Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of temporomandibular disorders: implications for the investigation of etiologic factors.

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, determinants, and natural history of disease in populations. Epidemiology has several uses in addition to its traditional role of documenting the public health significance of a condition. Notably, epidemiologic methods and data can be used to identify and verify causes of disease. This article reviews the epidemiologic data on pain in the temporomandibular region, and on signs and symptoms associated with specific subtypes of temporomandibular disorders, with the aim of identifying possible etiologic factors for these conditions that deserve further study. Despite methodologic and population differences, several consistencies are apparent in the epidemiologic literature. Pain in the temporomandibular region appears to be relatively common, occurring in approximately 10% of the population over age 18; it is primarily a condition of young and middle-aged adults, rather than of children or the elderly, and is approximately twice as common in women as in men. This prevalence pattern suggests that etiologic investigations should be directed at biologic and psychosocial factors that are more common in women than in men, and diminish in older age groups. Most signs and symptoms associated with particular temporomandibular disorders (e.g., joint sounds, pain in the joint) also appear to be more prevalent in women than in men, although age patterns for these signs and symptoms are not as clear as for temporomandibular pain. The available data highlight the need for further research on etiologic factors associated with temporomandibular pain and with specific diagnostic subtypes of temporomandibular disorders.
The effect of nine common polymorphisms in coagulation factor genes (F2, F5, F7, F12 and F13) on the effectiveness of statins: the GenHAT study

Background Pharmacogenetic research has shown that genetic variation may influence statin responsiveness. Statins exert a variety of beneficial effects beyond lipid lowering, including antithrombotic effects, which contribute to the risk reduction of cardiovascular disease. Statins have been shown to influence the expression of coagulation factors II, V, VII, XII and XIII. Aim Data from a large randomized clinical trial of pravastatin, designed to show efficacy relative to usual care, were used to investigate whether a pharmacogenetic effect of polymorphisms in genes coding for coagulation factors II, V, VII, XII and XIII is associated with reduced fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and nonfatal myocardial infarction, combined CHD and all-cause mortality. Methods The Genetics of Hypertension Associated Treatment is an ancillary study of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial. The genotyped population in the lipid-lowering trial of Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial included 9624 participants randomly assigned to pravastatin or to usual care. The efficacy of pravastatin in reducing risk of all-cause mortality, CHD and nonfatal myocardial infarction and combined CHD, was compared among genotype strata by examining an interaction term in a proportional hazards model. Results None of the polymorphisms were associated with the clinical outcomes. For the F7 (–323) ins/del polymorphism there was no interaction with pravastatin for either outcome. For both the F5 Arg506Gln G>A (rs6025) polymorphism and F7 Arg353Gln G>A (rs6046) polymorphism there were no interactions with pravastatin in relation to all-cause mortality, but there were significant interactions with combined CHD [interaction hazard ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval (1.01–1.76) and interaction hazard ratio = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (1.00–3.65), respectively]. There were no interactions between the polymorphisms in the other coagulation genes and pravastatin in relation to any outcome. Conclusion Polymorphisms in anticoagulation genes (F5 and F7) seem to modify the efficacy of pravastatin in reducing risk of cardiovascular events.
Default network connectivity as a vulnerability marker for obsessive compulsive disorder

Background Aberrant functional connectivity within the default network is generally assumed to be involved in the pathophysiology of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); however, the genetic risk of default network connectivity in OCD remains largely unknown. Method Here, we systematically investigated default network connectivity in 15 OCD patients, 15 paired unaffected siblings and 28 healthy controls. We sought to examine the profiles of default network connectivity in OCD patients and their siblings, exploring the correlation between abnormal default network connectivity and genetic risk for this population. Results Compared with healthy controls, OCD patients exhibited reduced strength of default network functional connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and increased functional connectivity in the right inferior frontal lobe, insula, superior parietal cortex and superior temporal cortex, while their unaffected first-degree siblings only showed reduced local connectivity in the PCC. Conclusions These findings suggest that the disruptions of default network functional connectivity might be associated with family history of OCD. The decreased default network connectivity in both OCD patients and their unaffected siblings may serve as a potential marker of OCD.
Effect of Smelling Green Tea Rich in Aroma Components on EEG Activity and Memory Task Performance

In this study, we investigated the memory task performance and the central nervous activity after smelling two kinds of pan-fired Japanese green tea to examine the differences of their physical and psychological effects. Twenty eight subjects (14 male and 14 female) participated in this study. We used Koushun and Kouju for test samples, which were made by different manufacturing processes. After smelling each odor sample, a memory task and an arithmetic task were used to test mental stress. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded before and after smelling the test samples, and EEG activity was estimated for 4 frequency bands (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1 and beta 2). The profiles of mood states (POMS) and the visual analog scale (VAS) after mental stress task were completed for subjective assessments. The results showed that the odor of Kouju may induce a positive emotion such as a more familiar and a less hate feeling. It may also affect the EEG band power of beta 1 at right frontal region and improve memory task performance as well.
Constrained Control and Estimation: an Optimization Approach

Recent developments in constrained control and estimation have created a need for this comprehensive introduction to the underlying fundamental principles. These advances have significantly broadened the realm of application of constrained control. - Using the principal tools of prediction and optimisation, examples of how to deal with constraints are given, placing emphasis on model predictive control. - New results combine a number of methods in a unique way, enabling you to build on your background in estimation theory, linear control, stability theory and state-space methods. - Companion web site, continually updated by the authors. Easy to read and at the same time containing a high level of technical detail, this self-contained, new approach to methods for constrained control in design will give you a full understanding of the subject.
Uncovering heart failure in patients with a history of pulmonary disease: rationale for the early use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the emergency department.

UNLABELLED Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) can reliably identify acute congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute dyspnea. Heart failure, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are syndromes where dyspnea and wheezing are overlapping signs, and hence, these syndromes are often difficult to differentiate. OBJECTIVE To determine whether BNP can distinguish new-onset heart failure in patients with COPD or asthma presenting with dyspnea to the ED. METHODS The BNP Multinational Study was a seven-center prospective study of 1,586 adult patients presenting to the ED with acute dyspnea who had blinded BNP levels measured on arrival with a rapid, point-of-care device. This study evaluated the 417 patients with no previous history of heart failure and a history of asthma or COPD as a subgroup from the 1,586 adult patients in the BNP Multinational Study. The reference standard for CHF was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists, also blinded to BNP results, who reviewed all clinical data and standardized CHF scores. RESULTS A total of 417 subjects (mean age 62.2 years, 64.4% male) had a history of asthma or COPD without a history of CHF. Of these, 87/417 (20.9%, 95% CI = 17.1% to 25.1%) were found to have CHF as the final adjudicated diagnosis. The emergency physicians identified a minority, 32/87 (36.8%), of these patients with CHF. The mean BNP values (+/- SD) were 587.0 +/- 426.4 and 108.8 +/- 221.3 pg/mL for those with and without CHF (p < 0.0001). At a cutpoint of 100 pg/mL, BNP had the following decision statistics: sensitivity 93.1%, specificity 77.3%, positive predictive value 51.9%, negative predictive value 97.7%, accuracy 80.6%, positive likelihood ratio 4.10, and negative likelihood ratio 0.09. If BNP would have been added to clinical judgment (high > or = 80% probability of CHF), at a cutpoint of 100 pg/mL, 83/87 (95.4%) of the CHF subjects would have been correctly diagnosed. Multivariate analysis found BNP to be the most important predictor of CHF (OR = 12.1, 95% CI = 5.4 to 27.0, p < 0.0001). In the 87 subjects found to have CHF, 39.0%, 22.2%, and 54.8% were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), beta-blockers (BBs), and diuretics on a chronic basis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The yield of adding routine BNP testing in patients with a history of asthma or COPD in picking up newly diagnosed CHF is approximately 20%. This group of patients presents a substantial therapeutic opportunity for the initiation and chronic administration of ACEI and BB therapy, as well as other CHF management strategies.
Association of Rad9 with Double-Strand Breaks through a Mec1-Dependent Mechanism

ABSTRACT Rad9 is required for the activation of DNA damage checkpoint pathways in budding yeast. Rad9 is phosphorylated after DNA damage in a Mec1- and Tel1-dependent manner and subsequently interacts with Rad53. This Rad9-Rad53 interaction has been suggested to trigger the activation and phosphorylation of Rad53. Here we show that Mec1 controls the Rad9 accumulation at double-strand breaks (DSBs). Rad9 was phosphorylated after DSB induction and associated with DSBs. However, its phosphorylation and association with DSBs were significantly decreased in cells carrying a mec1Δ or kinase-negative mec1 mutation. Mec1 phosphorylated the S/TQ motifs of Rad9 in vitro, the same motifs that are phosphorylated after DNA damage in vivo. In addition, multiple mutations in the Rad9 S/TQ motifs resulted in its defective association with DSBs. Phosphorylation of Rad9 was partially defective in cells carrying a weak mec1 allele (mec1-81), whereas its association with DSBs occurred efficiently in the mec1-81 mutants, as found in wild-type cells. However, the Rad9-Rad53 interaction after DSB induction was significantly decreased in mec1-81 mutants, as it was in mec1Δ mutants. Deletion mutation in RAD53 did not affect the association of Rad9 with DSBs. Our results suggest that Mec1 promotes association of Rad9 with sites of DNA damage, thereby leading to full phosphorylation of Rad9 and its interaction with Rad53.
Sudden Death Caused by Giant Cell Myocarditis Following Coronary Artery Bypass

An unusual case of idiopathic giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is described. The patient had a 5-year history of stable and unstable angina, poorly controlled by medical treatment. He underwent a successful coronary artery bypass, but 2 months later died suddenly at home. A coroner's autopsy revealed isolated GCM. This newly described possible association between the surgery and the condition is discussed and the pertinent literature is reviewed. We suggest that the list of causes of GCM in postoperative patients should also include foreign-body reaction. Our findings support the view that myocarditis occasionally masquerades as fatal acute myocardial infarction.
Design and Implementation of Efficient Terahertz Waveguides

Supervisory Committee Dr. Thomas Edward Darcie, (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) Supervisor Dr. Jens Bornemann, (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) Departmental Member Dr. Colin Bradley, (Department of Mechanical engineering) Outside Member In this thesis, novel broadband waveguides capable of operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies are introduced. We explore in detail the two-wire waveguide showing that it can have absorption as low as 0.01 cm, fairly good coupling efficiency, and is free from group-velocity dispersion (GVD). We also propose two low loss, planar slot-line structures for guiding THz waves. Rigorous theoretical analyses, numerical simulations, and experimental results are presented to evaluate and verify the performance of the waveguides at THz frequencies. We also present a tapered structure to couple effectively THz waves from a photoconductive source to a two-wire waveguide. Finally, practical structures to realize the first THz low-loss cable using the two-wire waveguide are introduced.
The Effects of Supervision on Bank Performance: Evidence from Discontinuous Examination Frequencies

This paper estimates causal effects of supervision on bank performance using discontinuities in the minimum frequency of examinations required by regulation. This frequency is discontinuous at a value of bank assets that varied over time, allowing us to break the endogeneity between supervision and performance and to separate the effects of examinations from confounding effects of other banking policies that are triggered by asset thresholds too. We find that more frequent examinations increase profitability by decreasing loan losses and delinquencies. This suggests that supervisors limit the risks that banks are exposed to and, consequently, limit banks’ losses on risky assets.
Probability theory plus noise: Replies to Crupi and Tentori (2016) and to Nilsson, Juslin, and Winman (2016).

A standard assumption in much of current psychology is that people do not reason about probability using the rules of probability theory but instead use various heuristics or "rules of thumb," which can produce systematic reasoning biases. In Costello and Watts (2014), we showed that a number of these biases can be explained by a model where people reason according to probability theory but are subject to random noise. More importantly, that model also predicted agreement with probability theory for certain expressions that cancel the effects of random noise: Experimental results strongly confirmed this prediction, showing that probabilistic reasoning is simultaneously systematically biased and "surprisingly rational. " In their commentaries on that paper, both Crupi and Tentori (2016) and Nilsson, Juslin, and Winman (2016) point to various experimental results that, they suggest, our model cannot explain. In this reply, we show that our probability theory plus noise model can in fact explain every one of the results identified by these authors. This gives a degree of additional support to the view that people's probability judgments embody the rational rules of probability theory and that biases in those judgments can be explained as simply effects of random noise.
Is there a better material for thin film BAW applications than A1N?

Aluminum Nitride is the most favoured material for industrial fabrication of thin film BAW microwave filters. There are certainly good reasons for it, such as the high acoustic quality factor, the high sound velocity, and the excellent chemical compatibility with semiconductor front end materials. The most limiting property of AlN is probably the coupling factor, the determining factor for bandwidth. There are materials exhibiting much larger coupling factors, especially among ferroelectrics. However, no high enough quality factors have been achieved to date with ferroelectric films. In this article, the state of the art of AlN thin film properties is first reviewed. Results on ferroelectric TFBAR's are summarized. The role of domain configuration in ferroelastics is discussed for the case of KNbO3. The problematics of losses due to relaxation of domain wall motions is addressed. It is tried to make a conclusion on potentially good candidates. Aluminum nitride, ferroelectrics, bulk acoustic waves
Fibromyomas and Uterine Activity

Abstract. Intra‐uterine pressure was recorded with a triple‐channelled microtransducer catheter in women with fibro‐myomas prior to hysterectomy or myomectomy and in women due to undergo hysterectomy because of other gynecological disorders. In most of the patients with myomas the uterine activity differed from that in the women without myomas and from findings in previous studies on uterine activity in healthy subjects. Thus, small and irregular contractions were frequently seen in the pressure recordings from the receptors placed in the vicinity of myomas. In women with dysmenorrhea secondary to the development of myomas, increased uterine activity was registered. It is concluded that myomas may have a clinically significant effect on uterine activity.
Correlates of self-rated successful aging among community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE There is no consensus on how to define successful aging. The authors sought to determine the correlates of self-rated successful aging as well as its correspondence with major researcher-defined criteria. METHODS Participants were 205 community-dwelling adults over age 60. A questionnaire survey asked the participants to rate their own degree of successful aging and inquired about demographic characteristics, medical history, activity levels, resilience, daily functioning, and health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes study 36-item Short-Form [MOS-SF-36]). Participants' subjective ratings of successful aging were contrasted with sets of researcher-defined criteria, and correlates of subjectively rated successful aging were examined. RESULTS Ninety-two percent of the participants rated themselves as aging successfully. A majority of them also met other research criteria for successful aging such as independent living, mastery/growth, and positive adaptation but not those requiring an absence of chronic medical illness or physical disability. Higher SF-36 scores as compared with a published sample indirectly corroborated participants' subjectively rated successful aging. Subjective ratings of successful aging were significantly correlated with higher scores on health-related quality of life as well as resilience, greater activity, and number of close friends but not with several demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION Most community-dwelling older adults viewed themselves as aging successfully despite having chronic physical illnesses and some disability. Longitudinal studies of the reliability and validity of subjective ratings of successful aging are warranted.
Claspin Operates Downstream of TopBP1 To Direct ATR Signaling towards Chk1 Activation

ABSTRACT TopBP1 and Claspin are adaptor proteins that facilitate phosphorylation of Chk1 by the ATR kinase in response to genotoxic stress. Despite their established requirement for Chk1 activation, the exact way in which TopBP1 and Claspin control Chk1 phosphorylation remains unclear. We show that TopBP1 tightly colocalizes with ATR in distinct nuclear subcompartments generated by DNA damage. Although depletion of TopBP1 by RNA interference (RNAi) strongly impaired phosphorylation of multiple ATR targets, including Chk1, Nbs1, Smc1, and H2AX, it did not interfere with ATR assembly at the sites of DNA damage. These findings challenge the current concept of ATR activation by recruitment to damaged DNA. In contrast, Claspin, like Chk1, remained distributed throughout the nucleus both before and after DNA damage. Consistently, the RNAi-mediated ablation of Claspin selectively abrogated ATR's ability to phosphorylate Chk1 but not other ATR targets. In addition, downregulation of Claspin mimicked Chk1 inactivation by inducing spontaneous DNA damage. Finally, we show that TopBP1 is required for the DNA damage-induced interaction between Claspin and Chk1. Together, these results suggest that while TopBP1 is a general regulator of ATR, Claspin operates downstream of TopBP1 to selectively regulate the Chk1-controlled branch of the genotoxic stress response.
Self and other in schizophrenia: a cognitive neuroscience perspective.

OBJECTIVE Recent basic science data indicate that in healthy individuals, self-referential processing and social cognition rely on common neural substrates. The authors assessed self-referential source memory and social cognition in a large sample of schizophrenia outpatients and healthy comparison subjects in order to compare how these critical processes are associated in the two groups. METHOD Ninety-one schizophrenia outpatients and 30 healthy comparison subjects were assessed on measures of basic social cognition and source memory for previously learned word items: self-generated, externally presented, and new words. Partial correlations and multiple regression analysis were used to test the association between social cognition measures and source memory performance and the contributions of source memory and general cognitive abilities to a social cognition composite score. RESULTS Schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly lower source memory for self-generated items (self-referential source memory) relative to comparison subjects but showed intact external source memory. In both groups, self-referential source memory and social cognition showed strong correlations. When the effects of general cognitive abilities were controlled for, these correlations were attenuated in the schizophrenia patients. Regression analysis revealed discrepancies between groups in the cognitive functions contributing to social cognition performance. CONCLUSIONS Impaired self-referential source memory represents a unique cognitive deficit in schizophrenia. Moreover, the strong association between self-referential source memory and social cognition seen in healthy subjects is reduced in schizophrenia and is moderated by general cognitive abilities. Impairments in the neurocognitive system that underlies both self-referential and social cognition provide a parsimonious explanation for the disturbances in the sense of self and other that characterize schizophrenia.