Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Malocclusion and Distribution of Occlusal Characteristics in 13- to 18-year-old Adolescents Attending Selected High Schools in the Municipality of San Juan, PR (2012-2013).

OBJECTIVE A cross-sectional study was conducted (2012-2013) to evaluate the prevalence of 1) malocclusion and 2) occlusal characteristics in 13- to 18-yearold adolescents in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR) from selected high schools in the municipality of San Juan. METHODS The study sample consisted of 155 adolescents. The University of Puerto Rico's IRB approved the study and consent and assent were completed for or by each participant, as applicable. A calibrated dentist performed a single-visit dental evaluation at each school. Occlusal characteristics were measured and recorded according to the criteria reported in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and included overjet, overbite, anterior and posterior crossbites, incisor irregularity, maxillary midline diastema and Angle's classification. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SAS statistical software. RESULTS The mean age of the study subjects was 16 (±1.2) years; all subjects (100%) presented at least 1 abnormal occlusal trait. The most frequent anomaly noted was maxillary malalignment (83%), followed by lower incisor irregularity and excessive overbite (79%) and excessive overjet (63%); the least common occlusal trait was open bite (1.9%). Compared by gender, no statistically significant difference was observed for any variable (p = 0.05). Seventy-three percent (73%) of the subjects presented with Class I malocclusion, 7.1% with Class II malocclusion and 19.4% with Class III malocclusion. CONCLUSION A high prevalence of malocclusion was observed in this group of adolescents, highlighting the need to implement preventive measures to improve oral health in this population.
Distribution of type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1)‐immunoreactive axons in the mouse hypothalamus

Type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) is the principal receptor for endocannabinoids in the brain; it mainly occurs in preterminal/terminal axons and mediates retrograde neuronal signaling mechanisms. A large body of physiological and electrophysiological evidence indicates the critical role of CB1 in the regulation of hypothalamic functions. Conversely, the distribution of CB1‐containing axons in the hypothalamus is essentially unknown. Therefore, we have analyzed the distribution and the ultrastructural characteristics of the CB1‐immunoreactive (IR) axons in the mouse hypothalamus by using an antiserum against the C‐terminal 31 amino acids of the mouse CB1. We found that CB1‐IR axons innervated densely the majority of hypothalamic nuclei, except for the suprachiasmatic and lateral mammillary nuclei, in which only scattered CB1‐IR fibers occurred. CB1‐IR innervation of the arcuate, ventromedial, dorsomedial, and paraventricular nuclei and the external zone of the median eminence corroborated the important role of CB1 in the regulation of energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine functions. Ultrastructural studies to characterize the phenotype of CB1‐IR fibers established that most CB1 immunoreactivity appeared in the preterminal and terminal portions of axons. The CB1‐IR boutons formed axospinous, axodendritic, and axosomatic synapses. Analysis of labeled synapses in the paraventricular and arcuate nuclei detected approximately equal numbers of symmetric and asymmetric specializations. In conclusion, the study revealed the dense and differential CB1‐IR innervation of most hypothalamic nuclei and the median eminence of the mouse brain. At the ultrastructural level, CB1‐IR axons established communication with hypothalamic neurons via symmetric and asymmetric synapses indicating the occurrence of retrograde signaling by endocannabinoids in hypothalamic neuronal networks. J. Comp. Neurol. 503:270–279, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical and neural stretch responses of the human soleus muscle at different walking speeds

During human walking, a sudden trip may elicit a Ia afferent fibre mediated short latency stretch reflex. The aim of this study was to investigate soleus (SOL) muscle mechanical behaviour in response to dorsiflexion perturbations, and to relate this behaviour to short latency stretch reflex responses. Twelve healthy subjects walked on a treadmill with the left leg attached to an actuator capable of rapidly dorsiflexing the ankle joint. Ultrasound was used to measure fascicle lengths in SOL during walking, and surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscle activation. Dorsiflexion perturbations of 6 deg were applied during mid‐stance at walking speeds of 3, 4 and 5 km h−1. At each walking speed, perturbations were delivered at three different velocities (slow: ∼170 deg s–1, mid: ∼230 deg s–1, fast: ∼280 deg s–1). At 5 km h−1, fascicle stretch amplitude was 34–40% smaller and fascicle stretch velocity 22–28% slower than at 3 km h−1 in response to a constant amplitude perturbation, whilst stretch reflex amplitudes were unchanged. Changes in fascicle stretch parameters can be attributed to an increase in muscle stiffness at faster walking speeds. As stretch velocity is a potent stimulus to muscle spindles, a decrease in the velocity of fascicle stretch at faster walking speeds would be expected to decrease spindle afferent feedback and thus stretch reflex amplitudes, which did not occur. It is therefore postulated that other mechanisms, such as altered fusimotor drive, reduced pre‐synaptic inhibition and/or increased descending excitatory input, acted to maintain motoneurone output as walking speed increased, preventing a decrease in short latency reflex amplitudes.
New passivity observers for improved robot force control

This paper extends the previously proposed Explicit Force Controller based on Time Domain Passivity Approach. When using the classical passivity observer, we encounter an energy accumulation problem: if the system stays a long time in stable contact, energy is dissipated and the passivity observer builds up a large value. This causes the passivity controller to be triggered late after the interaction becomes unstable, so we lose the advantage of the passivity controller. In order to deal with this energy accumulation issue, we propose two new passivity observers that allow us to quickly detect potential instability despite the accumulated energy. We prove the theoretical validity of these new observers. In addition, we propose a more generalized way of implementing the passivity based explicit force controller on a multi-DoF manipulator, using a model for the robot and environment that includes sensor flexibility, and a hybrid position/force controller in the operational space framework. The proposed method is experimentally tested with KUKA IIWA, and the improved performance is verified.
Electricity Market Designs for Demand Response from Residential Customers

The main purpose of this dissertation is to design an appropriate tariff program for residential customers that encourages customers to participate in the system while satisfying market operators and utilities goals. This research investigates three aspects critical for successful programs: tariff designs for DR, impact of renewable on such tariffs, and load elasticity estimates. First, both categories of DR are modeled based on the demand-price elasticity concept and used to design an optimum scheme for achieving the maximum benefit of DR. The objective is to not only reduce costs and improve reliability but also to increase customer acceptance of a DR program by limiting price volatility. A time of use (TOU) program is considered for a PB scheme designed using a monthly peak and off peak tariff. For the IBDR, a novel optimization is proposed that in addition to calculation of an adequate and a reasonable amount of load change for the incentive also finds the best times to request DR. Second, the effect of both DR programs under a high penetration of renewable resources is investigated. LMP variation after renewable expansion is more highly correlated with renewable’s intermittent output than the load profile. As a result, a TOU program is difficult to successfully implement; however, analysis shows IBDR can diminish most of the volatile price changes in WECC. To model risk associated with renewable uncertainty, a robust optimization is designed considering market price and elasticity uncertainty. Third, a comprehensive study to estimate residential load elasticity in an IBDR program. A key component in all demand response programs design is elasticity, which implies customer reaction to LSEs offers. Due to limited information, PB elasticity is
Household Ownership of Stocks, Business Assets, and Investment Real Estate: An Endogenous Probit Model

In the 1995-2004 period, 48% of U.S. households owned stock assets, 11% owned private business assets, and 18% owned investment real estate other than a primary residence. These risky, high return investment assets accounted for 45% of household assets in the aggregate, even though 44% of households owned no high return risky investment assets. This paper investigates determinants of ownership of each type of risky investment asset, using logistic regressions and an endogenous probit model to test for endogenous relationships between each ownership choice. In the logistic regressions, ownership of business assets had a negative effect on stock ownership and a positive effect on investment real estate ownership, and ownership of investment real estate had a positive effect on both stock ownership and on business asset ownership. We found significant endogenous relationships between stock ownership and investment real estate ownership, between investment real estate ownership and business asset ownership, and between stock ownership and business asset ownership. White households had significantly higher predicted stock ownership than those in other racial/ethnic groups, but there were no significant differences between groups in predicted ownership of investment real estate. White households and those in the “other” group (mostly Asian) did not differ in predicted ownership of business assets, but Black and Hispanic households had lower predicted ownership of business assets than White households.
EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN OF DYNAMIC NEURAL NETWORKS APPLIED TO SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

Abstract The problem of system identification is addressed by means of general neural networks with locally distributed dynamics. These networks are based on both multilayer perceptron and radial basis function structures. Evolutionary algorithms are suggested to select the optimal neural topologies and parameters. The accuracy of the neural models and the complexity of their architectures are evaluated by considering six objective functions organised on a two-level priority hierarchy. The multiobjective optimisation is solved in the Pareto-sense. Special mechanisms are developed, in order to encourage a rapid improvement of the genetic material. Application to a laboratory three-tank system illustrates the approach.
Control of cell migration in the zebrafish lateral line: Implication of the gene “Tumour‐Associated Calcium Signal Transducer,” tacstd

The sensory organs of the zebrafish lateral‐line system (neuromasts) originate from migrating primordia that move along precise pathways. The posterior primordium, which deposits the neuromasts on the body and tail of the embryo, migrates along the horizontal myoseptum from the otic region to the tip of the tail. This migration is controlled by the chemokine SDF1, which is expressed along the prospective pathway, and by its receptor CXCR4, which is expressed by the migrating cells. In this report, we describe another zebrafish gene that is heterogeneously expressed in the migrating cells, tacstd. This gene codes for a membrane protein that is homologous to the TACSTD1/2 mammalian proteins. Inactivation of the zebrafish tacstd gene results in a decrease in proneuromast deposition, suggesting that tacstd is required for the deposition process. Developmental Dynamics 235:1578–1588, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Management Game Asset Management

It is serious and fun to play! The game supports organisations in the implementation of asset management. It enhances the communication between employees on a wide range of asset management topics. The game provides a rough roadmap for asset management development within organisations. It incorporates internationally acknowledged asset management principles and is linked to organisational maturity steps. In 2010 the game was originally developed by and for the Dutch water sector. It has been played at a number of drinking water companies, water boards and municipalities. Waternet, the first water cycle company in the Netherlands, plays the game organisation-wide to enhance asset management communication and culture. At the end of 2011 the game was improved and translated into English. Vitens Evides International and its Mongolian counterpart USUG have adapted it to Mongolian standards and use the game to support the implementation of asset management in Mongolia. This article describes the content of the game and provides two examples of how it benefits the asset management development within different kinds of organisations.
Multi-modal analysis of human computer interaction using automatic inference of aural expressions in speech

This paper presents multi-modal analysis of human-computer interactions based on automatic inference of expressions in speech. It describes an automatic inference system that recognizes aural expressions of emotions, complex mental states and expression mixtures. The implementation is based on the observation that different vocal features distinguish different expressions. The system was trained on an English database (MindReading), and then was applied to a Hebrew multi-modal database of naturally evoked expressions (Doors). This paper describes the statistical and dynamic analysis of sustained interactions from the Doors database. The analysis is based on the correlation between the inferred expressions with events, physiological cues such as galvanic skin response and behavioural cues. The presented analysis indicates that the vocal expression of complex mental states such as thinking, certainty and interest are not necessarily unique to one language and culture. The system provides an analysis tool for sustained human computer interactions.
Laparoscopy-Assisted Resection of Tailgut Cysts: Report of a Case

Tailgut cysts, or retrorectal cystic hamartomas, are rare congenital developmental lesions, most commonly located in the retrorectal space, and are more common in women. We present a case of retrorectal tailgut cyst managed using a laparoscopic approach. A 36-year-old woman presented with incidentally detected retrorectal tumors during evaluation for a gallbladder polyp. Her past medical history revealed that she had undergone cesarean section twice. The tumor marker CA 19-9 level was 42.52 U/ml. CT of the pelvis with contrast and pelvic MRI revealed a 3.9 × 3.3 cm well-defined, homogeneous cystic mass in the right presacral area, and a 2.5 × 1.5 cm cystic mass in the precoccygeal space. The patient underwent laparoscopic exploration with a preoperative diagnosis of tailgut cysts based on radiological findings. The operative time was 90 min including 30 min of subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without placement of additional trocars. The surgical specimens consisted of two fragments of fibrofatty tissues, unilocular cystic masses. The final pathologic diagnosis was tailgut cysts with no evidence of malignancy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged after 3 days. In conclusion, surgical resection is recommended in the management of retrorectal tailgut cyst to establish a definite diagnosis and to rule out malignancy. The laparoscopic approach is a feasible and safe option.
Using dynamic weights for improving fairness in the ATM ABR service

Traditional switch algorithms in asynchronous transfer mode available bit rate networks fail to achieve desired (fair) bandwidth allocations, which are based on connection weights. Active fairness substantially improves fairness by using two sets of weights at each link. The first set is the same as that used in traditional schemes, which represents the relative bandwidth allocation desired out of the available bandwidth at the link. If these weights are used directly in bandwidth allocation, the actual proportion of the bandwidth utilized by an individual connection can deviate substantially due to factors such as the number of links traversed by the connection, its round-trip propagation delay, etc. In order to take into account these factors, the second set of weights is adjusted repeatedly, and is used directly in bandwidth allocation. Significant fairness improvement due to active fairness is demonstrated through simulations involving bursty background traffic, network bottlenecks, dynamic VC mixes and different fairness definitions.
Comparing estimated and self-reported mark-ups for formal and informal firms in an emerging market context

Using a 10-year panel survey covering Vietnamese manufacturing firms, we consistently obtain firm-specific mark-up estimates and relate these to firm-level formality. The average firmspecific mark-up using a trans-log revenue production function specification is estimated to be 1,445, with substantial underlying variation across firm size, location, sector, and ownership form. Zooming in on firm-level registration, we find a formality premium of 16 per cent, even when controlling for selection into formality. Moreover, a firm size threshold exists, confirming that smaller informal firms are less likely to reap eventual benefits of formalization. Finally, we find remarkable similarity between average self-reported and estimated mark-ups, but dynamic aspects of the two estimates along key firm dimensions differ substantially.
Age Differences in the Complexity of Emotion Perception

Background/Study Context: The current study examined age differences in the number of emotion components used in the judgment of emotion from facial expressions. Methods: Fifty-eight younger and 58 older adults were compared on the complexity of perception of emotion from standardized facial expressions that were either clear or ambiguous exemplars of emotion. Results: Using an intra-individual factor analytic approach, results showed that older adults used more emotion components in perceiving emotion in faces than younger adults. Both age groups reported greater emotional complexity for the clear and prototypical emotional stimuli. Age differences in emotional complexity were more pronounced for the ambiguous expressions compared with the clear expressions. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that older adults showed increased elaboration of emotion, particularly when emotion cues were subtle and provide support for greater emotion differentiation in older adulthood.
Complement peptide C3a stimulates neural plasticity after experimental brain ischaemia

Ischaemic stroke induces endogenous repair processes that include proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells and extensive rewiring of the remaining neural connections, yet about 50% of stroke survivors live with severe long-term disability. There is an unmet need for drug therapies to improve recovery by promoting brain plasticity in the subacute to chronic phase after ischaemic stroke. We previously showed that complement-derived peptide C3a regulates neural progenitor cell migration and differentiation in vitro and that C3a receptor signalling stimulates neurogenesis in unchallenged adult mice. To determine the role of C3a–C3a receptor signalling in ischaemia-induced neural plasticity, we subjected C3a receptor-deficient mice, GFAP-C3a transgenic mice expressing biologically active C3a in the central nervous system, and their respective wild-type controls to photothrombotic stroke. We found that C3a overexpression increased, whereas C3a receptor deficiency decreased post-stroke expression of GAP43 (P < 0.01), a marker of axonal sprouting and plasticity, in the peri-infarct cortex. To verify the translational potential of these findings, we used a pharmacological approach. Daily intranasal treatment of wild-type mice with C3a beginning 7 days after stroke induction robustly increased synaptic density (P < 0.01) and expression of GAP43 in peri-infarct cortex (P < 0.05). Importantly, the C3a treatment led to faster and more complete recovery of forepaw motor function (P < 0.05). We conclude that C3a-C3a receptor signalling stimulates post-ischaemic neural plasticity and intranasal treatment with C3a receptor agonists is an attractive approach to improve functional recovery after ischaemic brain injury.
Assessment of retinal function and characterization of lysosomal storage body accumulation in the retinas and brains of Tibetan Terriers with ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

OBJECTIVE To characterize lysosomal storage body accumulation in the retina and brain of Tibetan Terriers with ceroid-lipofuscinosis and determine whether the disease in these dogs is accompanied by impaired retinal function and retinal degeneration. ANIMALS Three 7- to 10-year-old Tibetan Terriers with ceroid-lipofuscinosis and 1 healthy 5-year-old Tibetan Terrier. PROCEDURE Owners completed a questionnaire to identify behavioral and physical signs indicative of ceroid-lipofuscinosis. Neurologic, behavioral, and ophthalmologic evaluations, including full-field electroretinograms, were performed on each dog. Fluorescence, light, and electron microscopy were performed on specimens of retina, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum of all dogs postmortem. RESULTS Behavioral assessments of the affected dogs revealed moderate visual impairment in low-light conditions but good vision in bright light. On funduscopic evaluation of these dogs, abnormalities detected ranged from none to signs of moderately advanced retinal degeneration. Compared with findings in the control dog, electroretinography revealed depressed rod cell function with some impairment of cone cell function in the affected dogs. Morphologically, disease-specific storage bodies were detected in retinal Müller cells and neurons, particularly in ganglion cells, and in cells of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum in affected dogs. Substantial photoreceptor cell loss and disruption of photoreceptor outer segment morphology appeared to develop late in the disease. IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: The similarities between ceroid-lipofuscinosis in Tibetan Terriers and some forms of ceroid-lipofuscinosis in humans suggest that the canine disease may have a genetic and biochemical basis similar to that of one of the ceroid-lipofuscinosis disorders in humans.