Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dentin desensitizers and dentin bonding agents on dentin permeability.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of dentin desensitizing agents (oxalates and glutaraldehyde) and dentin bonding agents, with and without resin-based composite (RBC) on dentin permeability and morphology of the dentin surface. The influence of saliva and toothbrushing on these agents was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Radicular dentin discs +/-1 mm thick were obtained from extracted human teeth. The thickness of the discs was standardized by grinding them with 600 grit silicon carbide powder. Both pulpal and periodontal surfaces of the discs were treated with 6% citric acid for 2 min prior to the baseline measurement of dentin permeability. Permeability was measured for the discs, using a split-chamber apparatus, at four different time points: at baseline, after treatment with each desensitizing modality, after 24 hrs of saliva immersion and after simulated toothbrushing equivalent to 3 weeks of normal brushing. The treatment modalities were: Sensodyne Dentin Desensitizer, Gluma Dentin Desensitizer, All-Bond DS (primers without etching), Etch+Primers (All-Bond 2 system), Etch+Primers+Adhesive and Etch+Primers+Adhesive+RBC (AElite Flo). Radicular dentin discs were prepared separately for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). One group was left untreated as the control group. Discs in the other groups were treated with the modalities listed above. One disc from each group was viewed under the SEM after treatment with the desensitizing modality. The second disc in each group was viewed after 24 hrs of saliva immersion following desensitizing treatment and the third disc after 3 weeks of simulated toothbrushing following desensitizing treatment and saliva immersion. RESULTS The greatest reduction in permeability was caused by All-Bond DS followed by Sensodyne Dentin Desensitizer and Etch+Primers+Adhesive+RBC. Gluma Dentin Desensitizer, Etch+Primers, and Etch+Primers+Adhesive did not reduce permeability by a significant amount. Saliva immersion increased permeability significantly only for the Gluma and Etch+Primers+Adhesive groups. There was a trend towards increase in permeability after toothbrushing; however, this increase was not statistically significant for any group (P > 0.05). Thus, placement of primers without etching (All-Bond DS) reduced permeability more than any other treatment modality. These data indicate that etching a sensitive dentin area may be appropriate only if RBC is to be placed in the area. Exposure to saliva and toothbrushing countered the decrease in permeability caused by dedicated desensitizers and dentin bonding agents. The SEM micrographs revealed that in most cases, form corroborated function and the morphology of the dentin surface corresponded to the dentin permeability values.
Correlation of liver density by magnetic resonance imaging and hepatic iron levels. A noninvasive means to exclude homozygous hemochromatosis.

The diagnosis of hemochromatosis requires liver biopsy and the quantification of hepatic iron. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver shows a characteristic decrease in tissue signal intensity in iron overload states, but its role in the diagnosis of hemochromatosis has not been fully delineated. Forty-three patients (31 men and 12 women) were referred for the evaluation of hemochromatosis based upon a fasting transferrin saturation > 55% and/or a serum ferritin > 400 ng/ml in males or > 300 ng/ml in females. Each patient prospectively underwent MRI of the liver prior to percutaneous liver biopsy and quantitative hepatic iron determination. Homozygous hemochromatosis was diagnosed in 10 patients based upon an hepatic iron/age index > or = 2. MRI was performed with a 1.5 Tesla system using standard spin-echo sequences (T1; TR = 300-500 ms, TE = 13-17 ms, PD; TR = 2,000-2,600 ms, TE = 30 ms). Signal intensity values were blindly determined for regions of interest in liver and skeletal muscle at T1 and proton density. Ratios of liver to muscle (LM) for T1 and proton density (PD) calculated from these values showed a significant correlation with quantitative iron by multiple regression analysis. The LMPD ratio provided the best correlation with hepatic iron (r = -0.6946; p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis also provides an equation that can be used to predict hepatic iron based upon the LMPD ratio; micrograms/g of hepatic iron = (-5,174 x LMPD) + 9,932. All patients with LMPD ratios of > 0.5 had hepatic iron/age indices of < 2.0, thereby excluding homozygous hemochromatosis. These results suggest that LMPD ratios derived from MRI of the liver can accurately predict hepatic iron content. These ratios can be clinically useful in the evaluation of hemochromatosis among patients who either refuse or have contraindications to liver biopsy.
Visual response properties of cortical inputs to an extrastriate cortical area in the cat

Abstract The existence of multiple areas of extrastriate visual cortex raises the question of how the response properties of each area are derived from its visual input. This question was investigated for one such area in the cat, referred to here as the Clare-Bishop area (Hubel & Wiesel, 1969); it is the region of lateral suprasylvian cortex that receives input from area 17. A novel approach was used, in which kainic acid was injected locally into the Clare-Bishop area, making it possible to record directly from afferent inputs. The response properties of the great majority of a sample of 424 presumed afferents resembled cells in areas 17 and 18. Thus, a systematic comparison was made with cells from area 17's upper layers, the source of its projection to the Clare-Bishop area (Gilbert & Kelly, 1975), to see whether these afferents had distinctive properties that might distinguish them from cells projecting to areas 18 or 19. Some differences did emerge: (1) The smallest receptive fields typical of area 17 were relatively scarce among afferents. (2) Direction-selective afferents were more abundant than were such cells in area 17. (3) End-stopped afferents were extremely rare, although end-stopped cells were common in area 17's upper layers. Despite these differences, afferents were far more similar in their properties to cells in areas 17 and 18 than to cells in the Clare-Bishop area. Compared to the latter, afferents showed major discrepancies in receptive-field size, in direction selectivity, in end-stopping, and in ocular dominance distribution. These differences seem most likely to stem from circuitry intrinsic to the Clare-Bishop area.
Meta-analysis and the Accounting Literature: The Case of Audit Committee Independence and Financial Reporting Quality

We conduct a meta-analysis (MA) of the association between audit committee (AC) independence and financial reporting quality (FRQ). Although we cannot reliably aggregate results across studies in a statistical sense because of inconsistencies in defining FRQ and the absence of replication studies, quantitative review techniques yield three conclusions: (1) The use of different FRQ measures in the AC independence literature explains about half of the variation in results across studies. (2) Audit committees are more effective at enhancing audit quality (e.g. through averting going-concern reports and auditor resignations) than they are at fostering financial statement quality (e.g. by making high quality accruals and avoiding restatements). AC independence can even reduce apparent financial statement quality by identifying the need for restatements and remedial, abnormal accruals. (3) Financial statement quality and audit quality are complementary contributors to FRQ. The statistical and methodological difficulties we encounter lead us to posit that the dearth of MA studies in accounting and auditing stems from similar difficulties in applying MA to other topics. We present evidence consistent with publication biases and perverse researcher incentives being responsible for the difficulties.
Secular trends in nosocomial infections and mortality associated with noninvasive ventilation in patients with exacerbation of COPD and pulmonary edema.

CONTEXT Randomized controlled trials have shown that the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) reduces the need for endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation and reduces complication rates and mortality in selected groups of patients. But whether these benefits translate to a clinical setting is unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate longitudinally the routine implementation of NIV and its effect on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE). DESIGN Retrospective, observational cohort study using prospectively collected data from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 2001. SETTING A 26-bed medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a French university referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS A cohort of 479 consecutive patients ventilated for acute exacerbation of COPD or CPE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The ICU mortality and incidence rates of ICU-acquired infections. RESULTS A significant increase in NIV use and a concomitant decrease in mortality and ICU-acquired infection rates were observed over the study years. With adjustment for relevant covariates and propensity scores, NIV was identified as an independent factor linked with a reduced risk of death in the cohort (odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.78), whereas a high severity score on admission (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.10) and the occurrence of a nosocomial infection (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.62-5.84) were independently associated with death. Rates of ICU-acquired pneumonia decreased from 20% in 1994 to 8% in 2001 (P =.04). CONCLUSION Implementing routine use of NIV in critically ill patients with acute exacerbation of COPD or severe CPE was associated with improved survival and reduction of nosocomial infections.
A INFLUÊNCIA DO INCENTIVO NO COMPORTAMENTO OPORTUNISTA DE RISCO MORAL: UMA ANÁLISE EXPERIMENTAL

Os conflitos advindos das divergencias de interesses entre a empresa e os seus administradores tem sido objeto de estudo no contexto organizacional. Um dos problemas relacionado a estes conflitos e o risco moral, o qual caracteriza-se por um comportamento oportunista da parte do administrador apos o contrato ter sido firmado. A fim de minimizar este problema, os proprietarios da empresa podem utilizar-se de incentivos, os quais tem a importante funcao de alinhar os interesses do administrador aos seus proprios, minimizando o risco moral e estabelecendo uma posicao de vantagem competitiva para a empresa. O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em analisar a influencia do tipo de incentivo (pecuniario, nao pecuniario e misto) na intencao de risco moral do administrador. O metodo utilizado foi um quase-experimento, o qual foi aplicado em duplas e em tres rodadas, contemplando os tres tipos distintos de incentivos. Os resultados demonstraram que o tipo de incentivo nao influenciou, de forma significativa, nas respostas dos pesquisados. Porem, um efeito interativo, advindo do nao conhecimento previo do parceiro, foi detectado na relacao entre o tipo de incentivo e a intencao de risco moral, provocando um aumento significativo quando o incentivo pecuniario foi utilizado. Palavras-chave: Risco Moral. Incentivos. Teoria da Agencia.
Drosophila PQBP1 Regulates Learning Acquisition at Projection Neurons in Aversive Olfactory Conditioning

Polyglutamine tract-binding protein-1 (PQBP1) is involved in the transcription-splicing coupling, and its mutations cause a group of human mental retardation syndromes. We generated a fly model in which the Drosophila homolog of PQBP1 (dPQBP1) is repressed by insertion of piggyBac. In classical odor conditioning, learning acquisition was significantly impaired in homozygous piggyBac-inserted flies, whereas the following memory retention was completely normal. Mushroom bodies (MBs) and antennal lobes were morphologically normal in dPQBP1-mutant flies. Projection neurons (PNs) were not reduced in number and their fiber connections were not changed, whereas gene expressions including NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) were decreased in PNs. Targeted double-stranded RNA-mediated silencing of dPQBP1 in PNs, but not in MBs, similarly disrupted learning acquisition. NR1 overexpression in PNs rescued the learning disturbance of dPQBP1 mutants. HDAC (histone deacetylase) inhibitors, SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) and PBA (phenylbutyrate), that upregulated NR1 partially rescued the learning disturbance. Collectively, these findings identify dPQBP1 as a novel gene regulating learning acquisition at PNs.
Where Did All The Baby Bottles Go? Risk Perception, Interest Groups, Media Coverage and Institutional Imperatives in Canada's Regulation of Bisphenol A

Abstract As part of a multi-year, $816 million initiative to assess the risks posed by thousands of commonly used chemicals and compounds, Canada became the first country in the world to declare that bisphenol A (BPA) was toxic and justified regulation in April 2008. The process set up to conduct this risk assessment differed from the previous Canadian experience with the regulation of hazardous substances in that it was more formal, systematic and more pluralistic with much greater participation from interest groups. This case study explores the politics and process behind this decision and argues that the government's decision went beyond what scientific evidence could justify. The decision resulted from long-term institutional factors such as the incentive structure of Canadian federalism and values embedded in legislation as well as short-term factors such as media coverage, public opinion and interest group pressure. Résumé Grâce à une initiative pluriannuelle de 816 millions de dollars pour examiner les risques posés par l'utilisation courante de milliers de produits et de composés chimiques, le Canada est devenu le premier pays dans le monde à déclarer que le bisphenol A (BPA) est un produit toxique et que de ce fait devrait s'en suivre des régulations quant à son utilisation à partir d'avril 2008. De part le fait que le processus d'évaluation des risques suivi s'est fait sur une base plus formelle, systématique et pluraliste avec davantage de participation de groupes d'intérêt, il diffère de ce que le Canada avait l'habitude en matière de régulation de substances dangereuses. Cette étude de cas examine les politiques et processus qui ont servi à la prise de cette décision et met en avant l'argument qu' en fait le gouvernement ne disposait pas de suffisament de preuves scientifiques pour la justifier. La prise de décision résulterait de l'influence de facteurs institutionnels à long terme tels que des mesures d'incitation du fédéralisme canadien et des valeurs ancrées dans la législation, ainsi que de facteurs à court terme tels que la couverture médiatique, l'opinion publique et la pression des groupes d'intérêt.
Optimal Bank Interest Margin under Capital Regulation and Deposit Insurance

Abstract This paper examines the relationships among capital regulation, deposit insurance, and the optimal bank interest margin. In a model where loan losses are the source of uncertainty, changes in capital regulation or deposit insurance premiums have direct effects on the bank's interest margin. An increase in bank capital requirement or in deposit insurance premiums results in a reduced interest margin under nonincreasing risk aversion. Comparative static analysis also explores the relation between asset quality and interest margin. It is shown that a mean-preserving spread of the distribution of loan losses results in a reduced margin.
Patronage Politics and Contentious Collective Action: A Recursive Relationship

Abstract Based on ethnographic reanalysis and on current qualitative research on poor people's politics, this article argues that routine patronage politics and nonroutine collective action should be examined not as opposite and conflicting political phenomena but as dynamic processes that often establish recursive relationships. Through a series of case studies conducted in contemporary Argentina, this article examines four instances in which patronage and collective action intersect and interact: network breakdown, patron's certification, clandestine support, and reaction to threat. These four scenarios demonstrate that more than two opposing spheres of action or two different forms of sociability, patronage, and contentious politics can be mutually imbricated. Either when it malfunctions or when it thrives, clientelism may lie at the root of collective action.
PHASED CAPACITY EXPANSION - USING CONTINUOUS DISTRIBUTIONS TO MODEL PRIOR BELIEFS

ABSTRACT Many current equipment replacement/production capacity expansion decisions carry increasing amounts of performance uncertainty when the alternative processes include technical innovations. In a sequential decision making environment, post-audit information can be used to resolve this uncertainty. In this paper, we demonstrate how three-point, PERT-type estimates can be used to determine continuous prior probability distributions that incorporate the post-audit information in Bayesian revision. Further, we develop the concept of equivalent sample size to insert qualitative judgment into the decision making process. This is initially used to reflect our belief in the estimates' quality, and, subsequently, in an assessment of the quality of the observed sample data. A case study of an actual decision problem is used to illustrate the concepts.
Job Design and Randomization in Principal Agent Models

We analyze task allocation and randomization in Principal Agent models. We identify a new rationale that determines the allocation of tasks and show that it can be optimal to assign tasks that are very different to one agent. Similar to randomization, the reason to assign several tasks to one agent is to mitigate the effect of the participation constraint. We show that the allocation of tasks can be used as a substitute if randomization is not feasible.
Stepping-stones or dead-ends? : An analysis of Swedish replacement contracts

The paper studies if temporary jobs in the form of fixed-term replacement contracts reduce the risk of future unemployment among job-seekers. Using exact matching on labour market history and personal characteristics we find positive effects of the replacement contract on future labour market status. We also find that the longer the replacement contract the higher the probability of having an open ended contract at the same site 2–2.5 years after the start of the contract. No effect of the length is found on unemployment, employment or wages. Overall, the results suggest that receiving a fixed term contract reduces the risk of future unemployment, and that a longer contract increases the position within the workplace but not on the market in general.
Movement Time Planning in Human Movement with Via-Points

In previous research, even though various models that reproduce movement trajectory have already been proposed, a movement time planning criterion has never been proposed. However, a possible computational model that can estimate via-point time in complex trajectories has been proposed that suggests that the via-point time average of the integration of the square of the smoothness of the motor commands between each via-point is equal. In this report, we measured three kinds of via-point reaching movements and then performed statistical tests to investigate the computational theory. Results suggest that their computational theory is valid
Work–family policies in the context of higher education: Useful or symbolic?

This study uses qualitative data gathered from focus group interviews of 76 participants to investigate the factors that influence employees' decisions to use or not use work–family policies in an Australian university. The focus group data identified a number of barriers that limit the use of work–family policies including lack of communication about the policies, high workloads, management attitudes, career repercussions, influence of peers, and administrative processes. This study reinforces the notion that organisational commitment to an environment that supports work and family is not merely about providing policies for their symbolic value, but is also about creating a workplace culture that supports and encourages the use of the policies.
How Individuals Mentally Account for Work-Time Volunteerism: Putting the Work into Volunteer Work

A survey was conducted to assess how individuals mentally account for work-time volunteering, and what impact this has on personal-time volunteering. A nationally representative sample of 2,125 Canadians participated in the on-line survey. Results suggest that context and coordination impacts how individuals mentally categorize the volunteering activity. Involvement with the cause and motivation for volunteering impact mental categorization. A combined categorization approach (i.e. having one overall mental account for volunteerism) and higher involvement lead to increased personal-time volunteering as a result of work-time volunteering, whereas separate categorization leads to a reduction in personal-time volunteering as a result of work-time volunteering.
Increased Surgical Site Infection Rates following Clindamycin Use in Head and Neck Free Tissue Transfer

Objective The development of surgical site infections (SSIs) can put the viability of free tissue transfer reconstructions at risk, often resulting in considerable postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Current antibiotic prophylactic guidelines suggest a first- or second-generation cephalosporin with metronidazole for clean-contaminated cases and recommend clindamycin as an alternative choice in penicillin-allergic patients. This study was designed to examine the rates of postoperative infection associated with prophylactic antibiotic regimens, including patients receiving clindamycin as an alternative due to penicillin allergy. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Subjects Patients undergoing major ablative head and neck resection involving the pharynx and oral cavity reconstructed via free tissue transfer. Methods The sample included patients (n = 266) who underwent free tissue transfer involving the oral cavity and pharynx from 2009 to 2014. Data included demographic data, medical comorbidities, anatomic tumor subsite and surgical procedure, and prophylactic antibiotic regimen. SSI data were examined up to 30 days after the initial surgical procedure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the overall risk for SSI. Culture data were also reviewed. Results The data indicated that clindamycin was associated with an approximate 4-fold increased risk for SSI (odds ratio, 3.784; 95% confidence interval: 1.367-10.470 [P = .010]) after controlling for possible confounding factors. Conclusion For patients with a true penicillin allergy, we recommend broader gram-negative coverage with alternative antibiotics, such as cefuroxime, when undergoing free tissue transfer in the head and neck.