Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with dental health care coverage in Mexico: Findings from the National Performance Evaluation Survey 2002-2003.

OBJECTIVES To determine the level of dental health care coverage in people aged > or =18 years across the country, and to identify the factors associated with coverage. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using the instruments and sampling strategies developed by the World Health Organization for the World Health Survey, a cross-sectional national survey was carried out at the household and individual (adult) levels. Dental data were collected in 20 of Mexico's 32 states. The relationship between coverage and environmental and individual characteristics was examined through logistic regression models. RESULTS Only 6098 of 24 159 individual respondents reported having oral problems during the preceding 12 months (accounting for 14 284 621 inhabitants of the country if weighted). Only 48% of respondents reporting problems were covered, although details of the appropriateness, timeliness and effectiveness of the intervention(s) were not assessed. The multivariate regression model showed that higher level of education, better socioeconomic status, having at least one chronic disease and having medical insurance were positively associated with better dental care coverage. Age and sex were also associated. CONCLUSIONS Overall dental health care coverage could be improved, assuming that ideal coverage is 100%. Some equality of access issues are apparent because there are differences in coverage across populations in terms of wealth and social status. Identifying the factors associated with sparse coverage is a step in the right direction allowing policymakers to establish strategies aimed at increasing this coverage, focusing on more vulnerable groups and on individuals in greater need of preventive and rehabilitative interventions.
The double Heston model via filtering methods

The Double Heston Model via Filtering Methods E. N Namundjebo Department of Mathematical Science, Mathematics Division, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Thesis: MSc May 2016 Stochastic volatility models are well-known for their ability to generate a volatility smile for nancial securities. The development of the stochastic volatility models followed shortly after the crash of 1987 which violates the Black-Scholes model which has constant volatility. In this study we introduce non-linear ltering methods to estimate the implied volatilities of the Double Heston model. We compare our results to the Standard Heston model. The non-linear ltering methods used are the extended Kalman lter, the unscented Kalman lter and the particle lter. We combine the ltering methods together with the maximum likelihood estimation method to estimate the model's hidden parameters. Our numerical results show that the Double Heston model ts the market implied volatilities better than the Standard Heston model. The particle lter also performs better than the other two lters.
The Effects of Outcome Expectations on Individual’s Anxiety and Continued Usage of Mobile Devices: A Post-Adoption Study

Mobile devices support both work-related and non-work-related activities, thus allowing adopters to communicate with co-workers and family members, access and share information on the Internet, and manage business activities. The complexity of mobile applications can impact the degree to which users like or dislike their mobile devices. This study examined how preconceptions of personal-related and business-related outcome expectations impact user anxiety and the continued usage of mobile devices. Data collected from 158 Illinois farmers who use mobile devices revealed that performance expected outcome helps reduce anxiety and both types of expected outcomes lead to continued usage. In the post-adoption era, one’s ability to utilize mobile devices for personal and business related purposes will fuel continued usage of smart devices. Knowing that anxiety is detrimental to continued usage, designers of mobile applications should find ways to reduce anxiety by focusing on users’ preconceptions of how the devices are to be used.
PCR detection of 5 putative periodontal pathogens in dental plaque samples from children 2 to 12 years of age.

BACKGROUND, AIMS The purpose of this study was to detect the presence of Prevotella intermedia, P. nigrescens, Bacteroides forsythus, Treponema denticola, and Campylobacter rectus in plaque samples from 119 children, collected from their toothbrushes using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHOD The subjects were 24, 83, and 12 children with healthy gingiva, gingivitis, and periodontitis, respectively, ranging in age from 2-12 years old. Plaque samples were collected from all erupted teeth sites using a sterile toothbrush. The mean concentration of DNA recovered from the plaque samples was approximately 640 microg/ml, which was deemed sufficient for performing a PCR-based survey. RESULTS The prevalence by PCR in healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis subjects was 0.0%, 6.0% and 25.0% for P. intermedia, 45.8%, 79.5% and 50.0% for P. nigrescens, 33.3%, 63.9% and 58.3% for B. forsythus, 0.0%, 18.1% and 16.7% for T. denticola, and 100% in duplicate for C. rectus, respectively. CONCLUSION Our survey indicated that P. intermedia and T. denticola were more associated with periodontal diseases, B. forsythus and P. nigrescens had a moderate prevalence in all clinical groups, while C. rectus were the most commonly detected species in the oral cavities of children suggesting establishment in their early years.
Platelets as Predictors of Vascular Risk: Is There a Practical Index of Platelet Activity?

Activated platelets play a role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Following activation, platelets change shape, aggregate, and release several bioactive substances. The aim of this review is to identify if there is a simple and cost-effective method that indicates platelet activation and predicts the risk of CHD and vascular events. The rationale for identifying high-risk patients is to reduce their risk of vascular events by administering appropriate and effective antiplatelet treatment, like aspirin, clopidogrel, or combination regimens. Many laboratory tests estimating platelet activity have been described. Some are relatively simple, such as spontaneous or agonist-induced platelet aggregation. Other tests include measuring the mean platelet volume (MPV) or plasma soluble P-selectin levels. Some more complex tests include flow cytometry to determine platelet GP Ilb/Illa receptors, platelet surface P-selectin, plateletmonocyte aggregates, and microparticles. Only few prospective studies assessed the predictive value of platelet activation in healthy individuals. Although the MPV seems an 'easy method, there are insufficient data supporting its ability to predict the risk of a vascular event in healthy adults. Platelet aggregation, in whole blood or in platelet-rich plasma was not consistently predictive of vascular risk. Soluble P-selectin measurement is a promising method but it needs further evaluation. Flow cytometry methods are costly, time-consuming, and need specialized equipment. Thus, they are unlikely to be useful in estimating the risk in large numbers of patients. There is as yet no ideal test for the detection of platelet activation. Each currently available test has merits and disadvantages. Simple methods such as the MPV and the determination of platelet release products need further evaluation.
Inkjet Printing of Drug-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles—A Platform for Drug Development

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have shown great potential in improving drug delivery of poorly water soluble (BCS class II, IV) and poorly permeable (BCS class III, IV) drugs, as well as facilitating successful delivery of unstable compounds. The nanoparticle technology would allow improved treatment by reducing adverse reactions of currently approved drugs and possibly reintroducing previously discarded compounds from the drug development pipeline. This study aims to highlight important aspects in mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) ink formulation development for digital inkjet printing technology and to advice on choosing a method (2D/3D) for nanoparticle print deposit characterization. The results show that both unfunctionalized and polyethyeleneimine (PEI) surface functionalized MSNs, as well as drug-free and drug-loaded MSN–PEI suspensions, can be successfully inkjet-printed. Furthermore, the model BCS class IV drug remained incorporated in the MSNs and the suspension remained physically stable during the processing time and steps. This proof-of-concept study suggests that inkjet printing technology would be a flexible deposition method of pharmaceutical MSN suspensions to generate patterns according to predefined designs. The concept could be utilized as a versatile drug screening platform in the future due to the possibility of accurately depositing controlled volumes of MSN suspensions on various materials.
FET-based biosensors with back-gate coupling towards the electrical pre-amplification of cardiac troponin I detection

The existing FET-based biosensors nowadays only depend on a physical structure size of a device. Due to those limitation, the device can only be read with the presence of high sensitivity electrical readers. To synchronize the device with a low-cost portable electrical reader, the electrical signal need to be amplified with minimal noise output. In this work, a label-free, specific and sensitive back-gated FET based biosensor is presented for the detection of cTnI protein by using SOI type of wafer with TiO2 act as a transducer material. TiO2 is deposited by using sol-gel method with surface functionalized for cTnI protein binding. From the XPS result, it shows that each covalent bonding characteristic from APTES deposition until cTnI antibody-antigen interaction. Finally, the electrical (Id-Vbg) result show the ability to detect cTnI protein with concentration of 2.0 μg/μl at -150 μA (Vd= 0). As Vd increases, a tremendous increment of electrical conductivity with larger difference of Id value between each surface functionalization processes can be achieved. At Vd= -5, the electrical conductivity jumped up to -1 mA, more than 500% increase compared to Vd= 0.
The rat phospholipase Cβ 4 gene is expressed at high abundance in cerebellar Purkinje cells

Inositol phospholipid-specific phospholipase C (PLC) generates two important second messengers, inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol. The recently cloned rat PLCβ 4 cDNA is highly homologous to the norpA cDNA of Drosophila melanogaster. We have mapped the PLCβ 4 gene expression in rat brain tissue sections by in situ hybridization. The PLCβ 4 gene is expressed at high abundance in cerebellar Purkinje cells and neurones of the substantia nigra, the median geniculate bodies and the thalamic nuclei. PLCβ 4 transcripts are also detected in the mammillary nuclei, the neocortex, the habenula and the olfactory bulbs. The specific pattern of gene expression we have observed should help to clarify the relationships between the PLCβ 4 and various constituents of second-messenger systems involved in transduction mechanisms triggered by the stimulation of seven transmembrane domain receptors. The strong gene expression in Purkinje cells and retinal neurones suggests that PLCβ 4 may be involved in the pathogenesis of mouse and human neurological diseases characterized by ataxia and retinal degeneration.
Direct Visualization of Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Antimicrobial Action within Model Oral Biofilms

ABSTRACT A microscopic method for noninvasively visualizing the action of an antimicrobial agent inside a biofilm was developed and applied to describe spatial and temporal patterns of mouthrinse activity on model oral biofilms. Three species biofilms of Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus gordonii, and Actinomyces naeslundii were grown in glass capillary flow cells. Bacterial cells were stained with the fluorogenic esterase substrate Calcien AM (CAM). Loss of green fluorescence upon exposure to an antimicrobial formulation was subsequently imaged by time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy. When an antimicrobial mouthrinse containing chlorhexidine digluconate was administered, a gradual loss of green fluorescence was observed that began at the periphery of cell clusters where they adjoined the flowing bulk fluid and progressed inward over a time period of several minutes. Image analysis was performed to quantify a penetration velocity of 4 μm/min. An enzyme-based antimicrobial formulation led to a gradual, continually slowing loss of fluorescence in a pattern that was qualitatively different from the behavior observed with chlorhexidine. Ethanol at 11.6% had little effect on the biofilm. None of these treatments resulted in the removal of biomass from the biofilm. Most methods to measure or visualize antimicrobial action in biofilms are destructive. Spatial information is important because biofilms are known for their structural and physiological heterogeneity. The CAM staining technique has the potential to provide information about the rate of antimicrobial penetration, the presence of tolerant subpopulations, and the extent of biomass removal effected by a treatment.
Zonal Distribution of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: Correlation with Histologic Pattern and Direction of Spread

For 104 prostate glands obtained at radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma, we mapped the tumor outline and determined the tumor volume, grade, and location relative to the transition zone boundary and location of the central zone. Among the 88 cancers whose probable zone of origin could be identified, 68% arose in the peripheral zone, 24% arose in the transition zone, and 8% arose in the central zone. Transition zone carcinomas had usually been diagnosed by transurethral resection (TUR) and often appeared to arise within BPH nodules; only two of 67 non-transition zone carcinomas had been diagnosed at TUR. Two-thirds of 21 transition zone cancers showed a distinctive histologic appearance; they were made up of columnar clear cells lining glands of widely variable size and contour. The transition zone boundary appeared to act as a barrier to the spread of non-transition zone carcinomas. We conclude that carcinoma typically arises in the region of the prostate that is susceptible to benign prostatic hyperplasia and that the great majority of Stage A (TUR) cancers are transition zone cancers. Non-transition zone cancers detectable at TUR are predominantly large tumors that are poorly differentiated and lack the clear cell histologic pattern.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BENCHMARKS FOR PROTECTING AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS Effects of multigenerational exposures of D . magna to environmentally relevant concentrations of pentachlorophenol

The re-emergence of schistosomiasis has given rise to ubiquitous concentrations of the primary control agent pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the environment, especially in the surface waters of China. In this study, the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of PCP, namely, 0.0002, 0.002, 0.02, 0.2, and 2 μmol/L on survival, age at first reproduction, fecundity, length ofmothers, and number of molts ofDaphnia magnawere studied over three generations. The survival of D. magna exposed to 2 μmol/L was significantly affected in the three generations. Toxic effects were enhanced in later generations. Age at first reproduction of F1 and F2 D. magna was significantly slower than that of the controls. The total number of offspring per female exposed to concentrations of 0.002 μmol/L or greater was less (23.5 to 67.6, 9.4 to 73.7, and 3.6 to 83.7%) than that of the controls in the F0, F1, and F2 generations, respectively. The body length of mothers significantly decreased (4.7 to 6.8, 9.6 to 15.1, and 13.3 to 23.2 %) after exposure to 0.002 μmol/L or greater than those of unexposed individuals in the F0, F1, and F2 generations, respectively. Dose–response relationships between concentrations of PCP and length and number of molts of D. magna were observed in the F0 to F2 generations. PCP concentrations on the surface waters of China caused adverse effects to D. magna, which increased over successive generations. Significant effects were observed in the third generation. The multigenerational studies were more sensitive than the single-generation experiments. Thus, multigenerational exposure may be more predictive of chronic exposure under field conditions.
Interior Green's Function Solution for a Thick and Finite Dielectric Slab

An interior Green's function solution is presented for a two-dimensional thick and finite dielectric slab. In the present development, the source and the field points are assumed to be inside the dielectric slab. The result is composed of two parts. The first part which has a discrete spectrum of eigenfunctions includes the surface wave multiple interactions, and is obtained by using the generalized scattering matrix and method of moments. The second part, which is a closed-form integral, is obtained for a separable dielectric slab that is closely related to the finite slab. The closed form integral is evaluated numerically and added to the surface wave solution. The solution accounts for the mode conversions at the end caps which occur when surface waves are reflected and diffracted. Test cases show very good agreement with a finite-element solver, even when the source is near the end caps.
Performance of Energy Harvester Using Iron–Gallium Alloy in Free Vibration

We propose a micro energy-harvesting device, using an iron-gallium alloy (Galfenol), capable of generating electrical energy from ambient vibrations. Galfenol is a ductile magnetostrictive material with a high piezomagnetic constant, good machinability, and a large inverse magnetostrictive effect by which magnetization can be varied by mechanical stress. The device consists of two beams of Galfenol combined with iron yokes, coils, and a bias magnet. A bending force applied at the tip of the cantilever yields a flux increase by tensile stress in one beam, and a flux decreases in the other by compression. The time variation of the flux generates a voltage on the wound coils. This energy harvester has advantages over conventional types of device, such as those using piezoelectric materials, with respect to size, and efficiency, and it has high robustness and low electrical impedance. In addition, the structure needs only a low mechanical force to generate electricity. In this paper, the free vibration characteristic to accrue electric energy effectively is examined. From the experimental results, the energy conversion efficiency in the vibration is inverse proportional to the resonant frequency.
Synaptic vesicle recycling at two classes of release sites in giant nerve terminals of the embryonic chicken ciliary ganglion

Rapid synaptic transmission in the embryonic chicken ciliary ganglion occurs through the activation of two distinct classes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs): those containing α3 subunits (α 3*‐AChRs) and those containing α7 subunits (α 7*‐AChRs). α3*‐AChRs are found on ciliary neurons in clusters at synaptic sites on the cell body, whereas α7* ‐AChRs are found on somatic spines, which historically were thought not to have release sites in the embryo. However, Shoop et al. (Shoop et al. [ 1999 ] J. Neurosci. 19:692–704) recently described release sites having pre‐ and postsynaptic densities on somatic spines. We used transmission electron microscopy to compare the structure of synaptic sites on spines with those on the smooth surfaced part of the cell. We find that the two populations of sites are similar in active zone length, number of vesicles, and distance between vesicles and active zone. To study the functional properties of these sites, we examined their stimulation‐dependent uptake and release of the extracellular tracer horseradish peroxidase (HRP). We found that each class of release sites both took up and released HRP in a stimulation‐ and calcium‐dependent manner. The mean fraction of synaptic vesicles labeled with tracer was similar for the two populations, both after loading (∼45%) and after unloading (∼ 7%). Thus we detect no differences between these two anatomically distinct classes of release sites, other than their incidence: sites on spines occurred only 12% as often as those on the cell body. The release sites on somatic spines presumably underlie synaptic responses attributable to α7*‐AChRs. J. Comp. Neurol. 448:128–137, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fulvestrant (ICI 182,780)-dependent Interacting Proteins Mediate Immobilization and Degradation of Estrogen Receptor-α*

The antiestrogen fulvestrant (ICI 182,780) causes immobilization of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in the nuclear matrix accompanied by rapid degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In this study we tested the hypothesis that fulvestrant induces specific nuclear matrix protein-ERα interactions that mediate receptor immobilization and turnover. A glutathione S-transferase (GST)-ERα-activating function-2 (AF2) fusion protein was used to isolate and purify receptor-interacting proteins in cell lysates prepared from human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. After SDS-PAGE and gel excision, mass spectrometry was used to identify two major ERα-interacting proteins, cytokeratins 8 and 18 (CK8·CK18). We determined, using ERα-activating function-2 mutants, that helix 12 (H12) of ERα, but not its F domain, is essential for fulvestrant-induced ERα-CK8 and CK18 interactions. To investigate the in vivo role of H12 in fulvestrant-induced ERα immobilization/degradation, transient transfection assays were performed using wild type ERα,ERα with a mutated H12, and ERα with a deleted F domain. Of those, only the ERα H12 mutant was resistant to fulvestrant-induced immobilization to the nuclear matrix and protein degradation. Fulvestrant treatment caused ERα degradation in CK8·CK18-positive human breast cancer cells, and CK8 and CK18 depletion by small interference RNAs partially blocked fulvestrant-induced receptor degradation. Furthermore, fulvestrant-induced ERα degradation was not observed in CK8 or CK18-negative cancer cells, suggesting that these two intermediate filament proteins are necessary for fulvestrant-induced receptor turnover. Using an ERα-green fluorescent protein construct in fluorescence microscopy revealed that fulvestrant-induced cytoplasmic localization of newly synthesized receptor is mediated by its interaction with CK8 and CK18. In summary, this study provides the first direct evidence linking ERα immobilization and degradation to the nuclear matrix. We suggest that fulvestrant induces ERα to interact with CK8 and CK18, drawing the receptor into close proximity to nuclear matrix-associated proteasomes that facilitate ERα turnover.