This paper proposes the use of bootstrap, robust and fuzzy multiple linear regressions method in
handling general insurance in order to get improved results. The main objective of bootstrapping is to
estimate the distribution of an estimator or test statistic by resampling one's data or a model estimated
from the data under conditions that hold in a wide variety of econometric applications. In addition,
bootstrap also provides approximations to distributions of statistics, coverage probabilities of confidence
intervals, and rejection probabilities of hypothesis tests that produce accurate results. In this paper, we
emphasize the combining and modelling using bootstrapping, robust and fuzzy regression methodology.
The results show that alternative methods produce better results than multiple linear regressions (MLR)
model.
Introduction: Coated archwires improve aesthetics during orthodontic treatment. However, little is known regarding
their clinical benefit. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared the tooth alignment (TA), coating loss (CL),
colour change (∆E*), and patient perception of coated archwires with their controls. Details of ∆E* and perception were reported in the second part of the articles. Methods: This RCT was done at three centres. Participants
were randomised to receive one of four treatment interventions using 0.014” superelastic coated nickel-titanium
archwires from Orthocare, RMO, G&H, and conventional uncoated 3M Unitek® archwires. These archwires were
ligated during bonding and collected after eighth week and questionnaires were distributed to participants in the
experimental groups only. After removal, TA and CL were measured using Little’s Irregularity Index and Autodesk®
AutoCAD® software, respectively. At the time of this preliminary reporting, 84 participants had completed the trial. Two archwires fractured and were excluded. Therefore, 166 archwires (n = 166) were analysed. Results: Only
non-extraction cases showed statistically significant differences in TA change between all groups (p = 0.005) and
RMO showed significantly lowest mean of TA (1.5 mm). RMO and Orthocare showed significant TA change in the
upper and lower arches (p = 0.037, 0.048). CL was found to be insignificant for both extraction and non-extraction
cases (p >0.05). Comparison between upper and lower arches revealed no significant difference in TA and CL in all
groups (p >0.05). Conclusion: From this preliminary analysis, Orthocare provides better TA in non-extraction cases
despite highest percentage of coating loss.
Introduction: This preliminary cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis among blood donors in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 56 blood donors were screened by an enzyme-linked immu- nosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-T. gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Positive
T. gondii IgG and IgM were further tested for IgG avidity ELISA. All extracted deoxyribonucleic acids (DNAs) from whole blood samples were analyzed for the presence of the Toxoplasma B1 gene and the ITS1 region by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The socio-demographic data of donors was assessed using a data collection form. Results: Out of 56 blood donors, 24 (42.86%) donors were IgG+/IgM-, and 2 (3.57%) donors were IgG+/IgM+ with one of them having a high avidity index indicating as past infection for more than 20 weeks and the other with a low avidity index indicating as recent infection within 20 weeks. None of the samples tested positive for the presence of the Toxoplasma B1 gene and the ITS1 region. A univariate analysis showed that only employment status was significantly associated with Toxoplasma seropositivity. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among blood donors in Kelantan, Malaysia, was 46.43%. Nevertheless, direct detection by PCR showed that this parasite was absent in the blood. These results highlight that the blood donors in this study had previously been exposed to T. gondii infection. The parasite may still remain in certain tissues but does not freely circulate in the blood.
Introduction: Coated archwires improve aesthetics because of the tooth-coloured appearance. However, colour change of the coated archwires have been reported in vitro. Nonetheless, little is known to what extent this colour change occurs clinically. This second part of the multi-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial evaluated the colour change (E*) of three coated archwires with their controls and patient perception. Methods: 84 patients who received treatment with upper and lower fixed appliance treatment were invited. Consented patients were randomised to receive one of four treatment interventions using 0.014” superelastic nickel-titanium archwires from
(1) Orthocare (2) RMO (3) G&H, and (4) 3M Unitek® uncoated. These archwires were ligated during bonding and collected after 8th week. After removal, the digital images of the archwires were assessed for colour change using Adobe® Photoshop® software, and the CIE L*a*b* system was used to calculate the ΔE* values. Patient perception was measured using oral aesthetic subjective impact scale (OASIS) questionnaire. Results: For colour change and patient perception assessment, 132 archwires from 66 participants who had been treated with aesthetic archwires were collected. Two fractured archwires were excluded. Initial analysis revealed all three aesthetic archwires groups showed significant mean of E* with the highest was found in Orthocare (23.9), and the lowest is G&H (16.8). Post hoc comparison revealed statistically significant mean of E* in Orthocare when compared with other groups (p