Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Power Versus Manual Toothbrush in Reducing Gingivitis

Comparison of Power versus Manual Tooth Brush in Reducing Gingivitis Dr. Keerthi Kamreddy Marquette University, 2019 Introduction: The purpose of the present 4-week, parallel-arm, single-blinded, clinical study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of a new power toothbrush in comparison with a standard flat trim ADA approved manual brush. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of powered toothbrush on gingivitis reduction compared to a manual toothbrush. Secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the effectiveness of plaque removal. Materials & Methods: The study was a single-blinded parallel arm randomized controlled interventional trial. Forty-six male and female subjects with gingivitis (32 female and 16 males) with a mean age of 26 years were enrolled but only 44 completed 4-week visit. The subjects were assigned to either of the two different groups (powered brush and manual brush). The test group was assigned to a new power toothbrush while the control group was assigned the ADA approved manual flat trim soft bristle toothbrush for the duration of the 4-week home use trial. Written instructions on brushing and professional brushing demonstration were provided at the outset of the study and repeated at 2and 4-weeks. Before each visit, subjects had at least 7 hours, but no more than 12 hours of accumulated, non-brushed, undisturbed plaque/debris. Results: The site level reduction was statistically significant in both Manual (Group B) and Powered brush (Group A) for facial sites compared to interproximal sites in percentage BOP (bleeding on probing), MGI (modified gingival index), and PI (plaque index). In group B more reduction in BOP was seen at 2 weeks inter-proximally compared to facial sites whereas the reduction in both facial and interproximal aspects is similar in Group A. At 4 weeks BOP in both groups A and B was significantly reduced in facial sites compared to proximal sites. The patient level analysis showed a trend toward reductions in signs of gingivitis over this short time frame but did not show any statistically significant reductions in % BOP, MGI, or PI. Conclusion: Both groups demonstrated a reduction in signs of gingivitis (BOP and GI) in this non-flossing population after being repeatedly trained in toothbrush use over a 4-week period. Both tooth brushes were equally effective in reducing overnight plaque as a single use exercise after initial professional training. In the short term, subjects well-trained in the use of either an oscillating-rotating power brush or a manual toothbrush can demonstrate reductions in plaque and gingivitis, but the reductions were not statistically significant.
Fostering Scientific Vocabulary Learning: A Close Look at Science Trade Books in K-6 Classrooms

Unlike inquiry-based instruction and hands-on scientific activities, which are generally recommended in teaching science, scientific vocabulary instruction has played a subordinate role in teaching scientific concepts. The reason for this might be that science learning historically has been seen as an active meaning-making process, while language acquisition has been viewed as a passive meaning-taking process (Yore, Craig and Maguire 1998). Underestimating the role of scientific vocabulary in science learning has led to less than optimum use of science books in the classroom (DiGisi 1993; Gottfried and Kyle 1992). A number of studies have demonstrated that providing definitions for new vocabulary, exposing children to new vocabulary in a variety of contexts, using appropriate illustrations to support print, and relating new vocabulary to children’s life experiences can significantly increase children’s learning of new word meanings and concepts (Biemiller 2006; Hart and Risley 1995; McKeown 1993; Miller and Gildea 1987; Pressley, Levin and McDaniel 1987). These findings are frequently put into practice by teachers in the science classroom. However, print-based resources may contain features that inhibit the teaching of new vocabulary. Unfortunately, little research has closely studied the nature of books used for science teaching and how they support children’s vocabulary learning and development; thus, we know little about how well these resources function. This area deserves a more complete investigation, because teachers need guidance on how to select books that best foster children’s learning of new scientific vocabulary. The study we report on in this article focused on whether and how science trade books support children’s acquisition of scientific vocabulary. The purpose of our study was to examine features of science trade books and to determine whether those features conform to what the research suggests best supports scientific vocabulary learning. We first provide a brief summary of important research on vocabulary learning. Second, we describe the creation of our book evaluation model based on this research. Third, we present the results of our evaluation of science trade books selected from a school library in Edmonton, Alberta. Fourth, we discuss the challenges faced by teachers when selecting teaching resources, and the practical implications of our study. Finally, we describe a promising database we are developing to help teachers select trade books that have the desirable features for fostering vocabulary learning.
Hand shape, function and hand preference of communicative gestures in young children : insights into the origins of human communication

Bien que l’utilisation precoce de gestes communicatifs par de jeunes enfants soit reconnue comme etant etroitement liee au developpement du langage (e.g., Colonnesi et al., 2010), la nature des liens gestes–langage doit encore etre clarifiee. Cette these a pour but d’etudier la production de gestes de pointage au cours du developpement afin de determiner si la relation predictive et facilitatrice entre les gestes et l’acquisition du langage implique des fonctions specifiques du pointage, en association avec des caracteristiques specifiques en terme de forme de mains, regard et vocalisations. De plus, une attention particuliere a ete apportee a l’etude des preferences manuelles dans le but de mieux comprendre le developpement de la specialisation hemispherique gauche pour les comportements communicatifs. Nos resultats ont revele des relations complexes entre le langage, les gestes communicatifs et les activites de manipulation, qui dependent de la fonction des gestes (i.e., pointage imperatif versus declaratif) et des etapes specifiques de l’acquisition du langage. Les gestes declaratifs sont plus etroitement associes au developpement de la parole que les gestes imperatifs, au-moins avant la periode d’explosion lexicale. De plus, la comparaison des patterns de preference manuelle chez l’enfant et l’adulte a montre une plus grande proximite pour les gestes que pour la manipulation d’objet. L’asymetrie manuelle droite pour les gestes communicatifs est ainsi etablie a des stades precoces, ce qui suggere un role primordial des gestes dans la specialisation hemispherique.Finalement, nos resultats ont mis en evidence l’existence d’un systeme de communication dans l’hemisphere cerebral gauche controlant a la fois la communication gestuelle et verbale, qui pourrait avoir une origine phylogenetique ancienne (e.g., Corballis, 2010). Par consequent, le present travail peut ameliorer notre comprehension des origines du langage, y compris des mecanismes de la specialisation cerebrale pour les comportements communicatifs.
Recurrent outbreaks of lumpy skin disease and its economic impact on a dairy farm in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an acute, severe and economically important transboundary disease of cattle caused by LSD virus (LSDV). Suspected outbreaks of LSD are frequently reported in Nigeria, but laboratory diagnosis is seldom carried out and the economic impact of the disease is unknown. This study investigated suspected recurrent outbreaks of LSD and its economic impact on a dairy farm. A dairy farm in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, experienced morbidity and mortality amongst Holstein Friesian (HF) calves as a result of skin infection suspected to be LSD in the year 2010, 2013-2014. LSD was tentatively diagnosed and skin biopsies samples were collected for laboratory investigation. The samples were subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Economic losses were determined based on mortality of the HF recorded during the LSD outbreaks. Clinical signs observed were fever, nodular skin lesions and oedema of the dewlap. LSDV was detected by PCR in 100% (4/4) of the samples collected. In 2013, Farm records showed highest morbidity of 14.81% (36/243) and mortality of 5.3% (13/243). Twenty-three (23) HF calves died during repeated outbreaks of LSD with estimated value of N3, 180, 000 ($17,377.05). LSD is a devastating disease and a threat to the fledgling dairy industry in Nigeria. Diagnosis of LSD in affected animals was confirmed based on clinical signs and PCR results. Huge economic losses were incurred by the dairy farm as a result of the LSD outbreaks. Livestock farmers should routinely vaccinate their cattle against LSD to forestall economic losses. Keywords: Dairy farm, Holstein Friesian, Lumpy skin disease, polymerase chain reaction, Nigeria
Measuring the diffusion of innovations with paragraph vector topic models

Measuring the diffusion of innovations from textual data sources besides patent data has not been studied extensively. However, early and accurate indicators of innovation and the recognition of trends in innovation are mandatory to successfully promote economic growth through technological progress via evidence-based policy making. In this study, we propose Paragraph Vector Topic Model (PVTM) and apply it to technology-related news articles to analyze innovation-related topics over time and gain insights regarding their diffusion process. PVTM represents documents in a semantic space, which has been shown to capture latent variables of the underlying documents, e.g., the latent topics. Clusters of documents in the semantic space can then be interpreted and transformed into meaningful topics by means of Gaussian mixture modeling. In using PVTM, we identify innovation-related topics from 170, 000 technology news articles published over a span of 20 years and gather insights about their diffusion state by measuring the topic importance in the corpus over time. Our results suggest that PVTM is a credible alternative to widely used topic models for the discovery of latent topics in (technology-related) news articles. An examination of three exemplary topics shows that innovation diffusion could be assessed using topic importance measures derived from PVTM. Thereby, we find that PVTM diffusion indicators for certain topics are Granger causal to Google Trend indices with matching search terms.
Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius Extract Prevents Cardiac Fibrosis and Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction by Epigenetically Inhibiting Smad3 Expression

The incidence of cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI) continues to increase despite advances in treatment. Excessive myocardial fibrosis plays a vital role in the development of adverse cardiac remodeling and deterioration of cardiac function. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism of the fibrosis process and developing effective therapeutics are of great importance. Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius extract (SCE) is indicated for angina pectoris and other ischemic cardiovascular diseases in China. SCE has been shown to inhibit the platelet activation and aggregation, ameliorate ROS-induced myocardial necrosis by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, and promote angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, whether SCE has effect on cardiac fibrosis after MI is not fully clear. Here, a mouse model of MI was established to observe the effect of SCE upon survival, cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis, and inflammation. Quantitative PCR and western blot assays were used to determine the expression of genes related to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) cascade and inflammatory responses in vivo. Additionally, the effects of SCE upon the collagen production, TGF-β/Smad3 (SMAD family member 3) signaling, and the levels of histone methylation in primary cardiac fibroblasts were detected. We found that SCE treatment significantly improved survival and left ventricular function in mice after MI. Inhibition of inflammation and fibrosis, as well as decreased expression of Smad3, was observed with SCE treatment. In TGF-β-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts, SCE significantly decreased the expression of collagen, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Smad3. Furthermore, SCE treatment downregulated the levels of H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and H3K36 trimethylation (H3K36me3) at the Smad3 promoter region of cardiac fibroblasts, leading to inhibition of Smad3 transcription. Our findings suggested that SCE prevents myocardial fibrosis and adverse remodeling after MI with a novel mechanism of suppressing histone methylation of the Smad3 promoter and its transcription.
Effect of Various Injection Speeds of Propofol on Blood Pressure, Time Taken and Dose Required for Induction of Anesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: To investigate the effect of injection speed of Propofol for induction of anesthesia primarily on blood pressure and secondarily, on time taken for induction of anesthesia and dose of propofol required. Methods: The prospective & interventional, randomized single blind comparative study conducted on 90 patients of both sexes aged 25-55 years of ASA grade I/II admitted to Paras Hospital Gurugram India, a tertiary care Centre, for elective surgeries under general anesthesia. Results: Mean age, sex, weight, height and distribution of patients as per ASA status was comparable among all the three groups as statistically P values were not significant (all P Value = >0.05). The differences of mean dose of Propofol used in mg and mg/kg for induction, mean induction time (seconds), pre and post induction mean systolic blood pressure (mmHg), mean diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (mmHg) among the studied groups (P50, P100, and inP200) were statistically significant with a p value of <0.05. There was no statistically significant difference between pre and post induction mean heart rate and oxygen saturation. Conclusion: At faster speeds of injection of Propofol, larger doses are required for induction of anesthesia and significant drop in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures while as the time taken for induction of anesthesia was shorter when compared to the injection at slower speeds.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of ICT by Teachers in Primary Schools in Saudi Arabia

Information and communication technology (ICT) has become part of everyday life for the many people in business, entertainment, education and many other areas of human activity. Students in primary school are just beginning to learn and accept new ideas, show a maturing creativity, develop critical thinking and decision making skills. ICT enriches all these processes. In education, the successful integration of ICT into learning and teaching depends on teachers’ attitudes and their ability to use communication technologies, not just competently, but with skill and imagination. Experience is required with the medium, however, but ICT use in education has been largely ignored in Saudi Arabia. The study described here investigated the factors influencing the adoption of ICT as a teaching tool by teachers at Saudi Arabian primary schools. Analysis of the data showed computer literacy and confidence with technology registered a significant positive effect on the study, participants’ effort expectancy, which in turn positively influenced their behavioural intention to adopt ICT. On the other hand, Saudi culture, social conditions, system quality, and other obstacles discourage the uptake of ICT by primary school teachers. The findings of this study will assist the Saudi government to enhance the positive factors and eliminate or reduce the negative factors to ensure successful adoption of ICT in primary education by teachers.
Factors Affecting the Motivation of Expatriate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teachers in the Sultanate of Oman

3 Abbreviations Used . 8 Tables . 9 Figures . 10 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 11 1.1 Nature of the Problem . 12 1.2 Rationale for the Study . 14 1.3 Significance of the Study . 17 1.4 Research Questions . 18 1.5 Summary . 18 CHAPTER 2: CONTEXT . 19 2.1 Macro Context: Oman . 19 2.1.1 Political Context . 19 2.1.2 Socio-economic and Cultural Situation . 20 2.1.3 Educational Situation . 22 2.2 Micro Context . 22 2.2.1 English Language Unit . 22 2.2.2 Teachers in the ELU . 25 2.2. 3 Students in the ELU . 26 CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW . 27 3.1 Early Theories on Motivation . 27 3.2 Modern Theories on Motivation . 29 3.2.1 Process/Goal Theories . 29 3.2.2 Content/ Control Theories . 31 3.2.2.1 Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy Theory . 32 3.2.2.2 Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory . 34 5 3.3 Conceptual Framework . 36 3.4 Job Satisfaction and Teacher Motivation . 39 3.5 Teacher Motivation . 40 3.5.1 Factors Affecting Teacher Motivation . 40 3.6 Amotivation, Demotivation and Burnout . 45 3.6. 1 Negative Influences on Teacher Motivation . 46 3.7 Job Satisfaction and Teacher Motivation in the Gulf States . 48 3.8 Summary . 50 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY . 54 4.1 Research Framework . 54 4.2 Research Questions . 56 4.3 Research Design . 56 4.4 Research Method . 57 4.5 Research Procedures: Sampling, Research Instruments and Data Collection . 59 4.5.1 Sample . 60 4.5. 2 Instruments . 63 4.5. 3 Data Collection . 65 4.5. 3.1 Pilot study . 65 4.5. 3.2 Data Collection . 68 4.6 Ethical Consideration . 68 4.7 Data Analysis . 70 4.7. 1 Data Analysis Procedure . 71 4.8 Trustworthiness: Credibility, Transferability, Dependability, and Confirmability . 72 4.9 Challenges . 74 4.10 Limitations of the Study . 75 4.11 Summary . 75 CHAPTER 5: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION . 77 5.1 Description of Themes and Categories . 78
Effect of ketamine–bupivacaine combination in multilevel ultrasound- assisted thoracic paravertebral block on acute and chronic post-mastectomy pain

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate effect of ketamine–bupivacaine in thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) on acute and chronic pain after breast cancer surgery. Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: Cancer Institute. Methods: Ninety patients were assigned to receive TPVB with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% (Group I), combined with ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (Group II) or 1 mg/kg (Group III). Assessments included; analgesia time, post-operative morphine consumption, VAS scores, hemodynamics, sedation, adverse events and Douleur Neuropathic 4 questions (DN4) scores in 1st, 2nd and 3rd post-operative months. Results: Time to first request of analgesia was (17.76 ± 10.85h) in group I vs. (23.00 ± 1.51h, P = 0.188) and (37.33 ± 2.06h, P < 0.000) in group II and III, with significant difference between group II and III (P < 0.000). Dose of morphine in group I was (10.80 ± 2.53 mg) vs. (7.25 ± 2.31 mg, P = 0.135) and (6.20 ± 1.20 mg, P < 0.02) in group II and III, with no difference between group II and III. VAS scores were lower in Group III compared with group I and II (P < 0.05). Mean DN4 score in 1st month postoperative in Group I was (3.50 ± 0.90) vs. (3.07 ± 1.17, P = 0.114) and (2.70 ± 0.65, P < 0.000) in Group II and III, with no difference between Group II and III. Twelve patients in group I had DN4 Score ≥4 vs. 10 (P = 0.372) and 3 (P < 0.000) patients in group II and III, with significant difference between Group II and III (P < 0.001). DN4 score showed no difference between groups in 2nd and 3rd postoperative months. Conclusion: Ketamine-bupivacaine in TPVB controlled acute post-operative pain in a dose-dependent manner and decreased DN4 scores one month after breast cancer surgery. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02462681.
Genetic Diversity and Heritability Estimates among Ethiopian Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana)(L.) Gaertn.) Genotypes for Yield and Its Contributing Traits at Assosa, Western Ethiopia

The extant exploration was conceded to investigate the genetic divergence among 24 finger millet genotypes for ten agronomic traits in randomized complete block design with three replications at Assosa agricultural research center in 2016 main cropping season. The objectives of the study were to evaluate and select high yielding with head blast tolerant finger millet genotypes, to estimate comparative influence of traits for entire variability and to cluster or group genotypes based on their genetic distance. The analysis of variance revealed the existence of highly significant (P<0.01) variation among genotypes for all tested traits. This implies the expediency of selection for these traits in the genetic resources used for imminent enhancement. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variations were recorded for logging, plant aspect, head blast, grain yield and finger length. High heritability estimate were resulted from plant aspect, finger length, maturity date, logging and flowering date. Traits like logging score, plant aspect, head blast score, grain yield and finger length verified comparatively high genetic advance as percentage of the mean estimates while low for phenological traits Viz. flowering and maturity date. The principal component analysis illustrated the first three principal components explained most of the variability observed in the data set. Traits like days to flowering, days to maturity, blast score, plant aspect and grain yield found to be more important in contributing the observed variability. Four phenotypically divergent clusters which showed highly significant intercluster distance were observed from cluster analysis. Resistance to stress and high yielder genotypes were found under cluster two which could be utilized as a parent to develop superior and adaptable finger millet varieties to the area.
Histology of nonfluorosed and fluorosed bone An in vitro study

Aim: The literature on effect of fluoride on dental caries is well discussed in contrast to periodontal tissues. However a recent review has explored an epidemiological association between fluorosis and periodontal disease and also the influence of fluorosis on periodontal structures along with the comparison of influence of periodontal treatment on fluorosed and non fluorosed teeth. There is a scarcity in literature dealing with effect of fluorosis on biological tissues like bone. Alveolar bone which is an integral part of periodontium similar to extremities has not been studied for mechanical , histologic and mineral aspects of fluorosed bone. Hence the aim was to study the histology of fluorosed and nonfluorosed femoral bone . Material and methods: A total of 24 healthy nonfluorosed and fluorosed bone (femur ) specimens were collected to assess and compare the histology of fluorosed versus non fluorosed bone using light microscope . Results : Cellularity of cortical and cancellous bone was found to be statistically significant in nonfluorosed group (10.72±4.10 , 8.74±2.34 )when compared to fluorosed group (6.61 ±3.31 , 5.69±1.31) respectively . Trabacular density was same in both nonfluorosed and fluorosed bone [ statistically non significant , p= 0.615 ] . However trabeculae were thick in nonfluorosed bone and short and thin in fluorosed bone. Conclusion : The observed histologic changes would influence the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and /or outcome of periodontal treatment. Dental fluorosis may soon be designated as environmental risk factor in endemic fluorosed area.