Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The comparison of root caries experience between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative individuals in a selected Iranian population.

OBJECTIVES Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a concerning problem in dentistry and HIV-infected patients may experience root caries due to different risk factors. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of root caries in a selected Iranian HIV-positive population. METHODS One hundred and seven IV drug users, based on ELISA and Western Blot test, were divided into two groups: group 1: HIV-positive patients and group 2: HIV-negative individuals. According to the T-CD4(+) cell count, subjects in group 1 were placed in two subgroups: Moderate immunodeficiency (200 mm(-3) < T-CD4(+) cells <500 mm(-3)) and Severe immunodeficiency patients (T-CD4(+) cells <200 mm(-3)). Teeth were examined by an examiner under suitable light to detect any changes in colour, texture or contour. The values of DMFT, DMFS, decayed root surfaces and total decayed surfaces were calculated. Data were analysed by independent t-test and chi-squared test. RESULTS The mean DMFT, DMFS and decayed root caries in group 1 and 2 had no significant difference. The mean value of total decayed surfaces of HIV+ patients was significantly higher compared with HIV- individuals (P = 0.03). The comparison of all parameters between two subdivisions of group 1 showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that HIV+ patients experienced more dental caries, but not more root caries than healthy ones. Along with decreasing T-CD4(+) cell count, tooth caries' prevalence did not increase. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Based on our findings, root caries prevalence is almost the same in HIV-positive and negative individuals; however, it is necessary to decrease tooth caries by continual monitoring and periodic dental examination.
Enhancement of Contour Using Laser Scar Treatment in the One-Stage Nasal Ala Reconstruction with Nasolabial Fold Flap

Postoperative scarring around the nasolabial area and alar rim poses very high cosmetic concerns, leading to patient dissatisfaction. Several strategies, like laser therapy, have been developed to improve its clinical aspects. However, to date, little is known about when in the early wound healing phases laser exposure would have the most optimal results. This paper introduces a remarkable case of effectively treating a 32-year-old male patient with scarring on the alar rim and nasolabial fold using early active laser treatment. We started carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser therapy early in the second month after surgery. In the course of laser treatment, we performed a combined treatment using an ablative fractional CO 2 laser device and the combination of pulsed-dye laser and neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. A total of 7 sessions of CO 2 laser therapy and 3 sessions of cynergy laser therapy were performed, and the patient was followed-up for evaluation. These early laser treatments resulted in both patient and clinical satisfaction. In this case, we confirmed that early treatment with CO 2 laser and cynergy laser can have a positive effect on scarring of the alar rim and nasolabial fold.
Bootstrapping stationary invertible VARMA models in echelon form : A simulation evidence 1

In this paper we propose bootstrapping Hannan and Rissanen (1982) estimators in stationary invertible VARMA models, with known order (p, q). Although we consider bootstrapping such models under the echelon form parameterization, the results we derive herein remain valid to other alternative identification issues. In particular, we shall exploit the theoretical developments stated in Dufour and Jouini (2005) and Dufour and Jouini (2008) to establish the asymptotic validity of bootstrapping such models for parametric and nonparametric bootstrap methods to approximating the joint distribution of the echelon form VARMA parameter estimates. The finite sample accuracy of our proposed method is evaluated through a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, specifically, by further studying the echelon form VARMA parameter confidence interval empirical coverage rates.
A comparative analysis of attitude estimation for pedestrian navigation with smartphones

We investigate the precision of attitude estimation solutions in the context of Pedestrian Dead-Reckoning (PDR) with commodity smartphones and inertial/magnetic sensors. We propose a concise comparison and analysis of a number of attitude filtering methods in this setting. We conduct an experimental study with a precise ground truth obtained with a motion capture system. We precisely quantify the error in attitude estimation obtained with each filter which combines a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer and a 3-axis gyroscope measurements. We discuss the obtained results and analyse advantages and limitations of current technology for further PDR research.
PERFORMANCE PROFILES OF THE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE MEASURE

The functional independence measure (FIM) is used to determine the degree of disability that patients experience and the progress that they make through programs of medical rehabilitation. Rasch analysis is a statistical technique for constructing interval measures from ordinal data that was applied to derive FIM measures. The major factors that are taken into account to produce FIM measures are the relative difficulty in performance of FIM items and the ability of the persons tested. Our analyses showed the relative difficulties that patients experienced in performing items in the FIM. There were two dominant patterns of difficulty, one for motor FIM items and the other for cognitive FIM items. The patterns were consistent across impairment groups, although not identical. Of the motor items, eating and grooming were easiest whereas stair climbing, tub/shower transfers and locomotion were most difficult. Of the cognitive items, expression and comprehension were easiest and problem solving was the most difficult. The patterns of difficulty in performing FIM items are illustrated by analysis of the following impairment groups: for motor items, orthopedic conditions, stroke with left hemiparesis and spinal cord dysfunction; for cognitive items, orthopedic conditions, brain dysfunction, stroke with right hemiparesis and spinal cord dysfunction. By understanding patterns of difficulty in performing FIM items according to types of impairment and levels of function, clinicians may more precisely design treatment programs, use services and predict outcomes of medical rehabilitation.
Late Holocene Sedimentation on the Southern Kāpiti Coast

The Kāpiti Coast is a broad low lying coastal plain on the western coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The coastal plain has formed over the last 6500 years through rapid progradation of coastal sediment, developing a distinct cuspate foreland. With numerous coastal communities across the low coastal plain, recent coastal erosion of the southern coastal plain combined with forecast sea level rise has drawn attention to coastal hazards. However, understanding these hazards has been hampered by a lack of information on the Holocene tectonic and sedimentary development of the coastal plain. This study focuses on the southern portion of the Kāpiti Coast using a geological approach to document coastal outcrops and drillcores. Using detailed sedimentological analysis including description, grainsize, composition and shape, in addition to observation of the modern environment, a detailed facies scheme and depositional model for the southern Kāpiti Coast are produced. Combining the interpreted depositional environments and age control provided by C14, OSL and well-dated pumice deposition, progressive coastal progradation and a transition from marine to terrestrial environments is reconstructed for the southern Kāpiti Coast. Records from this study reveal rapid sedimentation, at rates of up to 12.6m/1000 years within this southern limb, slowing dramatically with coastal retreat beginning within the last 400 years. Recognising the vertical offset of the beach/dune boundary as a marker of past sea level recorded in the cores and outcrops, a 1m uplift is recognised at the southernmost point of the coastal plain. In addition to constraining the penultimate movement of the Ohariu Fault, it contrasts with the tectonic stability of the central part of the coastal plain and subsidence further north. Such insight into vertical base level change across the coastal plain has implications for future coastal hazard identification.
Medication Complexity, Medication Number, and Their Relationships to Medication Discrepancies

Background: Medication reconciliation to identify discrepancies is a National Patient Safety Goal. Increasing medication number and complex medication regimens are associated with discrepancies, nonadherence, and adverse events. The Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) integrates information about dosage form, dosing frequency, and additional directions. Objective: This study evaluates the association of MRCI scores and medication number with medication discrepancies and commissions, a discrepancy subtype. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of a convenience sample of 104 ambulatory care patients seen from April 2010 to July 2011 within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Primary outcomes included any medication discrepancy and commissions. Primary exposures included MRCI scores and medication number. Multivariable logistic regression models associated MRCI scores and medication number with discrepancies. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves provided discrepancy thresholds. Results: For the 104 patients analyzed, the median MRCI score was 25 (interquartile range [IQR] = 14-43), and the median medication number was 8 (IQR = 5-13); 60% of patients had any discrepancy, whereas 36% had a commission. In adjusted analyses, patients with MRCI scores ≥25 or medication number ≥8 were more likely to have commissions (odds ratio [OR] = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.41-9.41; OR = 4.51, 95% CI = 1.73-11.73, respectively). The unadjusted ROC threshold for commissions was 36 for MRCI (sensitivity, 59%; specificity, 82%) and 9 for medication number (sensitivity 68%; specificity 67%). Conclusion: Patients with either MRCI scores ≥25 or ≥8 medications were more likely to have commissions. Given equal performance in predicting discrepancies, the efficiency and simplicity of medication number supports its use in identifying patients for intensive medication review beyond medication reconciliation.
Ischemic preconditioning prevents endothelial injury and systemic neutrophil activation during ischemia-reperfusion in humans in vivo.

BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction leading to neutrophil infiltration of tissues has been implicated in tissue injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Tissue injury during IR can be reduced by prior ischemic preconditioning (IPC). In humans, it is unclear whether endothelial dysfunction occurs during IR or whether IPC offers protection against endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory cell activation. We studied the effects of experimental IR on endothelial and neutrophil function in the human forearm in vivo and examined the protection afforded by IPC. METHOD AND RESULTS The forearm was made ischemic for 20 minutes by inflating a blood pressure cuff to 200 mm Hg. We assessed endothelial function of conduit (radial artery flow-mediated dilation) and resistance vessels (blood flow responses to intra-arterial infusion of the endothelium-dependent dilator acetylcholine) in healthy volunteers before and after IR. IR reduced flow-mediated dilation of the radial artery at 15 minutes of reperfusion (7.7+/-1.5% to 3.5+/-0.9%) and the dilator response of resistance vessels to acetylcholine at 15, 30, and 60 minutes of reperfusion. IR did not reduce the dilator response of the radial artery to glyceryltrinitrate and only caused a small reduction of glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation of resistance vessels at 60 minutes of reperfusion. IR caused an increase in neutrophil CD11b expression and platelet-neutrophil complexes in the circulating blood. IPC (three 5-minute episodes of ischemia) before IR prevented endothelial dysfunction and neutrophil activation. CONCLUSIONS A clinically relevant period of ischemia-reperfusion causes profound and sustained endothelial dysfunction and systemic neutrophil activation. IPC attenuates both of these effects in humans.
INDIVISIBLE LABOR, LOTTERIES AND EQU|IJBI~3US~

During the last decade general equilibrium theory has become an increasingly common framework in which to study the aggregate properties ef economies [see, e.g., Lucas (1981)]. In its original form [see Debreu (1959)] general equilibrium theory was developed in the context of convex economic envirok~ments, but has since been extended to non-convex environments [see Aumann (1966) and Mas-ColcU (1977)]. The concern of these authors was the existence of equilibrium. They show that if there is a continuum of agents, then equilibrium exists even with non-convexities at the individual level. Their analysis left unanswered the question of whether or not these non-convexities had an important effect on the nature of equilibrium. The conclusion of this paper is that they may have majer implications for the aggregrate r~;ponse of an economy to shocks. This claim is demonstrated in the context of an economy in which labor supply is indivisible. In particular it is shown that such an economy composed of identical agents behaves a~ if populated by a s~t~gle agent whose preferences do not match the prefereno~ of any individual in the economy. Furthermore the economy will display much larger fluctuations in hours of work in response to a given shock to technology. The analysis also shows ;hat attaining optimal allocations in such economie~ mey involve holding lotteries over employment to determine which agents
Effect of Hot Flushes on Vascular Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the vascular responses to hormone therapy in women with and without hot flushes. METHODS: We randomly assigned 143 healthy, recently postmenopausal women (mean age 52.4±0.2 years, time since menopause 19.5±0.9 months) with intolerable hot flushes (more than seven moderate/severe episodes per day) or tolerable hot flushes (fewer than three mild episodes per day) to receive 1 mg of transdermal estradiol gel, oral estradiol (2 mg) with and without daily medroxyprogesterone acetate, or placebo for 6 months. Vascular function was assessed by pulse–wave analysis and endothelial function testing with nitroglycerin and salbutamol challenges. RESULTS: Hot flushes did not affect the changes in arterial or aortic stiffness or endothelial function in response to various forms of hormone therapy. However, in women with tolerable hot flushes, oral estrdiol caused a decrease of 13.2% (P=.028) in the time to the first systolic peak (dependent on the rapid phase of ventricular ejection) after nitroglycerin. In addition, the time to the reflected wave (dependent on pulse–wave velocity) after nitroglycerin was decreased by 8.4% (P=.018). These effects were not seen in women with intolerable hot flushes or with the other treatment regimens. CONCLUSION: Women without troublesome hot flushes are susceptible to unfavorable vascular effects after oral estrogen treatment, resulting in less compliant vasculature. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials. gov, NCT00668603. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I
Effects of Antibodies to Transferrin and Alpha 2‐HS Glycoprotein on In Vitro Sperm Motion: Implications in Infertility Associated with Endometriosis

PROBLEM: Women with endometriosis have antibodies to endometrial transferrin and alpha 2‐HS glycoprotein in their serum and peritoneal fluid. The objective of this study was to determine whether antibodies to transferrin and alpha 2‐HS glycoprotein adversely affect sperm motility and survival.
Middleware for location privacy: an overview

As context-aware mobile applications become increasingly common, privacy issues hit headlines again. Users are faced with a trade-off. On one hand, releasing information about their location allows them to take advantage of new location-based services. On the other hand, releasing such information raises privacy issues about the potential inadequate or even malicious use of location information. Location-based tourist information is a typical service that needs to overcome this tension in order to succeed. Thus, programming such services is challenging in two aspects. First, there is the inherent burden of programming distributed context-aware software. Second, there is the challenge of programming such software in a way that guarantees user privacy. Providing adequate middleware can alleviate the programming burden. In this paper, we provide an analysis of various existing privacy-enabling middleware that can be used to provide programming support for it.
Small signal performance of VES-BJT

VES-BJT is a novel bipolar device in VESTIC technology proposed by W. Maly. This paper extends previously published considerations about expected features of such a device. It contains important information about using earlier introduced definitions in context of calculating small signal parameters of VES-BJT i.e. an unit gain frequency and an unit power gain frequency. Theoretical considerations are illustrated with simulation results. Presented data and methodology are the basis for future development of complete compact model of VES-BJT. Simulation and analytical results confirm the big potential of bipolar devices in VESTIC technology.
Interaction of triazolobenzodiazepines with benzodiazepine receptors

Investigations of the biochemical properties of benzo-’ diazepine receptors and screening of benzodiazepines utilize in-vitro [3H]flunitrazepam ([3H]FNZ) binding assays because of their simplicity, sensitivity and specificity. In previous in-vitro [3H]FNZ binding studies, it has been demonstrated that triazolobenzodiazepines like alprazolam and triazolam have a high affinity for binding to benzodiazepine receptors (Sethy & Harris 1982). The present study describes some of the pharmacological characteristics of triazolobenzodiazepines revealed by using both in-vitro and ex-vivo [3H]FNZ binding assays. The results of these assays have been compared with the in-vivo ED5O’s (obtained from published reports from our laboratories) of the compounds required to protect mice against leptazol(metrazol, pentylenetetrazol) and nicotine-induced seizures and against hypoxic stress.
A comparison of Gaussian and mean curvatures estimation methods on triangular meshes

Estimating intrinsic geometric properties of a surface from a polygonal mesh obtained from range data is an important stage of numerous algorithms in computer and robot vision, computer graphics, geometric modeling, industrial and biomedical engineering. This work considers different computational schemes for local estimation of intrinsic curvature geometric properties. Five different algorithms and their modifications were tested on triangular meshes that represent tessellations of synthetic geometric models. The results were compared with the analytically computed values of the Gaussian and mean curvatures of the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBs) surfaces, these meshes originated from. This work manifests the best algorithms suited for that indeed different algorithms should be employed to compute the Gaussian and mean curvatures.
Ticlopidine-Induced Cholestatic Hepatitis

OBJECTIVE: To report 2 cases of ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis, investigate its mechanism, and compare the observed main characteristics with those of the published cases. CASE SUMMARIES: Two patients developed prolonged cholestatic hepatitis after receiving ticlopidine following percutaneous coronary angioplasty, with complete remission during the follow-up period. T-cell stimulation by therapeutic concentration of ticlopidine was demonstrated in vitro in the patients, but not in healthy controls. DISCUSSION: Cholestatic hepatitis is a rare complication of the antiplatelet agent ticlopidine; several cases have been reported but few in the English literature. Our patients developed jaundice following treatment with ticlopidine and showed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of cholestatic hepatitis, which resolved after discontinuation of the drug. Hepatitis may develop weeks after discontinuation of the drug and may run a prolonged course, but complete remission was observed in all reported cases. An objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse drug event was probably related to the use of ticlopidine. The mechanisms of this ticlopidine-induced cholestasis are unclear. Immune mechanisms may be involved in the drug's hepatotoxicity, as suggested by the T-cell stimulation study reported here. CONCLUSIONS: Cholestatic hepatitis is a rare adverse effect of ticlopidine that may be immune mediated. Patients receiving the drug should be monitored with liver function tests along with complete blood cell counts. This complication will be observed even less often in the future as ticlopidine is being replaced by the newer antiplatelet agent clopidogrel.
The N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Induced Goldenticket Mouse Mutant Reveals an Essential Function of Sting in the In Vivo Interferon Response to Listeria monocytogenes and Cyclic Dinucleotides

ABSTRACT Type I interferons (IFNs) are central regulators of the innate and adaptive immune responses to viral and bacterial infections. Type I IFNs are induced upon cytosolic detection of microbial nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA, and the bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP). In addition, a recent study demonstrated that the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes stimulates a type I IFN response due to cytosolic detection of bacterially secreted c-di-AMP. The transmembrane signaling adaptor Sting (Tmem173, Mita, Mpys, Eris) has recently been implicated in the induction of type I IFNs in response to cytosolic DNA and/or RNA. However, the role of Sting in response to purified cyclic dinucleotides or during in vivo L. monocytogenes infection has not been addressed. In order to identify genes important in the innate immune response, we have been conducting a forward genetic mutagenesis screen in C57BL/6 mice using the mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Here we describe a novel mutant mouse strain, Goldenticket (Gt), that fails to produce type I IFNs upon L. monocytogenes infection. By genetic mapping and complementation experiments, we found that Gt mice harbor a single nucleotide variant (T596A) of Sting that functions as a null allele and fails to produce detectable protein. Analysis of macrophages isolated from Gt mice revealed that Sting is absolutely required for the type I interferon response to both c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP. Additionally, Sting is required for the response to c-di-GMP and L. monocytogenes in vivo. Our results provide new functions for Sting in the innate interferon response to pathogens.
Apropiación cultural en la industria audiovisual. Un análisis socio jurídico de una problemática internacional de los últimos veinte años

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la problemática internacional de la apropiación cultural en la industria audiovisual en los últimos veinte años, desde una perspectiva tanto sociológica como jurídica, y su vinculación con los derechos de propiedad intelectual. Se partirá de una conceptualización del término para luego ir delimitando su análisis hacia las expresiones culturales tradicionales y sus diversas formas de tutela en el ámbito internacional. Se conocerán los números de la industria cinematográfica y luego el estudio se centrará en los diversos componentes de la apropiación cultural en películas, tanto en los aspectos extrapatrimoniales —representaciones negativas, estereotipos y conductas discriminatorias— como en los aspectos patrimoniales —explotación sin autorización y aprovechamiento económico indebido de derechos colectivos—. Finalmente, se realizará un estudio pormenorizado de dos obras audiovisuales de la empresa Disney, El Rey León y Frozen, con posibles elementos de apropiación cultural y las soluciones adoptadas en cada uno de estos casos.