.3%-16.5%, and 15.5%-28.4%, respectively. Five-year OS rates for treatment-naive patients who received ipilimumab induction at 3 or 10 mg/kg were 26.8% and 21.4%-49.5%, respectively. Little to no change in OS was observed from year 5 up to year 6. The objective response rate among retreated patients was 23%. Grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 25%, 5.9%, and 13.2% of retreated patients who initially received ipilimumab 0.3, 3, and 10 mg/kg, with the most common being observed in the skin (4.2%, 2.9%, 3.8%) and gastrointestinal tract (12.5%, 2.9%, 3.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS At a follow-up of 5-6 years, ipilimumab continues to demonstrate durable, long-term survival in a proportion of patients with advanced melanoma. In some patients, ipilimumab retreatment can re-establish disease control with a safety profile that is comparable with that observed during ipilimumab induction. Further studies are needed to determine the contribution of ipilimumab retreatment to OS. CLINICALTRIALSGOV NCT00162123.
The interaction between age and list length in free recall.

Using the "delayed-recall" procedure developed by Shiffrin (1970), the effects of list length on encoding, storage, and retrieval processes in different aged subjects were assessed. The length of a list interpolated in the retention interval did not interact with age, while an interaction was found between age and the length of list being recalled. Age differences in the probability of recall decreased as the length of the list being recalled increased. This interaction was replicated in a second experiment with immediate recall. This interaction seems most compatible with the hypothesis that older persons use less spontaneous organization during list learning. List length primarily disrupts the ability of younger subjects to develop adequate organizational plans (2.e., longer lists are more difficult to organize), and because older subjects are organizing less, they are less affected by the increases in list length.
Porins of Escherichia coli: unidirectional gating by pressure.

OmpC and PhoE porins of Escherichia coli were examined by the patch‐clamp technique following reconstitution in liposomes, and were observed primarily in the open (conducting) state. With application of negative voltage and positive hydrostatic pressure, OmpC exhibited marked gating towards a more closed state whereas PhoE remained largely unaffected by pressure application. Hybrid chimeric OmpC‐PhoE proteins showed an increased tendency for pressure‐dependent gating as the OmpC proportion in the chimeric molecule increased. In addition, several PhoE mutants with amino acid substitutions and insertions in either the L3 or L4 loop of the monomer exhibited pressure sensitivity comparable with the wild‐type OmpC porin. Our data support the structural plasticity model of porins and are consistent with the ‘charge‐screening‐unscreening’ hypothesis that describes how these proteins may exist in distinct conformations.
Affective Concomitants of Information on Morality and Competence.

A research program on the affective concomitants of information on morality (M) and competence (C) is reviewed. The program originated from the assumption that M and C are the most important categories of behavior construal and that both categories can be, and are, used in interpretation of the same behavioral acts. Whereas in the observer perspective (when inter- preting the behavior of others) M is more relevant than C, in the actor perspective (when interpreting one's own behavior) C is more relevant than M. Based on these theses it was predicted and found that: (1) M-related acts of others (moral acts and transgressions) instigated stronger affective responses than C-related acts (successes and failures), (2) the opposite was true for the participant's own acts, (3) attitudes toward other persons were more strongly influenced by the M than C-related information, and (4) attitudes toward the self (self-esteem) were more strongly influenced by the C than M-related information. The findings were discussed in terms of M and C being differently relevant for social inclusion-exclusion processes.
Understanding consumers' mobile channel continuance: an empirical investigation of two fitness mechanisms

Retaining consumers and facilitating their continuance are crucial for mobile service providers. Based on the theories of task-technology fit (TTF) and use-context fit (UCF), a research model that reflects the two fitness effects on consumers’ mobile channel continuance was developed and empirically tested against data collected from 358 mobile banking consumers of a national commercial bank in China. The results confirm the usefulness of the two fitness theories in explaining the mobile channel continuance and identify the concurrence effects of TTF and UCF on consumers’ mobile channel continuance. Specifically, this study found that task features and technology characteristics significantly affect TTF, which further determines mobile channel continuance. UCF was found to be an important antecedent of TTF and a significant determinant of mobile channel continuance. This study also found that perceived utilitarian and hedonic values influence mobile channel continuance directly and indirectly via UCF.
Particle size distributions and viscosity of suspensions undergoing shear-induced coagulation and fragmentation

The dynamic behavior of concentrated suspensions (up to a solids volume fraction of 20%) of non-spherical particles is investigated theoretically by coupling a rheological law to a population balance model accounting for coagulation and fragmentation of the detailed particle size distribution. In these suspensions, the immobilization of matrix liquid renders the viscosity dependent on the particle aggregation state. The e5ect of initial solids volume concentration and shear rate on the transient behavior of particle size distribution and suspension viscosity is examined. Power law correlations for the equilibrium 6ow curves of aggregating suspensions are deduced and compared to experimental data. Steady-state or equilibrium particle size distributions are found to be self-preserving with respect to solids volume fraction and shear rate. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.