Indoor environment propagation review

A survey of indoor propagation characteristics is presented, including different models for path loss, shadowing and fast fading mechanisms, different channel parameters including signal strength, power delay, coherence bandwidth, Doppler spread and angle of arrival. The concepts of MIMO channels are also covered. The study also explores many types of deterministic channel modelling, such as Finite Difference Time Domain, Finite Integration Method, Ray tracing and the Dominant path model. Electromagnetic properties of building materials, including frequency dependence, are also investigated and several models for propagation through buildings are reviewed

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in breast cancers

Background Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are signalling transduction molecules that have different functions and diverse behaviour in cancer. In breast cancer, MAPK is related to oestrogen receptor (ER) and HER2. Methods Protein expression of a large panel of MAPKs (JNK1/2, ERK, p38, C-JUN and ATF2 including phosphorylated forms) were assessed immunohistochemically in a large (n = 1400) and well-characterised breast cancer series prepared as tissue microarray. Moreover, reverse phase protein array was applied to quantify protein expression of MAPKs in six breast cancer cell lines with different phenotypes including HER2-transfected cells. Results MAPKs expression was associated with clinicopathological variables characteristic of good prognosis. These associations were most significant in the whole series and in the ER? subgroup compared to other BC classes. Most of MAPKs showed a positive association with ER, BCL2 and better outcome and were negatively associated with the proliferation marker Ki67 and p53. Association of MAPK with HER2 was mainly seen in the ER- subgroup. Reverse phase protein array confirmed immunohistochemistry results and revealed differential expression of MAPK proteins in ER? and ER- cell lines. Conclusions MAPKs are associated with good prognosis and their expression is mainly related to ER. Studying a large panel rather than individual biomarkers may provide improved understanding of the pathwa

A Systematic Review on the Validity of Teledentistry

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the validity of using teledentistry in oral care examination and diagnosis. Methods: In June 2016, a systematic search of the literature was conducted without time restrictions in three electronic databases (Ebscohost, Pubmed, and Scopus). Two reviewers screened the retrieved articles first by title and then by abstract to determine relevant articles for full text review. Studies included were as follows: (1) related to teledentistry, (2) available in full text and English, (3) compared teledentistry application to a gold standard, and (4) provided clear statistical tests for validity. The methodological quality of studies was determined using the “Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS).” Results: Seventy-nine studies met the initial search criteria. Following removal of duplicate articles, only 58 were remaining and reviewed by title and abstract, yielding 14 full-text articles. Nine of the full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. Results of the QUADAS assessment varied from 9 to 13 out of 14 items; therefore, studies demonstrated high quality (\u3e60%). Validity of teledentistry varied and is reported by range for the following statistics: sensitivity (n = 8, 25–100%), specificity (n = 7, 68–100%), positive predictive value (n = 5, 57–100%), and negative predictive value (n = 5, 50–100%). Kappa statistics were also reported for evaluation of reliability between gold standard and teledentistry examination (n = 6, 46–93%). Conclusions: Teledentistry could be comparable to face-to-face for oral screening, especially in school-based programs, rural areas and areas with limited access to care, and long-term care facilities. Identification of oral diseases, referrals, and teleconsultations are possible and valid. The need for methodologically designed studies with appropriate statistical tests to determine the validity of teledentistry exists

Application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model to Predict Dental Students\u27 Behavioral Intention to Use Teledentistry

Abstract Teledentistry is an innovative technology that can be used to improve access to care and oral health outcomes. Dental students’ intention to use teledentistry after completing dental school has not been investigated. Purpose The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used to predict intentions to use teledentistry among 4th-year U.S. dental students. Methods A cross-sectional approach was performed for a 7-week period in Spring 2019. All U.S. dental schools (N = 66) were invited to participate and 16 schools agreed to participate. An anonymous survey link was emailed to academic deans for dissemination to students. A total of 1416 4th-year dental students received the anonymous survey link and 210 students completed the survey (response rate = 14.8%). The survey included questions and scales that measured the UTAUT constructs of performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), and behavioral intentions (BI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. The study was deemed exempt by institutional review board. Results The dental students’ BI to use teledentistry was significantly predicted by PE (R2 = 33%, P \u3c 0.01), EE (R2 = 24%, P \u3c 0.01), SI (R2 = 24%, P \u3c 0.01), and FC (R2 = 14%, P \u3c 0.01). The UTAUT model was statistically significant in predicting the BI and explained 40% of BI variance (R2 = .40, P \u3c 0.01). Conclusions Dental students’ perceptions about PE, EE, SI, and FC were associated with BI. Therefore, exposure to teledentistry while in dental school could increase the likelihood of use as a practicing provider

The Effect of Oral Microbes on Human

The goal of the current study is the effect of oral microbes on humans. What are the microbes that are present in the mouth area, and what is the extent of their impact on the upper area of humans (mouth, teeth, upper and lower jaw)? The questionnaire was created electronically via the Google Drive program, and then distributed via mobile phone to Social Media Program (The target population is residents of the city of Makkah, who are between the ages of 25-55 years. The social network WhatsApp was used to distribute 450 questionnaires, and the researcher received electronic responses to 440 questionnaires via email

Genome-Wide Transcription During Early Wheat Meiosis Is Independent of Synapsis, Ploidy Level, and the Ph1 Locus

Polyploidization is a fundamental process in plant evolution. One of the biggest challenges faced by a new polyploid is meiosis, particularly discriminating between multiple related chromosomes so that only homologous chromosomes synapse and recombine to ensure regular chromosome segregation and balanced gametes. Despite its large genome size, high DNA repetitive content and similarity between homoeologous chromosomes, hexaploid wheat completes meiosis in a shorter period than diploid species with a much smaller genome. Therefore, during wheat meiosis, mechanisms additional to the classical model based on DNA sequence homology, must facilitate more efficient homologous recognition. One such mechanism could involve exploitation of differences in chromosome structure between homologs and homoeologs at the onset of meiosis. In turn, these chromatin changes, can be expected to be linked to transcriptional gene activity. In this study, we present an extensive analysis of a large RNA-seq data derived from six different genotypes: wheat, wheat–rye hybrids and newly synthesized octoploid triticale, both in the presence and absence of the Ph1 locus. Plant material was collected at early prophase, at the transition leptotene-zygotene, when the telomere bouquet is forming and synapsis between homologs is beginning. The six genotypes exhibit different levels of synapsis and chromatin structure at this stage; therefore, recombination and consequently segregation, are also different. Unexpectedly, our study reveals that neither synapsis, whole genome duplication nor the absence of the Ph1 locus are associated with major changes in gene expression levels during early meiotic prophase. Overall wheat transcription at this meiotic stage is therefore highly resilient to such alterations, even in the presence of major chromatin structural changes. Further studies in wheat and other polyploid species will be required to reveal whether these observations are specific to wheat meiosis

A systematic literature review to explore lived experiences with phantom limb phenomenon following a lower extremity amputation: a qualitative synthesis

ObjectiveIn this review we aimed to understand better frequent experiences accompanying phantom limb issues from patients’ perspective and accordingly to generate recommendations for clinical practice.MethodsA systematic literature review approach was utilized and articles meeting the eligibility criteria were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). Additionally, a meta-synthesis approach was adopted to combine and analyze the data.ResultsTen relevant studies were critiqued, key themes were: 1) early Information Provision about phantom Limb Pain (PLP) and Participants’ Satisfaction; 2) the PLP's described characteristics; 3) different Emotions and Psychosocial Issues with PLP; 4) the Impact of the PLP on Performing Daily Activities; and 5) the experienced strategies to address the PLP.ConclusionThe experience of phantom limb varies among individuals with lower limb amputation (LLA); however, for many, PLP significantly affects both physical and psychological well-being, adding an additional burden to the overall experience of amputation. Addressing these challenges should begin with early education, followed by a rehabilitation process that considers individual differences in coping mechanisms. Moreover, patients’ preferences should be prioritized when selecting prosthetic devices and determining the most appropriate treatment strategies for managing PLP

Trace elements in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hemodialysis patients are at risk for deficiency of essential trace elements and excess of toxic trace elements, both of which can affect health. We conducted a systematic review to summarize existing literature on trace element status in hemodialysis patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All studies which reported relevant data for chronic hemodialysis patients and a healthy control population were eligible, regardless of language or publication status. We included studies which measured at least one of the following elements in whole blood, serum, or plasma: antimony, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, tellurium, thallium, vanadium, and zinc. We calculated differences between hemodialysis patients and controls using the differences in mean trace element level, divided by the pooled standard deviation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 128 eligible studies. Available data suggested that levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and vanadium were higher and that levels of selenium, zinc and manganese were lower in hemodialysis patients, compared with controls. Pooled standard mean differences exceeded 0.8 standard deviation units (a large difference) higher than controls for cadmium, chromium, vanadium, and lower than controls for selenium, zinc, and manganese. No studies reported data on antimony, iodine, tellurium, and thallium concentrations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Average blood levels of biologically important trace elements were substantially different in hemodialysis patients, compared with healthy controls. Since both deficiency and excess of trace elements are potentially harmful yet amenable to therapy, the hypothesis that trace element status influences the risk of adverse clinical outcomes is worthy of investigation.</p