Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dental age assessment on panoramic radiographs in a Swiss population: a validation study of two prediction models.

OBJECTIVES Dental age assessment methods are widely used for age estimation. This study aimed to analyse the accuracy of a meta-analysis method to estimate dental age in Swiss individuals and to detect potential limitations of the method. Precision of repeated tooth staging using Demirjian's classification on maxillary and mandibular teeth was also assessed. METHODS Panoramic radiographs of 50 Swiss white healthy children were analysed. Developing teeth on the left maxilla and mandible and all third permanent molars were staged following Demirjian's classification. Dental age was calculated for each subject, using a random effects model and a fixed effect model, and compared with chronological age. RESULTS The mean error of the dental age ranged between -3 and +1 months for both the calculation models. Dental age calculated with the fixed effect model overestimated the age of the subjects (average + 0.10 y, ranging from -1.95 y to +2.16 y) compared with their chronological age, whereas the random effects model underestimated the age (average -0.32 y, ranging from -2.24 y to +1.61 y). CONCLUSIONS Demirjian's method allowed a precise repeated staging of maxillary and mandibular developing teeth. For both calculation models, dental age correlated well, on average, with chronological age of Swiss subjects younger than 12 years. The random effects model showed a better accuracy for these subjects than the fixed effect model. However, both models underestimated the chronological age in subjects older than 12 years.
NF-κB in the Vascular Progression of Melanoma

Purpose To examine a model of melanoma progression based on vascular factors and the role of NF-κB in the vascular progression of melanoma. Patients and Methods A data set of 526 patients from the University of California San Francisco Melanoma Center with 2 years of follow-up or first relapse was studied. The impact of the presence or absence of various prognostic factors on overall survival of melanoma patients was assessed using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A matched-pair analysis of NF-κB expression was performed in cases with vascular involvement and increased tumor vascularity versus matched controls lacking these factors. Results Cox regression analysis of factors evaluated by the American Joint Committee on Cancer Melanoma Staging Committee reproduced the powerful impact of tumor thickness and ulceration in this data set. With the inclusion of vascular factors such as tumor vascularity and vascular involvement, ulceration was no longer significant in predicting overall survival. By mu.
Semistructured data

In semistructured data, the information that is normally associated with a schema is contained within the data, which is sometimes called “self-describing”. In some forms of semi-structured data there is no separate schema, in others it exists but only places loose constraints on the data. Semi-structured data has recently emerged as an important topic of study for a variety of reasons. First, there are data sources such as the Web, which we would like to treat as databases but which cannot be constrained by a schema. Second, it may be desirable to have an extremely flexible format for data exchange between disparate databases. Third, even when dealing with structured data, it may be helpful to view it. as semistructured for the purposes of browsing. This tutorial will cover a number of issues surrounding such data: finding a concise formulation, building a sufficiently expressive language for querying and transformation, and opti-mizat,ion problems.
A review of users' search contexts for lifelogging system design

The development of mobile and wearable technology has made it possible for people to collect and retrieve large amounts of data about their daily activities. We reviewed selected literature from four related research areas that actively engage in the investigation and modelling of users' search contexts. We discuss their similarities and their potential use for lifelogging. This paper represents a first step toward the conceptualisation of search contexts from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Develop, implement, and improve a web session detection model

More research in web and Information Retrieval is turning towards session-based retrieval rather than single item or query investigation. However, most of the session detection attempts only used simplistic rules (e.g. "30 mins inactivity creates a new session"). Up to this point, there are various fuzzy definitions of session, but no general consensus about it in the literature [3]. Whilst comparably little work has involved the mental model about the "web session" from real users. In response to these, my research focuses on web session detection involving real users with a comprehensive set of factors identified by them rather than the "simple fixed timeout". My objective is to develop a session detection model with corresponding rules for each factor, and then embedded them into a Chrome Extension to automatically detect more accurate web sessions from log data.
Grok the data center

In this paper, we claim that a vital part of managing a large enterprise data center is creating a model which encompasses all layers of the hardware and software stack, from network links up to application placement and configurations, and moreover that this model must be maintained in real time based on monitoring and trace data. Such a claim is not necessarily contentious, but we further argue that existing approaches to managing such facilities suffer from a lack of abstraction of the problem that limits their applicability: enterprise data centers are sufficiently diverse that it is hard to identify a reusable component that can express the complex range of queries that must be served in real time. The problem is less that of working out what data to gather, and how to process it, than it is one of building a flexible, reusable infrastructure above which to perform such processing. We therefore characterize the problem, and the systems challenges entailed by such a "RDBMS for system management". Finally, we report on our early exploration of the problem space, showing that even a limited version of such an engine can deliver useful value to a real, large-scale, production data center.
Bioarchaeological Analysis of the Human Skeletal Remains from the Late Mediaeval Cemetery of Koprivno, Southern Croatia

The paper presents the results of bioarchaeological analysis of the late mediaeval (13th-14th century) skeletal sample from Koprivno, southern Croatia. Skeletal remains of 21 individuals (eight males, nine females, and four subadults) were examined for the possible presence of dental pathologies (caries and alveolar bone diseases), subadult stress indicators (cribra orbitalia and dental enamel hypoplasia), degenerative osteoarthritis of the vertebrae and major joints, Schmorl’s nodes on vertebrae, periostitis, and bone trauma. The analysed sample is characterised by high frequency of alveolar bone disease, most probably as a result of somewhat longer average life span (around 41 years) and very poor oral hygiene, while the data concerning dental caries indicate mixed diet evenly based on meat and cereals. High frequencies of cribra orbitalia, dental enamel hypoplasia and periostitis suggest frequent episodes of physiological stress (hunger, epidemics of infectious diseases) which is in accordance with historical data. Distribution and prevalence of cranial traumas strongly suggest a relatively high degree of interpersonal violence in the analysed community.
Sensing the Pulse of Urban Refueling Behavior

Urban transportation is an important factor in energy consumption and pollution, and is of increasing concern due to its complexity and economic significance. Its importance will only increase as urbanization continues around the world. In this article, we explore drivers’ refueling behavior in urban areas. Compared to questionnaire-based methods of the past, we propose a complete data-driven system that pushes towards real-time sensing of individual refueling behavior and citywide petrol consumption. Our system provides the following: detection of individual refueling events (REs) from which refueling preference can be analyzed; estimates of gas station wait times from which recommendations can be made; an indication of overall fuel demand from which macroscale economic decisions can be made, and a spatial, temporal, and economic view of urban refueling characteristics. For individual behavior, we use reported trajectories from a fleet of GPS-equipped taxicabs to detect gas station visits. For time spent estimates, to solve the sparsity issue along time and stations, we propose context-aware tensor factorization (CATF), a factorization model that considers a variety of contextual factors (e.g., price, brand, and weather condition) that affect consumers’ refueling decision. For fuel demand estimates, we apply a queue model to calculate the overall visits based on the time spent inside the station. We evaluated our system on large-scale and real-world datasets, which contain 4-month trajectories of 32,476 taxicabs, 689 gas stations, and the self-reported refueling details of 8,326 online users. The results show that our system can determine REs with an accuracy of more than 90%, estimate time spent with less than 2 minutes of error, and measure overall visits in the same order of magnitude with the records in the field study.
Improved prediction of RNA tertiary structure with insights into native state dynamics.

The importance of RNA tertiary structure is evident from the growing number of published high resolution NMR and X-ray crystallographic structures of RNA molecules. These structures provide insights into function and create a knowledge base that is leveraged by programs such as Assemble, ModeRNA, RNABuilder, NAST, FARNA, Mc-Sym, RNA2D3D, and iFoldRNA for tertiary structure prediction and design. While these methods sample native-like RNA structures during simulations, all struggle to capture the native RNA conformation after scoring. We propose RSIM, an improved RNA fragment assembly method that preserves RNA global secondary structure while sampling conformations. This approach enhances the quality of predicted RNA tertiary structure, provides insights into the native state dynamics, and generates a powerful visualization of the RNA conformational space. RSIM is available for download from http://www.github. com/jpbida/rsim.
Perioperative assessment of platelet function in patients under antiplatelet therapy

Platelets play a central role in primary hemostasis. Analysis of platelet function is therefore a cornerstone in the global assessment of the coagulation status in the perioperative setting, primarily in patients receiving antiplatelet medication, such as cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors, adenosine diphosphate antagonists and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. In these patients, knowledge of residual platelet function is highly warranted in order to maintain an optimal and individual balance perioperatively between platelet function and inhibition – that is, bleeding and thrombosis. Traditional laboratory-based assays, such as light-transmission aggregometry and flow cytometry, are the clinical standards of platelet function testing today. Light-transmission aggregometry is one of the most widely used tests to identify and diagnose defects in platelet function. The majority of the conventional laboratory-based techniques are labor intensive, costly and time consuming, and require a high degree of experience and expertise to perform and interpret. Therefore, new automated technologies have been developed to measure platelet function more rapidly and easily, and several techniques can be used at the bedside, including whole blood aggregometry, high shear-induced platelet function assessment or viscoelastic measurement techniques. All methods assessing platelet function are summarized and their limitations are discussed in this article, emphasizing their perioperative use.
Cellular electrical impedance spectroscopy: an emerging technology of microscale biosensors

Electrical impedance spectroscopy, owing to its label-free, noninvasive and easy miniaturization nature, has shown great potential in cellular biochemical sensing and cell-based diagnostics. In this article, cutting-edge technologies of electrical impedance spectroscopy are reviewed according to different sensing mechanisms, including monitoring of ion release from live cells, utilization of nonconductive cellular membranes, and detection of the spatial distribution of cells. The most successful applications where the electrical impedance sensors have been proven effective are introduced, including investigation of anticancer drug therapies, wound healing, cytotoxicity evaluation and measurement of blood rheological behavior. Furthermore, the research advances that yield enhanced sensitivities and functionalities are introduced. Finally, the commercialization challenges and the critical barriers that hinder the sustaining development of cellular electrical impedance spectroscopy are discussed.
A miRNA-responsive cell-free translation system facilitates isolation of hepatitis C virus miRNP complexes

This Methods paper describes a novel approach for the isolation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). The authors developed a cell-free translation system to study interactions between hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and miRNA-122, which binds to the 5′-UTR region of HCV and stimulates its replication. This method could potentially be applicable to the characterization of miRNA–mRNA interactions.
Coaxial electrospray of microparticles and nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Coaxial electrospray is an electrohydrodynamic process that produces multilayer microparticles and nanoparticles by introducing coaxial electrified jets. In comparison with other microencapsulation/nanoencapsulation processes, coaxial electrospray has several potential advantages such as high encapsulation efficiency, effective protection of bioactivity and uniform size distribution. However, process control in coaxial electrospray is challenged by the multiphysical nature of the process and the complex interplay of multiple design, process and material parameters. This paper reviews the previous works and the recent advances in design, modeling and control of a coaxial electrospray process. The review intends to provide general guidance for coaxial electrospray and stimulate further research and development interests in this promising microencapsulation/nanoencapsulation process.
The double-stranded RNA binding domain of human Dicer functions as a nuclear localization signal

In mammalian cells, the cytoplasmic function of Dicer is well established, but evidence for its roles in the nucleus is fragmentary. This work demonstrates that the C-terminal double-stranded RNA binding domain of human Dicer (hDicer) includes a nuclear localization signal that depends on the importin-β family of import factors. The N-terminal helicase domain also contributes to hDicer localization. The authors conclude that hDicer is a shuttling protein that exhibits cytoplasmic localization at steady state.
Mg2+-induced conformational changes in the btuB riboswitch from E. coli

The btuB riboswitch from E. coli is known to alter its conformation upon interaction with its ligand, coenzyme B12; however, little is known about the ligand-free form of the btuB riboswitch. This work highlights the Mg2+-induced prefolding of the btuB aptamer and indicates the importance of the prefolded aptamer for recognition of coenzyme B12. The extrapolation of the data to the class of coenzyme B12 riboswitches suggests that the prefolding of the aptamer could be a common phenomenon for coenzyme B12 riboswitches to successfully interact with coenzyme B12.
PCR-based diagnosis of human fungal infections

PCR is a very appealing technology for the detection of human pathogens, but the detection of fungal pathogens is particularly challenging. Fungi have cell walls that impede the efficient lysis of organisms and liberation of DNA, which can lead to false-negative PCR results. Conversely, some human pathogens are also ubiquitous environmental saprophytes that can contaminate PCR reagents and cause false-positive results. We examine the quality of PCR-based studies for fungal diagnostics using 42 variables within the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments guidelines. This review focuses on taxon-directed PCR assays for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, candidiasis and Pneumocystis pneumonia. Finally, we evaluate broad-range fungal PCR assays capable of detecting a wide spectrum of human pathogens.
Estrogen Receptor α Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Myocardial Infarction

ContextThe role of estrogens in ischemic heart disease (IHD) is uncertain. Evidence suggests that genetic variations in the estrogen receptor α (ESR1) gene may influence IHD risk, but the role of common sequence variations in the ESR1 gene is unclear.ObjectiveTo determine whether the ESR1 haplotype created by the c.454-397T>C (PvuII) and c.454-351A>G (XbaI) polymorphisms is associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and IHD risk.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn 2617 men and 3791 postmenopausal women from The Rotterdam Study (enrollment between 1989-1993 and follow-up to January 2000), a population-based, prospective cohort study of participants aged 55 years and older, ESR1 c.454-397T>C and c.454-351A>G haplotypes were determined. Detailed interviews and physical examinations were performed, blood samples were obtained, and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed.Main Outcome MeasureThe primary outcome was MI and IHD defined as MIs, revascularization procedures, and IHD mortality.ResultsApproximately 29% of women and 28.2% of men were homozygous carriers of the ESR1 haplotype 1 (−397 T and −351 A) allele, 49% of women and 50% of men were heterozygous carriers, and 22% of women and 21.4% of men were noncarriers. During a mean follow-up of 7.0 years, 285 participants (115 women; 170 men) had MI, and 440 (168 women; 272 men) had an IHD event, of which 97 were fatal. After adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, female heterozygous carriers of haplotype 1 had an increased risk of MI (event rate, 2.8%; relative risk [RR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-4.43) compared with noncarriers (event rate, 1.3%), whereas homozygous carriers had an increased risk (event rate, 3.2%; RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.22-5.03). For IHD events, we observed a similar association. In women, the effect of haplotype 1 on fatal IHD was larger than on nonfatal IHD. In men, the ESR1 haplotypes were not associated with an increased risk of MI (event rate, 5.7%; RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.59-1.46 for heterozygous carriers; and event rate, 5.1%; RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.49-1.38 for homozygous carriers) compared with noncarriers (event rate, 5.8%) and were not associated with an increased risk of IHD.ConclusionsIn this population-based, prospective cohort study, postmenopausal women who carry ESR1 haplotype 1 (c.454-397 T allele and c.454-351 A allele) have an increased risk of MI and IHD, independent of known cardiovascular risk factors. In men, no association was observed.
Home versus clinic-based specimen collection for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health concern that must be addressed with innovative screening methods to supplement traditional approaches. Home-based screening with self-collected urine or vaginal specimens is a highly feasible and acceptable method, and shows promise in improving STI screening rates in both men and women. Home collection kits have been offered in a variety of settings, with results ranging from very modest improvements in screening rates to 100-fold increases beyond the rates observed with clinic-based screening. This article describes and evaluates the effectiveness and limitations of various home screening strategies used for the detection of STIs.
Massively-parallel vector graphics

We present a massively parallel vector graphics rendering pipeline that is divided into two components. The preprocessing component builds a novel adaptive acceleration data structure, the shortcut tree. Tree construction is efficient and parallel at the segment level, enabling dynamic vector graphics. The tree allows efficient random access to the color of individual samples, so the graphics can be warped for special effects. The rendering component processes all samples and pixels in parallel. It was optimized for wide antialiasing filters and a large number of samples per pixel to generate sharp, noise-free images. Our sample scheduler allows pixels with overlapping antialiasing filters to share samples. It groups together samples that can be computed with the same vector operations using little memory or bandwidth. The pipeline is feature-rich, supporting multiple layers of filled paths, each defined by curved outlines (with linear, rational quadratic, and integral cubic Bézier segments), clipped against other paths, and painted with semi-transparent colors, gradients, or textures. We demonstrate renderings of complex vector graphics in state-of-the-art quality and performance. Finally, we provide full source-code for our implementation as well as the input data used in the paper.
Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children: new advances

The global burden of childhood pulmonary TB has been underappreciated, in part due to difficulties in obtaining microbiological confirmation of disease. Most HIV-uninfected children can be diagnosed using a combination of clinical and epidemiological features, tuberculin skin testing and chest radiography, as represented in different scoring systems. However, accurate microbiologic diagnosis has become increasingly important for timely use of effective treatment. Mycobacterial culture confirms the diagnosis of TB and provides drug susceptibility data but is not available in most areas with a high TB prevalence. Moreover, culture has poor sensitivity in children who usually have paucibacillary disease. The HIV epidemic has made definitive diagnosis even more challenging due to nonspecific clinical and radiological signs. In high HIV-prevalence areas, scoring systems have been especially variable, lacking sensitivity and specificity. Newer methods for diagnosis are aimed either at detecting the organism or a specific host immune response. Methods for organism detection have focused on collection of better samples, improved culture techniques, molecular methods or antigen detection. Recent advances include the use of sputum induction for obtaining a more reliable specimen, faster and more sensitive culture methods, and rapid detection of the organism and drug resistance based on nucleic acid amplification. Improved methods for detecting a specific host response have largely focused on the use of IFN-g release assays. Even with newer methods, accurately diagnosing childhood TB may be challenging. Greater efforts to obtain a microbiologic diagnosis should be made in children, even in primary care settings. Further research to develop a more accurate, cost-effective and simple diagnostic test for childhood TB is urgently needed.