Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripherally inserted central catheters may lower the incidence of catheter-related blood stream infections in patients in surgical intensive care units.

BACKGROUND Long-term central venous catheterization is associated with a higher rate of catheter-related blood stream infections (CR-BSI). It is unclear whether there is a difference in the CR-BSI rate associated with central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in long-stay patients in surgical intensive care units (SICUs). We hypothesized that PICC use reduces the rate of CR-BSI compared with use of antiseptic CVCs in these patients. METHODS All 121 patients admitted to our SICU for ≥14 days between July 2005 and July 2006 were included. Central venous access was maintained with an antiseptic CVC (Arrow Guard silver/chlorhexidine; n = 263) or replacement with a PICC (n = 37). Experienced residents, using maximum barrier precautions and chlorhexidine skin preparation, placed central lines; a credentialed registered nurse placed PICCs similarly. A CR-BSI was defined by semi-quantitative catheter tip cultures with ≥15 colony-forming units and at least one positive blood culture with the same organism. Multivariable regression was performed to identify predictors of CR-BSI. RESULTS There were 13 CVC infections and one PICC infection, resulting in an infection rate of 6.0/1,000 catheter-days for CVCs and 2.2/1,000 for PICCs. Infected and non-infected CVCs were in place a mean of 25 ± 11 and 16 ± 9 days, respectively. The infected PICC was in place for 19 days, whereas the remainder of the PICCs were in place a mean of 14 ± 17 days. Logistic regression demonstrated that line days (duration of catheterization) was the only independent predictor of CVC infection (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION In this non-randomized study, PICC was associated with fewer CR-BSIs in long-stay SICU patients, although CVCs were in place longer than PICC lines. The only predictor of CVC infection was the duration the line was in place. These results suggest that minimizing the duration of central venous access and substituting PICC for CVC may reduce the incidence of CR-BSI in long-stay SICU patients.
Understanding agency and developing historical thinking through labour history in elementary school: A local history learning experience

Local history has been much neglected in many social studies curricula, in spite of its potential for providing students with authentic and proximal objects of study for the development of historical thinking and understanding of historical agency. This paper presents the results of a collaborative research endeavor, conducted with two teachers and their fifth grade students, and centered around a local history learning unit. The unit included a field enquiry and role-play based on the use of primary source evidence. The unit proved favorable for the development of some structural concepts of historical thinking (Seixas, 1996) and helped students see themselves as historical agents.
Metopic and Sagittal Synostosis: Intracranial Volume Measurements Prior to and After Cranio‐Orbital Reshaping in Childhood

This study applied a proven method for obtaining intracranial volume measurements using CT scans to (1) measure the intracranial volume of a consecutive series of children with either metopic or sagittal synostosis prior to any craniofacial procedure, (2) perform a standard cranio-orbital operation in each child, follow them longitudinally, and remeasure their intracranial volume 1 year later, and (3) compare their intracranial volumes with those of an age- and gender-matched cohort and review their cranial growth velocity. The study included 18 children who presented sequentially with untreated isolated nonsyndromic sagittal (n = 8) and metopic (n = 10) synostosis between 1987 and 1990 and who subsequently underwent cranio-orbital reconstruction by the senior author (Posnick) in conjunction with a pediatric neurosurgeon. The primary method of osteotomy and bone-graft fixation varied (i.e., wires, miniplates and microplates and screws). The series included 5 females and 13 males with an average age at the time of operation of 27 months (range 6 to 87 months). The postoperative clinical follow-up ranged from 13 to 47 months at the close of the study. Comparison of our patients' preoperative intracranial volumes with age- and gender-matched volumes available through Lichtenberg showed that 16 of 18 (89 percent) had volumes at or greater than the mean, with 44 percent (7 of 16) exceeding 2 standard deviations above the mean. When comparing our patients' late postoperative volumes with the Lichtenberg normative measurements, 94 percent achieved values at or greater than the mean. All patients achieved increased intracranial volume in association with the surgery performed and the time that lapsed between scan intervals. The majority of our patients (16 of 18) followed an intracranial volume growth curve that closely approximated the norm but with a starting point determined by the preoperative value. Two of 18 followed a growth curve that exceeded the rate of expansion expected for normal children. Our findings suggest that premature closure of either the sagittal or metopic suture does not result in diminished intracranial volume prior to or after the cranio-orbital procedures carried out in childhood. For the majority of the children in our study, both the preoperative intracranial volume and the rate of cranial expansion approximated or surpassed that of children without synostosis. The surgical techniques of skull and upper orbital reshaping with varied forms of osteotomy and graft fixation did not result in a global form of growth restriction. These findings are contrary to standard thinking about the biologic effects of craniosynostosis and raise new questions about our rationale for treatment.
An Empirical Study of Higher Education

This article cites Chinese scholars' surveys to demonstrate that the disparity between the cities and the countryside, as well as the disparity among different social classes, with regard to higher education admissions opportunities in China is transforming from an explicit imbalance in total quantity to a deeper and more subtle educational disparity. This is manifested in the distribution of students from the cities and the countryside at colleges and universities of different levels and different types. The hierarchy that exists in the system of higher education is roughly as follows: young adults from the privileged classes, with relatively strong cultural, economic, and societal resources, constitute the largest percentage of those in elite universities, whereas the percentage of rural students and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds is gradually declining. Rural students are concentrated at localized tertiary institutions with comparatively weak educational resources and educational quality. The drawbacks of the urban-rural dual structure as well as the primary and secondary education system that is divided between elite schools and regular schools, combined with the deficiencies of the university entrance examination system, have intensified the previously existing innovation gaps and class divides.
A randomised study of CGS 16949A (fadrozole) versus tamoxifen in previously untreated postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Fadrozole, a potent, highly specific inhibitor of aromatase activity, has only been used as second-line therapy in treatment of post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer. A prospectively randomised study was therefore undertaken to compare relative clinical efficacy of fadrozole as first-line treatment to that of tamoxifen. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty postmenopausal women who had not received prior treatment for advanced/metastatic breast cancer were randomised to receive either fadrozole, 1 mg twice daily, or tamoxifen, 20 mg daily. RESULTS Toxicity was not statistically different on the two treatment arms. Only mild to moderate toxicity was documented: hot flashes in 37%, headaches in 6.5%, mild fatigue in 2.6%. There were also no statistically significant differences in objective response rates, survival or time to treatment failure (TTF). Objective response rate on fadrozole was 50% (complete response (CR) 8.3% and partial response (PR) 42%). On tamoxifen objective response was 44.7% (CR 21% and PR 24%). Median TTF was 4.9 months on fadrozole and 5 months on tamoxifen. Median survival was 22.7 months on fadrozole and 27.5 months on tamoxifen. CONCLUSION While response rates, survival and TTF were not statistically significantly different, there were more complete responses on tamoxifen and duration of objective response (CR + PR) was significantly longer in the patients treated with tamoxifen.
Physical and Biological Controls on the Carbonate Chemistry of Coral Reef Waters: Effects of Metabolism, Wave Forcing, Sea Level, and Geomorphology

We present a three-dimensional hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model of a wave-driven coral-reef lagoon system using the circulation model ROMS (Regional Ocean Modeling System) coupled with the wave transformation model SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore). Simulations were used to explore the sensitivity of water column carbonate chemistry across the reef system to variations in benthic reef metabolism, wave forcing, sea level, and system geomorphology. Our results show that changes in reef-water carbonate chemistry depend primarily on the ratio of benthic metabolism to the square root of the onshore wave energy flux as well as on the length and depth of the reef flat; however, they are only weakly dependent on channel geometry and the total frictional resistance of the reef system. Diurnal variations in pCO2, pH, and aragonite saturation state (Ωar) are primarily dependent on changes in net production and are relatively insensitive to changes in net calcification; however, net changes in pCO2, pH, and Ωar are more strongly influenced by net calcification when averaged over 24 hours. We also demonstrate that a relatively simple one-dimensional analytical model can provide a good description of the functional dependence of reef-water carbonate chemistry on benthic metabolism, wave forcing, sea level, reef flat morphology, and total system frictional resistance. Importantly, our results indicate that any long-term (weeks to months) net offsets in reef-water pCO2 relative to offshore values should be modest for reef systems with narrow and/or deep lagoons. Thus, the long-term evolution of water column pCO2 in many reef environments remains intimately connected to the regional-scale oceanography of offshore waters and hence directly influenced by rapid anthropogenically driven increases in pCO2.
Neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is mediated by RhoA inactivation through p190RhoGAP and ARAP3

The rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 has been widely used as a model to study neuronal differentiation. PC12 cells give rise to neurites in response to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). However, it is unclear whether bFGF promotes neurite outgrowth by inducing RhoA inactivation, and a mechanism for RhoA inactivation in PC12 cells in response to bFGF has not been reported. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) treatment and the expression of constitutively active (CA)‐RhoA (RhoA V14) impaired neurite formation in response to bFGF, while Tat‐C3 exoenzyme and the expression of dominant negative (DN)‐RhoA (RhoA N19) stimulated neurite outgrowth. GTP‐bound RhoA levels were reduced in response to bFGF, which suggests that the inactivation of RhoA is essential to neurite outgrowth in response to bFGF. To investigate the mechanism of RhoA inactivation, this study examined the roles of p190RhoGAP and Rap‐dependent RhoGAP (ARAP3). DN‐p190RhoGAP prevented neurite outgrowth, while WT‐p190RhoGAP and Src synergistically stimulated neurite outgrowth; these findings suggest that bFGF promotes the inactivation of RhoA and subsequent neurite outgrowth through p190RhoGAP and Src. Furthermore, DN‐Rap1 and DN‐ARAP3 reduced neurite formation in PC12 cells. These results suggest that RhoA is likely to be inactivated by p190RhoGAP and ARAP3 during neurite outgrowth in response to bFGF. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 786–794, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epigenetic Regulation of Autophagy by the Methyltransferase G9a

ABSTRACT Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process involved in the clearance of proteins and organelles. Although the cytoplasmic machinery that orchestrates autophagy induction during starvation, hypoxia, or receptor stimulation has been widely studied, the key epigenetic events that initiate and maintain the autophagy process remain unknown. Here we show that the methyltransferase G9a coordinates the transcriptional activation of key regulators of autophagosome formation by remodeling the chromatin landscape. Pharmacological inhibition or RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of G9a induces LC3B expression and lipidation that is dependent on RNA synthesis, protein translation, and the methyltransferase activity of G9a. Under normal conditions, G9a associates with the LC3B, WIPI1, and DOR gene promoters, epigenetically repressing them. However, G9a and G9a-repressive histone marks are removed during starvation and receptor-stimulated activation of naive T cells, two physiological inducers of macroautophagy. Moreover, we show that the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is involved in the regulation of autophagy gene expression during naive-T-cell activation. Together, these findings reveal that G9a directly represses genes known to participate in the autophagic process and that inhibition of G9a-mediated epigenetic repression represents an important regulatory mechanism during autophagy.
The Impact of an Incomplete Overlap of a Copper Conductor and the Corresponding Terminal on the Contact Temperature

By using a specially designed apparatus, the impact of poor contacts caused by an incomplete overlap of a copper conductor and the corresponding terminal of the low-voltage electrical equipment on the contact temperature was tested. The poor contact was simulated using the electrodes of different cross-sectional areas, exposed to different loads. The most frequently used combinations of the contact materials, copper–copper, copper–brass, and copper–stainless steel, were analyzed. The considered percentage of the overlapping areas of the electrodes amounted to 100%, 50%, and 15%. The influence of all of these parameters on the contact temperature, the occurrence of a hot spot, the establishment of a series electric arc, and the contact resistance was analyzed in detail. It was shown that a reduced overlapping area is considerably more dangerous (as a cause of fire) in case of the copper–brass contacts than in case of the copper–copper contacts. However, the most dangerous are the copper–stainless steel connections. (Being the cheapest, the stainless steel terminals can still be found in low-quality sockets.) It was also shown that the copper–brass connections are characterized by the highest contact resistances, which occur when stable electric arcs are established. An example from our practice is presented in order to show the potential consequences of an incomplete overlap.
White Bears and Other Unwanted Thoughts: Suppression, Obsession, and the Psychology of Mental Control

In a series of experiments, Daniel M. Wegner told subjects not to think about white bears. Of course, they found it impossible to avoid thinking about the bears - just as it often seems impossible to stop thinking about forbidden foods, a social blunder, or a lost love. Drawing on the theories of William James, Freud, and Dewey, as well as on studies in mood control, cognitive therapy and artificial intelligence, this enlightening book explores the reasons unwanted, embarrassing, or frightening notions are so persistent.
Review of Dairy Consumption and Cognitive Performance in Adults: Findings and Methodological Issues

Background: Diet is a modifiable factor that could be targeted as an appropriate intervention to optimise cognitive health and well-being in ageing. Aim: The aim of this systematic review was to consider current evidence for an association between dairy intake and cognitive functioning. Methods: Searches of the electronic databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychInfo were undertaken to identify peer-reviewed journal articles that reported on associations between dairy consumption and cognitive outcomes. Results: Three cross-sectional and 5 prospective studies were identified. Poorer cognitive function and an increased risk for vascular dementia were found to be associated with a lower consumption of milk or dairy products. However, the consumption of whole-fat dairy products may be associated with cognitive decline in the elderly. Conclusion: Methodological variability and study limitations do not enable conclusions regarding optimal dairy intake and cognitive performance to be drawn. Randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the relationship between dairy intake and cognition.
Association of oxytocin level and less severe forms of childhood maltreatment history among healthy Japanese adults involved with child care

Background: Oxytocin (OT) is known to play a role in stress regulation. The association between childhood maltreatment history and neuropeptide OT concentration is inconsistent due to the varying degrees of severity of childhood maltreatment, among other contributing factors. Less severe forms of childhood maltreatment history might enhance OT concentrations as a response to coping with social stress within the family. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between less severe forms of childhood maltreatment history and OT concentrations among healthy adults. Method: Eighty adults (49 women and 31 men) with 18- to 48-month-old children were recruited using a snowball sample in Tokyo, Japan. Urine samples were collected for OT measurement. Less severe (low and moderate) childhood maltreatment history, including physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse, was assessed using the self-report questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Results: Less severe physical abuse was significantly associated with higher OT concentration after adjusting for age (p = 0.014). Also, less severe forms of physical abuse were independently significantly associated with higher OT concentration after controlling for other types of childhood maltreatment (p = 0.027). A positive dose-response association between the number of less severe childhood maltreatment types and OT concentration was observed (p = 0.031). Conclusion: A history of less severe forms of childhood physical abuse was associated with higher OT concentration in healthy adults. Poly-victimization of several types of less severe childhood maltreatment was also associated with higher OT concentrations. Less severe forms of childhood maltreatment might enhance OT concentrations in order to cope with social stress.
Using a complexity-based perspective to better understand the relationships among mentoring, school conflicts, and novice retention

In this study I used complexity-thinking, ecologically-based sustainable capacity-building, narrative methodology, and pragmatism to explore the relationships among mentoring, conflict, and novice retention. In order to explore these relationships, I constructed stories from my interviews with six mentor-novice dyads in a southeastern 9-12 high school that was struggling with teacher retention. I analyzed these stories that addressed the nature of the mentor-novice dyad in light of eight primary indicators of complex systems as defined by Davis and Sumara (2006). I also found examples of teacher conflicts with administrators, students, and other categories. I noted how the mentor-novice dyad's complex nature and its use of ecologically-based sustainable capacity building helped mentors and novices handle those conflicts and barriers to conflict resolution. The findings from this study suggest that the mentor-novice relationships were distinctly different from other helping relationships at my research site; however, the relationship between novice retention and the ways mentor-novice relationships handled school conflicts and barriers to conflict resolution were inconclusive.
No sex difference in mouse digit ratio: reply to Voracek

Voracek specializes in the study of human non-neural morphology (Voracek & Fisher 2002) and suicide (Voracek 2005), and he does not appear to appreciate the methods used in experimental mouse genetics. We (Bailey et al. 2005) investigated 2D:4D digit ratio in inbred mouse strains, because the findings can lead directly and fruitfully to a genetic analysis of factors that lead to higher and lower ratios (we follow the convention of using 2D:4D to refer to this digit ratio as have all previous published animal and human studies of hind limb digit ratios. We know of no published work using Voracek’s 2T:4T nomenclature. A PubMed search over the past 5 years uncovered not one paper using 2T:4T but 135 using 2D:4D, including all seven investigating hind limb digits). Indeed, our study detected substantial and interesting strain differences, although significant sex differences were not found. Voracek is evidently disappointed at the lack of a sex difference in our data and seeks to dismiss them by branding our work a ‘pilot study’ whose results ‘diverge from other mouse evidence’.
An Agent-Based Model for the Development of Intelligent Mobile Services

The next generation of mobile services must invisible, convenient, and useful. It requires new techniques to design and develop mobile computing applications, based on user-centred, environment-aware, adaptive behaviour. I propose an alternative technology for the development of intelligent mobile services based on intelligent autonomous agents. I investigate how to use agents for the development of the target applications, focusing on the well-known Belief-Desire-Intention architecture. The research statement is to explore the trade-off between quality of information and resource efficiency. However, I identified a number of shortcomings in the existing BDI-system technologies. For example, current developments move towards support to pro-active systems equipped to provide adaptive behaviour. Nonetheless, extensive support to reactiveness is required to (i) provide quality information and (ii) develop resource aware application. Motivated by these findings, I researched and introduce an extension to the BDI-model aiming at the development of mobile services. It provides the structures to take advantage of events from windows of opportunity to enhance the balance between reactiveness and proactiveness. I investigate how these features contribute to the effectiveness and performance of the developed application. This thesis includes (i) an analysis of related work; (ii) a conceptual model; (iii) a design model, (iv) a proof-of-concept implementation , and (iv) a validation of the proposed through of analysis of simulation results.