Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate for treating temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION In some cases, conservative treatment of internal derangements of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is considered little responsive. Thus, it is necessary to accomplish treatments that aim at reducing pain and improve function in patients who present arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders. OBJECTIVE This study, by means of a systematic review of the literature, aimed to analyze the effectiveness of intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate for treating internal derangements of the TMJ. METHODS Carry out a research in the following databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Pubmed, Lilacs, and BBO, considering publications issued between 1966 and October 2010, focusing on randomized or quasi-randomized controlled clinical trials, single or double-blind. RESULTS After applying the inclusion criteria we collected 9 articles, 7 of which were randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials and 2 randomized controlled single-blind clinical trials. CONCLUSION After analyzing the literature, it was found that intra-articular injection with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate seems to be an effective method for treating internal derangements of the TMJ. However, further randomized controlled clinical trials, with representative samples and longer follow-up time must be carried out in order to assess the real effectiveness of this technique.
A Statistical Design-Oriented Delay Variation Model Accounting for Within-Die Variations

The increase of statistical variations in advanced nanometer CMOS technologies poses a major challenge for digital circuit design. In this paper, we study the impact of random variations on the delay variability of a gate and derive simple and scalable statistical models to effectively evaluate delay variations in the presence of within-die variations. The derived models are verified and compared to Monte Carlo SPICE simulations using industrial 90-nm technology. This paper provides new design insight and highlights the importance of accounting for the effect of input slew on delay variations, particularly at lower supply voltages. We also show that, for a given supply voltage, there is an optimum input slew that minimizes the relative delay variation of the gate. We present conditions to achieve this minimum. The derived analytical models account for the impact of supply voltage and output loading and can be used in early design cycle. These results are particularly important for variation-tolerant design in nanometer technologies, particularly in low-power and low-voltage operation.
HCV and Oxidative Stress in the Liver

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the etiological agent accounting for chronic liver disease in approximately 2–3% of the population worldwide. HCV infection often leads to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, various metabolic alterations including steatosis, insulin and interferon resistance or iron overload, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Multiple molecular mechanisms that trigger the emergence and development of each of these pathogenic processes have been identified so far. One of these involves marked induction of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) in infected cells leading to oxidative stress. To date, markers of oxidative stress were observed both in chronic hepatitis C patients and in various in vitro systems, including replicons or stable cell lines expressing viral proteins. The search for ROS sources in HCV-infected cells revealed several mechanisms of ROS production and thus a number of cellular proteins have become targets for future studies. Furthermore, during last several years it has been shown that HCV modifies antioxidant defense mechanisms. The aim of this review is to summarize the present state of art in the field and to try to predict directions for future studies.
Regulation of competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: expression of dpnA, a late competence gene encoding a DNA methyltransferase of the DpnII restriction system

The chromosomal DpnII gene cassette of Streptococcus pneumoniae encodes two methyltransferases and an endonuclease. One methyltransferase acts on double‐stranded and the other on single‐stranded DNA. Two mRNAs are transcribed from the cassette. One, a SigA promoter transcript, includes all three genes; the other includes a truncated form of the second methyltransferase gene (dpnA) and the endonuclease gene. The truncated dpnA, which is translated from the second start codon in the full gene, was shown to produce active enzyme. A promoter reporter plasmid for S. pneumoniae was devised to characterize the promoter for the second mRNA. This transcript was found to depend on a promoter that responded to the induction of competence for genetic transformation. The promoter contains the combox sequence recognized by a SigH‐containing RNA polymerase. As part of the competence regulon, the dpnA gene makes a product able to methylate incoming plasmid strands to protect them from the endonuclease and allow plasmid establishment. Its function differs from most genes in the regulon, which are involved in DNA uptake. Comparison of R6 and Rx strains of S. pneumoniae showed the temperature dependence of transformation in R6 to result from temperature sensitivity of the uptake apparatus and not the development of competence.
On fuzzy Semantic Web Services

Semantic Web Services (SWSs) extend Web Services in the context of Semantic Web, providing a well-defined semantics in order to make them computer-interpretable, use-apparent, and agent-ready. However, current Semantic Web technologies are not appropriate to deal with imprecise and vague knowledge, inherent to several real world domains. In this paper, we introduce the notion of fuzzy Semantic Web Services, or OWL-S SWSs with a fuzzy domain ontology. This way, both service providers and users can use fuzzy logic to advertise services and request their needs, respectively. In particular, we present an architecture for developing fuzzy SWSs, as well as a framework for fuzzy ontology generation.
A Peer-reviewed Electronic Journal Published by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies

In 1970, the Japanese roboticist and practicing Buddhist Masahiro Mori wrote a short essay entitled " On the Uncanny Valley " for the journal Energy (Enerugi, 7/4, 33–35). Since the publication of this two-page essay, Mori's concept of the Uncanny Valley has become part and parcel of the discourse within the fields of humanoid robotics engineering, the film industry, culture studies, and philosophy, most notably the philosophy of transhumanism. In this paper, the concept of the Uncanny Valley is discussed in terms of the contemporary Japanese cultural milieu relating to humanoid robot technology, and the ongoing roboticization of human culture. For Masahiro Mori, who is also the author of The Buddha in the Robot (1981), the same compassion that we ought to offer to all living beings, and Being itself, we ought to offer to humanoid robots, which are also dimensions of the Buddha-nature of Compassion. " What is this, Channa? " asked Siddhartha. " Why does that man lie there so still, allowing these people to burn him up? It's as if he does not know anything. " " He is dead," replied Channa. " Dead! Channa, does everyone die? "
A Developmental Trend in the Understanding of Concept Attribute Importance.

SCHWANENFLUGEL, PAULA J.; GUTH, MITCHELL E. ; and BJORKLUND, DAVID F. A Developmental Trend in the Understanding of Concept Attribute Importance. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1986, 57, 421-430. Changes in the structure of word meaning in the school years were examined. In Experiment 1, subjects rated the importance to word concepts of features of high, medium, and low importance as defined by adults. Kindergartners and second graders were less able to differentiate adult-defined levels of feature importance than were fourth graders. In Experiment 2, children were verbally presented with features of differing importance based on the grade-appropriate ratings obtained in the previous experiment and were asked to categorize those features. Children's categorization confidence was higher when they were presented with high importance features than with low importance features. These findings indicated that, while the processes involved in employing semantic feature weights do not change, the development of the weighting of these features continues throughout the school years.
Photomosaic Generation and Representative Photomosaic Selection for Photograph Browsing

Photomosaic arranges many small photographs to represent a large image. Our study applies the photomosaic to a photograph browser CAT. Our implementation displays photomosaic while zooming out, and individual photographs while zooming in. Here, many photograph browsing software displays a set of photographs in the order of their times. To maintain this order of photographs, our photomosaic-like image generation technique firstly arranges the given set of photographs in the order of their times, and then retouches so that the set of photographs forms a photomosaic-like scene. This paper presents our technique for photomosaic generation, a user evaluation to discuss what kinds of photographs are preferable to be applied, and an automatic photomosaic selection technique.
Release of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -2, but not -9, from activated platelets measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in particular MMP-9, have been introduced as novel biomarkers in coronary artery disease. Activated platelets are considered to be a major source of the highly elevated levels of MMPs that are detected in serum compared to plasma. The aim of this study was to clarify if activated platelets release MMPs-1, -2 and -9 as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Isolated platelets (separated by several procedures) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were stimulated by collagen, thrombin or the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. The concentrations of MMPs-1,-2 and -9 in supernatants were determined by ELISA. In addition, a MMP-9 enzyme activity assay was used as well as immunofluorescent staining of MMPs-1,-2 and 9 in platelets. Isolated platelets stimulated by collagen, thrombin or Pam3CSK4 released significant amounts of MMP-1 to the supernatant measured as either pro- or total-MMP-1. However, there was no detectable release of MMP-2 or -9 from isolated platelets. Collagen-stimulated platelets in PRP released MMP-2, but not -9. Before stimulation; platelets were positive for MMPs-1 and -2, but not -9, as assessed by immunofluorescence. Acting as positive controls, neutrophils were found to release significant amounts of MMP-9. Our findings indicate that activated platelets may be a major source of MMP-1 and to a minor extent MMP-2, in peripheral blood. However, in contrast to what has been argued in previous literature, platelets appear to be only negligible contributors to circulating MMP-9.
Excision Repair Cross-Complementing Group 1 May Predict the Efficacy of Chemoradiation Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Purpose: Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is now widely recognized as bladder-preserving therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, some patients who fail CRT may miss the chance to be cured by cystectomy. Therefore, it is important to select patients with MIBC who are expected to have a good response to CRT. Several reports indicate that the excision repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1) gene is associated with resistance to cisplatin and radiation therapy. In this study, we examined the correlation between ERCC1 and CRT in vitro and in vivo in bladder cancer. Experimental Design: Bladder cancer cell lines T24, 5637, Cl8-2 (multidrug-resistant subline of T24), and CDDP10-3 (cisplatin-resistant subline of T24) were used for in vitro assays to measure ERCC1 expression level and growth inhibition with cisplatin or ionizing radiation (IR). We then examined by immunohistochemistry that whether ERCC1 nuclear staining correlates with the efficacy of CRT using cisplatin in 22 patients with MIBC. Results: Cl8-2 cells expressed ERCC1 mRNA 5.96-fold higher than did T24. Cl8-2 and CDDP10-3 were more resistant to cisplatin or IR than was T24. Resistance to IR, but not to cisplatin, was removed by suppressing ERCC1 using siRNA in both Cl8-2 and CDDP10-3 cells. In immunohistochemistry with ERCC1, 6 of 8 positive cases did not have complete response to CRT, whereas 12 of 14 negative cases had complete response. Sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 85.7%, respectively (P = 0.008). Conclusion: Although further study is needed, ERCC1 expression level may predict the efficacy of CRT for MIBC. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2561–9. ©2010 AACR.
GA Optimized Knowledge Base of FLC for Complex Industrial Process

The Knowledge Base of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) encapsulates expert knowledge and consists of the Data Base (membership functions) and Rule-Base of the controller. Optimization of these Knowledge Base components is critical to the performance of the controller and has traditionally been achieved through a process of trial and error. Such an approach is convenient for FLCs having low numbers of input variables. However for greater number of inputs, more formal methods of Knowledge Base optimization are required. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) provide such a method to optimize the FLC parameters. An intelligent multi input multi output (MIMO) control for the cement milling circuit is presented. The FLC is optimized by GA for varying nonlinearity in the plant. The proposed control algorithm was tested with the cement mill simulation model within MATLAB SIMULINK environment. Parameters of the simulation model were set up based on the actual cement mill characteristics. The performances of the proposed control technique are compared with various other control techniques.
Millisecond Anneal and Short-Channel Effect Control in Si CMOS Transistor Performance

In this letter, the effects of the millisecond anneal in conjunction with conventional spike anneal on the p-n junction formation in CMOS devices are studied. The results reveal that the millisecond and spike annealing sequence plays an important role in the implanted boron p+/n junction formation. On blanket Si wafers, the millisecond anneal followed by the spike anneal increases implanted boron solid solubility in crystalline silicon by ~18% compared to that obtained using reversed annealing sequence under the same annealing conditions. This result substantially alters the short-channel effect behaviors in the fabricated CMOS devices, resulting in opposite threshold-voltage behaviors in PMOS and NMOS devices when using boron as NMOS halo implant. The results also provide useful insights into ultrashallow-junction formation and short-channel effect control when scaling CMOS technology
The Facultative Symbiont Rickettsia Protects an Invasive Whitefly against Entomopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae Strains

ABSTRACT Facultative endosymbionts can benefit insect hosts in a variety of ways, including context-dependent roles, such as providing defense against pathogens. The role of some symbionts in defense may be overlooked, however, when pathogen infection is transient, sporadic, or asymptomatic. The facultative endosymbiont Rickettsia increases the fitness of the sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in some populations through mechanisms that are not yet understood. In this study, we investigated the role of Rickettsia in mediating the interaction between the sweet potato whitefly and Pseudomonas syringae, a common environmental bacterium, some strains of which are pathogenic to aphids. Our results show that P. syringae multiplies within whiteflies, leading to host death, and that whiteflies infected with Rickettsia show a decreased rate of death due to P. syringae. Experiments using plants coated with P. syringae confirmed that whiteflies can acquire the bacteria at a low rate while feeding, leading to increased mortality, particularly when the whiteflies are not infected with Rickettsia. These results suggest that P. syringae may affect whitefly populations in nature and that Rickettsia can ameliorate this effect. This study highlights the possible importance of interactions among opportunistic environmental pathogens and endosymbionts of insects.
The associations among pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding emergency contraception.

OBJECTIVES To quantify practitioner administration of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) among adolescent patients, and to determine if such administration is associated with physician knowledge and attitudes regarding efficacy, side effects, and appropriate use. DESIGN Survey of pediatricians. SETTING The survey address list was generated from a database of active Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics in the District of Columbia metropolitan area. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Prescription of the ECP in the previous 12 months, or counseling of an adolescent patient about the ECP. RESULTS Of the 236 questionnaires distributed, 143 (61%) were returned and 121 (51%) were usable. Twenty-four pediatricians (20%) reported prescribing the ECP, and 29 (24%) had counseled adolescent patients about the ECP. Of the practice-related variables surveyed, both the number of adolescents seen per week and the practice setting were significantly associated with these outcomes. Of the knowledge-related variables surveyed, knowledge of the timing and the Food and Drug Administration-labeled status of the ECP were significantly associated with outcomes. None of the attitude-related variables surveyed were associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that knowledge deficits, not attitude-related variables, are significantly associated with the low level of ECP administration and counseling among District of Columbia pediatricians. Because knowledge deficits are amenable to educational interventions, our data suggest that informing pediatricians about the ECP may increase its administration among their adolescent patients.emergency contraceptive pill, pediatricians, adolescents.
Topology control for wireless mesh networks based on centrality metrics

In this paper, a new mechanism for topology control in wireless mesh networks is proposed. We evaluate the application to this problem of the centrality metrics developed by social network analysts. Our target network is a wireless mesh network created by user hand-held devices. For this kind of networks, we aim to construct a connected dominating set that includes the most central nodes. Many advantages result from selecting just a subset of stations for routing tasks: reduction of collisions, protocol overhead, interference and energy consumption, better network organization and scalability. The resulting performance using the three most common centrality measures (degree, closeness and betweenness) is evaluated. As we are working with dynamic and decentralized networks, a distributed implementation is also proposed and evaluated.
De gamla och psykologin: att göra åldrandet hanterbart

Based upon social constructionism and Foucauldian accounts of how psychology as a discipline takes part in constituting and governing subjects, this study presents a critical view on the role of psychology in defining and constructing old age and old persons. The analysis was carried out in two parts: First, psychological theories of aging were deconstructed, with respect to the conditions that made their emergence possible. This analysis showed how management of old age was constructed as an individual project, in which old persons were made responsible for their own wellbeing. Aging was constructed as a question of "mind over matter", the ability of the soul to counter material circumstances. Second, the study addressed the relation between theory and practice by analysing texts, written by psychology students, after having interviewed an older person. In these texts three major discourses were drawn upon; biological, social and psychological. Ways of relating to and challenge subjectpositions offered by these discourses were discussed. The constructions, in the texts as well as in the theories, were discussed concerning the effects they may have for the subjectivity of older persons. Implications for psychological research and psychologists working with older people were discussed.
Genetic Progression of Pancreatic Cancer

AbstractThe progression from normal cells to invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) requires the accumulation of multiple inherited or acquired mutations. Activating point mutations in the KRAS oncogene are prevalent in pancreatic cancer and result in the stimulation of several pathways including the RAF–mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway. Other genetic alterations, including telomere shortening and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes such as CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4, which encode p16INK4A, p53, and SMAD4, respectively, also contribute to the progression of pancreatic cancer. These, and other genetic events, can present at different stages in the development of PDAC at histologically defined precursor lesions known as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, or mucinous cystic neoplasms. Each precursor lesion represents alternate routes to PDAC formation and has a unique presentation and somewhat distinct genetic events controlling its development. Despite the advances in the understanding of the genetics of PDAC, the prognosis for this cancer remains poor, and several important aspects of its pathogenesis must be clarified to improve therapeutics, including the timing and method of metastases, as well as the relationship of the tumor cells with the desmoplastic stroma, which is a characteristic feature of the cancer. This review discusses the principal genetic alterations in PDAC and its precursor lesions, including their effects on promoting carcinogenesis.
Principles and clinical application of ultrasound elastography for diffuse liver disease

Accurate assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis is important for estimating prognosis and deciding on an appropriate course of treatment for cases of chronic liver disease (CLD) with various etiologies. Because of the inherent limitations of liver biopsy, there is a great need for non-invasive and reliable tests that accurately estimate the degree of liver fibrosis. Ultrasound (US) elastography is considered a non-invasive, convenient, and precise technique to grade the degree of liver fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. There are several commercial types of US elastography currently in use, namely, transient elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse imaging, supersonic shear-wave imaging, and real-time tissue elastography. Although the low reproducibility of measurements derived from operator-dependent performance remains a significant limitation of US elastography, this technique is nevertheless useful for diagnosing hepatic fibrosis in patients with CLD. Likewise, US elastography may also be used as a convenient surveillance method that can be performed by physicians at the patients’ bedside to enable the estimation of the prognosis of patients with fatal complications related to CLD in a non-invasive manner.