Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of dental care services by Asians and native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders: United States, 1997-2000.

OBJECTIVE This report describes national estimates of dental care service utilization and unmet dental care needs due to cost for six Asian ethnic subgroups and the native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) population. METHODS Combined data from the 1997-2000 National Health Interview Surveys (NHISs), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics, were analyzed to produce estimates for Asians and NHOPIs aged 2 years and over. Information on dental care service utilization and unmet dental care needs due to cost was self-reported by persons aged 18 years and over. For children aged 2-17 years, the information was collected from an adult who was knowledgeable about the child's health. RESULTS Approximately 64% of Asian and 56% NHOPI persons had visited a dentist at least once in the past year. Utilization of dental care services, however, varies significantly by ethnic subgroup. Asian Indians were most likely to have never had a dental visit and the NHOPIs were most likely to experience unmet dental care needs in the past year. Among adults, Japanese Americans (68.2%) were most likely and NHOPIs (49.3%) were least likely to have had a dental visit in the past year. Underutilization of dental care services was most prevalent among Asian adults with poor or near poor poverty status, without health insurance coverage, and who had resided in the United States for less than 5 years. Among children, NHOPIs (82.0%) were most likely and Asian Indians (60.1%) were least likely to have had a dental visit in the past year. Underutilization was most prevalent among Asian children who were not living with their parents or living with a single parent, who had no insurance coverage, who had poor or near poor poverty status, and whose parents had less than 12 years of education. CONCLUSIONS Utilization of dental care services and unmet dental care needs due to cost vary among the Asian ethnic subgroups and the NHOPI population.
Statistical relational learning through structural analogy and probabilistic generalization

My primary research motivation is the development of a truly generic Machine Learning engine. Towards this, I am exploring the interplay between feature-based representations of data, for which there are powerful statistical machine learning algorithms, and structured representations, which are useful for reasoning and are capable of representing a broader spectrum of information. This places my work in the emergent field of Statistical Relational Learning. I combine the two approaches to representation by using analogy to translate back and forth from a relational space to a reduced feature space. Analogy allows us to narrow the search space by singling out structural likenesses in the data (which become the features) rather than relations, and also gives us a similarity metric for doing unsupervised learning. In the process, we gain several insights about the nature of analogy, and the relationship between similarity and probability.
Automatic registration for images of two‐dimensional protein gels

Two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis 1 (2‐D PAGE 1) is currently the method of choice for separating complex mixtures of cellular proteins. Despite its usefulness, 2‐D PAGE is not being applied to its full potential because of difficulties with both the method and analysis of the results. One of the key problems is the difficulty and slowness of image analysis, especially registration (image alignment), which is laborious and the results unsatisfactory. We have developed a novel system for analysis of 2‐D PAGE images, called Z3, that performs the analysis faster and more precisely. The Z3 system employs novel approaches to image registration, image display, computation of differential expression, and the design and analysis of 2‐D gel experiments. This paper describes in detail the registration algorithm, and briefly discusses the merits of complementary pseudocolor display. The registration algorithm is novel in that for the first time raw‐image‐based registration technology is applied to 2‐D gel analysis.
Gene transfer from wild Helianthus to sunflower: topicalities and limits

Sunflower (2n=17) belongs to the Helianthus genus (Asteraceae). Wild Helianthus species display morphological variation for branching and stem number, for architecture and seed size, and for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses due to which they thrive in different environments in North America. The genus is divided into botanical sections, two for annual as sunflower, and two for perennial species as Jerusalem artichoke that produces rhizomes (tubers). We explain the difficulties and successes obtained by crossing sunflower with these species to improve the agronomic traits of the sunflower crop. It is easier to cross the annual species than the perennials’ with sunflower. Several traits such as Cytoplasmic male sterility and restorer Rf-PET1 genes, Downy mildew resistance, Phomopsis resistance, Sclerotinia resistance, Rust resistance, and Orobanche resistance have already been introduced from annual species into sunflower crop, but the complex genomic organization of these species compared to sunflower limits their important potential. Perennial species are much more diverse, and their genomes display 2n, 4n, or 6n chromosomes for n 17. The realities of inter-specific hybridization are relatively disappointing due to the introgression lines that have low oil and low seed yield. We report here several attempts to introgress agronomic traits from these species to sunflower, and we present as a case study, an introgressed progenies from H. mollis, a diploid species with sessile small leaves. We constructed a preliminary genetic map with AFLP markers in 21 BC1 plants, and we then showed that some progenies display 6 to 44% of introgression from H. mollis. Although this study is promising due to the novel compact architecture of the progenies, we cannot estimate the transferability from H. mollis to other perennial Helianthus to improve sunflower.
A time–frequency approach to estimate critical time intervals in postural control

The critical time interval (CTI) is a parameter that has been used to distinguish open-loop from closed-loop control during upright stance. The aim of this study was to develop a new method to determine CTIs. The new approach, termed the intermittent critical time interval (ICTI) method, was motivated from evidence that upright standing is an intermittent rather than an asymptotic stability control process. For this ICTI method, center-of-pressure time series are first transformed to the time–frequency domain with a wavelet method. Subsequently, the CTI is assumed equal to the time span between two local maxima in the time–frequency domain within a distinct frequency band (i.e., 0.5–1.1 Hz). This new method may help facilitate better estimates of the transition time interval between open and closed-loop control during upright stance and can also be applied in future work such as in simulating postural control. In addition, this method can be used in future work to assess temporal changes in CTIs.
Regional distribution of serotonergic pre‐ and postsynaptic markers in human brain

Presynaptic markers Paroxetine is a new antidepressant which is a selective serotonin (5-HT) uptake blocker. [3Hl-paroxetine binding sites have been described in human platelets (1) and rat cortex (2 ) , and are closely related to the 5-HT uptake sites. 13Hl-paroxetine is a more selective ligand for labelling of 5-HT uptake sites than [3Hl-imipramine (3). In rat brain, selective destruction of 5-HT nerve terminals with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) leads to a 94% reduction in 5-HT levels and a 90% reduction in 13H1-paroxetine binding (2 ) , but to only a 42% reduction in [3Hl-imipramine binding (4). Therefore, we investigated the binding characteristics of [3Hl-paroxetine in human brain to determine its use as a specific 5-HT presynaptic marker.
On noise stability of a system with error-correcting codes

The problem posed in this paper is to give a relation connecting the noise stability of a communication system in which error-correcting codes are used to the parameters of these codes. The amount x of code combinations is found, which differ from each other by not less than a given number of elements for a given arrangement of all the possible combinations. It is proved that the quantity x depends on the arrangement of the primary combinations. Inequalities are obtained for the greatest amount of combinations x_m , for which any two differ by not less than d elements for small and large values n of the common number of elements in each code combination. It is established that the probability of distortion, p_n , of a code group in a system with correcting codes satisfies the inequality p_n , where p is the probability of distortion of one element. The shape of the f(p, n, d) function is found for large values of n . Graphs of this function are constructed.
Interaction corrections to the minimal conductivity of graphene via dimensional regularization

We compute the two-loop interaction correction to the minimal conductivity of disorder-free intrinsic graphene with the help of dimensional regularization. The calculation is done in two different ways: via density-density and via current-current correlation functions. Upon properly renormalizing the perturbation theory, in both cases, we find that , where is the renormalized fine structure constant and . Our results are consistent with experimental uncertainties and resolve a theoretical dispute.
Isolation and Quantitation of beta-d-Glucopyranosyl Abscisate from Leaves of Xanthium and Spinach.

From previous work (Zeevaart 1980 Plant Physiol 66: 672-678) Xanthium leaves are known to contain a high level of alkali-hydrolyzable conjugated abscisic acid. This abscisic acid conjugate has been isolated and identified by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and chemical and enzymic degradation techniques, as the glucosyl ester of abscisic acid, beta-d-glucopyranosyl abscisate. The glucosyl ester of abscisic acid was the only abscisic acid conjugate found in Xanthium leaves. It was also isolated from spinach leaves.An insignificant amount of the glucosyl ester of abscisic acid partitioned into diethyl ether, whereas 12% partitioned into ethyl acetate. Consequently, removal of abscisic acid by partitioning with ethyl acetate will result in considerable losses of the glucosyl ester of abscisic acid from the aqueous phase. Diethyl ether is, therefore, recommended for separation of abscisic acid and the glucosyl ester of abscisic acid by solvent partitioning.A method for quantitation of the glucosyl ester of abscisic acid as the tetraacetate derivative by gas-liquid chromatography with an electron capture detector was developed. The level of beta-d-glycopyranosyl abscisate in Xanthium leaves increased from 3.6 nanomoles per gram fresh weight in turgid leaves to 22.9 nanomoles in leaves from plants subjected to seven wilting-recovery cycles. beta-d-glycopyranosyl abscisate in Xanthium leaves may be a stable end product of abscisic acid metabolism.
Long-Term Glucose Control Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients With and Without Serious Mental Illness

Although studies suggest that patients with diabetes with a serious mental illness (SMI) have poor diabetes outcomes, reports conflict regarding the quality of their diabetes care and level of glucose control. In an observational follow-up to our initial cross-sectional study, we compared glucose control (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c]) between patients with diabetes with SMI versus those without SMI at two postbaseline assessments during an approximately 5-year period. Both groups continued to have glucose levels higher than what is considered good control and neither group demonstrated a significant change in mean HbA1c at the two follow-up time points. Those with SMI continued to have lower HbA1c levels than those without SMI even after adjusting for potential confounders. More effective strategies are needed to assist patients with diabetes to improve the management of their glucose levels.
Development of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory

This article describes the construction of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI), and 5 studies that examined its psychometric properties. Factor analysis indicated 11 distinct factors: Winning, Emotional Control, Risk-Taking, Violence, Dominance, Playboy, Self-Reliance, Primacy of Work, Power Over Women, Disdain for Homosexuals, and Pursuit of Status. Results from Studies 2-5 indicated that the CMNI had strong internal consistency estimates and good differential validity comparing men with women and groups of men on health-related questions; all of the CMNI subscales were significantly and positively related to other masculinity-related measures, with several subscales being related significantly and positively to psychological distress, social dominance, aggression, and the desire to be more muscular, and significantly and negatively to attitudes toward psychological help seeking and social desirability; and CMNI scores had high test-retest estimates for a 2-3 week period.
Stability analysis and control in the process of floating-target capture with hardware-in-the-loop system

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an easily implemented and practical stabilizing strategy for the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system. As the status of HIL system in the ground verification experiment for space equipment keeps rising, the stability problems introduced by high stiffness of industrial robot and discretization of the system need to be solved ungently. Thus, the study of the system stability is essential and significant. Design/methodology/approach To study the system stability, a mathematical model is built on the basis of control circle. And root-locus and 3D root-locus method are applied to the model to figure out the relationship between system stability and system parameters. Findings The mathematical model works well in describing the HIL system in the process of capturing free-floating targets, and the stabilizing strategy can be adopted to improve the system dynamic characteristic which meets the needs of the practical application. Originality/value A method named 3D root-locus is extended from traditional root-locus method. And the improved method graphically displays the stability of the system under the influence of multivariable. And the strategy that stabilize the system with elastic component has a strong feasible and promotional value.
Hypertensive heart failure.

Heart failure is being increasingly recognized the world over. Hypertension and ischemic heart disease are the two cardinal causes of heart failure. Over the years, a voluminous amount of literature has accumulated regarding various facets of hypertensive heart failure. Despite this, the risk and mechanisms of heart failure in patients with hypertension is not completely understood. Further, due to the common coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension in the population, the relative contributions of CAD and hypertension to heart failure have been difficult to disentangle. This article provides an overview of the salient aspects of hypertensive heart failure (HHF) from a clinical standpoint.
Thermostable Amylolytic Enzymes from a New Clostridium Isolate

A new Clostridium strain was isolated on starch at 60°C. Starch, pullulan, maltotriose, and maltose induced the synthesis of α-amylase and pullulanase, while glucose, ribose, fructose, and lactose did not. The formation of the amylolytic enzymes was dependent on growth and occurred predominantly in the exponential phase. The enzymes were largely cell bound during growth of the organism with 0.5% starch, but an increase of the starch concentration in the growth medium was accompanied by the excretion of α-amylase and pullulanase into the culture broth; but also by a decrease of total activity. α-Amylase, pullulanase, and α-glucosidase were active in a broad temperature range (40 to 85°C) and displayed temperature optima for activity at 60 to 70°C. During incubation with starch under aerobic conditions at 75°C for 2 h, the activity of both enzymes decreased to only 90 or 80%. The apparent Km values of α-amylase, pullulanase, and α-glucosidase for their corresponding substrates, starch, pullulan, and maltose were 0.35 mg/ml, 0.63 mg/ml, and 25 mM, respectively.
Ghrelin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with female metabolic syndrome in Chinese population.

BACKGROUND The ghrelin plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Therefore, the ghrelin receptor gene (GHSR) is an excellent candidate for studying metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in ghrelin receptor gene are associated with metabolic syndrome in Chinese population. METHODS Subjects consisted of 698 patients aged 41 to 80 years, diagnosed as metabolic syndrome by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2005 criteria, and 762 age- and gender-matched controls. Three variants within the GHSR were selected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Odds ratios were estimated using a case-control study design by controlling confounding factors. RESULTS The A/A genotype (rs2922126) in the promoter was associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.03-1.94), increased waist circumference (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.26-2.42), and increased fast blood glucose (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.06) in women. The A/A genotype (rs509030) in the intron was associated with lower plasma high density lipoprotein in women (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84). CONCLUSION The polymorphisms within GHSR might be a genetic risk factor for metabolic syndrome in women.
Relationship between emotional intelligence and suicidal ideation in Sri Lanka

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Suicidal Ideation of Sri Lankan population. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling method that consist 12 subjects, 6 per each gender. Qualitative mixed method was adopted as the method of study. Emotional intelligence Scale (EIS) by Schutte et al (1998) was used to measure Emotional Quotient of participants quantitatively and semi structured interviews to collect qualitative data in relating to Suicidal Ideation. EQ tool scoring and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis involved in analyzing the data. Analysis identified three super ordinates themes that were facilitating factors, coping strategies and inhibitory factors with twelve emerged sub themes. Findings of this study indicate that comparatively those with high EQ tend to use more coping strategies than the people with low EQ when they face negative experiences and use inhibitory methods to eliminate suicidal ideation. Further they have never had any suicidal ideation in their lives and they are good at expressing and regulating their emotions than low EQ holders. Thus it is concluded that there is an indication of having a specific relationship between emotional intelligence and suicidal ideation in Sri Lankan population.
Impact of a dedicated syncope and falls facility for older adults on emergency beds.

BACKGROUND syncope and falls are common symptoms in older adults. Dedicated facilities for these symptoms are emerging in the UK. To date, justification for resource allocation for these day case facilities is lacking. A dedicated syncope and falls day case facility for older adults was set up in Newcastle in 1991 (at the Royal Victoria Infirmary). The facility provided rapid access for assessment of appropriate patients from the community, the accident and emergency department, or emergency admissions. Activity and performance in 1999 were compared with peer inner-city teaching hospitals and with previous performance in 1990 at the Royal Victoria Infirmary to determine whether the facility had influenced emergency activity. OBJECTIVE to describe the impact of the facility on emergency bed activity and performance for the diagnostic categories of syncope, falls, collapses, gait abnormalities and dizziness. DESIGN descriptive study. SETTING syncope and falls day case facility. METHODS performance and activity for Healthcare Resource Groups and ICD codes relevant to falls and syncope were compared for adults over 65 years attending the Royal Victoria Infirmary and thirteen peer hospitals. Activity and performance before the facility was set up (1990) at the Royal Victoria Infirmary were also compared with 1999 data. RESULTS syncope and collapse is the 6th commonest reason for acute hospital attendance of over 65-year olds in the UK. In 1999, the Royal Victoria Infirmary was at variance by-6616 bed days compared with other the other Trusts for these diagnoses. This equates to 18 beds occupied in that year. The degree of emergency activity for the relevant diagnoses (Healthcare Resource Groups data) was much less than at peer trusts-35% versus 97%. The average length of stay for admitted patients was also shorter for Royal Victoria Infirmary than peers-2.4 versus 8.6 days. Acute length of stay at the Royal Victoria Infirmary was reduced from 10.9 days in 1990 to 2.7 days in 1999 (ICD 10 data). In 1991 all activity was emergency. CONCLUSION the striking variance in bed days in 1999 is due to lower emergency activity and shorter length of stay at the Royal Victoria Infirmary. This is attributed to the dedicated rapid access day-case facility. This has relevant resource implications for planning of future facilities and implementation of National Service Framework standards for falls and intermediate care.
Pregnancy associated plasma protein A as a marker for Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy

produced normal males. Comparison of the concentrations of the biochemical markers in the two groups of women shows that only the MSuE3 is significantly different (lower) in the pregnancies with an increased Down syndrome risk. A third group of pregnancies, those with twins, is also associated with higher concentrations of the biochemical markers. Risk for fetal Down syndrome cannot be assessed in these pregnancies. Sixteen women (ages 17-34 years) delivered twins. Comparison of the concentrations of MSAFP, MSuE3, and MShCG in these pregnancies also shows that only MSuE3 is significantly different from the other two groups. Biochemical screening for Down syndrome risk assessment gave similar results (in particular, elevated MSAFP and elevated MShCG concentrations) in the three groups of pregnancies summarized in Table 1. Only those pregnancies in which the pattern of the markers in combination with maternal age yielded a Down syndrome risk greater than 1 in 270, however, were associated with an adverse outcome in this study. CAROL P. WALTERS Vermont Regional Genetics Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, U.S.A.
Loss of the pigmentation phenotype in Yersinia pestis is due to the spontaneous deletion of 102 kb of chromosomal DNA which is flanked by a repetitive element

The pigmentation. (Pgm+) phenotype of Yersinia pestis encompasses a variety of different physiological traits, all of which are missing in Pgm‐ mutants. We have previously shown that loss of the Pgm+ phenotype is accompanied by the spontaneous deletion of at least 45 kb of chromosomal DNA, referred to as the pgm locus. Using chromosomal walking, we have now mapped the full extent of the pgm locus in Y. pestis strain KIM6+. Our results indicate that the locus spans 102 kb of DNA which is absent in the spontaneous Pgm‐ mutant, KIM6. Yersinia pseudo‐tuberculosis PB1/0 contains sequences homologous to the entire pgm locus while only part of this region hybridized to Yersinia enterocolitica WA‐LOX DNA. Restriction enzyme mapping and hybridization studies revealed the presence of a repetitive element at both ends of the pgm locus and in multiple copies elsewhere in the Y. pestis genome. This element may be responsible for generating the deletion.