Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Adult Patients in Mashhad, Iran

Introduction: Quality of life is defined as the sense of well-being and satisfaction with daily performances influenced by dental and oral conditions. Oral diseases are very common and have impacts on different aspects of individual's life and can change their performances. In other word, they can change the quality of life. The real impact of health and disease on daily performances is considered as Health-Related Quality of Life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of oral diseases on quality of life in patients referred to Mashhad Faculty of Dentistry and Jahad Dental Clinic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed using non randomized sampling method. For this study, 500 patients referred to Mashhad Faculty of Dentistry and Jahad Dental Clinic with age >15 years were recruited. An educated interviewer asked the questions of the Persian version of OIDP questionnaire, which was valid and reliable for Iranian population. In this index the frequency and severity of each impact were recorded. Finally, each was attributed to specific oral conditions, as indicated by the respondents. The OIDP score is expressed as the sum of the different performance scores divided by the maximum possible score. Results: According to the results of this study, 84% of patients had negative impacts on their quality of life. Gender and job had significant associations with OIDP score. There was not any significant association between OIDP score and general health. The most and the least commonly affected daily performances were eating and going out, respectively. Conclusion: The most and the least effective oral diseases were toothache and tooth size and shape, respectively so the most treatment need is root canal therapy and tooth repair and to relieve pain.
Power Estimation of Acoustic Sources by Sensor Array Processing

A constant problem is to localize a number of acoustic sources, to separate their individual signals and to estimate their strengths in a propagation medium. An acoustic receiving array with signal processing algorithms is then used. The most widely used algorithm is the conventional beamforming algorithm but it has a very low resolution and high sidelobes that may cause a signal leakage problem. Several new signal processors for arrays of sensors are derived to evaluate the strengths of acoustic signals arriving at an array of sensors. In particular, we present the covariance vector estimator and the pseudoinverse of the array manifold matrix estimator. The covariance vector estimator uses only the correlations between sensors and the pseudoinverse of the array manifold matrix estimator operates with the minimum eigenvalues of the covariance matrix. Numerical and experimental results are presented.
Timing analysis and optimization techniques for vlsi circuits

With aggressive scaling down of feature sizes in VLSI fabrication, process variations, crosstalk and buffering have become critical issues to achieve timing closure in VLSI designs. Timing analysis and optimization techniques need to consider each of them and also their interactions. There are many statistical timing analysis researches to handle the problems introduced by process variations, but how to get the bounds of timing yield and how to use these techniques to verify the clock validity still need investigations. Timing budgeting is an essential step in optimization problems (e.g., gate sizing, dual-Vth assignment), and with process variations, how to reduce the design overhead in optimization becomes important. Dynamic programming is a useful technique to handle optimization problems, such as buffering, technology mapping and slicing floorplan problems, where many maxplus merge operations of solution lists are involved. So the speed-up of the maxplus merge operations will benefit many algorithms. In addition, prior researches were focusing on how to buffer a single net, but because of the huge number of buffers, the buffering of a whole circuit is required. With process variations on devices and interconnects, deterministic buffering techniques become pessimistic. How to efficiently get a good buffering solution needs investigations. The hierarchical design has become a useful technique for large circuit design, so IP reuse becomes a common practice. But since coupling capacitance becomes dominant, the delay from an input pin to an output pin is not constant any more. How to accurately specify the timing behavior of IPs with crosstalk is urgent. In this research, we investigate these analysis and optimization problems. In our first work, we propose two algorithms to compute the bounds of statistical delays. In our second work, a statistical checking of the structural conditions for correct clocking in latch-based designs is proposed, where the central problem is to compute the probability of having a positive cycle in a graph with random edge weights. In our third work, we consider the changes of both means and variances of delays in optimization, and formulate the timing budgeting under process variations as a linear programming problem using a robust optimization technique. In our fourth work, we propose a flexible data structure that can achieve universal speed-up under all cases for the merge operations. In our fifth work, the timing constrained minimal buffer insertion problem is formulated as a convex-cost flow dual problem, and we propose two algorithms based on convex-cost flow and min-cut techniques, respectively, to solve it in combinational circuits. In our sixth work, solutions from deterministic buffering are used to guide the statistical buffering in order to reduce the solution space in dynamic programming and achieve predictable results. Our last work presents two conservative macro-models that specify the timing behaviors of combinational hard IP blocks with crosstalk effects.
Impact of Medicaid reimbursement on mental health quality indicators.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between the use of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for determining Medicaid reimbursement to nursing facilities and the MDS Quality Indicators examining nursing facility residents' mental health. DATA SOURCES The 2004 National MDS facility Quality Indicator reports served as the dependent variables. Explanatory variables were based on the 2004 Online Survey Certification and Reporting system (OSCAR) and an examination of existing reports, a review of the State Medicaid Plans, and State Medicaid personnel. STUDY DESIGN Multilevel regression models were used to account for the hierarchical structure of the data. DATA COLLECTION MDS and OSCAR data were linked by facility identifiers and subsequently linked with state-level variables. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The use of the MDS for determining Medicaid reimbursement was associated with higher (poorer) quality indicator values for all four mental health quality indicators examined. This effect was not found in four comparison quality indicators. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that documentation of mental health symptoms may be influenced by economic incentives. Policy makers should be cautioned from using these measures as the basis for decision making, such as with pay-for-performance initiatives.
Effects of orientation and obstacles on the RFID performance

The impact of environmental configurations on the characteristics and performance of Radio Frequency IDenrification (RFID) passive Ultra-High-Frequency (UHF) tags was presented. Orientation and obstacle effects on the performance of an RFID system were investigated. The range detection sensitivity, the tag orientation sensitivity, as well as the RFID system reliability to the presence of obstacles have been evaluated and reported. Improved system reliability and range of detection were achieved in the absence of obstacles (free space) and degraded exponentially in the presence of such obstacles, with zero detection for metallic films. A tag orientation of 90° increased the sensitivity range by two folds while the same reliability was maintained.
Prevention and management of asparaginase/pegasparaginase-associated toxicities in adults and older adolescents: recommendations of an expert panel

Abstract The rapidly increasing use of pegasparaginase (pegASNase) in adults, after a half century of use of asparaginase (ASNase) in children, has prompted a need for guidelines in the management and prevention of toxicities of asparagine depletion in adults. Accordingly, an initial set of recommendations are provided herein. Major advantages of pegASNase are its 2–3-week duration of action, in contrast to less than 3 days with native ASNase, and the flexibility of intravenous or intramuscular administration of pegASNase and associated patient and physician convenience. The most frequent toxicities of both types of ASNase are hepatic and pancreatic, with pancreatitis being the most serious. Other toxicities are hypersensitivity reactions, thrombosis, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue. Whether or not the replacement of one dose of pegASNase for 6–9 doses of native ASNase can be achieved in adults with similar efficacy and acceptable toxicities to those achieved in children remains to be established.
Effects of time synchronization errors in GNSS-aided INS

The effects of time synchronization errors in a GNSS-aided inertial navigation system (INS) are studied in terms of the increased error covariance of the state vector. Expressions for evaluating the error covariance of the navigation state vector-given the vehicle trajectory and the model of the INS error dynamics-are derived. Two different cases are studied in some detail. The first case considers a navigation system in which the timing error is not included in the integration filter. This leads to a system with an increased error covariance and a bias in the estimated forward acceleration. In the second case, a parameterization of the timing error is included as a part of the estimation problem in the data integration. Simulation results show that by including the timing error in the estimation problem, almost perfect time synchronization is obtained and the bias in the forward acceleration is removed.
Current-Starved Pseudo Floating-Gate filters

In this paper we present different types of active filters designed using analog Current-Starved Pseudo Floating-Gate (CSPFG) inverters. We show how we can design all types of filters (low pass, high pass, band pass and band reject) using only a combination of capacitors and CSPFG inverters, resulting in area-saving circuits suited for VLSI and ULSI circuit design. The corner frequencies of these filters can be tuned electronically using a few bias voltages. Typical applications are detection of high frequency components in sensory signals and in radio frequency signal processing.
XUE XING : STOCK PRICE FORECASTING USING RBF NEURAL NETWORKS AND HYBRID PARTICLE SWARM

With the characteristics of nonlinearity and randomness, stock prices change with a strong feature of disorder, and its mathematical model is often complex which makes it difficult to accurately determine the price or contain chaos. One single forecast method can only describe the stock price information partially, but fails to reflect the overall picture. In this paper, a method of Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network and Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization is proposed to forecast the stock price. The Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to forecast the stock price and capture its linear changing trend. RBF neural network is used to forecast the nonlinear and random change rules. The results of the two are combined to get the stock price forecast. The simulation results show that compared with the single forecasting model, a combined forecasting model offers a more comprehensive description of the stock price change rules, improves the precision of stock price forecasting, well reflects the stock market trend, and has the ability to provide more constructive investment advice to investors.
Interventricular Septum and Posterior Wall Thickness Are Associated With Higher Systolic Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a known factor that affects the structure of the left ventricle. The association between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and BP in normotensive individuals is poorly understood. All individuals who underwent routine echocardiography and BP measurements as aircrew candidates for the Israeli Air Force in the years 2006 to 2012 were identified. Participants with normal values were included. Associations between echocardiographic characteristics and BP were studied. A total of 2386 participants were included. Mean systolic BP was 125.31±11.18 mm Hg and mean diastolic BP was 68.69±9.02 mm Hg. Interventricular septal (IVS) thickness was positively correlated with systolic BP (P<.001, correlation coefficient 0.121) and significantly inversely correlated with heart rate and hematocrit level (P<.001 for both). Men with evidence of IVS or posterior wall thickening on echocardiography, even within the normal range, may require a closer follow‐up of BP.
0.5 V multi-phase digital controlled oscillator with smooth phase transition circuit

In this paper we have shown the design of a 0.5 V multi-phase digital controlled oscillator (DCO) in 65-nm CMOS. The DCO generates 32 phases and achieved output frequency range from 0.1MHz to 128MHz with maximum power consumption of 0. 28µW/MHz in Cadence spectre circuit simulations. To prevent glitch during phase switching, the circuit for smooth phase transition is proposed and successfully demonstrated in circuit simulation.
Q-switched all-fiber laser with an acoustically modulated fiber attenuator

An actively Q-switched all-fiber laser based on an acoustically modulated fiber attenuator was implemented for producing 1550.5 nm pulses of 3 /spl mu/J in pulse energy, 150 ns in pulse width, and 5 kHz in pulse repetition frequency. The fiber attenuator was combined with a fiber Bragg grating, which was used as the end mirror and the wavelength selector of the laser system. The fiber attenuator was implemented with the excitation of transverse vibration by a modulated acoustic wave. The transverse vibration or micro bending led to the coupling of the core mode and cladding modes. Through this mechanism, the feedback level from the fiber grating or the Q factor of the laser can be well controlled. The Q-switched fiber laser based on this scheme can be quite simple.
Pressure-activated microsyringe composite scaffold of poly(L-lactic acid) and carbon nanotubes for bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering is an innovative interdisciplinary field in which bioengineers and life scientists try to regenerate and reproduce natural tissues through the use of biodegradable structures, called scaffolds, with the aim of mimicking the specific tissue extracellular matrix (ECM). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer a natural platform for obtaining composite microfabricated scaffolds thanks to their excellent mechanical properties and their good biocompatibility. In this study, we microfabricated three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds by mixing poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for bone tissue engineering. We measured their mechanical properties and studied their biocompatibility with human fetal osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19). The 3D microfabricated PLLA/MWCNTs nanocomposite scaffolds showed higher stiffness and cell viability than the pure 3D microfabricated PLLA scaffolds. The results of this preliminary work suggest that biopolymer/CNT microcomposites and nanocomposites could be used as effective building blocks to replace ECMs in bone tissue engineering applications. The final goal is the creation of innovative scaffolds for implants and tissue regeneration.
Mammographic parenchymal patterns and risk of breast cancer at and after a prevalence screen in Singaporean women.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to assess the effect of mammographic parenchymal patterns on risk of breast cancer detected at first screen or in the period following a negative screen. METHODS The study utilizes a nested case-control design with 132 breast cancer patients detected at first screen (from a total of 29 193 screened) and 42 breast cancer patients detected in the period following the first screen. These patients were matched to 348 screened-negative controls. The mammograms were classified according to Tabar's classification for parenchymal pattern and statistical analysis was done by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS The risk of breast cancer for women with Tabar pattern IV was significantly high when compared to the remaining patterns (odds ratio 2.59). Risk factors for Tabar pattern IV coincided largely with established risk factors for breast cancer. CONCLUSION The study confirms the increased risk of breast cancer associated with Tabar pattern IV (approximately Wolfe pattern P2), in an Asian population. This pattern is associated with nulliparity and high educational status and is strongly associated with grade 3 cancers.
Evidence for widespread structural brain changes in glaucoma: a preliminary voxel-based MRI study.

PURPOSE To investigate structural brain changes in patients with glaucoma. METHODS High-resolution T1-weighted anatomical brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) were collected in 15 patients with glaucoma of varying severity and in 15 age-, race-, and sex-matched controls. Exclusion criteria included neurological disease, another disorder which could affect the visual field, and a score of less than 25 on the mini-mental status examination. The scans were analyzed with an automatic volumetric MRI technique to measure the volumes of 93 structures in each brain. Analyses of covariance with age as a covariate were carried out to identify structures that differed significantly between the two groups (i.e., glaucoma versus normal control). The volumes of all brain structures in the group of 15 glaucoma patients were also correlated with clinical measures of disease severity. Linear multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine the significance of these relationships. RESULTS Five structures differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). These structures included the right and left inferior occipital gyri and the right middle occipital gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, and right occipital lobe white matter. Interestingly, all of these structures were larger in the glaucoma group than in the control group. Within the group of glaucoma patients, 38% of all brain structures had independent associations between decreasing volume and more severe disease in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that patients with glaucoma undergo widespread and complex changes in cortical brain structure and that the extent of these changes correlates with disease severity.
Academic goals and emotions: results of a structural equation model and a cluster analysis.

BACKGROUND Motivational researchers have suggested that the environment plays a key role in students' goal formation. However, some recent work (Seifert, 1996) suggests that students' emotions may play a role in goal formation. AIM This study examined the relationship between environment, emotions, and goals. Do emotions and perceptions of teachers both contribute to goal orientation, or do emotions mediate the influence of perceptions of teachers on goal orientation? SAMPLE 559 Grade 10 students in Newfoundland and Labrador. METHOD Two structural equations were postulated: one in which students' affect mediated the influence of perceptions of teachers on goal orientation and one in which students' affect contributed to goal formation in addition to perceptions of teachers. A cluster analysis of affect scores was performed followed by between-group and within-group contrasts of goal orientation scores. RESULTS The structural equation model in which emotions mediate the influence of perceptions of teachers on goal orientation fit the data better than the model in which perceptions of teachers directly predicted goal orientation. The cluster analysis showed that groups with different profiles of affect pursued different goals. CONCLUSIONS Emotions seem to be directly linked to goal orientation. Teachers who are perceived as nurturing will foster feelings of self-assuredness and control in students which will lead to a learning orientation.
A Differentially Excited Coupled Half-Width Microstrip Leaky ${\rm EH}_{1}$  Mode Antenna

This paper presents a coupled half-width leaky-wave antenna driven differentially. The guided-wave structure of coupled half-width microstrip lines are proposed and investigated, showing two leaky modes in the form of even- and odd-symmetry, respectively. Rigorous studies show that the odd-leaky-mode outperforms the even-mode approach in radiation patterns and bandwidth. Following the rigorous investigation of the modal characteristics of the coupled half-width EH1 mode guided structure, this paper reports a differentially fed, coupled, odd-leaky-mode, half-width, antenna of size 1λ0 by 3. 6λ0 (including the feed), showing measured maximum antenna gain of 11.6 dBi, 15% fractional bandwidth, gain flatness of 2.4-dB variation, and input return loss greater than 10 dB. (λ0 is the free space wavelength at the maximum gain frequency of 10.1 GHz). Both full-wave simulated results and measured data show good agreements for the proposed antenna structure. The measured leaky-wave antenna performance is compared to the recently published results, demonstrating a good compromise among all major performance metrics.
Whose truffle is this? Distribution patterns of ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity in Tuber melanosporum brûlés developed in multi-host Mediterranean plant communities.

In the Mediterranean region, patches of vegetation recovering from disturbance and transiently dominated by shrubs produce one of the world's most prized fungi, the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum). In these successional plant communities, we have fragmentary knowledge of the distribution of T. melanosporum in space among ectomycorrhizal (ECM) host species and in time. Molecular identification of hosts (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and fungi (Internal Transcribed Spacer sequencing) and quantification of T. melanosporum mycelium (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) were employed to evaluate the presence of T. melanosporum on four dominant ECM host species (Quercus ilex, Quercus coccifera, Arbutus unedo, Cistus albidus) and the extent to which their respective ECM communities shared fungal diversity, over the course of development of truffle grounds, from recent unproductive brûlés to senescent ones where production has stopped. We found that truffle grounds host rich communities in which multi-host fungal species dominate in frequency. When considering both ECM tips and soil mycelia, we documented a dynamic and spatially heterogeneous pattern of T. melanosporum distribution in soils and a presence of ECM tips restricted to Q. ilex roots. This study advances our knowledge of the ecology of T. melanosporum, and provides insight into the extent of ECM fungal sharing among plant species that dominate Mediterranean landscapes.