Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship of intracanal medicaments to postoperative pain in endodontics.

AIM To investigate the relationship of postoperative pain to three different medicaments placed in the root canal after a complete biomechanical debridement of the root canal system in patients presenting for emergency relief of pain. METHODOLOGY Two hundred and twenty-three teeth belonging to 221 patients presenting as emergencies to the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne were included in the study. Inclusion was limited to patients with a diagnosis of pulp necrosis and acute apical periodontitis. All teeth underwent conventional root canal treatment, which involved the instrumentation to the apices of each canal at the first visit. Canals were instrumented using a stepback technique and hand-files along with irrigants using Milton's (1% sodium hypochlorite) solution followed by 15% EDTAC. The canals were dried and one of the following three medicaments was inserted into the canal in random sequence: Group 1: Ledermix paste (Lederle Pharmaceuticals, Division of Cyanamid, Wolfratshausen, Germany); Group 2: calcium hydroxide paste (Calcipulpe, Septodont, France); and Group 3: no dressing. Before dismissal, the preoperative pain experienced on the previous night was recorded using a visual analogue pain scale. Patients were then instructed to record the degree of pain experienced 4 h after treatment and daily for a further 4 days. RESULTS The mean score pain for all three groups was between 42 and 48 prior to treatment being commenced. After 4 days, the pain score for Group 2 was 10, for Group 3 was 7 and for Group 1 was 4. Mean preoperative pain level was 44.4 (of a maximum 100) for all groups, and declined by 50% (to 22.1) after 24 h. Patients in Group 1 (Ledermix) experienced significantly less (P = 0.04) postoperative pain than those in the other two groups. There was no significant difference between Group 2 (calcium hydroxide) and Group 3 (no dressing). CONCLUSION Under the conditions of this study, painful teeth with acute apical periodontitis that had been dressed with Ledermix paste gave rise to less pain than that experienced by patients who had a dressing of calcium hydroxide or no dressing at all. Ledermix is an effective intracanal medicament for the control of postoperative pain associated with acute apical periodontitis, with a rapid onset of pain reduction.
Understanding Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Chinese Older Adults in the Greater Chicago Area

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults. Method: Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) study, a population-based survey of U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60 years and above. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to examine depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults, 1,717 (54.4%) reported having any depressive symptoms in the last 2 weeks. Older age (r = .09), being female (r = .10), lower income (r = .09), not being married (r = .07), having fewer years in the United States (r = .05), lower overall health status (r = .32), poorer quality of life (r = .14), and worsening health over the past year (r = .24) were significantly and positively correlated with any depressive symptoms. Discussion: Depressive symptoms are common among U.S. Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted to better understand risk factors and outcomes of depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults.
Asymptotic analysis of the RS-IMEX scheme for the shallow water equations in one space dimension

We introduce and analyse the so-called Reference Solution IMplicit-EXplicit scheme as a flux-splitting method for singularly-perturbed systems of balance laws. RS-IMEX scheme’s bottom-line is to use the Taylor expansion of the flux function and the source term around a reference solution (typically the asymptotic limit or an equilibrium solution) to decompose the flux and the source into stiff and non-stiff parts so that the resulting IMEX scheme is Asymptotic Preserving (AP) w.r. t. the singular parameter tending to zero. We prove the asymptotic consistency, asymptotic stability, solvability and well-balancing of the scheme for the case of the one-dimensional shallow water equations when the singular parameter is the Froude number. We will also study several test cases to illustrate the quality of the computed solutions and to confirm the analysis.
The Effect of Perceived Risk on Purchase Intention in Purchasing Airline Tickets Online

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of perceived risk on purchase intention in online airline ticket purchases. Seven types of perceived risk were used to measure customer's perceived risk in online airline ticket purchases. The results revealed that the seven risk dimensions were positively correlated with one another, whereas they were negatively correlated with customer's purchase intention. In addition, the results of multiple regression analysis showed that the six perceived risk dimensions significantly affected customer's willingness to purchase airline tickets online.
Invited Review: UV Radiation Effects on Pathogens and Insect Pests of Greenhouse-Grown Crops

Abstract Production of high-value crops is often performed under protected cultivation. In recent years various spectral modifications have been made in greenhouse covers. Two of the main reasons to modify the spectral characteristics of greenhouse covers have been to suppress the proliferation of several foliar diseases and to protect crops from insects and insect-borne virus diseases of greenhouse-grown crops. These goals were achieved by complete or partial absorption of solar UV radiation, which interrupts the life cycle of several fungal pathogens and alters the visual behavior of many insects. Examples of these management strategies are described in this article.
Structure meets function: actin filaments and myosin motors in the axon

This review focuses on recent advances in the understanding of the organization and roles of actin filaments, and associated myosin motor proteins, in regulating the structure and function of the axon shaft. ‘Patches’ of actin filaments have emerged as a major type of actin filament organization in axons. In the distal axon, patches function as precursors to the formation of filopodia and branches. At the axon initial segment, patches locally capture membranous organelles and contribute to polarized trafficking. The trapping function of patches at the initial segment can be ascribed to interactions with myosin motors, and likely also applies to patches in the more distal axon. Finally, submembranous rings of actin filaments were recently described in axons, which form an actin‐spectrin cytoskeleton, likely contributing to the maintenance of axon integrity. Continued investigation into the roles of axonal actin filaments and myosins will shed light on fundamental aspects of the development, adult function and the repair of axons in the nervous system.
A cross‐national validation of the consumer‐based brand equity scale

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate the measurement invariance of the consumer‐based brand equity scale across two samples of UK and Spanish consumers.Design/methodology/approach – Brand equity was conceptualised as a multi‐dimensional concept consisting of brand awareness, perceived quality, brand associations and brand loyalty. To test the brand equity scale cross‐nationally a survey was undertaken in the UK and Spain. Measurement invariance was assessed using multi‐group confirmatory factor analysis.Findings – The brand equity scale was invariant across the two countries. Results show that the consumer‐based brand equity scale has similar dimensionality and factor structure across countries. In addition, consumers respond to the items of brand equity in the same way, which allows meaningful comparison of scores.Research limitations/implications – Future research could examine the cross‐national generalisability of the brand equity scale using other countries' products and services.Practical impli.
Review Article The Case Against Grammar Correction in L2 Writing Classes

The paper argues that grammar correction in L2 writing classes should be abandoned, for the following reasons: (a) Substantial research shows it to be ineffective and none shows it to be helpful in any interesting sense; (b) for both theoretical and practical reasons, one can expect it to be ineffective; and (c) it has harmful effects. I also consider and reject a number of arguments previously offered in favor of grammar correction.
Customer perceptions of service quality in the banking sector of a developing economy: a critical analysis

Focusses on investigating the critical factors of customer perceived service quality in banks of a developing economy – India. Compares and contrasts the three groups of banks in India with respect to the service quality factors from the perspective of the customers. There seems to be a great amount of variation with respect to the level of service quality offered by the three groups of banks. Identifies the factors that discriminate the three groups of banks. Customers in developing economies seem to keep the “technological factors” of services such as core service and systematization of the service delivery as the yardstick in differentiating good and bad service while the “human factors” seem to play a lesser role in discriminating the three groups of banks. The service quality indices with respect to the three groups and the Indian banking industry as whole, offer interesting information on the level of service quality delivered by banks in India.
Immersive Virtual Reality in Improving Communication Skills in Children with Autism

Individuals in the Autism Spectrum often encounter situations where they have to respond to questions and situations that they do not know how to respond to, such as, questions asked by strangers including ones related to daily-life activities. A variety of research has been done to improve social and communication impairments in children with autism using technology. Immersive virtual reality is a relatively recent technology with a potential to bring an effective solution and used as a therapeutic tool to develop different skills. This paper presents a virtual reality solution to reduce the gap experienced by autistic children due to their inability to establish a communication. An interactive scenario-based system that uses role-play and turn-taking technique was implemented to evaluate and verify the effectiveness of immersive environment on the social performance of an autistic child. Preliminary testing of the system demonstrated the feasibility of VR-based system as a took for improving the communication skill in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children. The results of the comparative usability study show the effectiveness of immersive VR in motivating and satisfying the autistic.
Corporate Governance Mechanism: An Investigation of the Internal Audit Function Quality in Nigerian Listed Firms

Internal Audit Function is a key corporate governance mechanism as an insider activity through which the Board of Director and the Audit Committee get a clearer knowledge of the activities of the management for effective oversight. The Internal Audit Function must possess the ingredients of quality namely, competence, objectivity and reliability, measured by experience, certifications, continued professional development and trainings, internal audit size, extent of the focus of the Internal Audit Function on financial work, and, independence of the Internal Audit Function. All of this affects the quality of financial reporting. This paper examines the quality of Internal Audit Function in the firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange through a qualitative approach. The results show that the Internal Audit Function in Nigerian listed firms possesses the ingredients of quality as documented in the existing literature.
Targeting neuroinflammation in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease

hyperphosphorylation and reduces memory loss. Thus, the emerging role of peripheral leukocytes in the pathogenesis of AD opens new avenues of investigation and may lead to the identification of new therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes our current understanding of the roles of vascular inflammation and circulating leukocytes in AD, focusing on recently discovered neuroinflammation mechanisms. We also discuss a role for adhesion molecules, chemokines and other inflammation mechanisms that may promote brain damage in AD. Given that all current AD therapies are symptomatic, we highlight existing anti-inflammatory treatments as well as novel approaches that may contribute to AD prevention and therapy.
Electronic monitoring-based counseling to enhance adherence among HIV-infected patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To investigated the effectiveness of an adherence intervention (AIMS) designed to fit HIV-clinics' routine care procedures. DESIGN Through block randomization, patients were allocated to the intervention or control group. The study included 2 months baseline measurement, 3 months intervention, and 4 months follow-up. HIV-nurses delivered a minimal intervention ("adherence sustaining") to patients scoring >95% adherence at baseline, and an intensive intervention ("adherence improving") to patients with <95% adherence. Control participants received high-quality usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Electronically monitored adherence and viral load. RESULTS 133 patients were included (67 control, 66 intervention), 60% had <95% adherence at baseline, and 87% (116/133) completed the trial. Intent-to-treat analyses showed that adherence improved significantly in the complete intervention sample. Subgroup analyses showed that this effect was caused by participants scoring <95% at baseline (mean difference = 15.20%; p < .001). These effects remained stable during follow-up. The number of patients with an undetectable viral load increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (OR = 2.96, p < .05). Treatments effects on viral load were mediated by the improvements in adherence. CONCLUSIONS The AIMS-intervention was effective and can be integrated in routine clinical care for HIV-infected patients. Future research should study its (cost)effectiveness among more heterogeneous samples and in settings with variable levels of standard care.
Stratified-Trend , Validation Subject Areas : Mathematical Analysis , Numerical Mathematics , Operational Research , Ordinary Differential Equation 1

In this present paper, we proposed and formulated a quantitative approach to parametric identifiability of dual HIV-parasitoid-pathogen infectivity in a novel 5-dimensional algebraic identifiability HIV dynamic model, as against popular 3-dimensional HIV/AIDS models. In this study, ordinary differential equations were explored with analysis conducted via two improved developed techniques—the method of higher-order derivatives (MHOD) and method of multiple time point (MMTP), with the later proven to be more compatible and less intensive. Identifiability function was introduced to these techniques, which led to the derivation of the model identifiability equations. The derived model consists of twelve identifiable parameters from two observable state variables (viral load and parasitoid-pathogen), as against popular six identifiable parameters from single variable; also, the minimal number of measurements required for the determination of the complete identifiable parameters was established. Analysis of the model indicated that, of the twelve parameters, ten are independently identifiable, while only the products of two pairs of the remaining parameters ( kβ and dδ ) are identifiable. Validation and simulations of the model outcome were examined using well-known Runge-Kutter of order of precision 4, in Mathcad surface, with each parameter viewed as unknown and results discussed in stratified trend, which simplified the sequence of magnitude of the identifiable parameters. By the result, identifiable parameters were established which were core to a 5-D dual HIV dynamic model. Therefore, the study though centered on dual HIV-pathogen infectivity, its adoption for other nonlinear dynamic models was readily achievable.
Formalized classification of the vegetation of Abies alba-dominated forests in the Czech Republic

A phytosociological classification of silver fir (Abies alba) forests in the Czech Republic was carried out using the Braun-Blanquet approach. It is based on the formalized and supervised Cocktail classification method. The definitions of associations were created by combinations of sociological species groups using logical operators. Dominance of single species was included in the definitions of associations. All relevés with at least 50% cover of silver fir in tree layer available from the Czech Republic were used for analysis. Three associations within two classes were distinguished. Vaccinio vitis-idaeae-Abietetum albae (Vaccinio-Piceetea, Piceion excelsae) is an oligotrophic, species-poor spruce-pine-fir forest dominated by Vaccinium myrtillus in the herb layer occurring mostly on podzols. Luzulo-Abietetum albae (Querco-Fagetea, Luzulo-Fagion) is an oligo-mesotrophic spruce-fir forest characterized by the dominance of graminoids (Luzula luzuloides, Calamagrostis arundinacea) in the herb layer. It occurs especially on cambisols. Nutrient-demanding species are typical of the stands of herb-rich mesotrophic Galio rotundifolii-Abietetum albae (Querco-Fagetea, Fagion sylvaticae, Galio rotundifolii-Abietenion) that occurs also mostly on cambisols. Soil nutrients and soil reaction (represented by Ellenberg indicator values) were determined as the most important ecological gradients affecting the variation of the vegetation in these communities.
Understanding Leakages in the Public Distribution System

This article attempts to resolve the puzzle of public distribution system leakages using the latest available data. Leakages remain high, but there is clear evidence of improvement in recent years, especially in states — including Bihar — that have undertaken bold PDS reforms. The main source of leakages is the “above the poverty line” quota, which is due to be phased out under the National Food Security Act.
Purification of a Tat‐associated kinase reveals a TFIIH complex that modulates HIV‐1 transcription

The Tat protein is a transcriptional activator which is required for efficient human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) gene expression Tat stimulates HIV–1 transcriptional elongation by increasing the processivity of RNA polymerase II. To address whether Tat‐mediated effects on HIV–1 gene expression are due to modulation in the phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II C–terminal domain (CTD), we developed a purification protocol to identify cellular kinases that are capable of binding to Tat and hyperphosphorylating the RNA polymerase II CTD. A 600 kDa protein complex with these properties was isolated, and specific components were identified using peptide microsequence analysis. This analysis indicated that proteins comprising the multi‐subunit TFIIH complex, in addition to several novel factors, were associated with Tat using both in vitro and in vivo analysis. The Tat‐associated kinase bound to the activation domain of Tat, and its ability to hyperphosphorylate RNA polymerase II was markedly stimulated by Tat. Furthermore, the addition of the Tat‐associated kinase to in vitro transcription assays stimulated the ability of Tat to activate HIV‐1 transcription. These results define a cellular kinase complex whose activity is modulated by Tat to result in activation of HIV‐1 trancription.
Social Health Insurance in Nigeria: Policy Implications in A Rural Community

Social health insurance was introduced in Nigeria in 1999 and had since been restricted to workers in the formal public sector. There are plans for scaling up to include rural populations in a foreseeable future. Information on willingness to participate and pay a premium in the programme by rural populations is dearth. This study sought to document willingness to participate and pay a premium in a social health insurance among indigenous members of a rural community in Nigeria. Adescriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among heads of households in two randomly selected clusters in Igbo-Ora community. Interviews were conducted using a pre-tested semistructured questionnaire by trained interviewers. The questionnaire sought information on socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, their awareness about social health insurance and willingness to participate and pay in the scheme. Monthly income was estimated by bidding game approach.Atotal of 410 heads of households were interviewed; their mean age was 45.2 ± 2.2 years. Of the 410 respondents, 66 (16.1%) were aware of an existing social health insurance; 344 (83.9%) were willing to participate, whereas 314 (76.6%) were willing to pay a premium. Respondents who were less than 40 years of age were 1.8 times more likely to be aware of the social health insurance (p = 0.04, OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.04 - 3.22) and 2.4 times more likely to participate in it (p = 0.01, OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.29 - 4.53) than those aged 40 years and above. Those who had at least secondary education were 2.1 times more likely to be aware than those who had either no formal or at most primary education (p = 0.01,OR= 2.1,95%CI = 1.17 - 3.79). However, those who had either no formal or at most primary education were 3.7 times more likely to be willing to participate than those with at least secondary education (p Keywords: Social health insurance, Awareness, Willingness to participate and pay a premium, Rural community, Igbo Ora
[Otosclerosis surgery: a series of 227 cases. Introduction of CO2 laser].

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of the size of the footplate opening on the hearing results in surgical treatment of otosclerosis and the use of CO2 laser in this indication. PATIENTS AND METHODS 190 patients with otosclerosis underwent 227 procedures between 1986 and 1995. Hearing results and symptoms were analyzed to compare the different procedures: 140 stapedectomies, 87 Fisch's stapedotomies, 35 of them with manual perforator, 52 of them with CO2 laser. RESULTS Air/bone gap closure within 10 dB was obtained in 87, 92 and 97 percent of stapedectomies and in 80, 84 et 90 percent of stapedotomies after 3 months, 1 and 3 years (NS). Bone conduction was improved in 81, 80 et 63 percent of stapedectomies and 87, 97, 60 percent of stapedotomies after the same time (NS). Air/bone gap closure within 10 dB was obtained in 75 and 80 percent of manual perforator stapedotomies and in 84 and 88 percent of CO2 laser stapedotomies after 3 months, and 1 year (NS). Bone conduction was improved in 78 and 96 percent of manual perforator stapedotomies and 95 and 100 percent of CO2 laser stapedotomies after the same time (NS). No facial palsy or prolonged vertigo occurred. There was one case of anucusis following a stapedectomy. CONCLUSION Although both stapedectomy and stapedotomy produced equivalent air/bone gap closure, reduction of inner ear trauma was noted with Fisch's stapedotomy. CO2 laser technique is a safe procedure, which optimizes the Fisch's stapedotomy.