Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The modality effect on reading literacy: perspectives from students’ online reading habits, cognitive and metacognitive strategies, and web navigation skills across regions

ABSTRACT This study tested the effects of the modality of reading formats (electronic vs. print), online reading habits (engagement in different online reading activities), use of cognitive strategies, metacognitive knowledge, and navigation skills on printed and electronic reading literacy across regions. Participants were 31,784 fifteen-year-old students (50.78% female) from 19 countries and economies in the 2009 Programme for International Student Assessment database. Results showed that students exhibited better reading literacy in the print environment. Moreover, information-seeking activities, control strategies, knowledge of metacognitive strategies, and navigation skills positively predicted reading literacy in both print and electronic formats for all regions, whereas social reading activities negatively predicted reading literacy in print and were most harmful for the Asian region in both formats. Memorization strategies were negatively associated with reading literacy in both formats for Australasian, Western and Eastern EU, and South American regions, but not for the Asian region. Online reading habits, regardless of types, had no impact on reading literacy in both formats for the South American region. The study findings provided suggestions for literacy instruction in the e-learning era across different regions.
Results of the PHLEFI Study (PHLEbothrombosis-FIbrinolytic therapy): A prospective, multicenter study of the fate of 1498 patients receiving fibrinolytic therapy for deep vein thrombosis

Fibrinolytic therapy for DVT has not gained universal acceptance. A notable percentage of DVTs in Germany are treated by clot-dissolving methods. This is in contrast to clinical practice in the United States where fibrinolytic treatment for DVT is virtually unknown. It is unique in modern medicine that such a frequent disease is treated so differently on a national basis. The PHLEFI Study is a multicenter, prospective trial on the fate of 1498 patients receiving different forms of fibrinolytic therapy for DVT (ultrahigh streptokinase and urokinase short-term therapy, streptokinase, urokinase, and rt-PA long-term infusions, locoregional and sequential therapies). Interest focused primarily on side-effects such as cerebral bleeding and fatal pulmonary embolism as well as on the clinical outcome in terms of revascularization. The major factor for the rate of cerebral bleeding under fibrinolytic therapy was the age of the patient (0.355% bleeding in patients under and 2.03% in patients over 50 years). The major factor for pulmonary embolism was the site of the thrombosis (2.16% with iliac, 0.701% with femoral, none with popliteal, calf and subclavian vein thromboses). Use of a temporary caval filter during lysis therapy eliminated fatal pulmonary embolism. Results of lytic therapy were stated as complete, partial, and no clearance. The outcome was dependent on the thrombus age and the medication used. The highest clearance rate achieved was 50% in patients treated with short-term ultrahigh streptokinase therapy and a history of up to three days. Fibrinolytic therapy for DVT is a reliable means of achieving revascularization. The above data may enable the physician to balance the usefulness of this therapeutic method against the risk of its side effects.
Students' perceptions of prosthodontics in a PBL hybrid curriculum.

PURPOSE A survey was distributed to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) predoctoral student classes of 2005 and 2006 to assess their perceptions regarding preclinical prosthodontics laboratory exercises. Prosthodontics curriculum clock hours, prosthodontics teaching participation, and plans for specialization were also analyzed. We hypothesized that reduced hours and perceived stress in the prosthodontics curriculum might impact students' choice of specialty at HSDM. MATERIALS AND METHODS HSDM preclinical prosthodontics clock hours were compared with national means from published data. A survey was distributed to the HSDM classes of 2005 and 2006 (n = 70) at the end of their preclinical prosthodontics laboratory exercises, prior to students seeing their first patient in the clinics. RESULTS A 100% response rate was achieved. Results from this study show that HSDM preclinical prosthodontics clock hours are on average shorter than other schools. The majority of the students felt stressed during the laboratory exercises, and they felt they did not gain adequate knowledge from the lectures, resulting in low self-esteem (confidence) in treating patients in the clinic. Despite this perception, HSDM students do just as well, if not better, than other students, as judged by external and internal outcome measures. Graduate prosthodontics specialization is still a specialty of choice among the graduates when compared to national data. CONCLUSIONS The shortened preclinical didactic and laboratory exercises in prosthodontics at HSDM affect student anxiety, but not their didactic and clinical performances or their decisions in choosing their graduate program. Problem-based learning (PBL) tutorials help the students to integrate preclinical and clinical knowledge and skills in prosthodontics.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Acute Illness

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE; kini-nase II) is a peptidyl dipeptidase. It is located in the vascular endothelium, 1 is found in many tis sues, 2 and serves two functions. 3 First, it is involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In this pathway, angiotensinogen (produced in the liver) is converted to the inactive decapeptide, angioten sin I(A-I) by renin. ACE then cleaves the terminal dipeptide to form angiotensin II (A-II) a potent vasoconstrictor. The conversion of A-I to A-II oc curs primarily in the lung. 4 The second function of ACE is in the bradykinin system. In this path way, the potent vasodilator, kinin, is inactivated by this enzyme. Figure 1 illustrates the steps wherein ACE catalyzes these reactions.
Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth: three walls versus four walls of remaining coronal tooth structure.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth between those with four walls and those with three walls of remaining coronal tooth structure and the effect of the site of the missing coronal wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two endodontically treated second mandibular premolars were decoronated, leaving 3 mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). A 0.5-mm-wide chamfer was prepared 1 mm above the CEJ. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 had four walls of coronal tooth structure, whereas groups 2, 3, and 4 had only three walls, missing the buccal, lingual, and mesial wall, respectively. The cast dowel and cores and crowns (Ni-Cr alloy) were cemented with zinc phosphate cement. A compressive load was applied 45 degrees to the long axis, 2 mm below the buccal cusp, with an Instron machine until failure at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Failure load (kg) and mode of failure were recorded. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Scheffé tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS Group 1 had the highest fracture resistance (1190.3 +/- 110.5 kg), significantly different from the other groups (p < 0.05) (group 2: 578.5 +/- 197.4 kg; group 3: 786.6 +/- 132.8 kg; group 4: 785.4 +/- 289.9 kg). There were no significant differences among the test groups. The mode of failure in group 1 was a horizontal root fracture, whereas that of the other groups was either vertical or oblique fracture. CONCLUSIONS Teeth with four walls of remaining coronal dentine had significantly higher fracture resistance than teeth with only three walls. The site of the missing coronal wall did not affect the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.
Collaborative learning utilizing a domain-based shared data repository to enhance learning outcomes

The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a quantifiable improvement in learning outcomes by integrating course materials in a 4-year baccalaureate program, utilizing a knowledge repository with a conceptual map that spans a discipline. Two new models were developed to provide the framework for this knowledge repository. A design artifact, Constructivist Unifying Baccalaureate Epistemology (CUBE), was developed and tested and incorporates these models. This CUBE artifact incorporates a Semantic Web ontology and a W3C Resource Description Framework to create a concept space that offers a unified view of the discipline. The Knowledge Repository was modeled as an organic structure with the ability to evolve over time by incorporating a ranking/voting feature which enables students and faculty to add content to the knowledge base and collectively evaluate the relative weights of conceptual threads. Conceptual Clustering was used to create a concept map for traversing the Knowledge Repository. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Knowledge Repository, a triangulated research approach was used, which cross checked results with multiple data sources and utilized qualitative and quantitative methods to validate the test instruments. The analyses included: focus groups, semistructured interviews, a questionnaire, and a quantitative exam that measured knowledge spanning multiple courses. Four classes participated during two semesters with four faculty members, using control and treatment groups. The research contrasted conventional single course instruction versus an Integrated Knowledge Repository (IKR) approach to learning. There was an average increase of 25 points in scores on a comprehensive exam for students who used the Knowledge Repository. The results supported our main hypothesis, that “Students utilizing the IKR will develop a more complex understanding of the interconnected nature of the materials linking a discipline than those students who take conventional single topic courses”.
The effect of an MSN agent on learning community and achievement

The use of instant messaging to support e-learning will continue to gain importance because of its speed, effectiveness, and low cost. This study developed an MSN agent to mediate and facilitate students' learning in a Web-based course. The students' acceptance of the MSN agent and its effect on learning community identification and learning achievement were investigated using the technology acceptance model. Results indicated that the MSN agent proved easy to use, and that students recognized its benefits with regard to their learning. In more detail, students perceived that the MSN agent would be beneficial to learning community identification, but this perceived usefulness had less effect on their learning achievement. However, it was found that perceived system usage of the MSN agent was significantly related to learning achievement, which differed from the result of analyzing students' perceived usefulness of the agent. Rather than using a systematic recording log, the perceived system usage of the MSN agent was measured through questionnaires. Interview feedback revealed that effective learning was related to the learners' engagement in the MSN agent and not just from their perceived usefulness of it. Therefore, the MSN agent could have more potential to facilitate students' learning in an online environment if learning activities related to study are designed to promote students' engagement.
Effect of two methods of reinforcement on the fracture strength of interim fixed partial dentures.

PURPOSE This study assessed the efficiency of reinforcing provisional restorations by adding a fine gauze metallic mesh or polyethylene fibers between the abutments spanning the pontic length. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-five resin fixed partial dentures (FPDs) were constructed using three provisional resins. The three resin groups were further divided into three subgroups depending on their reinforcement. Specimens were loaded compressively, and the load required to fracture the specimens was recorded in Newtons. Data were presented as means and standard deviation values. A regression model with two-way ANOVA was used in testing significance. Duncan's post hoc test was used for pairwise comparison (p < or = 0.05). RESULTS Duralay resin and Duralay fiber-reinforced restorations showed the highest fracture-resistance values, followed by Protemp and Snap, which showed statistically similar values. The three mesh-reinforced resin restoration materials showed no statistically significant difference between their fracture resistance values. Reinforcement did not alter the fracture resistance of Duralay and Protemp resin subgroups, but significantly increased that of Snap, equalizing it with the other resins. The three resin materials had similar moduli. Significant alterations occurred after fiber reinforcement. Results showed that fiber-reinforced Duralay resin showed the highest modulus values, while no statistical difference was found between the moduli of fiber-reinforced Protemp and Snap. Regarding the mesh-reinforced groups, Duralay had the highest modulus followed by Protemp and Snap. Reinforcements altered the modulus values of Duralay resin only. Mesh-reinforced Duralay resin showed the highest mean modulus, but no statistically significant difference was apparent between fiber-reinforced and control groups. As for Protemp and Snap resin subgroups, their moduli remained unchanged by reinforcements. CONCLUSION Initially, Duralay resin had higher fracture resistance values than Protemp II and Snap. Fiber and mesh reinforcements increased the fracture resistance of Snap. No statistically significant difference was evident among the fracture resistances of the three mesh-reinforced resin FPD restorations. The three resins had similar moduli. Fiber and mesh reinforcement increased the modulus of Duralay resin but did not change that of Protemp and Snap. Fiber and metal mesh reinforcements may alter the fracture strength and modulus of some, but not all, provisional resins.
Comparison of the marginal fit of pressable ceramic to metal ceramic restorations.

PURPOSE The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the marginal adaptation of a pressed ceramic material, when used with and without a metal substructure, to a traditional feldspathic porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration with a porcelain butt margin. MATERIALS AND METHODS A maxillary central incisor typodont tooth was prepared with a 1.5 mm 360 degrees shoulder with rounded internal line angle, and 30 polyether impressions were made. Dies were poured in type IV dental stone, and 30 restorations were fabricated: 10 metal ceramic restorations (MCR) with porcelain butt joints, 10 pressed to metal restorations (PTM), and 10 all-ceramic restorations (PCR). All restorations were evaluated on their respective dies at 45x magnification using an Olympus SZX-12, measurements of the marginal openings were made, and ANOVA and Scheffé post hoc tests were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS The mean marginal opening was 72.2 +/- 5.9 microm for MCR, 49.0 +/- 5.9 microm for PTM, and 55.8 +/- 5.9 microm for PCR. The post hoc tests showed that there was a statistical difference between the marginal adaptation of the PTM and MCR groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in marginal adaptation between the PTM and the PCR groups, or the PCR and the MCR groups. CONCLUSIONS The PTM group demonstrated a smaller mean marginal opening than the MCR group. The mean marginal openings of all three groups were within a clinically acceptable range.
Aripiprazole Added to Overweight and Obese Olanzapine-Treated Schizophrenia Patients

Olanzapine treatment has been associated with clinically meaningful weight increases, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus. There are few options for olanzapine responders who fail other antipsychotic agents. Aripiprazole is a potent (high-affinity) partial agonist at D2 and 5-HT1A receptors and a potent antagonist at 5-HT2A receptor and is associated with less weight gain than olanzapine. We report the results of a 10-week placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study that examined 15 mg/d aripiprazole's effects on weight, lipids, glucose metabolism, and psychopathology in overweight and obese schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder subjects treated with a stable dose of olanzapine. During the 4 weeks of aripiprazole treatment, there were significant decreases in weight (P = 0.003) and body mass index (P = 0.004) compared with placebo. Total serum cholesterol (P = 0.208), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; P = 0.99), HDL-2 (P = 0.08), HDL-3 (P = 0.495), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.665) did not change significantly comparing aripiprazole treatment to placebo treatment. However, total serum triglycerides (P = 0.001), total very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; P = 0.01), and VLDL-1C and VLDL-2C (P = 0.012) decreased significantly during the aripiprazole treatment phase. The VLDL-3C tended lower during aripiprazole, but the decrease was not significant (P = 0.062). There was a decrease in C-reactive protein comparing aripiprazole treatment to placebo, although it did not reach significance (P = 0.087). The addition of aripiprazole to a stable dose of olanzapine was well tolerated and resulted in significant improvements on several outcome measures that predict risk for medical morbidity.
Effect of extraoral aging conditions on color stability of maxillofacial silicone elastomer.

PURPOSE Maxillofacial prostheses require enhancement or replacement due to deterioration in their color during service. The purpose of this study was to investigate color stability of pigmented and nonpigmented maxillofacial silicone elastomer exposed to different human and environmental aging conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and twelve disk-shaped silicone (TechSil S25, Technovent, Leeds, UK) specimens were prepared and equally divided into pigmented (using intrinsic rose-pink skin shade, P409, Principality Medical, Newport, UK) and nonpigmented categories of seven groups (n = 16; 8 pigmented and 8 nonpigmented): dark storage (control) (group 1), sebum solution storage (group 2), acidic perspiration storage (group 3), light aging (group 4), natural outdoor weathering (group 5), silicone-cleaning solution (group 6), and mixed conditioning of sebum storage and light aging (group 7). Conditioning periods (groups) were 6 months (groups 1, 2, 3, 5), 360 hours (groups 4, 7), and 30 hours (group 6). Color change (ΔE) was measured at the start and end of conditioning. In addition, for groups 1, 2, and 4, ΔE was measured at fixed intervals of 30 days, 15 days, and 30 hours, respectively. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Dunnett's-T3 post hoc, and independent t-tests (p < 0.05). Linear regression was implemented to investigate ΔE with time for groups 1, 2, and 4. RESULTS Six of the seven treatment conditions induced perceivable color change (ΔE > 3). Within the nonpigmented category, specimens stored in the dark for 6 months (group 1) exhibited high ΔE (6.17), which was greater (p < 0.05) than that produced by silicone-cleaning solution for 30 hours (group 6) (ΔE = 2.08). Within the pigmented category, light aging (group 4), outdoor (group 5), and mixed (group 7) conditionings induced greatest color changes (ΔE = 8.26, 8.30, 9.89, respectively) (p < 0.05); however, there was a strong positive linear function of log-time after dark storage (group 1) and light aging (group 4). CONCLUSIONS There is inherent color instability of nonpigmented silicone elastomer, which adds to the overall color change of silicone prostheses. Storing silicone elastomer in simulated sebum under light aging induced the greatest color changes. Overall, the color stability of TechSil S25 maxillofacial heat-temperature-vulcanizing (HTV) silicone elastomer was unacceptable (ΔE > 3.0, range from 3.48 to 9.89 for pigmented and 3.89 to 10.78 for nonpigmented) when subjected to six of the seven extraoral aging conditionings used in this study. Inherent color instability of nonpigmented facial silicone elastomers primarily contributes to the color degradation of extraoral facial prostheses. Sebaceous skin secretions along with daylight radiation cause the greatest perceivable color change to the silicone and pigment used in this study.
Influência da prática da atividade física no resultado da cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica

Objective: To evaluate the frchanges of physical activity practice in pre- and postoperative of the patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and the frequency influence on the physical activity practice in the patients’ preoperative prognosis. Methods: Cases studies of 55 patients submitted to CABG divided into active and sedentary regarding physical activity practices. Result s: After CAGB, 14 (47%) patients classified as sedentary before surgery were practicing exercises (p = 0.03). Seventeen (59%) sedentary patients in the preoperative period presented complications after the surgery compared to 8 (31%) active patients (p = 0.04). The hospital length of stay among sedentary patients versus active patients before surgery was 15 (SD=8) and 12 (SD=5) days; p=0.03, r espectively . Conclusion: The present study showed the importance of physical activity practice in the preoperative stage on the outcomes of cor onar y ar tery bypass surger y. The patients physically active had a shorter hospital length of stay and a lower number of both trans- and postoperative complications within 1 year . The cardiac surger y pr omoted the patients’ change of habits, increasing the number of physically active patients during the 1-year follow-up.
Risk Factors of Local Recurrence after Breast Conserving Therapy in Invasive Breast Cancer

유방보존술이증가하면서유방보존술후발생하는국소재발 Purpose: Twenty-year follow-up results of two pioneering randomized controlled trials have demonstrated equal patient survival after mastectomy and breast conservation therapy. The use of breast conservation therapy has undoubtedly provided substantial progress towards a better quality of life for women with breast cancer. Outcomes of breast conservation therapy performed at Asan medical center were retrospectively reviewed and analyses were performed to determine significant risk factors of local recurrence. Methods: A total of 578 women with stage I, stage II or stage III breast cancer were treated with conservative surgery and radiation therapy between January 1997 and December 2002. Outcomes of local recurrence and survival were recorded. Results: During a median follow-up of 54.1 months, 21 patients (3.6%) developed local recurrence as first event and 10 patients (1.7%) developed regional recurrence and 19 patients (3.3%) developed systemic recurrence. Univariate analysis of the prognostic factors determined that age (p=0.005), nuclear grade (p=0.013), estrogen receptor negativity (p=0.008), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.009), progesterone receptor negativity (p=0.016) and lack of hormone therapy (p=0.005) were statistically significant factors associated only with locoregional recurrence. Results of multivariate analysis determined that lymphovascular invasion (p=0.045) strongly independent predictors for local recurrence. Conclusion: Age, nuclear grade, estrogen receptor negativity, lymphovascular invasion, progesterone receptor negativity and lack of hormone therapy were associated with local recurrence after Breast conserving surgery. The lymphovascular invasion was the strongest independent risk factors for local recurrence.