Clinical Evaluation of a Universal Adhesive in Non-Carious Cervical Lesions

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)The “total-etch” or “etch-and-rinse” systems have been the gold standard of dental bonding for decades. However, these systems are very technique-sensitive and time-consuming compared to newer “self-etch” or “self-adhesive” systems and have been implicated in cases of postoperative sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two surface treatment protocols (self-etch vs. selective-etch) on the clinical performance of a universal adhesive and resin composite in Class V non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). Thirty-three volunteer subjects (17 male; 16 female; age range = 20 to 75 years) having at least two NCCLs were selected from patients of record at Indiana University School of Dentistry. Each subject received one resin composite restoration (Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent) utilizing a self-etch (SfE) universal adhesive (Adhese Universal, Ivoclar Vivadent) with no separate enamel etching and another restoration utilizing adhesive and selective enamel etching (SelE) with 37% phosphoric acid (H3PO4). Both the adhesive and composite were placed following the manufacturer’s instructions. The two techniques were compared for differences in sensitivity, retention, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, and clinical acceptability at baseline and 6 months using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests for stratified, ordered categorical outcomes. Seventy-four restorations (37 SfE, 37 SelE) in 30 volunteers were evaluated at 12 months. No significant differences were found between the SfE and SelE groups for any variable at the 12-month recall (p>0.21). Retention was 100% at 12 months for both groups. Marginal adaptation was significantly worse at 12 months than at baseline for SelE (p=0.0163), but there was no difference for SfE (p=0.08). Sensitivity improved significantly from baseline to 12 months for both SelE (p=0.0113) and SfE (p=0.0128). The results obtained from this study are comparable to results observed in similar studies. Like similar studies involving self-etch adhesives in non-carious cervical lesions, our study showed no restorations lost to caries and excellent retention. The deterioration of selective-etch dentin margins was a result that differed from similar studies. A likely explanation for this finding would be the difficulty of controlling precise placement of phosphoric acid gel, causing undesired etching of dentin; this could result in suboptimal bonding to dentin. This report on 12-month data for a two-year study indicates significantly reduced sensitivity for both the SelE and SfE groups, and deterioration of SelE marginal adaptation. No decreases in retention, marginal discoloration, or clinical acceptability were observed in either group

Studies On Wheat Resistance To UG99

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. October 2010. Major: Plant Pathology. Advisor: Yue Jin. 1 computer file (PDF); xv, 234 pages.Wheat stem rust caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) has historically been a devastating disease of wheat. In 1998, a race of Pgt was detected in Uganda that is virulent to the majority of wheat cultivars being grown. This new race, commonly referred to as Ug99, was characterized as race TTKSK based upon the North American stem rust differentials. Race TTKSK has recently spread throughout eastern and southern Africa, and into the Middle East. Data suggest that Ug99 can alternatively be described as Pgt race PTKSK, based upon demonstrated avirulence to stem rust resistance gene Sr21. Accessions of wild relatives of wheat, Triticum monococcum, T. urartu, and Aegilops tauschii were screened with Pgt race TTKSK. Crosses among resistant and susceptible accessions of T. monococcum led to the characterization of two new stem rust resistance genes effective to Pgt-TTKSK. Preliminary screening of 700 accessions of spring wheat led to the identification of 88 accessions with resistance to Ug99. Examination of the genetics of resistance in one of these accessions, SD 1691, identified Sr28 as conferring a high level of resistance. Molecular markers linked to Sr28 were identified on chromosome arm 2BL. Examination of the genetics of resistance in Gabo 56 indicated the presence of a single dominant gene. This gene was temporarily designated as SrGabo56 and mapped on chromosome arm 2BL. Segregation of resistance in the progeny of the cross between SD 1691 and Gabo 56 indicated that Sr28 and SrGabo56 are linked. Characterization of the genetics of resistance to Pgt-TTKSK in synthetic wheat TA4152-37, resulted in the identification of Sr13 in TA4152-37. Molecular markers linked to Sr13 in hexaploid wheat were identified on chromosome arm 6AL. Overall, 3 new stem rust resistance genes effective to Pgt-TTKSK were identified. Molecular markers linked to SrGabo56, Sr13, and Sr28 were described. The identification of markers linked to multiple stem rust resistance genes will facilitate the combination of these genes in breeding lines. The identification of the new sources of resistance to Pgt-TTKSK will provide plant breeders with additional tools to protect wheat from this dangerous race

Amputee perception of prosthetic ankle stiffness during locomotion

Abstract Background Prosthetic feet are spring-like, and their stiffness critically affects the wearer’s stability, comfort, and energetic cost of walking. Despite the importance of stiffness in ambulation, the prescription process often entails testing a limited number of prostheses, which may result in patients receiving a foot with suboptimal mechanics. To understand the resolution with which prostheses should be individually optimized, we sought to characterize below-knee prosthesis users’ psychophysical sensitivity to prosthesis stiffness. Methods We used a novel variable-stiffness ankle prosthesis to measure the repeatability of user-selected preferred stiffness, and implemented a psychophysical experiment to characterize the just noticeable difference of stiffness during locomotion. Results All eight subjects with below-knee amputation exhibited high repeatability in selecting their Preferred Stiffness (mean coefficient of variation: 14.2 ± 1.7%) and were able to correctly identify a 7.7 ± 1.3% change in ankle stiffness (with 75% accuracy). Conclusions This high sensitivity suggests prosthetic foot stiffness should be tuned with a high degree of precision on an individual basis. These results also highlight the need for a pairing of new robotic prescription tools and mechanical characterizations of prosthetic feet.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146187/1/12984_2018_Article_432.pd

Kortsiktige aksjekurseffekter ved rapporterte innsidehandler på Oslo Børs : en empirisk studie av norske innsidehandler

Denne utredningen har ved hjelp av eventstudiemetoden studert de kortsiktige effektene av 467 rapporterte innsidehandler ved Oslo Børs i tidsperioden 01.09.2008 til 31.08.2010. Disse effektene er analysert med utgangspunkt i fem ulike faktorer i et forsøk på å avdekke trender og forskjeller mellom de ulike innsidehandlene. I samsvar med majoritetsandelen av tidligere forskning finner vi at innsidere oppnår akkumulert gjennomsnittlig anormal avkastning (CAR) signifikant forskjellig fra null. For kjøpstransaksjoner oppnår innsidere CAR på 2,02% i løpet av de første to dagene etter handelen, og tilsvarende -1,64% for salgstransaksjoner. Når det gjelder effektene av innsidekjøp, viser analysene flere faktorer som signifikant påvirker anormal avkastning. Vi finner at store kjøpssummer, handler i selskaper med markedsverdi mellom 1 og 3 milliarder og handler i selskaper som har falt mye 14 dager før handelen, genererer størst signifikant CAR for periode (0,2) på henholdsvis 3,96%, 3,41% og 3,16%. Studien viser også at innsiders stilling vil ha påvirking på den anormale avkastningen. Videre finner vi at innsidekjøp har signifikant høyere anormal avkastning i nedgangstider enn oppgangstider. For salgstransaksjoner gir salg i små selskaper signifikant CAR på -6,79%. Resultatene viser også at innsidesalg har signifikant høyere negativ anormal avkastning i oppgangstider enn nedgangstider. I tillegg er innsidere gode til å “time” markedet ved at de kjøper aksjer etter at verdien har falt mye og omvendt selger aksjer etter at verdien har steget mye. Tilslutt slår utredningen fast at utsidere kan replikere innsidere og oppnå anormal avkastning

Wheat gene Sr60 encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains that confers resistance to stem rust.

Wheat stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici (Pgt), is a devastating fungal disease threatening global wheat production. The present paper reports the identification of stem rust resistance gene Sr60, a race-specific gene from diploid wheat Triticum monococcum L. that encodes a protein with two putative kinase domains. This gene, designated as WHEAT TANDEM KINASE 2 (WTK2), confers intermediate levels of resistance to Pgt. WTK2 was identified by map-based cloning and validated by transformation of a c.10-kb genomic sequence including WTK2 into susceptible common wheat variety Fielder (Triticum aestivum L.). Transformation of Fielder with WTK2 was sufficient to confer Pgt resistance. Sr60 transcripts were transiently upregulated 1 d post-inoculation with Pgt, but not in mock-inoculated plants. The upregulation of Sr60 was associated with stable upregulation of several pathogenesis-related genes. The Sr60-resistant haplotype found in T. monococcum was not found in polyploid wheat, suggesting an opportunity to introduce a novel resistance gene. Sr60 was successfully introgressed into hexaploid wheat, and we developed a diagnostic molecular marker to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other resistance genes. The cloned Sr60 also can be a useful component of transgenic cassettes including other resistance genes with complementary resistance profiles

Identification of New Sources of Resistance to Wheat Stem Rust in Aegilops spp. in the Tertiary Genepool of Wheat

Recent stem rust epidemics in eastern Africa and elsewhere demonstrated that wheat stem rust is a re-emerging disease posing a threat to wheat production worldwide. The cultivated wheat gene pool has a narrow genetic base for resistance to virulent races, such as races in the Ug99 race group. Wild relatives of wheat are a tractable source of stem rust resistance genes. Aegilops species in the tertiary genepool have not been exploited to any great extent as a source of stem rust resistance. We evaluated 1,422 accessions of Aegilops spp. for resistance to three highly virulent races (TTKSK, TRTTF, and TTTTF) of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici. Species studied include Ae. biuncialis, Ae. caudata, Ae. comosa, Ae. cylindrica, Ae. geniculata, Ae. neglecta, Ae. peregrina, Ae. triuncialis, and Ae. umbellulata that do not share common genomes with cultivated wheat. High frequencies of resistance were observed as 977 (68.8%), 927 (65.2%), and 850 (59.8%) accessions exhibited low infection types to races TTKSK, TTTTF, and TRTTF, respectively. Contingency table analyses showed strong association for resistance to different races in several Aegilops spp., indicating that for a given species, the resistance genes effective against multiple races. Inheritance studies in selected accessions showed that resistance to race TTKSK is simply inherited

Virtual-reality exergaming improves performance during high-intensity interval training

Purpose: To determine if: i) mean power output and enjoyment of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are enhanced by virtual-reality (VR)-exergaming (track mode) compared to standard ergometry (blank mode), ii) if mean power output of HIIT can be increased by allowing participants to race against their own performance (ghost mode) or by increasing the resistance (hard mode), without compromising exercise enjoyment. Methods: Sixteen participants (8 males, 8 females, VO2max: 41.2 ± 10.8 ml-1 · kg-1 · min-1) completed four VR-HIIT conditions in a partially-randomised cross-over study; 1a) blank, 1b) track, 2a) ghost, and 2b) hard. VR-HIIT sessions consisted of eight 60 s high-intensity intervals at a resistance equivalent to 70% (77% for hard) maximum power output (PMAX), interspersed by 60 s recovery intervals at 12.5% PMAX, at a self-selected cadence. Expired gases were collected and VO2 measured continuously. Post-exercise questionnaires were administered to identify differences in indices related to intrinsic motivation, subjective vitality, and future exercise intentions. Results: Enjoyment was higher for track vs. blank (difference: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.3) with no other differences between conditions. There was no difference in mean power output for track vs. blank, however it was higher for track vs. ghost (difference: 5 Watts; CI: 3, 7), and hard vs. ghost (difference: 19 Watts; 95% CI: 15, 23).Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that VR-exergaming is an effective intervention to increase enjoyment during a single bout of HIIT in untrained individuals. The presence of a ghost may be an effective method to increase exercise intensity of VR-HIIT

Nested association mapping of stem rust resistance in wheat using genotyping by sequencing

We combined the recently developed genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method with joint mapping (also known as nested association mapping) to dissect and understand the genetic architecture controlling stem rust resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Ten stem rust resistant wheat varieties were crossed to the susceptible line LMPG-6 to generate F6 recombinant inbred lines. The recombinant inbred line populations were phenotyped in Kenya, South Africa, and St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. By joint mapping of the 10 populations, we identified 59 minor and medium-effect QTL (explained phenotypic variance range of 1%- 20%) on 20 chromosomes that contributed towards adult plant resistance to North American Pgt races as well as the highly virulent Ug99 race group. Fifteen of the 59 QTL were detected in multiple environments. No epistatic relationship was detected among the QTL. While these numerous small- to medium-effect QTL are shared among the families, the founder parents were found to have different allelic effects for the QTL. Fourteen QTL identified by joint mapping were also detected in single-population mapping. As these QTL were mapped using SNP markers with known locations on the physical chromosomes, the genomic regions identified with QTL could be explored more in depth to discover candidate genes for stem rust resistance. The use of GBS-derived de novo SNPs in mapping resistance to stem rust shown in this study could be used as a model to conduct similar markertrait association studies in other plant species.This is an open access article, free of all copiright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication