Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-utilization of oral health services and associated factors among children and adolescents: an integrative review

Abstract Objective To review publications exploring non-utilization of oral health services and to identify factors associated with non-utilization of oral health services among children and adolescents. Materials and methods An integrative review design was adopted. A search was conducted for research articles published during the period from 2000 to April 2021 in five databases, Medline via Ovid, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were original articles examining non-utilization of oral health services among 0–19 years old and studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify common themes. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Results Twenty-one geographically diverse articles were included. Nineteen studies were cross-sectional, one was a prospective cohort and one a case-control study. Non-utilization of dental health services tended to be higher in children than adolescents. There were predisposing (age, gender, ethnicity, parent’s level of education), enabling (family income, dental insurance) and need factors (subjective and objective oral health related parameters) that had been shown to be associated with non-utilization of dental services among children and adolescents. Conclusions This integrative review found predisposing, enabling and need factors to be associated with dental health service non-utilization.
Multivariable vibration control of a coupled flexible structure using QFT

Quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is a valuable control strategy for multivariable systems that contain parametric uncertainty. This paper uses multivariable quantitative feedback theory (QFT) to design an internal model reference loop (IMRL) controller. The QFT IMRL method allows a single controller to be designed for large time-invariant parameter variations by forcing the system transfer function matrix to be diagonally dominant. The controller architecture causes the coupled system to behave like the uncoupled system with proper choice of reference model. The design method is extended to discrete time by using a pseudo-continuous time (PCT) approach. The control application is extended to robust disturbance rejection rather than robust tracking by designing an outer-loop controller to reduce the sensitivity of each diagonal element. The structure to be controlled is a two degree of freedom flexible beam with variable coupling. The result of the control method is one single discrete decentralized cont.
Distinct stress‐related changes in intrinsic amygdala connectivity predict subsequent positive and negative memory performance

Experiencing stress before an event can influence how that event is later remembered. In the current study, we examine how individual differences in one's physiological response to a stressor are related to changes to underlying brain states and memory performance. Specifically, we examined how changes in intrinsic amygdala connectivity relate to positive and negative memory performance as a function of stress response, defined as a change in cortisol. Twenty‐five participants underwent a social stressor before an incidental emotional memory encoding task. Cortisol samples were obtained before and after the stressor to measure individual differences in stress response. Three resting state scans (pre‐stressor, post‐stressor/pre‐encoding and post‐encoding) were conducted to evaluate pre‐ to post‐stressor and pre‐ to post‐encoding changes to intrinsic amygdala connectivity. Analyses examined relations between greater cortisol changes and connectivity changes. Greater cortisol increases were associated with a greater decrease in prefrontal‐amygdala connectivity following the stressor and a reversal in the relation between prefrontal‐amygdala connectivity and negative vs. positive memory performance. Greater cortisol increases were also associated with a greater increase in amygdala connectivity with a number of posterior sensory regions following encoding. Consistent with prior findings in non‐stressed individuals, pre‐ to post‐encoding increases in amygdala‐posterior connectivity were associated with greater negative relative to positive memory performance, although this was specific to lateral rather than medial posterior regions and to participants with the greatest cortisol changes. These findings suggest that stress response is associated with changes in intrinsic connectivity that have downstream effects on the valence of remembered emotional content.
Post‐fatigue ability to activate muscle is compromised across a wide range of torques during acute hypoxic exposure

The purpose of this study was to assess how severe acute hypoxia alters the neural mechanisms of muscle activation across a wide range of torque output in a fatigued muscle. Torque and electromyography responses to transcranial and motor nerve stimulation were collected from 10 participants (27 years ± 5 years, 1 female) following repeated performance of a sustained maximal voluntary contraction that reduced torque to 60% of the pre‐fatigue peak torque. Contractions were performed after 2 h of hypoxic exposure and during a sham intervention. For hypoxia, peripheral blood oxygen saturation was titrated to 80% over a 15‐min period and remained at 80% for 2 h. Maximal voluntary torque, electromyography root mean square, voluntary activation and corticospinal excitability (motor evoked potential area) and inhibition (silent period duration) were then assessed at 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 50% and 25% of the target force corresponding to the fatigued maximal voluntary contraction. No hypoxia‐related effects were identified for voluntary activation elicited during motor nerve stimulation. However, during measurements elicited at the level of the motor cortex, voluntary activation was reduced at each torque output considered (P = .002, ηp2 = .829). Hypoxia did not impact the correlative linear relationship between cortical voluntary activation and contraction intensity or the correlative curvilinear relationship between motor nerve voluntary activation and contraction intensity. No other hypoxia‐related effects were identified for other neuromuscular variables. Acute severe hypoxia significantly impairs the ability of the motor cortex to voluntarily activate fatigued muscle across a wide range of torque output.
Associations of genetic variants in/near BMI-associated genes with type 2 diabetes: A systematic meta-analysis

Objective— Genome-wide association studies have identified many obesity/body mass index (BMI)-associated loci in Europeans and East Asians. Since then, a large number of studies have investigated the role of BMI-associated loci in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the results have been inconsistent. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of 11 obesity/BMI with T2D risk and explore how BMI influences this risk. Methods— We retrieved published literature from PubMed and Embase. The pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random- effect model. Results— In the meta-analysis of 42 studies for 11 obesity/BMI-associated loci, we observed a statistically significant association of FTO rs9939609 polymorphism (66,425 T2D cases/239,689 normoglycemic subjects; p=1.00×10 -41 ) and six other variants with T2D risk (17,915 T2D cases/ 27,531 normoglycemic Conclusions— This meta-analysis indicates that several BMI-associated variants are significantly associated with T2D risk. Some variants increase the T2D risk independent of obesity, while others mediate this risk through obesity.
How Buyer Performance Is Influenced in a Supply Chain? A Social Capital Perspective

— The majority of research work that explore performance variation in buyer-supplier relations based on social capital theory only concentrate on relational dimension and/or structural dimension, which might limit their theoretical contributions. In this study, we take a more holistic view to develop a research model based on the social capital theory to investigate how social capital elements result in desired buyer (manufacturer) performance behind the supply chain integration strategy. In addition, we will also look into the effects of two resource capabilities, supplier flexibility and supplier collaboration, resulted from suppliers’ relationship-specific investments on relational capital. A sample composed of manufacturing firms from different industries in Taiwan will be used to test the hypotheses in the proposed research model.
Policy Safety Stock Cost Optimization : Xerox Consumable Supply Chain Case Study

Inventory, cost, and the level of service are three interrelated key metrics that most supply chain organizations are striving to optimize. One way to achieve this goal is to create a simulation model to conduct sensitivity analysis and optimization on several different supply chain policies that can be implemented in actual operation. In this paper, a case of Xerox global supply chain modeling and analysis to assess several “what if” scenarios for the consumable policy safety stock is presented. The simulation model, combined with analytical cost model and optimization module, is used to optimize the policy safety stock level to achieve the lowest total value chain cost. It was shown quantitatively that the policy safety stock can be reduced, but it is offset by the inbound premium transportation cost to expedite supplies in shortage, and the outbound premium transportation cost to send supplies to customers via express shipment, requiring fine balance.
Preserving lives or livelihoods? Examining the COVID-19 pandemic policy responses in Africa

5 Initial policy responses implemented by African governments, following the onset of the 6 COVID-19 pandemic, are assessed, including lockdowns, restrictions of international travel, 7 and other stringency measures (such as social distancing and contact tracing) to contain the 8 spread of the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to November 2020. Policy lessons on 9 potential trade-offs between the economic and social consequences and the effort to save 10 lives are drawn. We used novel data to establish causal relationships between infection rates 11 of SARS-CoV-2 and stringency measures implemented by governments, as well as their 12 economic and social consequences. The Instrumental Variable (IV) Method was used to 13 identify the direction of causation. Our estimates showed that compliance with mobility 14 restrictions led to a significant decline in infection rates, with the impact amplified in 15 situations in which complementary measures were strong. The economic and social 16 consequences were also very substantial, including contractions in real gross domestic 17 product (GDP) and deterioration of household welfare. There were also a high incidence of 18 lockdown-related violence and criminal activities. The lockdowns to fight COVID-19 could 19 be most effective in the contexts of a strong health care system, efficient infectious disease 20 control infrastructure, and community understanding. In other contexts, the trade-off between 21 saving lives and preserving livelihoods could be very costly, and in extreme cases, lead to 22 unintended consequences, such as severe hunger, violence, and permanent loss of jobs.
The impacts of monetary rewards on public sector employees in construction: A case of Jigawa state in Nigeria

Purpose Literature indicates that monetary reward or compensation impacts on the level of attraction, motivation, job satisfaction and retention of employees. The elements of compensation include salary, bonuses (allowances), gratuity and pension. The purpose of this study is to investigate how these four elements of compensation specifically influence the attraction, motivation, job satisfaction and retention of public sector construction employees of Jigawa State of Nigeria to inform how their employer can raise the current levels of satisfaction and retention of employees. Design/methodology/approach The Positivist paradigm guided the empirical research where a questionnaire was developed, pilot-tested and administered to 265 people using stratified random sampling. A total of 260 questionnaires were collected, representing a response rate of 98 per cent. The data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. Findings The results established that construction employees in Jigawa State’s public sector were motivated by allowances and gratuity, attracted to the job by salary, pension and gratuity and remained in their jobs through the influences of gratuity and pension. Gratuity played a major role, as it impacted on all the four variables studied. Practical implications These findings are applicable to Jigawa State of Nigeria but can be extrapolated to other public sector construction employees in the whole country. The findings could also be generalized in other states where the pay scales are different within the ministries. Originality/value The impacts of four elements of monetary rewards on four employees’ variables were studied. The specifics of which elements of compensation influence the employees of Jigawa State’s Ministry of Works and Transport have been identified. The findings from this study showed that gratuity played a primary role, as it impacted highly on all the four variables of job attraction, motivation, satisfaction and retention. Pension also played a high role, as it impacted heavily on job attraction, satisfaction and retention. Comparatively salary and allowances had high impact on one variable each: job attraction and motivation, respectively.
The Awareness and Knowledge of Alternative Islamic Treatment: A Case Study in Malaysia

Technological advances and evolution in medicine have evolved and led humans to find alternative methods of modern medicine. Alternative treatment centers based on either "Islamic Treatment" or traditional ones are becoming more and more popular over time. Alternative treatments of Islam are treatments based on ruqyah , aura, inner, and homeopathy. In line with this rapid alternative to Islamic medicine, the Malaysian government supports Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) in connection with any traditional medical practice among the local community except for medical or dental practices registered and recognized under the Malaysian healthcare system. However, to this day, the awareness, exposure and knowledge of alternative Islamic medicine are still in small scale and very limited in society. This issue needs to be taken into account for the importance of exposure and knowledge to the community not only to the Muslim community, but to all Malaysians. As such, this research aims to raise awareness and make research findings a platform to provide comprehensive information to the public. This can change the perception and resolve the community's doubts on alternative Islamic medicine as well as enhance the development of alternative Islamic medicine by offering a 'one-stop-center' hub for the needs of patients in need of alternative treatment. This study will use qualitative approach by interviewing the founder and practitioner of Islamic medicine Darul Ansar center and also observation method by observing the practice of medicine or treatment in accordance to Islamic syariah . The interview will be using thematic analysis whereby the data will be gathered and analysed.
BTT_A_325019 329..341

1Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People’s Republic of China; 2MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, People’s Republic of China Background: Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2 (HHLA2) is a member of the B7 family; however, little is known regarding its expression and clinical relevance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: To better characterize HHLA2 expression in HCC, we analyzed its expression by in situ staining and further investigated its correlation with immune infiltration and patient prognosis. Results: HHLA2 was primarily expressed in the peri-tumor region of HCC tissues and colocalized with CD68 monocytes/macrophages. In vitro analysis and multiimmunofluorescence staining showed up-regulated HHLA2 expression in tumor-activated monocytes/macrophages, and HHLA2 monocytes/macrophages expressed high levels of HLA-DR in HCC tissue. A correlation analysis showed that samples displaying high HHLA2 expression in the peri-tumor region had significant tumor infiltration of CD204 and CD11b cells, and low expression of genes associated with an anti-tumor immune response. The high level of peri-tumoral HHLA2 expression was associated with a poor patient overall survival (OS; P = 0.008). A multivariate analysis revealed that HHLA2 expression in the peri-tumor region was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio = 1.872, p = 0.003). Moreover, the expression of HHLA2 was negatively correlated with PD-L1, and patients exhibiting HHLA2 and programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1) co-expression had the shortest survival time. Conclusion: HHLA2 expression represented an immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC, and may serve as a potential target for immunotherapy.
Novel RF MEMS capacitive switches with design flexibility for multi-frequency operation

RF MEMS capacitive shunt switches with a dielectric-on-metal (DOM) capacitor, which are widely used for microwave applications in the communication field, suffer from some serious drawbacks. A significant shift is observed in the resonant frequency of these switches due to the reduction in the down-state capacitance caused by the surface roughness of the dielectric layer. In order to achieve accurate down-state capacitance, a thin layer of floating metal is deposited on the dielectric layer converting the DOM switch to a metal-insulator metal (MIM) switch. The MIM switch opens up interesting possibilities in the design, such as achieving flexibility in the operating frequency of the switch. This paper reports a novel method to achieve design flexibility for multi-frequency operation in switches, by effectively utilizing the equipotential nature of the floating metal in the MIM capacitor. Unlike in a DOM switch, the resonant frequency can be varied by changing merely the length of the floating metal, without having to make any other structural modifications. This enables to have switches operating at different frequency on the same wafer. The beams of the switches are also designed in such a way as to provide stress resilience, thereby preventing buckling. This paper presents the design, simulation, fabrication and characterization of a switch that operates in the X-band. The fabricated switches show excellent stress resilience. The characterized switch demonstrates a reduction in the resonant frequency in proportion to an increase in the length of the floating metal, hence validating the design flexibility proposed in this paper.
Oppositional Deﬁant Disorder in Students: The Predicting Role of Emotion Regulation, Schema, and Vandalism

Background: Numerousstudiesdemonstratedthatemotionaldysregulationandearlymaladaptiveschemasarethedeﬁningcore of oppositional deﬁant disorder. Many studies also found a strong correlation between the diagnosis of oppositional deﬁant disorder and vandalism. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the relationship between oppositional deﬁant disorder and emotion regulation, schema, and vandalism in male high school students in Dezfoul, the Southwest of Iran. Methods: A sample of high school students (n = 320) with a mean age of 16.34 (SD = 0.66) years completed oppositional deﬁant behavior inventory pilot version (ODBI), diﬃculties in emotion-regulation scale (DERS), young schema questionnaire-short form (YSQ-SF), and questionnaire of vandalism (QV). Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coeﬃcient and multivariate regression analysis. Results: The results showed a signiﬁcant positive correlation between emotion regulation, schema, and vandalism with opposi-tionaldeﬁantdisorder. Regressionanalysisrevealedthat12% varianceof oppositionaldeﬁantdisordercanbepredictedbyemotion dysregulation,schema,andvandalism. Moreover,emotiondysregulationwasthemosteﬀectivepredictingvariableof oppositional deﬁant disorder (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The ﬁndings of the current study were in accordance with those of the previous studies, and generally showed a signiﬁcantassociationbetweenemotionregulation,schema,andvandalismwithoppositionaldeﬁantdisorder. Studyimplications and limitations were considered.
Protoplast isolation and culture from Kalanchoë species

A high yield of isolated protoplasts and efficient regeneration protocols are prerequisites for successful development of somatic hybrids. In the present study, protoplast isolation and regeneration were evaluated in 12 Kalanchoë accessions belonging to nine species. The highest protoplast yield was obtained from K. blossfeldiana ‘Charming Red Meadow’ with 10.78 ± 0.51 × 10 5 protoplasts per gram fresh weight. We observed significant differences of protoplast yield while there was no distinct difference in viability among the accessions. Seven accessions reached the microcolony stage and four developed microcalli in medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). Using five selected accessions we optimized the PGR (plant growth regulators) concentrations using combinations of NAA, BAP and 2,4-D. K. blossfeldiana cultivars ‘Charming Red Meadow’ and ‘Paris’ produced significantly different numbers of calli depending on the PGR concentrations. For plant regeneration, the medium was supplemented with 1 mg/l NAA and 2 mg/l BAP or 2 mg/l zeatin. Shoots were regenerated on medium supplemented with NAA and BAP for K. blossfeldiana ‘Charming Red Meadow’ and K. blossfeldiana ‘Paris’. The plants successfully developed roots on the medium supplemented with IAA. The medium containing zeatin induced root formation directly from callus in K. blossfeldiana ‘Charming Red Meadow’. Our findings have the potential to facilitate the use of Kalanchoë species in somatic hybridization breeding programs. The study revealed a strong genotype-dependent efficiency of colony and microcallus formation. Plants were regenerated from two Kalanchoë blossfeldiana cultivars on medium supplemented with NAA and BAP.