Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Burden of Severe Tooth Loss

The goal of the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study has been to systematically produce comparable estimates of the burden of 291 diseases and injuries and their associated 1,160 sequelae from 1990 to 2010. We aimed to report here internally consistent prevalence and incidence estimates of severe tooth loss for all countries, 20 age groups, and both sexes for 1990 and 2010. The systematic search of the literature yielded 5,618 unique citations. After titles and abstracts were screened, 5,285 citations were excluded as clearly not relevant to this systematic review, leaving 333 for full-text review; 265 publications were further excluded following the validity assessment. A total of 68 studies—including 285,746 individuals aged 12 yr or older in 26 countries—were included in the meta-analysis using modeling resources of the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Between 1990 and 2010, the global age-standardized prevalence of edentate people decreased from 4.4% (95% uncertainty interval: 4.1%, 4.8%) to 2.4% (95% UI: 2.2%, 2.7%), and incidence rate decreased from 374 cases per 100,000 person-years (95% UI: 347, 406) to 205 cases (95% UI: 187, 226). No differences were found by sex in 2010. Prevalence increased gradually with age, showing a steep increase around the seventh decade of life that was associated with a peak in incidence at 65 years. Geographic differences in prevalence, incidence, and rate of improvement from 1990 to 2010 were stark. Our review of available quality literature on the epidemiology of tooth loss shows a significant decline in the prevalence and incidence of severe tooth loss between 1990 and 2010 at the global, regional, and country levels.
Vertebral segmentation using contourlet-based salient point matching and localized multiscale shape prior

Medical experts often examine hundreds of spine x-rays to determine existence of diseases like osteoarthritis, osteoporoses, and osteophites. Accurate vertebrae segmentation plays a great role in the proper assessment of various vertebral abnormalities. Manual segmentation methods are both time consuming and non-reproducible, hence, developing efficient computer-assisted segmentation methods has been a long standing goal. Over the past decade, segmentation methods that utilize statistical models of shape and appearance have drawn much interest within the medical imaging community. However, despite being a promising approach, they are always faced with a number of challenges such as: poor image quality, and the ability to generalize well to unseen vertebral deformities. This paper presents a novel vertebral segmentation method using Contourlet-based salient point matching and a localized multi-scale shape prior. We employ a multi-scale directional analysis tool, namely contourlets, to build local appearance profiles at salient points of the vertebra's body. The contourlet-based local appearance model is used to detect the vertebral bodies in the test x-ray image. A novel localized multi-scale shape prior is used to drive the segmentation process. Within a best-basis selection framework, the proposed shape prior benefits from the multi-scale nature of wavelet packets, and the capability of ICA to capture hidden independent modes of variations. Experiments were conducted using a set of 100 digital x-ray images of lumbar spines. The contourlet-based appearance profiles and the localized multi-scale shape prior were constructed using a training subset of images, and then matched to unseen images. Promising results were obtained compared to related work in the literature with an average segmentation error of 1.1997 mm.
Inference of k-Testable Languages in the Strict Sense and Application to Syntactic Pattern Recognition

The inductive inference of the class of k-testable languages in the strict sense (k-TSSL) is considered. A k-TSSL is essentially defined by a finite set of substrings of length k that are permitted to appear in the strings of the language. Given a positive sample R of strings of an unknown language, a deterministic finite-state automation that recognizes the smallest k-TSSL containing R is obtained. The inferred automation is shown to have a number of transitions bounded by O(m) where m is the number of substrings defining this k-TSSL, and the inference algorithm works in O(kn log m) where n is the sum of the lengths of all the strings in R. The proposed methods are illustrated through syntactic pattern recognition experiments in which a number of strings generated by ten given (source) non-k-TSSL grammars are used to infer ten k-TSSL stochastic automata, which are further used to classify new strings generated by the same source grammars. The results of these experiments are consistent with the theory and show the ability of (stochastic) k-TSSLs to approach other classes of regular languages. >
Surgical management of cryptorchidism in the horse

ANY horse with no palpable scrotal testicles is potentially a cryptorchid, while a horse with only one palpable testicle is almost invariably a cryptorchid. In most cases, a horse with no palpable scrotal testicles is a gelding, but up to 15 per cent of cryptorchid cases are bilateral. Left and right testicles are equally likely to be retained, but while retained there is an increased incidence of incomplete cryptorchidisim on the right side. Cryptorchids can be further classified as inguinal, incomplete abdominal or abdominal, depending on the ultimate location of the testicle. Cryptorchidism is an inherited disorder and, although the genetics of the condition are complex and not completely resolved in the horse, the use of cryptorchid stallions is not recommended. This article discusses a surgical approach to the management of cryptorchidism; namely, preinguinal exploration and castration, and suprapubic paramedian laparotomy.
On Three-Dimensional Surface Reconstruction Methods

A survey is presented of some of the surface reconstruction methods that can be found in the literature; the focus is on a small, recent, and important subset of the published reconstruction techniques. The techniques are classified based on the surface representation used, implicit versus explicit functions. A study is made of the important aspects of the surface reconstruction techniques. One aspect is the viewpoint invariance of the methods. This is an important property if object recognition is the ultimate objective. The robustness of the various methods is examined. It is determined whether the parameter estimates are biased, and the sensitivity to obscuration is addressed. The latter two aspects are particularly important for fitting functions in the implicit form. A detailed description is given of a parametric reconstruction method for three-dimensional object surfaces that involves numeric grid generation techniques and variational principle formulations. This technique is invariant to rigid motion in dimensional space. >
German neuroblastoma mass screening study at 12 months of age: statistical aspects and preliminary results

Background The question of whether screening for neuroblastoma (NB) results in a substantial improvement of the prognosis of the disease is still open. All data, including those of the European pilot studies, indicate the possibility of overdiagnosis in the case of possibly spontaneously regressing NBs if the screening is performed before 6 months of age. Based on two pilot studies (at 6 and 12 months), an epidemiological approach to evaluate NB screening at 12 months of age was started in May 1995. Procedure Extensive statistical considerations about the assessment of a the sample size and overdiagnosis have been made in preparing the study design of the controlled and population-based screening validation study. Screening takes place in 6 of the 16 German states, with the remaining serving as controls. A minimum of 1,250,000 children will be tested during the study period and the same number will be followed without screening. The German Children's Cancer Registry enables a nearly complete follow-up of all NB patients in Germany. By postponing the procedure to a later age, it should be possible to control the phenomenon of overdiagnosis at a reasonable level. Results Until December 31, 1997, 644,396 children were examined and 67 cases of NB detected preclinically (detection rate: 10.4/100,000). Within this cohort, three false negative cases were found. One child with stage 2B neuroblastoma died of a surgical complication. The compliance rate in this study is 65% and thus lower than expected. Preliminary results on overdiagnosis will be available in late 1998. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 31:435–441, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells Engineered by an Ammonia Modified Graphene Oxide Interfacial Layer.

UNLABELLED The introduction of an ammonia modified graphene oxide (GO:NH3) layer into perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) with a structure of indium-tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) ( PEDOT PSS)-GO: NH3/CH3NH3PbI3-xClx/phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/(solution Bphen) sBphen/Ag improves their performance and perovskite structure stability significantly. The fabricated devices with a champion PCE up to 16.11% are superior in all the performances in comparison with all the reference devices without the GO:NH3 layer. To understand the improved device performances, synchrotron-based grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-visible absorption measurements have been conducted on perovskite films on different substrates. It was found that these improvements should be partially attributed to the improved crystallization and preferred orientation order of peovskite structure, partially to the improved morphology with nearly complete coverage, partially to the enhanced optical absorption caused by the PEDOT PSS-GO:NH3 layer, and partially to the better matched energy-level-alignment at the perovskite interface. Furthermore, the device was shown to be more stable in the ambient condition, which is clearly associated with the improved peovskite structure stability by the GO:NH3 layer observed by the GIXRD measurements. All these achievements will promote more applications of chemically modified graphene oxide interfacial layer in the PSCs as well as other organic multilayer devices.
Response to Letter to the Editor, “Osterix Regulates Tooth Root Formation in a Site-specific Manner”

We appreciate the letter to the editor from Dr. Feng (Feng et al. 2015) in response to our article titled “Osterix Regulates Tooth Root Formation in a Site-specific Manner” (Kim et al. 2015). A major issue is raised from our interpretation about the localization of Osterix and dentin phenotypes of 2 independent conditional Osterix knockout mouse lines (Kim et al. 2015). Dr. Feng’s group recently reported that Osterix has an essential role in tooth root but not crown dentin formation (Zhang et al. 2015). Regardless of the difference in transactivators, dentin phenotype seems to be similar in Osterix mutants of 2 reports. In our observation, Osterix mutant mice did not show remarkable dentin phenotype in crown but did exhibit severe impairment of interradicular dentin in molar roots. In this region, both dental mesenchyme and HERS proliferation was relatively lower than in the root elongation region. This finding indicates that Osterix plays a critical role in odontoblast differentiation in a site-specific manner. In this context, it is notable that “rootless” teeth are produced without crown defect in the tissue-specific β-catenin inactivation mice (Kim et al. 2013). We also examined tooth phenotype of Osterix null newborn mice (Appendix Fig.). Although crown morphogenesis was normal, differentiation of both odontoblasts and ameloblasts was disrupted as reported previously (Clarke et al. 2014). In addition, Osterix is known to be short-lived protein, easily sumoylated and ubiquitinated (Hosoya et al. 2013; Peng et al. 2013). It could be associated with the discrepancies in Osterix expression between mRNA and protein level. We hope that our finding could contribute to further understanding the principles underlying tooth root formation.
Coordination in information exchange between organizational decision units

The information technology (IT) infrastructure of today's organization is often one of distributed networked computing, with a flexible architecture to incorporate diverse software and hardware components to meet the needs of different user groups. One problem that may be encountered in this environment is the lack of information exchange across user groups or teams because of incompatible data definitions, diversity of formats, and differences in information processing capabilities and IT resource allocation across the organization. Successful information flows involve a user group providing information attribute levels (e.g., levels of precision or detail, timeliness, etc.), data definitions, formats and presentation styles required by the recipient group(s). When information exchange occurs without a fit between the attribute required and that provided, we have the problem of "information coordination. " It is thus critical to design and implement a set of organizational mechanisms which will encourage units within an organization to share relevant information in a coordinated manner. We develop a stylized model of coordination based information exchange between two decision units, and show that structured communication regarding the units' intended information sharing choices can partly mitigate the problem of coordination. When there is uniformity in information management capability and IT resources across the organization, the positive impact of such communication is reinforced, These results imply an emerging role of MIS, where the latter functions as a coordinator of communication and understanding between interdependent derision units, and a facilitator of equity in information processing capability across the units.
α‐crystallin: a review of its structure and function

α‐crystallin, the major protein of the mammalian lens in most species, is an aggregate assembled from two polypeptides, each with a molecular weight around 20,000 Da. It is polydisperse and can be isolated in a variety of forms, including spherical particles with molecular weights ranging upwards from about 200 kDa.
Rise in the intramammary pressure of the ewe after injection of water into the inguinal artery

The injection of distilled water into the inguinal artery of the anesthetized Manech ewe caused intramammary pressure to rise (fig. 1) ; the deflexion level was higher the larger the volume of water injected (0.5 to 8 ml ; fig. 2) and the shorter the injection time (3.5 to 28 seconds : fig. 3). The pressure increase obtained with 4 ml of water injected in 3.5 seconds had the following characteristics (8 animals, 88 injections) :
Delivery of RANKL-Binding Peptide OP3-4 Promotes BMP-2–Induced Maxillary Bone Regeneration

Although bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is known to stimulate osteogenesis, there is evidence that high doses of BMP-2 can lead to side effects, including inflammation and carcinogenesis. The supplementation of other bone-augmenting agents is considered helpful in preventing such side effects by reducing the amount of BMP-2 required to obtain a sufficient amount of bone. We recently showed that a receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)–binding peptide promotes osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether OP3-4, a RANKL-binding peptide, promotes BMP-2–induced bone formation in the murine maxilla using an injectable gelatin hydrogel (GH) carrier. A GH carrier containing OP3-4 with BMP-2 was subperiosteally injected into the murine maxillary right diastema between the incisor and the first molar. The mice were sacrificed 28 d after the injections. The local bone formation in the OP3-4-BMP-2–injected group was analyzed in comparison to the carrier-injected, BMP-2–injected, and control-peptide-BMP-2–injected groups. The GH carrier containing OP3-4 with BMP-2 enlarged the radio-opaque area and increased the bone mineral content and density in the radiological analyses in comparison to the other experimental groups. Interestingly, fluorescence-based histological analyses revealed that the mineralization had started from the outside, then proceeded inward, suggesting that the size of the newly formed bone had already been set before calcification started and that the effects of OP3-4 might be involved in accelerating the early steps of osteogenesis. Actually, OP3-4 enhanced the BMP-2–induced 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU)–positive cell numbers at the injected site on day 7 and the expression of Runx2 and Col1a1, which are early osteogenic cell markers, on day 10 after the subperiosteal injections. In summary, we demonstrated, for the first time, that the application of OP3-4 by subperiosteal injection promoted BMP-2–induced bone formation, which could lead to the development of an easy and noninvasive means of promoting alveolar ridge formation.
Beeinflusst die Häufigkeit des Zähneputzens die Entstehung kariöser Läsionen?

Toothbrushing is considered fundamental self-care behavior for maintenance of oral health, and brushing twice a day has become a social norm, but the evidence base for this frequency is weak. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effect of toothbrushing frequency on the incidence and increment of carious lesions. Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched. Screening and quality assessment were performed by 2 independent reviewers. Three different meta-analyses were conducted: 2 based on the caries outcome reported in the studies (incidence and increment) with subgroup analyses of categories of toothbrushing frequency; another included all studies irrespective of the caries outcome reported with the type of dentition as subgroups. Meta-regression was conducted to assess the influence of sample size, follow-up period, diagnosis level for carious lesions, and methodological quality of the articles on the effect estimate. Searches retrieved 5,494 titles: after removing duplicates, 4,305 remained. Of these, 74 were reviewed in full, but only 33 were eligible for inclusion. Self-reported infrequent brushers demonstrated higher incidence (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 1.69) and increment (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.28; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.44) of carious lesions than frequent brushers. The odds of having carious lesions differed little when subgroup analysis was conducted to compare the incidence between ≥2 times/d vs <2 times/d (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.74) and ≥1 time/d vs <1 time/d brushers (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.37 to 1.78). When meta-analysis was conducted with the type of dentition as subgroups, the effect of infrequent brushing on incidence and increment of carious lesions was higher in deciduous (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.49 to 2.06) than permanent dentition (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.49). Findings from meta-regression indicated that none of the included variables influenced the effect estimate.
The Salivary Microbiome and Oral Cancer Risk: A Pilot Study in Fanconi Anemia

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by chromosomal instability and impaired DNA damage repair. FA patients develop oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) earlier and more frequently than the general population, especially after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although evidence of an etiological role of the local microbiome and carcinogenesis has been mounting, no information exists regarding the oral microbiome of FA patients. The aim of this study was to explore the salivary microbiome of 61 FA patients regarding their oral health status and OSCC risk factors. After answering a questionnaire and receiving clinical examination, saliva samples were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region. The microbial profiles associated with medical and clinical parameters were analyzed using general linear models. Patients were young (mean age, 22 y) and most had received HSCT (n = 53). The most abundant phyla were Firmicutes [mean relative abundance (SD), 42.1% (10.1%)] and Bacteroidetes [(25.4% (11.4%)]. A history of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (n = 27) was associated with higher proportions of Firmicutes (43.8% × 38.5%, P = 0.05). High levels of gingival bleeding were associated with the genera Prevotella (22.25% × 20%), Streptococcus (19.83% × 17.61%), Porphyromonas (3.63% × 1.42%, P = 0.03), Treponema (1.02% × 0.28%, P = 0.009), Parvimonas (0.28% × 0.07%, P = 0.02) and Dialister (0.27% × 0.10%, P = 0.04). Finally, participants transplanted over 11 y ago showed the highest levels of Streptococcus (18.4%), Haemophilus (12.7%) and Neisseria (6.8%). In conclusion, FA patients that showed poor oral hygiene harbored higher proportions of the genera of bacteria compatible with gingival disease. Specific microbial differences were associated with a history of oral GVHD and a history of oral mucositis.
Mobilisationswirkung von Blickfolgebewegungen im Zervikomotogramm1 , 2

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine sehr wirksame und schonende Mobilisation von Rotationsblockierungen der Segmente C1/2 und C2/3 beschrieben: Obwohl der Patient zu rein vertikalen Augenbewegungen in der zugeordneten Atemphase aufgefordert wird, kommt es regelma! 3ig zu einer Rotationsmobilisation. Bei zervikomotografischer Registrierung an 8 gesunden Probauden zeigten sich entweder kontinuierliche Rotationswinkelvergrol3erungen oder in Abhangigkeit von der Atmungs-Blickwendungs-Phase wechselnde Winkelãnderungen. Die Rotationszunahme zeigte sich dreimal erwartungsgemaI3 in der Exspirationsphase, aber zweimal in der Inspiration. Dreimal waren sogar synkinetische Seitneigebewegungen erkennbar. Das Bewegungsmuster der Probanden war auf beiden Seiten und in beiden Segmenten in gleicher Form nachweisbar. Diese synkinetischen Bewegungen bei vertikalen Augenbewegungen scheinen bei nicht neutraler Kopfeinstellung die Mobilisation der Rotationsrichtung zu bewirken.
Throughput driven check point selection in suspicious timing error prediction based designs

In this paper, a throughput-driven design technique is proposed, in which a suspicious timing error prediction circuit is inserted to monitor the signal transitions at some selected check points. Unlike previous works where timing errors are detected after their occurrence, the proposed method tries to use the real intermediate signal transitions for timing error prediction. The check point selection will affect both the maximal operation frequency and the suspicious timing error overestimation rate, both of which have an effect on the overall throughput, thus an analysis on the check point selection is also given. In our work, the circuit can be overclocked by a factor of 2 or more with ignorable area overhead while guarantees the always-correct output.