Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of impression levels and trays on the accuracy of impressions taken from angulated implants.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is crucial to keep the misfit of the abutment-fixture unit at the lowest possible rate. There are a few controversial studies on the accuracy of impression making of angulated implants, and much fewer (and controversial) studies on the abutment-level impression technique, which is a convenient and clinically favorable method. Besides, there are no studies on comparison of sectional vs. full-arch trays. We aimed to assess these. METHODS A trapezoidal model with four angulated implants installed at 20° and 30° buccal tilts was fabricated. Forty impressions were taken from this model, with two groups of full-arch and sectional custom trays (n = 2 × 20), each divided into two subgroups of implant-level and abutment-level techniques (n = 2 × 2 × 10 in four subgroups). Absolute and non-absolute linear and angular impression errors were estimated by comparing the fabricated casts with the model, using a coordinate measuring machine. The effects of sectional/full-arch trays and abutment-level and fixture-level techniques on impression accuracies were analyzed using one- and two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), Tukey, Mann-Whitney, and one-sample t-tests (α = 0.05, Mann-Whitney's α using the Bonferroni Bonferroni method). RESULTS No significant differences between the absolute linear errors of the two trays (P = 0.100 [ANOVA]) and the two levels (P = 0.400 [ANOVA]) were observed. The assessment of absolute angular errors showed no significant differences (all P values ≥ 0.4 [ANOVA]). The difference between the linear errors in the full-arch vs. sectional trays was not significant in the fixture-level group (P = 0.290). However, in the abutment-level group, the linear error was significantly greater in the sectional tray compared to full-arch tray (P = 0.013, α = 0.025 [Mann-Whitney]). CONCLUSIONS Using sectional trays might not be advantageous over full-arch trays. Sectional trays are not recommended for taking abutment-level impressions. The abutment-level impression technique is as accurate as the studied fixture-level technique. Increasing the angle of implants' divergence from 40° to 60° might not usually lead to a significant increase in the errors, particularly when using abutment-level impressions.
A G-protein γ subunit mimic is a general antagonist of prion propagation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Gpg1 protein is a Gγ subunit mimic implicated in the G-protein glucose-signaling pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and its function is largely unknown. Here we report that Gpg1 blocks the maintenance of [PSI+], an aggregated prion form of the translation termination factor Sup35. Although the GPG1 gene is normally not expressed, over-expression of GPG1 inhibits propagation of not only [PSI+] but also [PIN+], [URE3] prions, and the toxic polyglutamine aggregate in S. cerevisiae. Over-expression of Gpg1 does not affect expression and activity of Hsp104, a protein-remodeling factor required for prion propagation, showing that Gpg1 does not target Hsp104 directly. Nevertheless, prion elimination by Gpg1 is weakened by over-expression of Hsp104. Importantly, Gpg1 protein is prone to self-aggregate and transiently colocalized with Sup35NM-prion aggregates when expressed in [PSI+] cells. Genetic selection and characterization of loss-of-activity gpg1 mutations revealed that multiple mutations on the hydrophobic one-side surface of predicted α-helices of the Gpg1 protein hampered the activity. Prion elimination by Gpg1 is unaffected in the gpa2Δ and gpb1Δ strains lacking the supposed physiological G-protein partners of Gpg1. These findings suggest a general inhibitory interaction of the Gpg1 protein with other transmissible and nontransmissible amyloids, resulting in prion elimination. Assuming the ability of Gpg1 to form G-protein heterotrimeric complexes, Gpg1 is likely to play a versatile function of reversing the prion state and modulating the G-protein signaling pathway.
VASCO - Digging the Dead Man’s Chest of Value Streams

— Value stream mapping is a lean management method for analyzing and optimizing a series of events for production or services. Even today the ﬁrst step in value stream analysis – the acquisition of the current state map – is still created using pen & paper by physically visiting the production line. We capture a digital representation of how manufacturing processes look like in reality. The manufacturing processes can be represented and efﬁciently analyzed for future production planning as a future state map by using a meta description together with a dependency graph. With VASCO we present a tool, which contributes to all parts of value stream analysis - from data acquisition, over analyzing, planning, comparison up to simulation of alternative future state maps . We call this a holistic approach for Value stream mapping including detailed analysis of lead time, productivity, space, distance, material disposal, energy and carbon dioxide equivalents – depending in a change of calculated direct product costs.
Deficient signaling in mice devoid of double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase.

Double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR) has been implicated in interferon (IFN) induction, antiviral response and tumor suppression. We have generated mice devoid of functional PKR (Pkr%). Although the mice are physically normal and the induction of type I IFN genes by poly(I). poly(C) (pIC) and virus is unimpaired, the antiviral response induced by IFN‐gamma and pIC was diminished. However, in embryo fibroblasts from Pkr knockout mice, the induction of type I IFN as well as the activation of NF‐kappa B by pIC, were strongly impaired but restored by priming with IFN. Thus, PKR is not directly essential for responses to pIC, and a pIC‐responsive system independent of PKR is induced by IFN. No evidence of the tumor suppressor activity of PKR was demonstrated.
The Cysteine-Rich Region and Secreted Form of the Attachment G Glycoprotein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Enhance the Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Response despite Lacking Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Restricted Epitopes

ABSTRACT The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response is important for the control of viral replication during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The attachment glycoprotein (G) of RSV does not encode major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted epitopes in BALB/c mice (H-2d). Furthermore, studies to date have described an absence of significant CTL activity directed against this protein in humans. Therefore, G previously was not considered necessary for the generation of RSV-specific CTL responses. In this study, we demonstrate that, despite lacking H-2d-restricted epitopes, G enhances the generation of an effective CTL response against RSV. Furthermore, we show that this stimulatory effect is independent of virus titers and RSV-induced inflammation; that it is associated primarily with the secreted form of G; and that the effect depends on the cysteine-rich region of G (GCRR), a segment conserved in wild-type isolates worldwide. These findings reveal a novel function for the GCRR with potential implications for the generation of protective cellular responses and vaccine development.
Influence of defect depth on resonance frequency analysis and insertion torque values for implants placed in fresh extraction sockets: a human cadaver study.

BACKGROUND Clinical studies show promising outcomes with implants inserted at the time of extraction. However, this often results in an initial bone defect at the marginal region which preferably should heal for an optimal function. Therefore, monitoring of these implants is vital. PURPOSES The aims of this study were to determine the initial stability of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets, and to explore the correlations between the peri-implant bone levels and implant stability parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six human cadaver mandibles including all natural teeth were selected for this study. All natural teeth were gently extracted, and 84 implants were immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets with five different implant depths. The maximum insertion torque values were recorded, and primary implant stability measurements were performed by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA). The vertical distance between implant/abutment junction and the first bone-implant contact was recorded using a periodontal probe. RESULTS It was found that the insertion torque and RFA were 28.9 +/- 7 Ncm and 65.6 +/- 9 implant stability quotient (ISQ), respectively, for 420 measurements from all 84 implants. Statistically significant correlation was found between insertion torque and ISQ values (r = 0.86; p < .001) for all implants. Both insertion torque and ISQ values dramatically decreased when the amount of peri-implant vertical bone defect increased. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrated a linear relationship between peri-implant vertical bone defect depth and RFA value. It is proposed that the RFA method is sensitive to detect changes of the marginal bone level and may be used to monitor healing of peri-implant bone defects.
Optimal power flow for reactive power compensation increasing the cross-border transmission capacity

Increasing the Net Transfer Capacity (NTC) of tie-lines between different grid areas may lead to a decrease in the cost to generate electricity in one area if this cost is more expensive than the cost of importing power from neighbouring areas over those tie-lines. An effective means to increase the cross-border transmission capacity is by installing reactive power compensation devices. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization is devised that optimally locates and sizes reactive compensation devices in a grid, so that the net benefit of increasing the NTC value of a tie-line is maximized and the maximum voltage stability indicator (L-index) in the grid area is minimized, indicating there is enough voltage stability margin. The genetic algorithm NSGA-II is implemented to perform the optimization. The IEEE 30-bus and 14-bus test grids are used as two interconnected areas.
Linked open piracy

There is an abundance of semi-structured reports on events being written and made available on the World Wide Web on a daily basis. These reports are primarily meant for human use. A recent movement is the addition of RDF metadata to make automatic processing by computers easier. A fine example of this movement is the Open Government Data initiative which, by adding RDF meta-data to spreadsheets and textual reports, strives to speed up the creation of geographical mashups and visual analytics applications. In this paper, we present a new Open Linked Data RDF dataset and a method for automatically adding such RDF metadata to semi-structured reports. We showcase our method on piracy attack reports issued on the web by the International Chamber of Commerce's International Maritime Bureau (ICC-CCS IMB). We create a Semantic Web representation with the Simple Event Model (SEM) from screen scrapes of the ICC-CCS website. We show how the event layer makes it possible to easily analyze and visualize the aggregated reports to answer domain questions. Our pipeline includes conversion of the reports to RDF, linking their parts to external resources from the Linked Open Data cloud and exposing them to the Web through a ClioPatria web server that hosts the RDF.
Predictive Performance of Ten Equations for Estimating Creatinine Clearance in Cardiac Patients

OBJECTIVE: The predictive performance of 10 equations used to estimate creatinine clearance (Clcr) was assessed retrospectively from data collected on 420 patients. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective data analysis of information collected on hemodynamically stable patients awaiting coronary angiography during the Iohexol Cooperative Study. SETTING: The Iohexol Cooperative Study was a multicenter study that compared nephrotoxicity of high- and low-osmolar contrast media in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Data used for this analysis were preangiography 24-hour urine collections that were primarily collected in hospitalized patients. PATIENTS: Patients selected from the Iohexol Cooperative Study database for analysis were participants categorized into one or more of six subgroups: elderly (n = 222), hypoalbuminemic (n = 25), chronic renal insufficiency (n = 128), low serum creatinine (n = 115), obese (n = 208), and diabetic (n = 191) who had baseline urine collections of at least 24 hours. OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictive performance was assessed using bias, precision, slopes, and y-intercepts. RESULTS: The Salazar–Corcoran equation was unbiased in the entire group as well as in five of the subgroups. The Cockcroft–Gault equation was unbiased in three of the subgroups. All other equations were biased in predicting Clcr in the entire group as well as in at least four of the subgroups. Precision was generally poor. All slopes were significantly different than one and all y-intercepts were significantly different than zero (p < 0.01). Correlation coefficients were between 0.63 and 0.79 with the exceptions of the low serum creatinine subgroup (r values 0.35–0.64) and the Davis–Chandler equation (r values 0.35–0.71 across groups). CONCLUSIONS: Of the equations studied, Salazar–Corcoran and Cockcroft–Gault appear to be the best for predicting Clcr.
A global matching framework for stereo computation

This paper presents a new global matching framework for stereo computation. In this framework, the second view is first predicted from the reference view using the depth information. A global match measure is then defined as the similarity function between the predicted image and the actual image. Stereo computation is converted into a search problem where the goal is to find the depth map that maximizes the global match measure. The major advantage of this framework is that the global visibility constraint is inherently enforced in the computation. This paper explores several key components of this framework including (1) three color segmentation based depth representations, (2) an incremental warping algorithm that dramatically reduces the computational complexity, and (3) scene constraints such as the smoothness constraint and the color similarity constraint. Experimental results using different types of depth representations are presented. The quality of the computed depth maps is demonstrated through image-based rendering from new viewpoints.
The Diabetes Telephone Study: Design and challenges of a pragmatic cluster randomized trial to improve diabetic peripheral neuropathy treatment

Background: Challenges to effective pharmacologic management of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy include the limited effectiveness of available medicines, frequent side effects, and the need for ongoing symptom assessment and treatment titration for maximal effectiveness. We present here the rationale and implementation challenges of the Diabetes Telephone Study, a randomized trial designed to improve medication treatment, titration, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods: We implemented a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of an automated interactive voice response tool designed to provide physicians with real-time patient-reported data about responses to newly prescribed diabetic peripheral neuropathy medicines. A total of 1834 primary care physicians treating patients in the diabetes registry at Kaiser Permanente Northern California were randomized into the intervention or control arm. In September 2014, we began identification and recruitment of patients assigned to physicians in the intervention group who receive three brief interactive calls every 2 months after a medication is prescribed to alleviate diabetic peripheral neuropathy symptoms. These calls provide patients with the opportunity to report on symptoms, side effects, self-titration of medication dose and overall satisfaction with treatment. We plan to compare changes in self-reported quality of life between the intervention group and patients in the control group who receive three non-interactive automated educational phone calls. Results: Successful implementation of this clinical trial required robust stakeholder engagement to help tailor the intervention and to address pragmatic concerns such as provider time constraints. As of 27 October 2015, we had screened 2078 patients, 1447 of whom were eligible for participation. We consented and enrolled 1206 or 83% of those eligible. Among those enrolled, 53% are women and the mean age is 67 (standard deviation = 12) years. The racial ethnic make-up is 56% White, 8% Asian, 13% Black or African American, and 19% Hispanic or Latino. Conclusion: Innovative strategies are needed to guide improvements in healthcare delivery for patients with symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This trial aims to assess whether real-time collection and clinical feedback of patient treatment experiences can reduce patient symptom burden. Implementation of a clinical trial closely involving clinical care required researchers to partner with clinicians. If successful, this intervention provides a critical information feedback loop that would optimize diabetic peripheral neuropathy medication titration through widely available interactive voice response technology.
Inter-technique validation of tropospheric slant total delays

Abstract. An extensive validation of line-of-sight tropospheric slant total delays (STD) from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), ray tracing in numerical weather prediction model (NWM) fields and microwave water vapour radiometer (WVR) is presented. Ten GNSS reference stations, including collocated sites, and almost 2 months of data from 2013, including severe weather events were used for comparison. Seven institutions delivered their STDs based on GNSS observations processed using 5 software programs and 11 strategies enabling to compare rather different solutions and to assess the impact of several aspects of the processing strategy. STDs from NWM ray tracing came from three institutions using three different NWMs and ray-tracing software. Inter-techniques evaluations demonstrated a good mutual agreement of various GNSS STD solutions compared to NWM and WVR STDs. The mean bias among GNSS solutions not considering post-fit residuals in STDs was −0.6 mm for STDs scaled in the zenith direction and the mean standard deviation was 3.7 mm. Standard deviations of comparisons between GNSS and NWM ray-tracing solutions were typically 10 mm ± 2 mm (scaled in the zenith direction), depending on the NWM model and the GNSS station. Comparing GNSS versus WVR STDs reached standard deviations of 12 mm ± 2 mm also scaled in the zenith direction. Impacts of raw GNSS post-fit residuals and cleaned residuals on optimal reconstructing of GNSS STDs were evaluated at inter-technique comparison and for GNSS at collocated sites. The use of raw post-fit residuals is not generally recommended as they might contain strong systematic effects, as demonstrated in the case of station LDB0. Simplified STDs reconstructed only from estimated GNSS tropospheric parameters, i.e. without applying post-fit residuals, performed the best in all the comparisons; however, it obviously missed part of tropospheric signals due to non-linear temporal and spatial variations in the troposphere. Although the post-fit residuals cleaned of visible systematic errors generally showed a slightly worse performance, they contained significant tropospheric signal on top of the simplified model. They are thus recommended for the reconstruction of STDs, particularly during high variability in the troposphere. Cleaned residuals also showed a stable performance during ordinary days while containing promising information about the troposphere at low-elevation angles.
A Novel Cooperative ARQ Method for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, cooperative communication can combat the effects of channel fading by exploiting diversity gain achieved via cooperation communication among the relay nodes. A cooperative automatic retransmission request (ARQ) protocol based on two-relay node selection was proposed in this paper. A novel discrete time Markov chain model in order to analyze the throughput and energy efficiency was built, and system throughput and energy efficiency performance of proposed protocol and traditional ARQ protocol were studied based on such model. The numerical results reveal that the throughput and energy efficiency of the proposed protocol could perform better when compared with the traditional ARQ protocol.
Performance trajectory-based optimised supply chain dynamics

This research presents a multi-objective policy design based on simulating system dynamics, a simulation technique capable of explicitly modelling the feedback loops of decision rules and evaluating the dynamics of complex processes and systems. The novel feature of our approach is that performance is not measured by a single value, but rather performance measures are optimised based on their trajectories, such as the degree of inventory oscillation and the amplification ratio between the order rates of two parties over time (e.g. the bullwhip effect). A multi-objective genetic algorithm termed NSGA-II is employed to generate a set of nondominated solutions. In order to demonstrate the performance of our approach, we adapt and evaluate the dynamic method for a well-known case study: the beer game model of a two-stage supply chain.