Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Smoking on Periodontium 1

1 Dr. Jhanvi Patel, 2 Dr. Hitarth Patel, 3 Dr. Darshanaben Patel, 4 Dr. Krishna Patel, 5 Nishi Dave, 6 Dr.Mamata Chaudhari 1-4:-B.D. S College of dental sciences and research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 5:Final year B.D. S student College of dental sciences and research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 6:-BAMS Dayabhai Maoji Majithiya College of Ayurved Medicine and Surgery. Yavatmal Maharashtra. Corresponding author: Dr. Jhanvi Patel
A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF GREEN ROOFS THROUGH ENERGY MODELING

In recent years, there has been great interest in the potential of green roofs as an alternative roofing option to reduce the energy consumed by individual buildings as well as mitigate large scale urban environmental problems such as the urban heat island effect. There is a widespread recognition and a growing literature of measured data that suggest green roofs can reduce building energy consumption. This paper investigates the potential of green roofs in reducing the building energy loads and focuses on how the different variables of a green roof assembly affect the thermal performance of a building. A green roof assembly is modeled as part of the roof construction of a prototypical office building located in California Climate Zone 8, using Design Buildera 3D graphical design modeling and energy use simulation program that uses the EnergyPlus simulation engine. The thermal performance of several green roof assemblies is then evaluated for that climate zone, looking at whole building energy use. The parametric study involves altering one parameter of the green roof for each simulation run in order to understand its effect on building’s energy loads. These parameters include different insulation thicknesses, leaf area indices (LAI) and growing medium or soil depth. The energy use intensities resulting from the use of these green roof assemblies are compared with each other and to a cool roof base case to determine the energy load reductions, if any. The simulation results are then organized and finally presented as a decision support tool that would facilitate the adoption of green roof technologies and make it possible to account for green roof benefits in energy codes and related energy efficiency standards such as LEED.
On the design of a single lane-markings detectors regardless the on-board camera's position

In this article, we present an algorithm for lane marking features extraction and robust shape estimation of lane markings. The algorithm uses a new lane-marking features extractor followed by the robust fitting algorithm described by Tarel et. al. (2002) to estimate the lane-markings shape as a single analytical curve. The lane-marking features extractor is based on the fact that lane-markings widths are in a small range of possible values, on a road. This implies a geometric constrain on the observed lane-markings widths from a camera on-board a vehicle. The lane-marking features extractor uses this property to select pairs of edge points corresponding with a high probability to a section of lane-marking. This features extractor is especially designed to be robust to lighting conditions as shown by few experiments. The extracted features are then grouped to estimate the parameters of the analytical curve model of these lane-markings. With the proposed approach, the obtained detector is robust to different kinds of noise and perturbations, allowing us to use it with a camera in many positions. Finally, to illustrate this property, we briefly describe two applications of the proposed detector: accurate vehicle location on the road and estimation of the time to line crossing.
Recommendations for Restaurant Improvement using Random Walk Based Opinion Mining Ekta

Some restaurants perform better than others despite having very similar population geography and service attributes. In this paper, we aim to single out the probable causes that may contribute to the inferior performance of a restaurant and in turn recommend improvements that lead to gaining competitive edge. Sentiment analysis using Random Walk is used to assign polarities to the words in common in the combination of reviews and tips of the two restaurants to understand how an attribute or a feature contributes to the restaurant’s performance. Accuracy is used as the evaluation metrics, and word cloud is used for visualization.
Codebook Based Multi-User MIMO for 5G

Better signal strength is required to provide a good signal service to the UE. For this, different methods and techniques are available, one of them is codebook type II precoding. This method has a potential to provide an amount of energy to the user in the required direction more precisely than Codebook type I. Therefore this method will be put to the test, for a given SNR range, by comparing the quality of the beamformed signal to non-beamformed signal. Additional studies have been made about the different characteristics of the channel with simple changes in the base station with a different antenna configuration exploiting MIMO case. This will lead to have a large array gain and also spectral efficiency is increased in spatial domain. All these characteristics are applied for multi-layers and multi-users. For a better understanding of the topic and for proof of concept, it is being restricted to a single user and a single layer. (Less)
Adaptive two-stage detection scheme in synchronous two-user CDMA systems

An adaptive two-stage scheme for a synchronous, two-user CDMA environment with unknown received signal energies is presented. It consists of a tandem of the matched filter front-end followed by the interference canceler whose weights are adjusted by an adaptive algorithm. The error probability was evaluated analytically, and it was shown that the receiver provides satisfactory performance in the near-far scenarios. <<ETX>>
Technical Report: Defining the Undefinedness of C

This paper investigates undefined behavior in C and o ers a few simple techniques for operationally specifying such behavior formally. A semantics-based undefinedness checker for C is developed using these techniques, as well as a test suite of undefined programs. The tool is evaluated against other popular analysis tools, using the new test suite in addition to a third-party test suite. The semantics-based tool performs at least as well or better than the other tools tested.
Interleukin-6 receptor ( IL 6 R ) rs 7529229 polymorphism and coronary heart disease risk

Some studies investigated the association of IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism with CHD. However, the result was still inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between the IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism and CHD risk. Electronic databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, were searched for identification of the studies. The strength of association between IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism and CHD risk was assessed by calculating OR with 95% CI. In this current study, 77349 cases and 237357 controls were included. IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CHD (OR=0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97; I2=6%). We also found that this polymorphism decreased CHD risk in Caucasians (OR=0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97; I2=10%). In the subgroup analysis according to gender, both women and men were significantly associated with the decreased risk of CHD (OR=0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00; I2=9% and OR=0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.00; I2=3%). In the subgroup analysis by age, IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism showed no significant results. However, this polymorphism influenced CHD risk in subjects without diabetes (OR=0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.00; I2=0%). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that IL6R rs7529229 polymorphism was associated with CHD risk.
Refining and defining the Program Dependence Web

The Program Dependence Web (PDW) is an intermediate representation for a computer program, which can be interpreted under control-driven, data-driven or demand-driven disciplines. This document completes the definition for the PDW. This includes operational definitions for the nodes and arcs and a description of how PDWs are interpreted. The general structure for conditionals and loops is shown, accompanied by examples. The definition provided here is a refinement of the original one: a new node, the ``{beta} node,`` replaces the {mu} node, and the {eta}{sup {Tau}} node is eliminated.
A modified function point method for CAL systems with respect to software cost estimation

Algorithmic models for software cost estimation usually assume that software size is the major factor that influences software development effort. Function point analysis (FPA) is a widely accepted method to measure software size. However, when we used FPA to size computer assisted learning (CAL) systems for development effort estimation, we found that FPA has a number of difficulties. The study examines the special characteristics of CAL systems and analyses the additional considerations needed if FPA is used to size CAL systems for effort estimation. The concept of effective size is proposed to account for software reuse. An integrated software cost model previously introduced by the authors is adapted to the CAL environment. Real world data are used to test the adapted model, and the results and implications are discussed.
AC induction motor control using an advanced flux observer design

A new observer for estimation of rotor fluxes is developed for the control of AC induction motors. The new observer feeds back trajectory errors of position, torque, and rotor flutes. It has been proven in theory that the proposed control method using the new observer can asymptotically stabilize the system. Simulation results verify the proposed approach.
A DYNAMIC BASED PATH TRACKING CONTROLLER FOR A FAST ROVER WITH INDEPENDENT STEERING AND DRIVE

The paper presents a path tracking controller for a fast rover which has inde- pendent front and rear steering and four independent driven wheels. The paper develop ﬁrst the dynamic model of the vehicle moving on a horizontal plane. Next, the model is linearized by assuming that the side slip angles remain small and a linear lateral slippage model introducing the lateral contact stiﬀness is used. The kinematics of the vehicle is also linearized by assuming that the rover remains close a reference path and with a small relative heading angle. The li- nearized model permits the design of a Linear Quadratic Regulator LQR which is tested by using Matlab-Simulink/Adams co-simulation. Simulation results, obtained with numerous reference paths, show a good control accuracy and appears to be robust with respect to environment and robot state changes.
Masticatory Dysfunction by Extensive Tooth Loss as a Risk Factor for Cognitive Deficit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: An amount of cognition decline is normal with aging; however, intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors may exacerbate it, affecting social and occupational tasks. Masticatory dysfunction (MD), as a general term, refers to an impairment in the masticatory function triggered by a structural factor, such as tooth loss; functional factors, such as weaker bite force or a poorer masticatory performance; or both factors. MD acting as a source of chronic stress, promotes functional and morphological changes on the hippocampus, a brain area crucial for learning and memory abilities. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between MD and cognitive deficit (CD), and demonstrate whether might be adequately considered as a risk factor. Methods: Observational studies were screened in seven online databases; the search strategy (PECO) was focused in observational studies with humans as a population (P), presenting groups exposed (E), and non-exposed (C) to tooth loss, in which cognition parameters were measured and compared between groups (O). The final selection included only those studies comparing the effect in cognition between subjects having ≥20 remaining teeth and <20 remaining teeth, considering the latter as a structural factor triggering MD by the literature. Searching and data extraction were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Qualitative and risk of bias evaluations were performed. The meta-analysis (MA) was constructed including the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) comparing two groups—with/without MD. The level of evidence was rated by Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: In total, 5,666 citations were identified, 14 accomplished our eligibility criteria, and nine were include in the MA. The MA demonstrates that individuals with MD had 46% higher chance to presented CD (OR 2.24 [1.73, 2.90], p < 0.00001, I2 = 46%). The level of evidence was rated as low by GRADE. Conclusion: Despite the low certainty in evidence, according to our MA, MD is positively associated with increased risk of CD. However, more studies including other factors underlying MD and similar measurements should be conducted to obtain a strong estimate of the risk.
Recombinant BCG With Bacterial Signaling Molecule Cyclic di-AMP as Endogenous Adjuvant Induces Elevated Immune Responses After Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live attenuated vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and remains the most commonly used vaccine worldwide. However, BCG has varied protective efficiency in adults and has safety concerns in immunocompromised population. Thus, effective vaccines are necessary for preventing the prevalence of TB. Cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP) is a bacterial second messenger which regulates various cellular processes and host immune response. Previous work found that c-di-AMP regulates bacterial physiological function, pathogenicity and host type I IFN response. In this study, we constructed a recombinant BCG (rBCG) by overexpressing DisA, the diadenylate cyclase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and observed the physiological changes of rBCG-DisA. The immunological characteristics of rBCG-DisA were investigated on humoral and cellar immune responses in a mice infection model. Our study demonstrated that overexpression of DisA in BCG does not affect the growth but reduces the length of BCG. rBCG-DisA-immunized mice show similar humoral and cellar immune responses in BCG-immunized mice. After Mtb infection, the splenic lymphocytes from both BCG and rBCG-DisA-immunized mice produced more IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-10 than the un-immunized (UN) mice, while the cytokine levels of the rBCG-DisA group increased significantly than those of the BCG group. The transcription of IFN-β, IL-1β and autophagy related genes (Atgs) were up-regulated in macrophages after treated with c-di-AMP or bacterial infection. The productions of IL-6 were increased after Mtb challenge, especially in the rBCG-DisA-immunized mice. Strikingly, H3K4me3, the epigenetic marker of innate immune memory, was found in both two immunized groups, and the rBCG-DisA group showed stronger expression of H3K4me3 than that of BCG. In addition, the pathological changes of rBCG-DisA immunized mice were similar to that of BCG-immunized mice. The bacterial burdens in the lungs and spleens of BCG- and rBCG-DisA-immunized mice were significantly decreased, but there was no significant difference between the two immunized groups. Together, these results suggested that compared to BCG, rBCG-DisA vaccination, induces stronger immune responses but did not provided additional protection against Mtb infection in this study, which may be related to the innate immunity memory. Hence, c-di-AMP is a promising immunomodulator for a further developed BCG as a better vaccine.
The Knowledge of Contextual Factors as Triggers of Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Patients With Musculoskeletal Pain: Findings From a National Survey

Backgrounds: Contextual factors (CFs) have been recently proposed as triggers of placebo and nocebo effects in musculoskeletal pain. CFs encompass the features of the clinician (e.g. uniform), patient (e.g. expectations), patient–clinician relationship (e.g. verbal communication), treatment (e.g. overt therapy), and healthcare setting (e.g. design). To date, the researchers’ understanding of Italian patients’ knowledge about the role of CFs in musculoskeletal pain is lacking. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes and beliefs of Italian patients with musculoskeletal pain about the use of CFs in clinical practice. Methods: A national sample of Italian patients with musculoskeletal pain was recruited from 12 outpatient private clinics in Italy. An invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to patients: a) exhibiting musculoskeletal pain; b) aged 18–75; c) with a valid e-mail account; and d) understanding Italian language. Survey Monkey software was used to deliver the survey. The questionnaire was self-reported and included 17 questions and 2 clinical vignettes on the patients’ behavior, beliefs, and attitudes towards the adoption of CFs in clinical practice. Descriptive statistics and frequencies described the actual number of respondents to each question. Results: One thousand one hundred twelve patients participated in the survey. Five hundred seventy-four participants were female (52%). The average age of patients was 41.7 ± 15.2 years. Patients defined CFs as an intervention with an unspecific effect (64.3%), but they believed in their clinical effectiveness. They identified several therapeutic effects of CFs for different health problems. Their use was considered ethically acceptable when it exerts beneficial psychological effects (60.4%), but it was banned if considered deceptive (51.1%). During clinical practice, patients wanted to be informed about the use of CFs (46.0%) that are accepted as an addition to other interventions to optimize clinical responses (39.3%). Moreover, patients explained the power of CFs through body–mind connections (37.1%). Conclusion: Patients with musculoskeletal pain had positive attitudes towards the use and effectiveness of CFs when associated with evidence-based therapy. They mostly perceived the adoption of CFs in clinical practice as ethical.
Bacterial biofilm composition in healthy subjects with and without caries experience.

ABSTRACT Objective:The composition of the oral microbiome differs distinctively between subjects with and without active caries. Still, caries research has mainly been focused on states of disease; aspects about how biofilm composition and structure maintain oral health still remain widely unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the healthy oral microbiome of caries-free adult subjects with and without former caries experience using next generation sequencing methods. Methods: 46 samples were collected from subjects without any signs of untreated active caries. Samples of pooled supragingival plaque from 19 subjects without caries experience (NH; DMFT = 0) and 27 subjects with ‘caries experience’ (CE; DMFT > 0 [F(T)> 0; D(T)= 0]) were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing. Results: Subjects with caries experience did not exhibit a dramatically modified supragingival plaque microbiome. However, we observed a slight and significant modification between the two groups, validated by PERMANOVA (NH vs. CE: R2 0.04; p= 0.039). The composition of the microbiome of subjects with caries experience indicates a tendency to lower α-diversity and richness. Subjects without caries experience showed a significant higher evenness compared to patients with previous caries. LDA effect size (LEfSe) analysis demonstrated that the genus Haemophilus is significantly more frequent in patients with caries experience. For the group without caries experience LefSe analysis showed a set of 11 genera being significantly more frequent, including Corynebacterium, Fusobacterium, Capnocytophaga, Porphyromonas, Prevotella,and Leptotrichia. Conclusion: The analysis of the oral microbiome of subjects with and without caries experience indicates specific differences. With the presence of Corynebacterium and Fusobacterium subjects without caries experience exhibited more frequently organisms that are considered to be main actors in structural plaque formation and integration. The abundance of Corynebacterium might be interpreted as a signature for dental health.
Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease reflects a sudden derangement of locomotor network dynamics

Freezing of gait is a disabling symptom of Parkinson’s disease that causes a paroxysmal inability to generate effective stepping. Pozzi et al. investigate its pathophysiology in patients with a deep brain stimulation device that allows on-demand recording from chronically-implanted electrodes. They show that gait freezing occurs when cortical-subthalamic communication drops.
A 18GHz rotary traveling wave VCO in CMOS with I/Q outputs

A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) based on the rotary traveling wave principle is presented. Its advantages are easy and accurate high frequency quadrature signal generation, adiabatic operation, and good phase noise properties. The VCO is realized with the commercially available TSMC 0.13/spl mu/m CMOS process. The 18-GHz VCO has a tuning range of 1GHz. The phase noise power spectral density observed is-117 dBc/Hz at a 1-MHz offset from the carrier. The complete circuit including buffers consumes 24nW from a 1.2V power supply. The die without pads occupies 0.12/spl mu/m/sup 2/.
Política monetária e dinâmica macroeconômica no Brasil: evidências empíricas a partir de Vetores Autorregressivos

The article aims at identifying dynamic and interdependent relationships between relevant macroeconomic variables and the monetary policy, in the recent Brazilian economy, through the Vector Autoregressive technique. The work found the following main evidences: (i) a counter-cyclical behavior of the monetary policy as a response to the dynamics of production; (ii) a short-term sensibility of the real exchange rate to fluctuations of activities; (iii) a “J-curve” in the sample period; (iv) adaptive inflationary expectations; (v) short-term effects of the domestic inflation on the real exchange rate; (vi) basic interest rate as an effective instrument to control the consumer inflation index. Key words: monetary policy, macroeconomic dynamics, Brazilian economy.
Killing mechanism of bacteria within multi-species biofilm by blue light

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of the study was to characterize the immediate and delayed effects of non-coherent blue-light treatment on the composition and viability of an in vitro biofilm composed of anaerobic multispecies, as well as the mechanisms involved. Methods: A multispecies biofilm was constructed of Streptococcus sanguinis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, test groups were exposed to blue light. The multispecies biofilm was explored with a newly developed method based on flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. The involvement of the paracrine pathway in the phototoxic mechanism was investigated by a crossover of the supernatants between mono-species P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum biofilms. Results: Blue light led to a reduction of about 50% in the viable pathogenic bacteria P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, vs that in the non-exposed biofilm. Biofilm thickness was also reduced by 50%. The phototoxic effect of blue light on mono-species biofilm was observed in P. gingivalis, whereas F. nucleatum biofilm was unaffected. A lethal effect was obtained when the supernatant of P. gingivalis biofilm previously exposed to blue light was added to the F. nucleatum biofilm. The effect was circumvented by the addition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers to the supernatant. Conclusion: Blue-light has an impact on the bacterial composition and viability of the multispecies biofilm. The phototoxic effect of blue light on P. gingivalis in biofilm was induced directly and on F. nucleatum via ROS mediators of the paracrine pathway. This phenomenon may lead to a novel approach for ‘replacement therapy,’ resulting in a less periodonto-pathogenic biofilm.