Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Xerostomia, Salivary Flow, and Oral Health Status Among Saudi Diabetic Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with numerous oral complications, including frequent oral infections, periodontal diseases, hyposalivation, and xerostomia. The present study aimed to investigate salivary flow rate, xerostomia, and oral health status among a group of Saudi diabetic patients as compared to healthy controls. Patients and Methods This comparative cross-sectional study involved 50 diabetic patients (aged between 15 and 70 years) and 53 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire and clinical examination of oral health status, which included salivary flow rates, saliva pH, tooth loss, plaque accumulation, and gingival health. Independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square tests were performed to compare between groups. Results The results revealed a statistically significant lower salivary flow (0.33 ± 0.16 vs 0.59 ± 0.54; p = 0.002) and lower saliva pH (6.36 ± 0.49 vs 6.58 ± 0.39; p = 0.014) in diabetic patients than in the control group. A higher proportion of diabetic subjects (60%) self-reported having xerostomia compared to controls (52%), but the findings were statistically non-significant. Additionally, the results revealed slightly poorer oral health and greater tooth loss among DM patients, although the results did not attain a significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion The findings of the present study demonstrate poor oral health and a high prevalence of xerostomia among Saudi diabetic patients. Oral health education should therefore be promoted in this group of patients.
The Magmatic Architecture of Continental Flood Basalts I: Observations From the Deccan Traps

Flood basalts are some of the largest magmatic events in Earth history, with intrusion and eruption of millions of km3 of basaltic magma over a short time period (∼1–5 Ma). A typical continental flood basalt (CFB) is emplaced in hundreds of individual eruptive episodes lasting decades to centuries with lava flow volumes of 103–104 km3. These large volumes have logically led to CFB models invoking large magma reservoirs ( >104 $ > {\mathrm{10}}^{4}$ –105 km3) within the crust or at Moho depth. Since there are currently no active CFB provinces, we must rely on observations of past CFBs with varying degrees of surface exposure to develop and test models. In the last few decades, significant improvements in geochronological, geochemical, paleomagnetic, volcanological, and paleo‐proxy measurements have provided high‐resolution constraints on CFB eruptive tempo ‐ the volume, duration, and frequency of individual eruptive episodes. Using the well‐studied Deccan Traps as an archetype for CFB systems, we compile multiple lines of evidence–geochronology, eruption tempo, dike spatial distribution, intrusive‐extrusive ratio, geochemical variations, and volcanological observations–to assess the viability of previous models. We find that the presence of just a few large crustal magma reservoirs is inconsistent with these constraints. Although observations from the Deccan Traps primarily motivate our model, we discuss constraints from other CFBs to illustrate that this conclusion may be broadly applicable for CFB magmatic systems in general.
Lipan Apache Placenames of Augustina Zuazua: Some Structural and Discursive Features

Abstract This paper presents twenty-two Lipan Apache placenames as used by Augustina Zuazua in a narrative to Harry Hoijer concerning Lipan history. Lipan Apache is now considered by most linguists to be largely an extinct language. However these placenames provide a glimpse into the place-naming practices of the Lipan as well as reveal how placenames were discursively used. I analyze the placenames based on the semantic and morphological components of the names. I also look at how the placenames were used in context within the narrative. Finally, I suggest that Zuazua used this narrative and the placenames to comment on the removal of the Lipan Apache from their traditional homeland. The names, then, act as lingering signs of a past homeland.
The Use of Electronic Medical Records-Based Big-Data Informatics to Describe ALT Elevations Higher than 1000 IU/L in Patients with or without Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the serious health problems in the world as HBV causes severe liver diseases. Moreover, HBV reactivation has occasionally been observed in patients with resolved HBV infection and patients using immunosuppression and anticancer drugs. Large-scale hospital data focused on HBV infection and severe liver function were analyzed at our hospital, located in an urban area adjacent to Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. A total of 99,932 individuals whose blood samples were taken at 7,170,240 opportunities were analyzed. The HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive group had a more frequent prevalence of patients with higher transaminase elevations than the HBsAg-negative group. However, among the HBsAg-negative group, patients who were positive for anti-HBV surface antibody and/or anti-HBV core antibody, had more severe liver conditions and fatal outcomes. More careful attention should be paid to alanine transaminase (ALT) elevations higher than 1000 IU/L in patients who had current and previous HBV infection.
Resveratrol Suppresses Cardiac Renin Angiotensin System in the Late Phase of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Background and objectives: Resveratrol(3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a natural polyphenole phytoalexin which exerts potential cardioprotective effects, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects are still unknown. Cardiac renin angiotensin system (RAS) over-activation plays an important role in pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) progression. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on the main components of RAS during early and late phase of myocardial hypertrophy. Methods: To consider the early and late phase of LVH, the rats were studied two and sixteen weeks after abdominal aorta banding without treatment (H2w and H16w groups, respectively) or with resveratrol (R) treatment. Intact animals served as control (Ctl). Arterial blood pressure was recorded by carotid cannulation. Angiotensin II (Ang II) level was measured using ELISA kit. Gene expression was evaluated by Real time RT-PCR technique. Cardiomyocyte size and fibrosis were assessed using haematoxylin/eosin and Masson trichrome staining, respectively Results: Results of this study showed that in H2w group AT1a mRNA level was increased significantly (pConclusion: Progression of LVH is accompanied by dynamic changes in RAS components expression in myocardial tissue. Resveratrol protects the heart against pressure overload-induced hypertrophy in part via RAS suppression.
Effect of Low-Dose Gamma Radiation and Lipoic Acid on High- Radiation-Dose Induced Rat Brain Injuries

Aim This work aims to investigate the possible radio-adaptive mechanisms induced by low-dose (LD) whole-body γ-irradiation alone or combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) administration in modulating high-dose (HD) head irradiation–induced brain injury in rats. Materials and Methods Rats were irradiated with LD (.25 Gy) 24 hours prior HD (20 Gy), and subjected to ALA (100 mg/kg/day) 5 minutes after HD and continued for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and brain samples were dissected for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Results HD irradiation-induced brain injury as manifested by elevation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers in brain tissue. Histological examination of brain sections showed marked alterations. However, LD alone or combined with ALA ameliorated the changes induced by HD. Conclusion Under the present experimental conditions, LD whole-body irradiation exhibited neuroprotective activity against detrimental effects of a subsequent HD head irradiation. This effect might be due to the adaptive response induced by LD that activated the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the affected animals making them able to cope with the subsequent high-dose exposure. However, the combined LD exposure and ALA supplementation produced a further modulating effect in the HD-irradiated rats.
The effect of fairy shrimp “branchoneta” (Dendrocephalus brasiliensis) as the initial diet of tambaqui postlarvae

The effect of fairy shrimp “branchoneta” as the first exogenous feed for tambaqui postlarvae was evaluated. A hundred and eighty larvae were distributed in 12 aquariums, containing 1.5L of water and the stocking density was 10 larvae per liter. The trials lasted for 20 days and postlarvae were submitted to three diets (T1: Commercial feed, T2: branchoneta, and T3: Commercial feed with branchoneta), with a completely randomized design with four replicates for each treatment. During the trials, the water quality parameters were kept within ideal conditions for the species. The tambaqui postlarvae submitted to T2 and T3 showed better survival rates respectively. Regarding the postlarval development, larvae fed with only branchoneta had a better final weight (3.48 mg), daily weight gain (0.14 mg day-1), and the best specific growth rate (8.62%). The results also showed that the tambaqui postlarvae fed with only commercial feed developed less efficiently due to lower rates of survival and growth. The present study indicates that the branchoneta promoted greater development and survival rates of the tambaqui postlarvae and therefore, it presents good potential as a live food for the species.
Preliminary Observations on Viola calcarata as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Two Alpine Subspecies

Viola L. is a botanical genus with approximately 525 to 620 species, spread worldwide. Several violets are traditionally used as edible flowers and have been recently proved to be a source of bioactive compounds, including flavonols, flavanols, benzoic acids, and cinnamic acids. However, no information is available about the phytochemical profile of the Viola calcarata complex, which is found in the Alpine environment. Thus, the present research aimed to assess the antioxidant activity and the presence of bioactive compounds (anthocyanins and phenolic compounds) in V. calcarata subspecies, to promote their biodiversity and use in the agrifood sector. Two V. calcarata subspecies were chosen, with different colors: V. calcarata subspecies calcarata L. , with white (CW), yellow (CY), and violet flowers (CV); and V. calcarata subspecies villarsiana (Roem & Schult.) Merxm. , with bicolor (violet and yellow—VB) flowers. CY showed a significantly higher phenolic content (1116.43 mg GAE 100 g−1 FW) than the other subspecies, while CV showed higher values in anthocyanins content (44.73 mg C3G 100 g−1 FW). Regarding the antioxidant activity, CW (215.07 mmol Fe2+ kg−1 FW, 99.53 µmol TE g−1 FW, and 32.30 µmol TE g−1 FW for FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, respectively) and VB (217.33 mmol Fe2+ kg−1 FW, 90.97 µmol TE g−1 FW, and 29.17 µmol TE g−1 FW for FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, respectively) showed the highest values. Through HPLC, a total of eight phenolic compounds were quantitatively identified among the two subspecies, including flavonols, cinnamic acids, benzoic acids, catechins, and vitamin C. Though different in their composition, the two subspecies are rich in phenolic compounds, highlighting the importance of preserving their biodiversity and their potential use in the agrifood sector.
THE USE OF NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY (NIRS) TO DETERMINE THE VENTILATORY THRESHOLD AND THE RELATION BETWEEN SKELETAL MUSCLE OXYGENATION AND RPE

This study: 1) compared three (i.e., V-slope, Bhambhani et al., 1997, and Belardinelli et al., 1995) techniques of measuring the ventilatory threshold (VT), 2) examined the relation between OMNI RPE and muscle deoxygenation (MD), and 3) evaluated the impact of gender on MD and RPE. Subjects included 20 males and 13 females, aged 25-29 years. A commercial NIRS sensor (NIRS Micro-Run Man model # MRM-96) was placed over the right vastus lateralis and secured with an elastic wrap. Next, each subject underwent a progressive multistage cycle ergometer test to establish the VT using the V-slope method and NIRS methods. The V-slope (58.62 ± 10.47% VO2peak), Bhambhani et al. 1997 (49.75 ± 20.13% VO2peak), and Belardinelli et al. 1995 (60.87 ± 10.15% VO2peak) methods did not result in different (F(2,49) = 2.77, p > 0.05) VT values. The following significant linear regression equation was generated (p = 0.016): OMNI RPE = 5.97 - (15.20)MD (R = -0.20, R2 = 0.04, and SE = 2.76). The two-way ANOVA (gender x power output) conducted on OMNI RPE revealed a significant main effect for gender (F(1,193) = 19.53, p < 0.05). Males had lower RPEs (6.32 ± .17) than females (7.16 ± .28). A significant main effect for power output was also found (F(9, 193) = 56.21, p < 0.05). In addition, a significant gender x power output interaction was found (F(7, 193) = 2.11, p < 0.05). With respect to MD, the two-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for gender (F(1, 133) = 10.61, p < 0.05). Females had less MD (0.012 ± .007) than males (0.002 ± .005). The results of this study indicate that the three methods of determining the VT were not different. MD values decreased with increasing ratings of perceived exertion. RPE differed between genders, with males having lower RPE's than females (p < 0.05). Also, a significant gender x power output interaction was found (p < 0.05). Finally, women experienced less skeletal MD than men during a progressively incremented cycle ergometer protocol.
Socio-demographic Determinants, Patterns, and Treatment Outcomes of Dental Trauma Patients Treated at a Restorative Dentistry Unit, National Dental Teaching Hospital (NDTH), Sri Lanka

Aim: This study aimed to determine the socio-demographic determinants, patterns, and treatment outcomes of dental trauma patients treated at a Restorative Dentistry Unit, National Dental Hospital (Teaching) (NDTH), Sri Lanka. Material and methods: This retrospective hospital-based study analyzed data of a total sample of 422 patients according to age, gender, cause, number, and the type of traumatized teeth from the clinical records of traumatized patients. The sample consisted of patients who attended the Restorative Dentistry Unit A of NDTH, Sri Lanka for traumatic dental injuries between January 2017 to January 2021. The data covered the period from 1st January 2017 to 1st January 2021. This period comprised the pre-COVID-19 era, and the COVID-19 era commenced from 11th March 2020, with the detection of the first local case and first and second waves of the pandemic. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS-21 Statistical Software Package. The data are presented by frequency distributions and chi-square test of statistical significance for group comparisons in selected variables. Results: Patients presented with dental trauma reflected a wider age ranged from 3 to 71 years thus reflecting the vulnerability to dental trauma across all ages from toddlers to older adults from which 65.6% were males and 34.5% were females. Only 34.5% of the patients sought treatment on the same day or the following day, while the most frequent cause for dental trauma was a fall (57.6%). Maxillary central incisors were the most affected teeth of the permanent teeth, and 67.2% had sustained uncomplicated fractures involving only the enamel and dentine. When considering the treatment outcomes, 62.1% of patients have received coronal restorations, 30.6% root canal treatments and 7.1% had undergone extractions. 13.7% had received other treatments such as splinting and another 7.3 % have received extra-coronal restorations. Conclusions: As emerged from the findings of the present study, there was a wide variation of ages from toddlers to older adults presented for restorative treatment due to dental trauma demonstrating their vulnerability across all ages overwhelmingly dominated by male gender. Almost two thirds of them received coronal restorations whilst nearly a one-third got root canal treatment as main outcome. Importantly, there was a significant delay in presenting for care among majority of patients for those traumatic injuries, it is therefore, strongly suggested that educational programs to be conducted for the public and parents of children to create awareness about the importance of seeking care for immediate management of traumatized teeth.
Effect of plant density on the growth, development and yield of brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. gemmifera L.)

Plant density is an important variable for achieving maximum yields and uniform vegetable maturity. Optimal plant density can be achieved by establishing appropriate distances both between the rows as well as in the rows of plants. The experiment was carried out between 2010–2012 at the experimental field of the Crimean Agrotechnological University in Simferopol, Ukraine. The experiment was established as randomised blocks with four replications. This study aimed to determine the effect of plant density on the growth, development and yield of Brussels sprouts. Increasing the area per plant resulted in a shortening of the time to the beginning of head formation, technical maturity and harvest. In all study years, increasing the distance between plants caused an increase in leaf assimilation area, stalk diameter and the number of heads per plant, however, the height of plants was lower. The most favourable parameters characterising marketable yield were found at an area per plant of 0.56 m 2 , however, the maximum yield from 1 ha (determining the profitability of the cultivation) was found at an area of 0.49 m 2 per plant.
I Got My Eyes on You: Examination of Sports Celebrity Endorsement Effect on Viewer’s Visual Attention

Celebrity endorsement is a widely used method to gather customer visual attention to the advertised product. Viewers' visual attention to the products is clinical for advertisers. This is why advertisers keep their eyes on consumers to know where they're looking. The study was aimed to explore the visual attention of young sports consumers by gender with the help of an eye-tracking system. An experiment was conducted with twenty-eight university students by using Tobii Pro Glasses-2 eye tracker. Fixation durations, counts, and areas were measured to assess the effects of sports celebrity endorsement on visual attention. In major findings, although in the ad where a female sports celebrity was featured, men and women respondents were fixed in similar areas, the men respondents put the maximum focus on the female athlete herself, while the women respondents focus maximum on the product. The present study found that the visual attention of the young sports consumers visual attention to the printed advertisements with sports contents varied by gender. Young consumers can have different connections and associations with celebrities than older consumers. The study gives important information to understand the young sports consumers’ visual attention to the printed advertisements which use sport celebrity endorsements.
Algorithmic Data Science (Invited Talk)

The area of algorithmic data science provides new opportunities for researchers in the algorithmic community. In this paper we will see examples that demonstrate that algorithm engineering is the perfect basis for algorithmic data science. But there are also many open interesting questions for purely theoretically interested computer scientists. In my opinion, these opportunities should be taken because this will be fruitful for both areas, algorithmics as well as data sciences. I like to call for more participation in algorithmic data science by our community. Now we have the opportunity to shape this new emerging field.
An empirical investigation of alternative semi-supervised segmentation methodologies

Segmentation of data for the purpose of enhancing predictive modelling is a well-established practice in the banking industry. Unsupervised and supervised approaches are the two main types of segmentation and examples of improved performance of predictive models exist for both approaches. However, both focus on a single aspect – either target separation or independent variable distribution – and combining them may deliver better results. This combination approach is called semi-supervised segmentation. Our objective was to explore four new semi-supervised segmentation techniques that may offer alternative strengths. We applied these techniques to six data sets from different domains, and compared the model performance achieved. The original semi-supervised segmentation technique was the best for two of the data sets (as measured by the improvement in validation set Gini), but others outperformed for the other four data sets. Significance: We propose four newly developed semi-supervised segmentation techniques that can be used as additional tools for segmenting data before fitting a logistic regression. In all comparisons, using semi-supervised segmentation before fitting a logistic regression improved the modelling performance (as measured by the Gini coefficient on the validation data set) compared to using unsegmented logistic regression.
Influence of total quality management on human resource management practices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore changes occurring in the human resource (HR) function and human resource management (HRM) practices due to the implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approach – Quality managers and HR managers from 77 export‐based firms with ISO 9001 certification that have implemented a formal TQM programme, running for at least three years, participated in the survey. Factor analysis, correlation and regression were used for the data analysis.Findings – It was found that firms introduce process improvement initiatives within the HR department by upgrading the role of the HR function, and by redesigning HRM practices of performance management, competence development and career planning, rewards and recognition, recruitment and selection, HR planning, and satisfaction and well‐being to bring those in line with TQM requirements.Originality/value – Although QM literature is extensive, it is difficult to find studies that investigate.
Extreme Situation Experienced by Dental Students of the Medical University of Silesia Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic during the First Lockdown

The pandemic declared in many countries in 2020 due to COVID-19 led to the freezing of economies and the introduction of distance learning in both schools and universities. This unusual situation has affected the mental state of citizens, which has the potential to lead to the development of post-traumatic stress and depression. This study aimed to assess the level of stress in dental students in the context of the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic. A survey on the PSS-10 scale was prepared to measure the level of perceived stress. The study included 164 dental students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. The results showed the impact of COVID-19 on the stress of students, with 67.7% reporting high levels of stress. The study also revealed that stress was higher among older female students. This paper recommends that the university provide more intensive psychological care as psychological first aid strategies in epidemics or natural disasters and to consider telemedicine in order to deliver services due to the limitations of the pandemic.