Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting Secondary Caries Lesions

Secondary caries lesions are the main late complication of dental restorations, limiting their life span and generating costs by repeated reinterventions. Accurate detection of secondary lesions is crucial for estimating the true burden of the disease and allocating appropriate treatments. We aimed to assess the accuracy of detection methods for secondary caries lesions. Clinical or in vitro studies were included that investigated the accuracy of 5 detection methods—visual, tactile, radiography, laser fluorescence, quantitative light-induced fluorescence—of natural or artificially induced secondary lesions, as verified against an established reference test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, as well as diagnostic odds ratios were calculated and publication bias assessed. From 1,179 screened studies, 23 were included. Most studies were performed in vitro, on permanent posterior teeth, and had high risk of bias or applicability concerns. Lesions were on proximal (14 studies) or other surfaces and adjacent to amalgam (16 studies) or tooth-colored materials. Visual (n = 11), radiographic (n = 13), and laser fluorescence detection (n = 8) had similar sensitivities (0.50 to 0.59) and specificities (0.78 to 0.83), with visual and laser fluorescence assessment being more accurate on nonproximal surfaces and adjacent to composites, respectively. Tactile assessment (n = 7) had low accuracy. Light-induced fluorescence (n = 3) was sensitive on nonproximal surfaces but had low specificities. Most analyses seemed to suffer from publication bias. Despite being a significant clinical and dental public health problem, detection of secondary caries lesions has been assessed by only a few studies with limited validity and applicability. Visual, radiographic and laser-fluorescence detection might be useful to detect secondary lesions. The validity of tactile assessment and quantitative light-induced fluorescence remains unclear at present.
Relationship between perceptions of ageing and frailty in English older adults

Abstract Older adults’ negative beliefs about ageing are related to their health and functioning, but little is known about how perceptions of ageing (POA) relate to frailty status. This study aimed to explore the relationship between POA and frailty. Secondary analysis of data used were from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing Waves 2 and 5. A POA score was based on participants’ responses to 12 statements using a five-point Likert scale at baseline, and a Frailty Index (FI) score was calculated for each participant for both waves. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to assess the relationship between POA and frailty cross-sectionally and longitudinally in models controlled for age, gender, depression symptoms, and socioeconomic status. Older adults with more negative POA had greater frailty (β = .12, p < .001). Negative POA predicted greater frailty 6 years later (β = .03, p < .05). Future work regarding the mechanisms of this relationship is needed to identify ways of intervening to improve health.
Is Disgust Proneness Associated With Anxiety and Related Disorders? A Qualitative Review and Meta-Analysis of Group Comparison and Correlational Studies

Research suggests that disgust may be linked to the etiology of some anxiety-related disorders. The present investigation reviews this literature and employs separate meta-analyses of clinical group comparison and correlational studies to examine the association between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms. Meta-analysis of 43 group comparison studies revealed those high in anxiety disorder symptoms reported significantly more disgust proneness than those low in anxiety symptoms. Although this effect was not moderated by clinical versus analogue studies or type of disorder, larger group differences were observed for those high in anxiety symptoms associated with contagion concerns compared to those high in anxiety symptoms not associated with contagion concerns. Similarly, meta-analysis of correlational data across 83 samples revealed moderate associations between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms. Moderator analysis revealed that the association between disgust proneness and anxiety-related disorder symptoms was especially robust for anxiety symptoms associated with contagion concerns. After controlling for measures of negative affect, disgust proneness continued to be moderately correlated with anxiety-related disorder symptoms. However, negative affect was no longer significantly associated with symptoms of anxiety-related disorders when controlling for disgust proneness. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of a novel transdiagnostic model.
Do Husbands and Wives Pool Their Resources?: Evidence from the United Kingdom Child Benefit

Common preference models of family behavior imply income pooling, a restriction on family demand functions such that only the sum of husband's income and wife's income affects the allocation of goods and time. Testing the pooling hypothesis is difficult because most family income sources are not exogenous to the allocations being analyzed. In this paper, we present an alternative test based on a "natural experiment"-a policy change in the United Kingdom that transferred a substantial child allowance to wives in the late 1970s. Using Family Expenditure Survey data, we find strong evidence that a shift toward greater expenditures on women's clothing and children's clothing relative to men's clothing coincided with this income redistribution.
Does the Value of Managerial Flexibility Always Increase with Uncertainty

Being able to choose the timing of investment projects is an important form of managerial flexibility. We analyze the value of such intertemporal flexibility by considering the investment decision of a firm that may complete a project either in one lump or in multiple stages at distinct points in time. The firm faces a trade-off between the cost savings that arise when the project is completed in one go and the additional flexibility that arises when the firm is able to respond to resolving uncertainty by choosing optimal timing individually for each stage. We show that, contrary to a careless interpretation of the real option theory, higher uncertainty makes the lumpy investment more attractive relative to the apparently more flexible alternative of completing the investment in stages.
Organizing for democracy : NGOs, civil society, and the Philippine State

The number, variety and political prominence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines presents a unique opportunity to study citizen activism. Philippine NGOs provide an avenue for political participation and a mechanism for redressing the inequalities of society unequaled elsewhere in South East Asia. This book brings together research on these organizations and their programmes, addressing their political significance. The essays are based on rural and urban NGOs and document the transformation in the character of civil society and evaluate its impact on the state. It defines the context within which NGOs function, details the response of NGOs to enduring social, economic and ecological issues of Philippine society and records the interactions between citizen groups and the Philippine state.
Bullying and harassment in the workplace.

This paper examines the results of a survey carried out on the subject of bullying and harassment in the workplace, with particular reference to the hospitality industry. Following a brief overview of the area, the paper examines a cross‐border study undertaken in 1998. The study included the analysis of cases from the Republic of Ireland and from Northern Ireland and also a comparative case study was undertaken to explore and compare the extent of bullying and harassment in the hospitality industry in the two regions. The results of the case analysis show that, in a majority of cases both North and South, women were the instigators of claims of harassment and an organisationally superior male employee was the alleged harasser. Nearly half of the claims initiated were eventually dismissed both North and South, while those claimants who were successful in their claims received low levels of compensation in comparison with their American counterparts. The hospitality case studies showed the primary focus of policy was on sectarian harassment in the North, while in the Republic of Ireland it was on sexual harassment. The case studies also identified the lack of training in the area and the need for more focused policies to deal with all forms of harassment.
Rhetoric of Regulation: How U.S. Public Service Commissions Define Their Mission

Each of the federal and state public service or public utility commissions publishes a statement of mission or vision, often accompanied by elaboration of agency purposes or goals. At one level, mission statements are only what they are: a public articulation of collective philosophy to the consumers they serve, the utilities they regulate, the professional staff they employ, the political bodies to which they are accountable, and other stakeholders in the process. Of course, mission statements may or may not translate to or correlate with actual decision-making behavior on the part of regulators. However, mission statements are of academic and practical interest in terms of the rich rhetoric of regulation and implications for policy. More than mere symbolism, agency mission statements communicate how regulators perceive their role and how their perceptions change with time. After a century of regulation, the commissions are exhibiting a remarkable capacity for both continuity and adaptability. While still concentrating on the core principle of regulation in the public interest, today’s mission statements also reflect how regulators conceive a modernized mandate that is responsive to traditional market failures but also to contemporary forces of change. A preliminary analysis is revealing. First, the commissions devote considerable and thoughtful attention to their missions and the associated goals of their agencies, as well as their own performance. Second, not all commissions or all types of commissions embrace rhetoric to the same degree. Third, and most importantly, the commission missions suggest a course correction within a paradigm shift, reflected by new rhetoric associated with evolving market conditions and public policy mandates. This paper will present a comprehensive content analysis of contemporary commission mission statements with basic descriptive and bivariate analyses of variation and a discussion of implications for regulatory agencies, politics, and policy.
Assessing partnership: the prospects for, and challenges of, modernisation

This paper has a dual role. First, it provides an overview of partnership, with particular reference to the present Labour Government and the shaping of its relations with the institutions of capital and business representation. Second, it provides an introduction to the special issue on “‘Assessing partnership: the prospects for, and challenges of, modernisation” and briefly outlines the papers included in it.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P and calcitonin-gene-related peptide: correlation with sural nerve levels and neuropathic signs in sensory diabetic polyneuropathy.

1. Lumbar spinal substance P and calcitonin-gene-related peptide derive from spillage out of the dorsal horns associated with activity of small primary sensory afferents (C- and A delta-fibres). Cerebrospinal fluid and sural nerve levels of substance P and calcitonin-gene-related peptide have been measured in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy to determine whether differences in small primary sensory afferent activity are related to the presence or absence of painful symptoms. 2. Calcitonin-gene-related peptide was undetectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of the majority of diabetic patients (14 out of 22); it was lower overall in diabetic patients as compared with control subjects (P < 0.01), it was lower in those diabetic patients with painless neuropathy (100% undetectable) as compared with those with painful neuropathy (50% undetectable; P < 0.05) and it correlated conversely with warming threshold (r = 0.50; P < 0.01). 3. Substance P showed no overall numerical intergroup differences or correlation with other measured variables, but six diabetic patients as compared with one control subject had undetectable cerebrospinal fluid levels and the proportion of patients with undetectable levels was higher in the group with painless neuropathy than in the group with painful neuropathy (P < 0.05). 4. The levels of each peptide in cerebrospinal fluid correlated with its equivalent in sural nerve (P < 0.01 for calcitonin-gene-related peptide and P < 0.03 for substance P). Calcitonin-gene-related peptide correlated with substance P in the sural nerve (r = 0.84; P < 0.002) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (r = 0.30; P < 0.03). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Uncoupling the Roles of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB5 Genes in Multiple Sclerosis1

Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with the MHC located on chromosome 6p21. This signal maps primarily to a 1-Mb region encompassing the HLA class II loci, and it segregates often with the HLA-DQB1*0602, -DQA1*0102, -DRB1*1501, -DRB5*0101 haplotype. However, the identification of the true predisposing gene or genes within the susceptibility haplotype has been handicapped by the strong linkage disequilibrium across the locus. African Americans have greater MHC haplotypic diversity and distinct patterns of linkage disequilibrium, which make this population particularly informative for fine mapping efforts. The purpose of this study was to establish the telomeric boundary of the HLA class II region affecting susceptibility to MS by assessing genetic association with the neighboring HLA-DRB5 gene as well as seven telomeric single nucleotide polymorphisms in a large, well-characterized African American dataset. Rare DRB5*null individuals were previously described in African populations. Although significant associations with both HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB5 loci were present, HLA-DRB1*1503 was associated with MS in the absence of HLA-DRB5, providing evidence for HLA-DRB1 as the primary susceptibility gene. Interestingly, the HLA-DRB5*null subjects appear to be at increased risk for developing secondary progressive MS. Thus, HLA-DRB5 attenuates MS severity, a finding consistent with HLA-DRB5’s proposed role as a modifier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Additionally, conditional haplotype analysis revealed a susceptibility signal at the class III AGER locus independent of DRB1. The data underscore the power of the African American MS dataset to identify disease genes by association in a region of high linkage disequilibrium.
A Common Mucosal Chemokine (Mucosae-Associated Epithelial Chemokine/CCL28) Selectively Attracts IgA Plasmablasts 1

IgA immunoblasts can seed both intestinal and nonintestinal mucosal sites following localized mucosal immunization, an observation that has led to the concept of a common mucosal immune system. In this study, we demonstrate that the mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine, MEC (CCL28), which is expressed by epithelia in diverse mucosal tissues, is selectively chemotactic for IgA Ab-secreting cells (ASC): MEC attracts IgA- but not IgG- or IgM-producing ASC from both intestinal and nonintestinal lymphoid and effector tissues, including the intestines, lungs, and lymph nodes draining the bronchopulmonary tree and oral cavity. In contrast, the small intestinal chemokine, TECK (CCL25), attracts an overlapping subpopulation of IgA ASC concentrated in the small intestines and its draining lymphoid tissues. Surprisingly, T cells from mucosal sites fail to respond to MEC. These findings suggest a broad and unifying role for MEC in the physiology of the mucosal IgA immune system.
Prediction of triathlon race time from laboratory testing in national triathletes.

PURPOSE Four days after competing in an Olympic-distance National Triathlon Championship (1500-m swim, 40-km cycle, 10-km run), five male and five female triathletes underwent comprehensive physiological testing in an attempt to determine which physiological variables accurately predict triathlon race time. METHODS All triathletes underwent maximal swimming tests over 25 and 400 m, the determination of peak sustained power output (PPO) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) during an incremental cycle test to exhaustion, and a maximal treadmill running test to assess peak running velocity and VO2peak. In addition, submaximal steady-state measures of oxygen uptake (VO2), blood [lactate], and heart rate (HR) were determined during the cycling and running tests. RESULTS The five most significant (P < 0.01) predictors of triathlon performance were blood lactate measured during steady-state cycling at a workload of 4 W x kg(-1) body mass (BM) (r = 0.92), blood lactate while running at 15 km x h(-1) (r = 0.89), PPO (r = 0.86), peak treadmill running velocity (r = 0.85), and VO2peak during cycling (r = 0.85). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a highly significant (r = 0.90, P < 0.001) relationship between predicted race time (from laboratory measures) and actual race time, from the following calculation: race time (s) = - 129 (peak treadmill velocity [km x h(-1)]) + 122 ([lactate] at 4 W x kg(-1) BM) + 9456. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that race time for top triathletes competing over the Olympic distance can be accurately predicted from the results of maximal and submaximal laboratory measures.
Implementing a balanced scorecard framework in a not-for-profit SME

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of a performance management system using the balanced scorecard (BSC) within a not for profit small and medium sized enterprise (SME). Design/methodology/approach – This is a casebased methodological approach exploring the perceptions of two management stakeholder groups. This ensured that the issues were appraised in both an operational and a strategic context.Findings – The findings of this research are that balanced scorecards can be implemented within a SME context. However, the motivations for the adoption of the scorecard were both internal and external due to the heavily regulated nature of the organization.Research limitations/implications – The limitations of this research are that only one SME was compared with the body of knowledge relating to larger organizations and this could be viewed as a potential mismatch.Originality/value – Currently there is a lack of published research on BSC implementations within this sector.
Entrepreneurship education and training ‐ introducing entrepreneurship into non‐business disciplines

Entrepreneurs or the move towards self‐employment is, and will continue to become, an increasingly important element of economic growth and development. It is now recognized that small firms in Ireland are “net creators of jobs while the large firm sector is a net shedder of jobs”. To ensure that a sustained increase in self‐employment continues, it is critical that the correct infrastructure is in place to facilitate this development. One critical aspect of this infrastructure is the creation of an enterprise culture which will encourage and entice individuals to take the risk of starting a business. Examines one of the core components of an enterprise culture, which is education, and how the various educational programmes can incorporate entrepreneurship as a subject area which will foster the interest in enterprise. Focuses on how a process model for enterprise education can be used to target various student groups in an interdisciplinary manner, and emphasizes the need to teach entrepreneurship to non‐business students, who in many instances are the originators of ideas, but unfortunately do not have the business knowledge to develop the idea further.
Theory and Experiment of the Wideband Two-Layer Hemispherical Dielectric Resonator Antenna

The two-layer hemispherical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) excited by an annular slot is investigated. The slot excitation can be placed in the inner or outer dielectric layer, and the two configurations are studied and compared in this paper. Both problems were solved rigorously using the Green's function approach and the method of moments. The maximum impedance bandwidth and a new bandwidth that considers the field pattern are investigated. Good agreement between the calculations, measurements, and HFSS simulations is obtained.
Using Community Forums to Enhance Public Engagement in Environmental Issues

As environmental issues become more complex, the public may be less interested in becoming knowledgeable enough to participate in decisionmaking. Yet its input can be critically important in some community-based issues. A community forum is one tool designed to provide information, enable participants to ask questions to experts and create an open atmosphere for discussing an issue that requires relatively little investment from the participants. We used this tool to explore the issue of using wood to create electricity. Our results suggest that participants gained knowledge about the issue. As long as their concerns were addressed, nearly twice as many participants felt positive about such a proposed facility after the forum (81 per cent) than before (43 per cent, n = 108). Such activities could be successful strategies to engage the public in decision-making because they respect the real limits on time, attention and knowledge and enable people to participate at an appropriate scale. To reproduce this community forum, we suggest using credible but neutral experts, creating a nonjudgemental atmosphere, allowing people to ask their questions and sharing the results with elected officials.
Repression of the pyr Operon in Lactobacillus plantarum Prevents Its Ability To Grow at Low Carbon Dioxide Levels

ABSTRACT Carbamoyl phosphate is a precursor for both arginine and pyrimidine biosynthesis. In Lactobacillus plantarum, carbamoyl phosphate is synthesized from glutamine, ATP, and carbon dioxide by two sets of identified genes encoding carbamoyl phosphate synthase (CPS). The expression of the carAB operon (encoding CPS-A) responds to arginine availability, whereas pyrAaAb (encoding CPS-P) is part of the pyrR1BCAaAbDFE operon coding for the de novo pyrimidine pathway repressed by exogenous uracil. The pyr operon is regulated by transcription attenuation mediated by a trans-acting repressor that binds to the pyr mRNA attenuation site in response to intracellular UMP/phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate pools. Intracellular pyrimidine triphosphate nucleoside pools were lower in mutant FB335 (carAB deletion) harboring only CPS-P than in the wild-type strain harboring both CPS-A and CPS-P. Thus, CPS-P activity is the limiting step in pyrimidine synthesis. FB335 is unable to grow in the presence of uracil due to a lack of sufficient carbamoyl phosphate required for arginine biosynthesis. Forty independent spontaneous FB335-derived mutants that have lost regulation of the pyr operon were readily obtained by their ability to grow in the presence of uracil and absence of arginine; 26 harbored mutations in the pyrR1-pyrB loci. One was a prototroph with a deletion of both pyrR1 and the transcription attenuation site that resulted in large amounts of excreted pyrimidine nucleotides and increased intracellular UTP and CTP pools compared to wild-type levels. Low pyrimidine-independent expression of the pyr operon was obtained by antiterminator site-directed mutagenesis. The resulting AE1023 strain had reduced UTP and CTP pools and had the phenotype of a high-CO2-requiring auxotroph, since it was able to synthesize sufficient arginine and pyrimidines only in CO2-enriched air. Therefore, growth inhibition without CO2 enrichment may be due to low carbamoyl phosphate pools from lack of CPS activity.