Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What is the Most Effective Intervention for the Management of Dental Anxiety among Adults? A Systematic Review of Interventions

This review aimed to find the most effective intervention for the management of dental anxiety among adults by way of a systematic review of Randomised controlled trials. Compared to European and US counterparts, the number of studies concerning the management of dental anxiety in the United Kingdom is limited. Several interventions have been reported with varying modes of action and duration. Two main groups of interventions: pharmacological and psychological/behavioural have been implemented. The pharmacological interventions employ the use of centrally acting sedatives whereas the psychological/behavioural interventions serve to change the behavioural and learning effects of dental anxiety. A third group operationally defined as “Complementary” for the purpose of this review consists of holistic therapies such as acupuncture, music distraction and aromatherapy for in the management of dental anxiety. Although reduction of dental anxiety before and after dental treatment has been recorded historically in the majority of trials, these have mainly investigated psychological/behavioural interventions. Exploring more recent trials, this study uncovers the benefits of complementary interventions for managing dental anxiety in adults and computer based variants of psychological/behavioural interventions. None compared the efficacy of one type or group against the other. Also, outcomes such as avoidance of dental treatment and economic implication of interventions were scarcely evaluated thus evidence on this remains inconclusive. The need for further investigation of these outcomes as well as those in Complementary Therapies is justified.
Quinizarin Derivatives as Photoinitiators for Free-Radical and Cationic Photopolymerizations in the Visible Spectral Range

We report the use of efficient visible-light sensitive allyl (QA) and epoxidized (QE) quinizarin derivatives as photoinitiating systems when combined with an appropriate electron donor (methyldiethanol amine, MDEA), an electron acceptor (iodonium salt, Iod), or a H donor (thiol derivative), for free-radical photopolymerization (FRP), cationic photopolymerization (CP), and a thiol–ene process. These systems have demonstrated excellent initiating properties under air or in laminated conditions under visible-light irradiation (LEDs@405, 455, and 470 nm or Xe lamp) for FRP, CP, or the thiol–ene process and appear more efficient than the well-known camphorquinone-based photoinitiating systems. As highlighted by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and laser flash photolysis experiments, QA (or QE) acts either as an electron donor via a photoinduced electron transfer pathway with Iod or as a proton/proton-coupled electron transfer promoter with MDEA or a thiol derivative. Two types of interpenetrated polymer n.
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Multilayer Hyperbolic Metamaterials

James Dilts M.S. O.E. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology May 2019 Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Multilayer Hyperbolic Metamaterials Thesis Advisor: Dr. Hossein Alisafaee Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) show extreme anisotropy, acting as metals and dielectrics along orthogonal directions. They are designed using the effective medium theory (EMT) and can be fabricated using standard semiconductor processing techniques. Current techniques used to characterize the optical behavior of HMMs have a high complexity or are unable to robustly determine the complex permittivity tensor. We describe the details of a procedure to obtain a very low mean-squared-error (MSE) for extraction of permittivity from hyperbolic metamaterials using spectroscopic ellipsometry. We have verified our procedure by fabricating three different samples of various materials and fill factors designed to have a response in the visible spectrum with an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) region near the Helium-Neon (He-Ne) wavelength of 633 nm. The MSE obtained in each case has been less than 1.00. Our procedure eliminates the need for complicated ellipsometric measurements and modeling techniques, as well as the need for the addition of extra parts such as prisms. Therefore, the process can be easily adopted.
Does actual overweight or perception of overweight elevate suicide risk in bullied vs. non-bullied students?

Background: For individuals in Georgia aged 10-14 and 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. Those who are overweight are often bullied by their peers, and being bullying can lead to higher risks of suicidality. There is, however, mixed evidence about the relationship between high weight and suicide. Weight perception may be a stronger predictor of suicide than actual weight. The aim of the present study was to examine, in a national sample of high school students, the interaction between weight and bullying on suicide outcomes. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed with data from the 2015 Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance Survey (YRBSS), a cross-sectional survey of high school students nationwide conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The predictor variables analyzed were actual overweight, overweight perception, and bullying. The outcome variables were suicide ideation, suicide planning, and
Progress in cognition of gas-solid interface reaction for non-oxide ceramics at high temperature

Abstract With the progress in science and technology, non-oxide ceramics (NOCs) are playing a vital role in various fields at high temperature. However, under harsh service conditions, NOCs tend to be confronted with complicated interface reactions with different media, leading to an acceleration in material failure. Among which, the gas-solid reaction is the most common one accompanied by the highest reaction rate, and the corresponding principles and methods are always applicable to solid-solid and liquid-solid reactions. Therefore, deep understanding of the gas-solid interface reaction behavior is significantly important. Herein, contemporary aspects of gas-solid interface reaction of NOCs are reviewed to show how efficient different approaches are to understand the reaction behavior and mechanism. This review covers theoretical approaches based on kinetic models, experimental approaches using advanced instruments as testing and characterization techniques, and simulative approaches with the help of first-principle calculation and molecular dynamics. Different kinetic models applied to different reaction types are introduced and compared, which have a unique advantage in describing and predicting the gas-solid interface reaction behavior of NOCs. Various techniques are illustrated to show the intuitive observation of changes in microstructure and phase composition at the reaction interface. Based on the above two aspects, the effects of external environment on the gas-solid interface reaction are explained and the significance of interface evolution of NOCs themselves is recognized. To reveal the internal reaction essence, the typical application of recently rising simulative approaches is illustrated to show their potentials in observing the reaction path at the atomic and molecular scale and revealing the reaction mechanism. Finally, some research areas worthy being carried out are pointed out. This review will give a deep understanding of the gas-solid interface reaction and provide scientific designing basis for the performance improvement of NOCs.
PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY IN DEMENTIA SUFFERING GREEK INDIVIDUALS

Dementia in geriatric patients is a significant cause of malnutrition. In this article, the impact of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy placed in these persons is explored to understand the choices of the relatives leading to their placement. A retrospective analysis of the epidemiologic, clinical and demographic data of 51 persons with PEG placement is performed. The patients’ mean age was 74 years, most of them came from another hospital department (64.71%), all returned home but three, who went to a rehabilitation center. All their relatives had a university education or higher, and in 26 cases the relative was a doctor. Lack of the large common complications, easier and faster feeding has increased the decision of the PEG placement, according to the family, who can have more “constructive time” with their relative without enormous psychological burdens.
Did Haplogroup M23 Originate In Africa

Haplogroup M23 is an ancient M haplogroup found only in Madagascar and among African Americans. In this paper we discuss the genomic , archaeological, and historical evidence that indicates that M23 may have originated in Africa, and that haplogroup M probably expanded across Africa before the out of Africa exit by anatomically modern humans 60kya.
Avaluació de diversos factors en el temps d’esplai de centres educatius

The aim of this study is to present the validation of a questionnaire to obtain objective data showing which aspects affect and can be improved in relation to the physical and emotional health of students between 6 and 12 years old during recess time in order to design changes in educational aspects. The 29-question survey seeks to reveal, through comprehensibility and internal validation, aspects related to wellbeing, health, relationships and physical activity during leisure time at school. The study was conducted in a school in Majorca using a random cluster sampling technique. In the first and second stages, 26 and 44 students, respectively, were selected from the fifth and sixth years of primary education. The questionnaire was validated through discussion by a panel of experts, an initial test of comprehensibility and the viability of the data collection methodology, and a test/ re-test to assess its reliability, consistency and validity. The results in terms of the questionnaire’s comprehensibility are extremely satisfactory, as virtually all the questions were understood by the study sample. Content validity is also very high, with mean concordance values of 92.2% and mean kappa values of . 64. Therefore, we can say that understanding is extremely satisfactory and reliability is excellent.
Gamification concept for encouraging lecture attendance

New generation of students has high dependence on technology and embrace social learning environments that have low barrier to access. This means in-class lectures are not popular anymore, and in fact has become a burden for them to cope. To resolve the issue of low student attendance, this paper proposes a character growth game with the concept of gamification in education that is able to track and reward student attendance called PetAttendToClass. PetAttendToClass is a client-based system developed using C# and unity3D game engine. Although finding from the UAT session revealed that some users believed that attendance is the responsibility of the student, gamification is meant to turn this mundane responsibility into something motivative, interactive and interesting. It is hoped that by gamifying the class attendance, student will be motivated to attend their daily classes.
Complex Network Analysis of VANET Topology With Realistic Vehicular Traces

Recent years have witnessed growing interests in vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) topology. Existing works assume that the networks generated at each time are independent. In these works, the VANET topologies are formed based on simple traffic and communication models such as unit disk graph model. Interestingly, some works find that VANETs are scale-free ones characterized by strong connectivity and survivability, while some argue that they are not. This study analyzes VANETs in more realistic settings, trying to find the answer to the paradox. Specifically, in this paper we propose a Dynamically Evolving Networking (DEN) model and take as input realistic vehicular traces to make the research and results more practical. We consider the effect of node addition, node deletion and link loss due to node mobility and keep the network evolving by including preferential attachment and link compensation mechanisms. We find that the evolved VANET exhibits a scale-invariant feature under certain conditions. We also find that the emergence of such phenomenon has no relation to communication range if the range is large. Furthermore, we apply complex network theory to capture the dynamics of the VANET. Theoretically for the first time we show that VANET would evolve into the scale-free topology when the probability of node addition is relatively large or the probability of link compensation is properly set, the presence of which would help establish a strongly connected VANET topology.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and determination of outcome of pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare but serious condition that causes progressive right ventricular (RV) failure and death. PH may be idiopathic, associated with underlying connective-tissue disease or hypoxic lung disease, and is also increasingly being observed in the setting of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The management of PH has been revolutionised by the recent development of new disease-targeted therapies which are beneficial in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but can be potentially harmful in PH due to left heart disease, so accurate diagnosis and classification of patients is essential. These PAH therapies improve exercise capacity and pulmonary haemodynamics, but their overall effect on the right ventricle remains unclear. Current practice in the UK is to assess treatment response with 6-minute walk test and NYHA functional class, neither of which truly reflects RV function. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been established as the gold standard for the evaluation of right ventricular structure and function, but it also allows a non-invasive and accurate study of the left heart. The aims of this thesis were to investigate the use of CMR in the diagnosis of PH, in the assessment of treatment response, and in predicting survival in idiopathic and connective-tissue disease associated PAH. In Chapter 3, a left atrial volume (LAV) threshold of 43 ml/m2 measured with CMR was able to distinguish idiopathic PAH from PH due to HFpEF (sensitivity 97%, specificity 100%). In Chapter 4, disease-targeted PAH therapy resulted in significant improvements in RV and left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.001 and p=0.0007, respectively), RV stroke volume index (p<0.0001), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (p=0.0015). These corresponded to observed improvements in functional class and exercise capacity, although correlation coefficients between Δ 6MWD and Δ RVEF or Δ LVEDV were low. Finally, in Chapter 5, one-year and three-year survival was worse in CTD-PAH (75% and 53%) than in IPAH (83% and 74%), despite similar baseline clinical characteristics, lung function, pulmonary haemodynamics and treatment. Baseline right ventricular stroke volume index was an independent predictor of survival in both conditions. The presence of LV systolic dysfunction was of prognostic significance in CTD-PAH but not IPAH, and a higher LAV was observed in CTD-PAH suggesting a potential contribution from LV diastolic dysfunction in this group.
The implementation of e-government and the trust of citizens in public sector performance: the mediating role of service quality

ICT and e-government are known to have a number of different effects on the service quality provided across the public sector, as well as on the perspectives and attitudes of citizens, although the effects have remained under much discussion by political observers when considering that citizens' trust in the performance of the government has witnessed decline. This work analysed the perspectives of the service recipients within the public sector in Jordan. The work carried out an analysis centred on citizen trust towards public sector performance through the role of e-government adoption. An integrated model underwent development, emphasising the link recognised between the application of e-government and the effects of public sector on citizen trust, with public sector effects mediated through the quality of services provided. The study sample encompassed 622 service recipients, with structural equation modelling applying to determine the link through examining the respondent assessment chosen through a random technique. The research results show a clear link between e-government and citizen trust. The work considers the effects of the results and accordingly makes recommendations in regards possible practical uses.
Examining Racial & Ethnic Disparities in the Reach of the Medicare Shared Savings Program

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Retrospective Evaluation of Malaria Hospitalized in Our Clinic

Date of acceptance / Kabul tarihi: March 26, 2016 / 26 Mart 2016 ABSTRACT: Retrospective evaluation of malaria hospitalized in our clinic Objective: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium genus, transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, genus Anopheles. Although there is a significant reduction in the number of malaria cases in our country, malaria still remains important globally. In this study we aimed to evaluate malaria cases hospitalized in our hospital between the years 2006-2015, retrospectively. Material and Method: Fifteen adult patients diagnosed with malaria followed at our clinic between January 2006 January 2015, were evaluated retrospectively for their epidemiological, clinical, laboratory findings, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Results: All of the patients were male. The average age was 30.5. The average length of stay of patients was 7.8 days. Fourteen cases reported a history of travel abroad (Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan) and one to Southeastern Anatolia Region. None of the patients had chemoprophylaxis. In eight cases Plasmodium vivax, in seven Plasmodium falciparum was detected. Fever (100%), splenomegaly (67%), hepatomegaly (46%), anemia (66%), leukopenia (40%), thrombocytopenia (100%), elevated sedimentation rate (65%), elevated liver function tests (53%), and increased serum creatinine (26%) levels were found in patients. Conclusion: Malaria should be in the first line for the differential diagnosis of fever in all cases with a history of travel to endemic area. Chemoprophylaxis for individuals who travel to these regions and personal protection measures are very important.
Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy for materials research

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy is simply transmission electron microscopy conducted on specimens that are cooled in the microscope. The target temperature of the specimen might range from just below ambient temperature to less than 4 K. In general, as the temperature decreases, cost increases, especially below −77°C when liquid He is required. We have two reasons for wanting to cool the specimen—improving stability of the material or observing a material whose properties change at lower temperatures. Both types of study have a long history. The cause of excitement in this field today is that we have a perfect storm of research activity—electron microscopes are almost stable with minimal drift (we can correct what drift there is), we can prepare specimens from the bulk or build them up, we have spherical-aberration-corrected lenses and monochromated beams, we have direct-electron-detector cameras, and computers are becoming powerful enough to handle all the data we produce.
Optic cup segmentation using adaptive threshold and morphological image processing

Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy. It was predicted that people with bilateral blindness caused by glaucoma will increase each year. Hence, computer-aided diagnosis of glaucoma was proposed to assist ophthalmologist to conduct a fast and accurate glaucoma screening. One of the ocular examination in screening is optic nerve examination called disc damage likelihood scale (DDLS). It is important to find the optic disc and the optic cup to determine the narrowest width of the neuroretinal rim when using DDLS. To find the optic cup, this study proposed a segmentation scheme consisting of pre-process, segmentation, convex hull and morphological opening operation. In pre-process the blood vessel was removed to make the segmentation process of the optic cup easier. The segmentation process was done by using an adaptive thresholding followed by morphological image processing such as convex hull, opening and erosion. This algorithm was applied on Magrabia dataset and attained accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of 99.50%, 99.75% and 75.19% respectively.
Utilization of a pond in East Jakarta for a sustainable urban drainage system model

High population growth in the area of East Jakarta has led to more construction of settlements, including in several areas of East Jakarta, which includes Jalan Pengantin Ali in Ciracas Sub-District. When very heavy rains fall in the rainy season, this place is often flooded, while in the dry season there is a scarcity of raw water or clean water. This study examines the application of sustainable drainage systems with the technique of making a retention pond as a flood control alternative. The purpose is to hold water runoff during the rainy season so that it does not enter the river directly, and so that some of the collected water could be used to meet the clean water supply needs of the people. The calculation of rainwater potential used the height of the monthly average rainfall. The retention pond capacity was determined by the pool simulation method during the rainy season. The planned flood discharge was calculated using the Nakayasu HSS method. The obtained results indicated a peak discharge value with a return period of 2 years that amounted to 8.84 m3/sec. The planned retention pond area is 6380.94 m2, with a retention pond height of 4 m, a dike slope of 1:1, and the elevation of the overflow base being at an altitude of 38.5 meters above sea level (masl). From the results of the HEC-RAS 5.0. 6 software, an optimal overflow width of 2 m was obtained, with an outflow discharge of 4.55 m3/sec and a pond volume of 19530 m3. With the retention pond, flood peak discharge could be reduced by 4.29 m3/sec. This will allow the flood discharge in the rainy season to be reduced and increased clean water needs in the dry season to be met.