Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transversal maxillary dento-alveolar changes in patients treated with active and passive self-ligating brackets: a randomized clinical trial using CBCT-scans and digital models.

OBJECTIVE To assess transversal tooth movements and buccal bone modeling of maxillary lateral segments achieved with active or passive self-ligating bracket systems in a randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-four patients, with Class I, II, and mild Class III malocclusions, were randomly assigned to treatment with passive (Damon 3 MX) or active (In-Ovation R) SLBs. Impressions and cone-beam CT-scans were taken before (T0) and after treatment (T1). Displacement of maxillary canines, premolars and molars, and buccal alveolar bone modeling were blindly assessed. RESULTS Twenty-one patients in the Damon and 20 in the In-Ovation group completed treatment according to the prescribed protocol. Eight Damon and 10 In-Ovation patients were excluded as the treatment approach had to be changed because of deviation from the recommended initial plan, while three Damon and two In-Ovation patients did not complete the treatment. Transversal expansion of the upper arch was achieved by buccal tipping in all but one patient in each group. No statistical significant difference in inter-premolar bucco-lingual inclination was found between the two groups from T0 to T1. The bone area buccal to the 2nd premolar decreased on average of 20% in the Damon and 14% in the In-Ovation group. Only few patients exhibited widening of the alveolar process. CONCLUSION The anticipated translation and buccal bone modeling using active or passive SLBs could not be confirmed. Because of the large interindividual variation, a patient-specific analysis seems to be mandatory as individual factors like pre-treatment teeth inclination and occlusion influenced the treatment outcome of the individual patients.
VISUAL PERCEPTION OF SPATIAL EXTENT.

This study was concerned with the manner in which perceived depth and perceived frontoparallel size varied with physical distance and hence with each other. An equation expressing the relation between perceived size and physical depth was developed and applied to size judgments determined with four observers under two viewing conditions. By use of that equation and an expression of the size–distance invariance hypothesis, an additional equation was developed which related perceived and physical depth. The additional equation, when applied to judgments of perceived depth from the same observers under the same viewing conditions, produced results not in agreement with those expected from the size–distance invariance hypothesis. This is interpreted as evidence against the validity of the size–distance invariance hypothesis in its usual form. The data from the apparent depth judgments also were applied to the problem of the discrepancies in results that have been found in experiments on the perceptual bisection of depth intervals.
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Infectious Corneal Ulcer

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in the management of treated infectious corneal ulcer in which inflammatory reactions were responsible for corneal damage. Method. A prospective study of 21 consecutive eyes (21 patients) was performed. Sufficient antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral agents were applied to eradicate causative organisms before permanent or temporary amniotic membrane transplantation, or a combination of the two in few patients. The amniotic membrane was soaked in antiinfective agents before transplantation in all cases. Results. After amniotic membrane transplantation, follow-up times ranged from 4 to 28 months (mean, 18 months). Clinical indications included Staphylococcus species (four cases), Pseudomonas species (five cases), Acanthamoeba species (three cases), fungus (two cases), and herpesvirus (seven cases). The corneal surface was healed successfully and recurrences of microbial infection were not noted in any case. Visual acuity was improved in cases that were nonscarring or after additional penetrating keratoplasty. Conclusion. Amniotic membrane transplantation seems to be a useful adjunctive surgical procedure for the management of infectious corneal ulcer by promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation.
FFT-accuracy - new insights and a new point-of-view

The numerical errors in the computation of a DFT directly or with an FFT algorithm are considered. The adequacy of well-known statistical approaches is discussed, and a new approach towards the coefficient error description is shown. New results concerning arithmetic errors are reported. The noiselike part of the output error is interpreted, finally, from a new "reliable-bit" point-of-view.
Epidemiology of Non-Erosive Reflux Disease

Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is a relatively new entity, the definition of which has been evolving and involves the use of symptoms, endoscopy, and objective evidence of reflux or reflux-related damage. The closest entity to NERD that is examined by available epidemiologic studies is defined by the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in the absence of esophageal erosions or Barrett’s esophagus. In this review, I identified two population-based studies, one non-community study, and several endoscopy-based studies that provided information on several aspects of NERD. Most of GERD is NERD (50–85%), and therefore one can estimate 11–12% of the general population and considerably higher proportions of patients presenting to endoscopy (37–87%) may have NERD. Risk factors for NERD including absence of hiatus hernia, low BMI, and presence of Helicobacter pylori indicate that it is a ‘milder’ part of the GERD spectrum. Other associations of NERD include younger age, female sex, and psychological comorbidities that resemble those of functional gut disorders. The temporal trends in NERD are unclear, and are probably increasing because GERD symptom prevalence has increased.
Some clinical factors involved in the healing of war wounds.

THE CONFLICT in Viet Nam has provided surgeons with an opportunity to gain further knowledge of the healing of traumatic injuries. The Seventh Field Hospital arrived in Japan with the mission of supporting the war effort in Viet Nam. Wounds are debrided initially in Viet Nam, and the more seriously injured men are then evacuated for definitive care. The US Army Medical Command, Japan, is directly concerned with the treatment of these evacuees. This study was devised in order to better understand some of the factors, particularly the wound flora, relating to the healing of these wounds. No attempt was made to review the entire subject comprehensively as this has been accomplished very well in the past. 1,2 Method All patients evacuated from Viet Nam with combat-type wounds were considered for this study. Only those whose stay at the Seventh Field Hospital was completed by the time of tabulation of
Effects of oxidation and reduction on contractile function in skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

This study investigated the effects of the oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 2,2′‐dithiodipyridine (DTDP), and reductants, glutathione (GSH) and dithiothreitol (DTT), on the properties of the contractile apparatus of rat fast‐ and slow‐twitch skeletal muscle fibres, in order to assess how oxidation affects muscle function. Skinned muscle fibres were activated in heavily‐buffered Ca2+ solutions. The force‐[Ca2+] relationship before and after various treatments was fitted by a Hill curve described by the maximum Ca2+‐activated force, pCa50 (‐log10[Ca2+] giving half‐maximum force) and nH (the Hill coefficient). Exposing freshly skinned fibres to strong reducing conditions (i.e. 10 mm DTT or 5 mm GSH) had little if any effect on Ca2+ sensitivity (pCa50 or nH). The effect of oxidants H2O2 and DTDP depended on whether the fibre was relaxed (in pCa > 9) or activated during the exposure. In both fast‐ and slow‐twitch fibres a 5 min exposure to 10 mm H2O2 at pCa > 9 had no effect on pCa50, causing only a reduction in nH. In contrast, when fast‐twitch fibres were activated in the presence of 10 mm H2O2 (or 100 μm DTDP) there was a substantial increase in pCa50 (by ≈0.06 and 0.1, respectively), as well as larger decreases in nH than occurred in relaxed fibres, with all effects being reversed by DTT (10 mm, 10 min). In slow‐twitch soleus fibres, the activation‐dependent effect of DTDP was even greater (pCa50 increased by ≈0.35), and it was found that the rate of reversal in DTT was also increased by activation. A separate important phenomenon was that fast‐twitch fibres that had been oxidised with H2O2 or DTDP (while either relaxed or activated) showed a paradoxical increase in Ca2+ sensitivity (≈0.04 and 0.25 increase in pCa50, respectively) when briefly exposed to the endogenous reductant GSH (5 mm, 2 min). This effect was reversed by DTT or longer (> 20 min) exposure to GSH, did not occur in slow‐twitch soleus fibres, and may contribute to post‐tetanic potentiation in fast‐twitch muscle. Maximum force was not affected by any of the above treatments, whereas exposure to a high concentration of DTDP (1 mm) did greatly reduce force production. These findings reveal a number of novel and probably important effects of oxidation on the contractile apparatus in skeletal muscle fibres.
Selective responsiveness of polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear to capsaicin, bradykinin and ultra‐violet irradiation.

1. The activity of single C‐ and A‐fibre cutaneous sensory units was recorded from the great auricular nerve of anaesthetized rabbits to compare the effects of chemical with other forms of stimulation under several experimental conditions. Chemical agents were delivered by close arterial injection. 2. Small intra‐arterial injections of bradykinin (0.2 microgram) and a substantial range of capsaicin doses (2‐200 micrograms) consistently activated C polymodal nociceptors without exciting other types of C‐ or A‐fibre cutaneous sense organs. 3. Topical application of xylene to the receptive field of polymodal nociceptors evoked a strong excitation which lasted several minutes. 4. The responses of polymodal nociceptors to mechanical, chemical (bradykinin, xylene) and noxious thermal stimuli were suppressed or abolished after large intra‐arterial doses of capsaicin. Capsaicin desensitization of polymodal nociceptors to one kind of stimulation often was not paralleled by similar changes in responsiveness to other stimuli. However, on the average, capsaicin desensitization altered responses to thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli without afferent selectivity. 5. Background discharge developed in C polymodal nociceptors of the rabbit ear following ultra‐violet irradiation sufficient to produce evidence of delayed inflammation. Noxious heat and bradykinin injection (0.2 micrograms) evoked more activity from C polymodal nociceptors in the irradiated ears than from control units.
Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on production of mannatide by α‐hemolytic Streptococcus

The effect of the extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF‐MF) on biomass and mannatide production by α‐hemolytic Streptococcus in liquid‐state fermentation culture medium was studied during shake flask culture. Magnetic field (MF) inductions, exposure times, and exposure periods varied in a range of 0–1.5 mT, 0–16 h, and six periods of incubation time, respectively. Results showed both biomass and mannatide production increased significantly at MF induction 0.4, 0.6, and 0.9 mT and decreased at both 1.2 and 1.5 mT. Biomass increased by exposure for initial and middle stages of fermentation. Mannatide production increased significantly at 4–8, 8–12, and 17–21 h. Peak yield of biomass and mannatide production increased by 10.7% and 14.0% at 25 and 27 h of incubation at 0.6 mT MF induction and exposure to 8–12 h of incubation time, compared with the control experiment, respectively. ELF‐MF could also enhance the growth rate and mannatide production rate of α‐hemolytic Streptococcus. However, ELF‐MF did not alter α‐hemolytic Streptococcus cell growth and mannatide metabolizing regulation or fermentation pattern. Mannatide production was not associated with cellular growth but rather only partially associated. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:331–337, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk Factors Associated With Cognitive, Functional, and Behavioral Trajectories of Newly Diagnosed Dementia Patients

Background: Dementia results in changes in cognition, function, and behavior. We examine the effect of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors on cognitive, functional, and behavioral declines in incident dementia patients. Methods: We used longitudinal data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center to evaluate cognitive (Mini-Mental State Exam [MMSE]), functional (Functional Activities Questionnaire [FAQ]), and behavioral (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire [NPI-Q] severity score) trajectories for incident dementia patients over an 8-year period. We evaluated trajectories of 457 patients with mixed effects linear regression models. Results: In the first year, cognition worsened by −1.518 (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.745, −1.291) MMSE points (0–30 scale). Education, race, and region of residence predicted cognition at diagnosis. Age of onset, geographic region of residence, and history of hypertension and congestive heart failure predicted cognitive changes. Function worsened by 3.464 (95% CI 3.131, 3.798) FAQ points in the first year (0–30 scale). Cognition, gender, race, region of residence and place of residence, and a history of stroke and hypercholesterolemia predicted function at diagnosis. Place of residence and a history of diabetes predicted functional changes. Behavioral symptoms worsened by 0.354 (95% CI 0.123, 0.585) NPI-Q points in the first year (0–36 scale). Age of onset, region of residence, and history of hypertension and psychiatric problems predicted behaviors at diagnosis. Cognition explained changes in behavior. Conclusions: Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical comorbidities predict cognitive and functional changes. Only cognitive status explains behavioral decline. Results provide an understanding of the characteristics that impact cognitive, functional, and behavioral decline.
Electronic excitations in finite and infinite polyenes.

We study electronic excitations in long polyenes, i.e., in one-dimensional strongly correlated electron systems which are neither infinite nor small. The excitations are described within Hubbard and Pariser-Parr-Pople (PPP) models by means of a multiple-reference double-excitation expansion [P. Tavan and K. Schulten, J. Chem. Phys. 85, 6602 (1986)]. We find that quantized ``transition'' momenta can be assigned to electronic excitations in finite chains. These momenta link excitation energies of finite chains to dispersion relations of infinite chains, i.e., they bridge the gap between finite and infinite systems. A key result is the following: Excitation energies E in polyenes with N carbon atoms are described very accurately by the formula ${E}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$=\ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{0}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$+${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$k(N)q, q=1,2,. , where \ensuremath{\beta} denotes the excitation class, \ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{0}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ the energy gap in the infinite system [${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$k(N)g0], and k(N) the elementary transition momentum. The parameters \ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{0}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ are determined for covalent and ionic excitations in alternating and nonalternating polyenes. The covalent excitations are combinations of triplet excitations T, i.e., T, TT, TTT, . The lowest singlet excitations in the infinite polyene, e.g., in polyacetylene or polydiacetylene, are TT states. Available evidence proves that these states can dissociate into separate triplets. The bond structure of TT states is that of a neutral soliton-antisoliton pair. The level density of TT states in long polyenes is high enough to allow dissociation into separate solitons.
The Structure of Risks in Equilibrium Affine Term Structures of Bond Yields

Equilibrium term structure models (ETSMs) in which the state of the economy follows an affine process typically imply that expected excess returns on bond portfolio positions are determined entirely by the conditional variances of the state variables. We show that these two assumptions alone– an affine state process with conditional variances that span expected excess returns– are sufficient to econometrically identify the factors determining risk premiums from the term structure of bond yields. We proceed to derive maximum likelihood estimates of these “quantities of risk” and use them to evaluate the constraints on the structure of risks implied by affine ETSMs. These assessments of fit are fully robust to the values of the parameters governing preferences and the evolution of the state, and to whether or not the economy is arbitrage free. Consistent with the structure of ETSMs, the information in the US Treasury yield curve about bond excess returns is spanned by the time varying quantities of risk. These spanned premiums are driven largely by inflation risk, more so than the real side of the economy. However, contrary to the structure of ETSMs, there is substantial variation in risk premiums that is unspanned by bond yields. Our findings suggest that this variation arrises from a time-varying market price of inflation risk and from liquidity or flight-to-quality risks in the Treasury market. ∗We thank Christian Heyerdahl-Larsen (EFA discussant), Greg Duffee, Ivan Shaliastovich (AFA discussant), and seminar participants at the 2012 EFA meetings, 2013 AFA meetings, Bank of Canada, Imperial College London, Kenan-Flagler Business School, Warwick Business School, and University of Wisconsin-Madison for helpful comments. †Le: Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (email: anh le@unc.edu); Singleton: Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, and National Bureau of Economic Research (email: kenneths@stanford.edu).
Problem formulation for risk assessment of combined exposures to chemicals and other stressors in humans

Abstract When the human health risk assessment/risk management paradigm was developed, it did not explicitly include a “problem formulation” phase. The concept of problem formulation was first introduced in the context of ecological risk assessment (ERA) for the pragmatic reason to constrain and focus ERAs on the key questions. However, this need also exists for human health risk assessment, particularly for cumulative risk assessment (CRA), because of its complexity. CRA encompasses the combined threats to health from exposure via all relevant routes to multiple stressors, including biological, chemical, physical and psychosocial stressors. As part of the HESI Risk Assessment in the 21st Century (RISK21) Project, a framework for CRA was developed in which problem formulation plays a critical role. The focus of this effort is primarily on a chemical CRA (i.e., two or more chemicals) with subsequent consideration of non-chemical stressors, defined as “modulating factors” (ModFs). Problem formulation is a systematic approach that identifies all factors critical to a specific risk assessment and considers the purpose of the assessment, scope and depth of the necessary analysis, analytical approach, available resources and outcomes, and overall risk management goal. There are numerous considerations that are specific to multiple stressors, and proper problem formulation can help to focus a CRA to the key factors in order to optimize resources. As part of the problem formulation, conceptual models for exposures and responses can be developed that address these factors, such as temporal relationships between stressors and consideration of the appropriate ModFs.
Rapid response to psychosocial treatment for adolescent depression: a two-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To examine the differential course and treatment outcome of patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial, comparing cognitive, family, and supportive psychotherapies for adolescent major depressive disorder. METHOD In a sample of 100 depressed adolescents, remission, clinical recovery, recurrence, and functional improvement were examined at the end of acute treatment and at 1- and 2-year follow-up, according to their type of response to treatment. Rapid response was defined as a decline of > or = 50% in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score from pretreatment until the beginning of the second session of psychotherapy, intermediate as a decline of < 50% but > 0%, and initial nonresponse as a BDI score that stayed the same or increased. RESULTS Rapid responders showed a better outcome at acute treatment, 1-year, and in some measures, 2-year follow-up. For those who had recurrences over time, rapid responders showed a longer period before recurrence. Subjects were most likely to respond rapidly, or not at all, in the supportive cell. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that milder forms of depression may benefit from initial supportive therapy or short trials of more specialized types of psychotherapy. The use of a placebo run-in period might help to "wash out" nonspecific responders.
Information and Communication Technology Sequences and Message Repetition in Interpersonal Interaction

This study examines the impact of using different sequences of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver repeated messages in the context of an interpersonal influence attempt. Supporting portions of ICT succession theory (Stephens, 2007), the findings suggest that, compared to using the same ICT, using complementary ICTs to deliver a repeated message increases perceptions of information effectiveness and behavioral intentions. A path model was tested to further explore the influence of complementary ICT use.The results suggest that the use of complementary ICTs functions by mitigating perceptions of overload and, in turn, increasing perceived information effectiveness, attitudes, and behavioral intentions.
Effect of Cytolethal Distending Toxin of Campylobacter jejuni on Adhesion and Internalization in Cultured Cells and in Colonization of the Chicken Gut

Abstract Campylobacter jejuni produces cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) that causes host cells to arrest during their cell cycle and that is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diarrhea in humans. To assess the role of CDT in adherence and invasion of different cultured host cells (HeLa and HD-11) and in colonization of the chicken intestine, the genes of C. jejuni NCTC11168 encoding the toxin subunits (cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC) were inactivated by insertional mutagenesis. No significant difference was found in adhesion of the wild-type C. jejuni and the isogenic mutants to HeLa and HD-11 cells. All of the mutants exhibited a decrease (>10-fold) in the ability to invade HeLa cells, but no significant difference was noticed for HD-11 cells. The ability of mutants to colonize birds either directly or by horizontal transfer was unchanged. These data indicated that although the production of cytotoxin does not play a role in the adherence to either human or avian cells, it may play a role in the invasion, survival, or both of C. jejuni in human cells, which are more susceptible to C. jejuni internalization. The CDT also does not seem to play a role in the colonization of poultry.