Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The association between denture care and oral hygiene habits, oral hygiene knowledge and periodontal status of geriatric patients wearing removable partial dentures

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the association of the denture care with oral hygiene habits, knowledge and periodontal status geriatric patients wearing removable partial denture (RPD) and to compare the relationship between denture cleaning and tooth brushing frequency. Patients and methods: In total, 553 participants wearing RPD for at least 6 months and aged 65–86 years were asked to complete a questionnaire following the clinical examination. Chisquare analysis and Fisher’s exact test utilized to analyze the data. Results: A significant relationship was found between the frequency of smoking, denture age, overnight denture wearing, denture stomatitis and denture cleaning (p<0.05). 54.10% of the participants reporting that they did not have information about denture care had poor denture cleaning. Among patients brushing once per day, 26.34% had a good level of denture cleaning; whereas, this was 39.40% for those brushing three times in a day. Conclusion: The type of advice (verbal or written) and oral hygiene habits demonstrated a more significant impact on the cleaning level of dentures than the socioeconomic level, smoking, overnight use, denture age. The success of denture maintenance might depend on the patients’ knowledge of denture care and hygiene habits and geriatric patients’ motivation.
Putting meaning back into development; or (semio)translating development

Studying the relationship between translation and development is a fledgling enterprise. Apart from my own work, a number of studies and projects have been attempted in this regard. Apart from the above, thinking about development in translation studies is also constrained by the fact that most of this thinking is done in terms of interlinguistic translation. In a world that is increasingly developing in the direction of multimodal communication, this bias cannot hold. Furthermore, literature on how societies develop from the (multimodal) semiosic interactions between people is growing and challenging the linguistic bias that is inherent in translation studies. The paper addresses both of the above limitations by (1) contributing to the theoretical underpinning of the relationship between translation and development through (2) presenting a Peircean view of semiotics which includes his notions of degenerate signs, i.e. signs without interpretants. The theory explains that many social habits (development patterns or trajectories) take place at an unconscious level and at a prelinguistic level. In order for translation studies scholars to contribute to the debate on the emergence or development or society, they need to be able to (also) study the degenerate signs which human beings construct in response to their environment. The aim is to combine Peircean semiotics (also referring to secondary literature on Peirce) and complexity thinking in order to present the parameters of a theory of development from a translation perspective. 1 I use the term ‘(semio)translation’ with the brackets for a number of reasons. First, I have argued elsewhere (Marais 2019) that all translation is semiotranslation, which renders the term ‘semiotranslation’ obsolete. I maintain the ‘(semio)’ because my arguments in this regard is not yet widely known and leaving it out might lead to confusion. Last, I do not agree with all views on the nature of ‘semiotranslation’. In particular, I differ from Robinson’s (2016, pp. 181, 220) interpretation that semiotranslation refers to a particular particular type of translation that aims to provide clarity and express hope. autHor: Kobus Marais1
Body condition in terms of anatomical and biochemical assessment of body fat in North Atlantic fin and sei whales

Tissues from fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and sei (Balaenoptera borealis) whales taken off the coast of Southwest Iceland in July–August in 1978 and 1981 were analysed for percent lipid, protein, and ash contents. The tail region of the whales, especially the dorsal area, constituted the main area of lipid storage in both blubber and muscle. No significant differences (p > 0.05, ANOVA) were evident between reproductive classes, except that adult females appear to store more lipid in the tail muscles than other classes. Most sei whale tissues contained more lipid than those of fin whales, but the differences may be explained by variations in seasonal feeding and fattening. Seasonal variations and differences between reproductive classes were evident from girth and blubber thickness. Juvenile males were thinnest and adult females were thickest.
Variable stiffness prosthetic foot based on rheology properties of shear thickening fluid

The unique rheological properties of discontinuously shear thickening fluids (STF) have been employed in various engineering applications in recent years. In a commercial aspect, this has most notably been body armor and protective equipment, but also specialized smart structures in damping and force-coupling applications. The topic of this work is the application of STF in an articulating prosthetic foot for adaptable force response. Connected in series and parallel to a spring system, a STF based element can be used to affect the force transfer within the system, and thereby, influence the stiffness of the prosthetic foot dynamically over the gait cycle. The device described, prototyped and tested in this work, is a STF filled piston/cylinder design. The objective is a velocity dependent force response over the translational motion. Ranging from dampened, compliant deflection at low velocity, to a more efficient force transfer (coupling) for energy storage and return in the spring system, at higher speed. The rapid viscosity increase in the STF at a critical shear rate is used to approach a stepwise force response, thereby enabling adaptive response of the foot for different load rates. The adaptive response results in a greater range of motion with easier rollover for slow movement, for instance standing up from a seated position and adaptation to inclined surfaces, without sacrificing the energy return favorable for normal walking.
The Water‐Year Water Balance of the Colorado River Basin

Model‐estimated monthly water balance components (i.e., potential evapotranspiration, actual evapotranspiration, and runoff (R)) for 146 United States (U.S.) Geological Survey 8‐digit hydrologic units located in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) are used to examine the temporal and spatial variability of the CRB water balance for water years 1901 through 2014 (a water year is the period from October 1 of one year through September 30 of the following year). Results indicate that the CRB can be divided into six subregions with similar temporal variability in monthly R. The water balance analyses indicated that approximately 75% of total water‐year R is generated by just one CRB subregion and that most of the R in the basin is derived from surplus (S) water generated during the months of October through April. Furthermore, the analyses show that temporal variability in S is largely controlled by the occurrence of negative atmospheric pressure anomalies over the northwestern conterminous U.S. (CONUS) and positive atmospheric pressure anomalies over the southeastern CONUS. This combination of atmospheric pressure anomalies results in an anomalous flow of moist air from the North Pacific Ocean into the CRB, particularly the Upper CRB. Additionally, the occurrence of extreme dry and wet periods in the CRB appears to be related to variability of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation.
Prevalence of malaria and human blood factors among patients in Ethiope East, Delta State, Nigeria

Background: Malaria has been and is still a major protozoan disease affecting the human population. Erythrocyte polymorphisms (mainly in blood groups and genotypes) influence the susceptibility to severe malaria. Aim: This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence malaria in relation to human blood factor and to identify the susceptibility of malaria to these factors. Methods: The prevalence of malaria with blood groups and genotypes were determined in 206 subjects attending the three major medical centres in Eku-Abraka metropolis. Results: It was found that blood group O was present in 60.68% of the population, with 17.98%, 16.99% and 4.37% in B, A and AB respectively, while genotype AA was highest with 75.73% prevalence. Blood group O+ was associated with 85.71% infection, as the most susceptible of the blood groups. It was shown that dominant homozygotes, HbAA, were more susceptible than the sickle cell trait, HbAS, while sickle cell disease, HbSS, were most vulnerable to the plasmodial parasite. A combination of blood group O+ and AS genotype showed the least susceptibility to malaria with significant sample size. Conclusion: This work provides insights into the relationship between malaria, blood groups and genotypes Key words: Malaria, prevalence, plasmodium, blood groups, genotypes, erythrocyte polymorphism
The role of fungi in the nutrition of stream invertebrates

Dead leaves falling into streams are an important food source for many invertebrates. They are generally made more palatable and more nutritious if they are first colonized by aquatic hyphomycetes and other micro-organisms. At least two mechanisms appear to be responsible for this conditioning effect: microbial production (addition of easily digested microbial compounds to the nutritionally poor leaf substrate), and microbial catalysis (conversion of indigestible leaf substances into digestible subunits by microbial enzymes). Different invertebrate species vary in their ability to take advantage of microbial conditioning. This appears to be influenced by their mobility, the range of their food resources and their ability to overcome defense mechanisms of leaf-colonizing microorganisms.
Influences of rhythm on word order in German

We report three series of experiments exploring the influence of rhythm on word order in German, which were conducted in the course of the DFG-funded project The prosodic syntax of German. First, a picture-based elicitation study shows that rhythmic well-formedness influences the order of isolated conjuncts in German children and adults, as long a semantic constraint plays no role. Second, a sentence memorizing study reveals no influences of rhythm on the choice between introduced and unintroduced embedded sentences in German. Third, a binary forced choice questionnaire study with written stimuli shows that participants prefer object and adverbial pronouns in canonical word order; non-canonical word orders are accepted when the resulting sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables is rhythmically alternating. Finally, we introduce an experiment on picture-based sentence elicitation we are currently conducting, which explores the placement of the German object pronoun. Our results suggest that rhythmic influences on word order in German speech are notable but do not extend a. the subsentential level and b. do not override semantic constraints.
On the cytology of two species of Necrobia (Oliv.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

The karyology of Necrobia ruficollis F. and Necrobia rufipes De Geer was investigated. The male karyotype of the species is 18♀:8+Xyp. Details of structure and behaviour of chromosomes during cell division are presented. Variations in the morphology of chromosomes in Necrobia species and trends in the evolution of karyotypes in the Cleridae are discussed.Key words: Cleridae, karyotype, sex chromosome mechanism, polyphaga, pericentric inversion.
Speaking against racism: stories of successful Chinese L2 learners of color in China

ABSTRACT This study reports on two students of color studying abroad in China and examines the dialectic between their interpretation of American racism and their agency to study in China and speak Chinese. There have been steady increases in the number of ethnically minoritized students among the study abroad population, but students of color typically travel to places associated with their ethnolinguistic heritage. Existing research exploring study abroad students of color also tends to examine – either exclusively or partially – heritage learners with ethnolinguistic or ethnocultural affiliations to their destinations. This study switches the focus to black and brown American students learning Chinese in China. The results shed light on the relationship between structural racism they encounter in the U.S. and their agency to seek a place as an alternative to white dominance and enact a discourse against American racism. However, paradoxically, they also dismissed the racialization that they experienced in China as simple gestures of curiosity. These findings illustrate the potential of foreign language learning to engage students from disenfranchised groups in the critical discussion of race relationships.
Studies on the Dehydrogenative Polymerizations of Monolignol β‐Glycosides. Part 1. Syntheses of Monolignol β‐glycosides, (E)‐Isoconiferin, (E)‐Isosyringin, and (E)‐Triandrin

Abstract (E)‐4‐O‐Acetyl coniferyl alcohol was synthesized by the reduction of (E)‐4‐O‐acetyl ferulic acid with sodium borohydride and N,N‐dimethylchloromethylenium chloride in 80.2% yield. The glycosylation of (E)‐4‐O‐acetyl coniferyl alcohol with trichloroacetimidoyl 2,3,4,6‐tetra‐O‐pivaloyl‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside in the presence of BF3-Et2O in anhydrous CH2Cl2, followed by deacylation gave (E)‐isoconiferin in high yield. This synthetic method could be applied to the syntheses of other monolignol β‐glycosides. As a result, (E)‐isoconiferin, (E)‐isosyringin, and (E)‐triandrin were synthesized from vanillin, syringaldehyde, and p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, respectively, by five reaction steps in high overall yield.
Uptake and utilization of atmospheric ammonia in three native Poaceae species: leaf conductances, composition of apoplastic solution and interactions with root nitrogen supply

The physiological potential for acquisition of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) was investigated in three European meadow grasses (Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus erectus and Brachypodium pinnatum) competing in chalk grasslands. Experiments were carried out with plants cultivated for about three months on a soil–sand mixture at high root nitrogen supply or in nutrient solutions at low root nitrogen supply. Two different root nitrogen regimes were applied to the solution-grown plants: 130 μmol NO3 plant−1 wk−1 (approx. 50 kg nitrogen ha−1 in three months); or 130 μmol NO3− plus 130 μmol NH4+ plant−1 wk−1. Each regime was combined with two levels of NH3 fumigation (0 and 70 nmol mol−1 air for 24 d). Uptake of gaseous NH3 in the shoots was investigated under controlled environmental conditions including NH3 concentrations ranging from 0 to 30 nmol mol−1 air. Concurrently, photosynthesis, glutamine synthetase activity, nitrogen allocation, biomass allocation and apoplastic cation composition were measured. For A. elatius, the influence of photorespiration on NH3 acquisition was also assessed. Independently of plant nitrogen status, ammonia compensation points in A. elatius and B. erectus plants were <0.5 nmol mol−1. The total leaf conductance to NH3 absorption remained constant at increasing NH3 concentrations, showing that the capacity for assimilation was unaltered. Whereas internal factors in the leaves did not cause differences in the potential for NH3 acquisition between the species, other factors of NH3 acquisition were quite different: B. erectus had higher stomatal conductance and, thus, higher NH3 uptake rates per unit leaf area compared to A. elatius and B. pinnatum; higher stomatal conductances of B. erectus were to a large extent offset by a lower leaf area per plant, resulting from a lower growth rate and thicker leaves than in the two other species. The rate of photorespiration in Arrhenatherum constituted at least 15% of the net photosynthetic rate. Surprisingly, suppression of photorespiration indicated that NH3 uptake was supported by photorespiration. Bromus responded to fumigation with 70 nmol NH3 mol−1 air for 24 d by lowering the root∶shoot ratio and increasing the nitrogen concentration in the stem dry matter. The total leaf conductance to NH3 uptake decreased in all three species upon exposure to NH3, while the stomatal conductance was unaffected. The NH3 exposure caused lower apoplastic concentrations of H+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in A. elatius and B. erectus.
The Ruffed Grouse

Introduction The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is North America’s most widely distributed game bird. As a very popular game species, the grouse is in the same family as the wild turkey, quail and pheasant. They range from Alaska to Georgia including 34 states and all the Canadian provinces. Historically in Indiana, its range included the forested regions of the state. Today the range is limited to the south central and southeastern 1/3 of the state in the southern hill country, with a few pockets in counties bordering Michigan. Ruffed grouse weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds and grow to 17 inches in length with a 22-inch wingspan. They exhibit color phases with northern range birds being reddish-brown to gray while those in the southern part of their continental range, including Indiana, are red.
Occupational Stress among Orthodontists in Saudi Arabia

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify potential occupational stressors among orthodontists practicing in Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate their relationship to personal and professional characteristics. Materials and Methods: Using a validated occupational stress assessment (OSA) questionnaire, demographic information and data pertaining to potential occupational stressors and professional characteristics of the participants were collected. The OSA questionnaire was adopted and modified based on Cooper et al. classification of potential stressors. To assure anonymity of the protocol, the respondents were given the OSA questionnaire at their clinical settings or scientific meetings and requested to return the filled copy of the questionnaire without any personal disclosures. The severity of stressors was assessed using a five-point Likert scale, and individual scores were summed to obtain the overall severity score. The collected data were coded, tabulated, and analyzed using statistical software. Results: Samples of 253 orthodontists were evaluated with a response rate of 82.6% (209) and a higher proportion of male participants (75.1%). The mean severity score for stress was higher among orthodontists of age less than 30 years when compared with those more than 50 years of age (F = 3.486; P = 0.017). Similarly, the mean severity score was higher among orthodontists who had completed their residency program in Saudi Arabia, Arab countries, and Asian countries (F = 5.425; P < 0.0001). Further categorization of the stressors based on patient-, time-, staff-, work-, referral-, and income-related factors were carried out. Although patient-related factors (mean = 3.38) were considered the most stressful, referral- and income-related factors (mean = 2.39) were considered the least stressful. Conclusion: Pronounced variation was evident in assessing the potential stressors among orthodontists. Nevertheless, time management and proper patient education can address the most concerning stressors among orthodontists in Saudi Arabia.
Species composition and relative abundance of rice green leafhoppers (Nephotettix spp.) in different altitudinal regions of Nepal

Abstract Population abundance and species composition of rice green leafhoppers was monitored by sweepnetsampling or lighttrapping from more than 116 rice growing locations in different altitudinal regions of Nepal from 1992 to 1994. Three species of leafhopper Nephotettix virescens, N. nigropictus and Recilia dorsalis, were found in most samples, and a few leafhoppers similar to N. malayanus were occasionally observed. N. virescens was predominant (80%) in samples from low altitude rice fields ( 1000 m) was negligible or absent. N. nigropictus, in contrast, was more widely distributed in rice fields at both low and high altitude, and predominated (95%) in high altitude rice fields ( >1000 m). The light trap data from rice fields at low altitude (250 m) showed that both N. virescens and N. nigropictus were caught throughout the year, with few or none caught during winter (December- February). The abundance of these two insects increased from Apri.
Does Liebig's law of the minimum scale up from species to communities?

Liebig's law of the minimum, which states that only one element limits the growth of organisms at any given time, is widely used in ecology. This principle is routinely applied to organisms, populations and communities, but can it really be applied indistinguishably across these different scales? Here we show, by prediction of a resource ratio conceptual model and with an experimental test carried out in microcosms with bacteria that, unlike single species, communities are likely to adjust their stoichiometry to that of their resources. This adjustment results from competitive exclusion and coexistence mechanisms, and is sensitive to the overall diversity of species in the community. It guaranties co-limitation, i.e. simultaneous limitation by multiple resources, at the community scale and optimal use of resources and maximization of community biomass for wide ranges of resource ratios. These results question the applicability of the Liebig's law of the minimum at the community level, and the relevance of ecosystem models relying on this principle.
Design of Transcutaneous Stimulation Electrodes for Wearable Neuroprostheses

Ease of use and non-invasiveness has made transcutaneous stimulation a pervasive approach for restoration of hand function. Besides, limited targetability and induced discomfort pose a significant impediment for its clinical translation. By modifying the electrode geometry, we aim to improve the stimulation performance of small surface area electrodes that are suited for forearm muscles. Accordingly, the stimulation performance of twelve electrode geometries was assessed using a computational model and subsequent experimentation on healthy participants. Several metrics quantified their stimulation performance in terms of selectivity, comfort, and safety. Systematic analysis showed that electrode geometries and their underlying currents distribution influence selectivity and comfort, allowing for better stimulation performance. Ranking the electrode geometries identified the concentric serpentine, and the fractal-based Sierpiński and Hibert-types to outperform the circular electrodes. At a comfortable level, these electrodes provoked selective and substantial muscle contraction. Ideally, these geometries can be a reference for optimal electrode designs. The novelty of this study lies with both model-based and experimental assessments on a wide range of electrode geometries and the introduction of a computational model for electrode performance evaluation. Implications from this study can aid with easy to fabricate and personalized electrode designs. By integrating these optimized electrode designs with advanced material technologies, the applicability of wearable neuroprostheses can be improved.