Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weekend birth and higher neonatal mortality: a problem of patient acuity or quality of care?

OBJECTIVE To address the differences in neonatal mortality among births to teenage mothers on weekdays and weekends. DESIGN A retrospective descriptive design. Rates of neonatal mortality linked to maternal risk factors, low birth weight, gestational age, day of the week of the birth, and ethnicity/race were examined. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS The population consisted of all recorded births to teenage mothers (< 20 years of age) in Texas in 1999 and 2000 (N = 111,749). These births were linked to death certificates for a subset of neonatal deaths within the same time period (n = 397). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The outcome of interest was any death attributed to conditions originating in the perinatal period and recorded as such on the infant death certificate. RESULTS Neonatal mortality was higher among the births on weekends than those during the week. Maternal risks and patient acuity levels of mothers and babies were not consistently higher on weekends. However, when risk factors were present, weekend births were more dangerous for Hispanics than for other ethnic or racial groups. CONCLUSIONS Differences in patient acuity did not satisfactorily explain higher neonatal mortality rates on weekends. Thus, quality of care indicators such as lower hospital staffing and reduced availability of services on weekends may be critical sources of unnecessary neonatal deaths.
On the Relationship between Adolescents' Tendency to Superstition and the Source of Control

We live in a real world but we still see the existence of many beliefs that do not match up with any logic but magic! This study aimed at identifying the relationship between superstition and locus of control and finding out whether people with more superstitious beliefs were more in an external locus of control or internal. Two hundred and fifty students in grades one, two and three in Beheshti high school in Qazvin, Iran participated in this study. To measure source of control, Rutter questionnaire consisting of twenty nine items was used and superstitions were also evaluated using a questionnaire. The results revealed that there was significant relationship between external sources of control and having superstitious beliefs. The results also highlighted the fact that while the relationship between two variables of research was positive, but with the increase in the score of the external and internal source of control, positive relationship with the superstitions variable was reduced.
Changing pedagogy of secondary science teachers: the impact of a two-year professional development programme

Abstract This article explores teacher perspectives on how aspects of their pedagogy had changed through training, to support the implementation of the Cognitive Acceleration through the Science Education (CASE) project in their schools. The evidence considered here was collected through questionnaires and interviews involving 22 teachers. The questionnaires were completed on the conclusion of the 2-year CASE training programme. The interviews were carried out 1 year after completion of the training programme. The reflective views of teachers' own professional development through CASE indicated that several pedagogical changes had taken place. These changes were not always anticipated and appeared to extend beyond Key Stage 3. The most notable changes were generally that more opportunities for discussion amongst peers were introduced, a change in teachers' questioning technique, an increase in opportunities for pupils to predict outcomes, and more pro-active grouping of students. These changes were initially specific to the CASE programme, but gradually became more generic in nature. There were indications that these changes were gradual and developed over the 2-year training period.
Preclinical advantages of intramuscularly administered peptide A3-APO over existing therapies in Acinetobacter baumannii wound infections.

OBJECTIVES The designer antibacterial peptide A3-APO is efficacious in mouse models of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii systemic infections. Here we compare the efficacy of the peptide with that of imipenem and colistin in A. baumannii wound infections after burn injury. METHODS CD-1 mice were inflicted with burn wounds and different inocula of A. baumannii, isolated from an injured soldier, were placed into the wound sites. The antibiotics were given intramuscularly (im) one to five times. Available free peptide in the blood and the systemic toxicity of colistin and A3-APO were studied in healthy mice. RESULTS While toxicity of colistin was observed at 25 mg/kg bolus drug administration, the lowest toxic dose of A3-APO was 75 mg/kg. In the A. baumannii blast injury models, 5 mg/kg A3-APO improved survival and reduced bacterial counts in the blood as well as in the wounds and improved wound appearance significantly better than any other antibiotic treatment. The free peptide concentration in the blood did not reach 1 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS Peptide A3-APO, with an intramuscular therapeutic index of 15, is more efficacious and less toxic than any existing burn injury infection therapy modality against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. A3-APO administered by the im route probably binds to a biopolymer that promotes the peptide's biodistribution.
Web-Based Surveys: Best Practices Based on the Research Literature

ABSTRACT Over the last 10 years, Web-based surveys have developed a reputation as an easy and economical method of collecting data. However, as with all research methods, there is a need for careful design and planning. This article reviews the literature on the use and effectiveness of Web surveys. It explores the similarities and differences between Web surveys and postal or telephone surveys, the opportunities and limitations of Web surveys, and the use of Web surveys in visitor studies research. Design tips are provided to assist users to make the best possible use of this important new tool.
Biocompatibility and bioactivity of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers in human dental pulp cells

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is a calcium silicate-based material. New sealers have been developed based on calcium silicate as MTA Fillapex and MTA Plus. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate biocompatibility and bioactivity of these two calcium silicate-based sealers in culture of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Material and Methods The cells were isolated from third molars extracted from a 16-year-old patient. Pulp tissue was sectioned into fragments with approximately 1 mm3 and kept in supplemented medium to obtain hDPCs adherent cultures. Cell characterization assays were performed to prove the osteogenic potential. The evaluated materials were: MTA Plus (MTAP); MTA Fillapex (MTAF) and FillCanal (FC). Biocompatibility was evaluated with MTT and Neutral Red (NR) assays, after hDPCs exposure for 24 h to different dilutions of each sealer extract (1:2, 1:3 and 1:4). Unexposed cells were the positive control (CT). Bioactivity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymatic assay in cells exposed for one and three days to sealer extracts (1:4 dilution). All data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post-test (p≤0.05%). Results MTT and NR results showed suitable cell viability rates for MTAP at all dilutions (90-135%). Cells exposed to MTAF and FC (1:2 and 1:4 dilutions) showed significant low viability rate when compared to CT in MTT. The NR results demonstrated cell viability for all materials tested. In MTAP group, the cells ALP activity was similar to CT in one and three days of exposure to the material. MTAF and FC groups demonstrated a decrease in ALP activity when compared to CT at both periods of cell exposure. Conclusions The hDPCs were suitable for the evaluation of new endodontic materials in vitro. MTAP may be considered a promising material for endodontic treatments.
Imagery and Meaningfulness in Free Recall: Word Attributes and Instructional Sets

Summary Allan Paivio's dual-coding hypothesis of retention predicts that stimuli high in imagery value facilitate imaginal processing, while high meaningfulness stimuli facilitate verbal processing. When verbal and imaginal instructional sets have been used to test the predicted interactions, as mentioned above, the findings have almost always been negative, indicating a lack of support for a dual-process theory of coding in retention. In the present study it was hypothesized that instructional sets offer inadequate tests of dual or multiple-process theories because the proactive history of the verbal and imaginal semantic properties of the word lists determine coding in retention. That hypothesis was tested in two studies, one with children and one with adults. Verbal and imaginal attributes were varied in instructional sets and in word lists. As hypothesized, the interaction predicted by a dual-process theory of coding occurred in both studies (p < .0001). The interaction involved verbal and imaginal wo.
Revisioning Sexual Minority Identity Formation

This article describes a new, inclusive model of lesbian identity formation. A rationale for the model is presented, which includes a review of relevant literature in lesbian/gay identity, racial/ethnic identity, and gender issues related to identity development. Three case studies are presented to elucidate the applications of the model to counseling, and the article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the model for research.
The h-Current in Periglomerular Dopaminergic Neurons of the Mouse Olfactory Bulb

The properties of the hyperpolarization-activated cation current (Ih) were investigated in rat periglomerular dopaminergic neurons using patch-clamp recordings in thin slices. A reliable identification of single dopaminergic neurons was made possible by use of a transgenic line of mice expressing eGFP under the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. At 37 °C and minimizing the disturbance of the intracellular milieu with perforated patches, this current shows a midpoint of activation around −82.7 mV, with a significant level of opening already at rest, thereby giving a substantial contribution to the resting potential, and ultimately playing a relevant function in the control of the cell excitability. The blockage of Ih has a profound influence on the spontaneous firing of these neurons, which result as strongly depressed. However the effect is not due to a direct role of the current in the pacemaker process, but to the Ih influence on the resting membrane potential. Ih kinetics is sensitive to the intracellular levels of cAMP, whose increase promotes a shift of the activation curve towards more positive potentials. The direct application of DA and 5-HT neurotransmitters, physiologically released onto bulbar dopaminergic neurons and known to act on metabotropic receptors coupled to the cAMP pathway, do not modifythe Ih amplitude. On the contrary, noradrenaline almost halves the Ih amplitude. Our data indicate that the HCN channels do not participate directly to the pacemaker activity of periglomerular dopaminergic neurons, but influence their resting membrane potential by controlling the excitability profile of these cells, and possibly affecting the processing of sensory information taking place at the entry of the bulbar circuitry.
Development and validation of the African American Women's Shifting Scale (AAWSS).

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research was to develop and validate an instrument to measure shifting or self-altering strategies among African American women. METHOD A 13-item instrument was developed to measure aspects of shifting phenomena based on the empirical literature, feedback from focus groups, and cultural experts. The initial validation study, using principal axis analysis, was conducted with a national sample of 318 African American women. A second independent national sample of 190 African American women provided data for a confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS Results indicated that the inventory was composed of the following 3 factors: Strong Black Woman, Awareness of Shifting Behavior, and Sensitivity to the Perceptions of Blacks. CONCLUSIONS A structural model was developed based on the Multicultural Assessment-Intervention Process (MAIP) framework that allowed for the exploration of the shifting construct. Implications for future research are discussed.
the Evidence : Using Intersectionality in the Domestic Violence Frame

The movement against domestic violence has achieved a number of successes in challenging violence between intimate or formerly intimate partners and in providing services for survivors of domestic abuse. It has, in effect, mainstreamed the message that domestic violence is common and dangerous to women of all backgrounds. In this article, we look closely at statistical evidence around prevalence, gender, ethnicity, and poverty to investigate this claim. We argue that the framing of domestic violence could be advanced through the use of a social movement frame that draws on issues of intersectionality.
Psychometric Analysis of a Scale to Assess Norms of Reciprocity of Social Support in Community-Based and Congregation-Based Groups

Reciprocity, a core component of social capital, is rarely theorized or measured leaving the relationship between reciprocity and health ambiguous. Historically, reciprocity measures have not been used in the context they were designed causing measurement error. This multi-phased study was designed to develop and validate a reciprocity measure for formal and informal groups within communities and congregations as part of a more comprehensive social capital measure. In-depth interviews (n = 72), cognitive interviews (n = 40), and an expert review panel guided item development and selection for content validity. South Carolina residents (n = 500) completed the 10-item Reciprocity of Social Support (RSS) Scale during 2008-2010. Construct validity was supported through an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) that confirmed a two-factor model for the scale for community- and congregation-based groups. Cronbach’s α values indicated items were highly correlated for community groups and church groups. Psychometric analyses of the RSS Scale support convergent and divergent validity for the community- and congregation-based groups. Mean RSS Scale scores were not statistically different between community- and congregation-based groups. This scale has proven psychometric properties for utilization in future research investigating reciprocity of social support in community- and congregation-based groups and will be useful to examine whether reciprocity (by context and type of group) is associated with physical and/or mental health.
Hermes: Dynamic Partitioning for Distributed Social Network Graph Databases

Social networks are large graphs that require multiple graph database servers to store and manage them. Each database server hosts a graph partition with the objectives of balancing server loads, reducing remote traversals (edge-cuts), and adapting the partitioning to changes in the structure of the graph in the face of changing workloads. To achieve these objectives, a dynamic repartitioning algorithm is required to modify an existing partitioning to maintain good quality partitions while not imposing a significant overhead to the system. In this paper, we introduce a lightweight repartitioner, which dynamically modifies a partitioning using a small amount of resources. In contrast to the existing repartitioning algorithms, our lightweight repartitioner is e cient, making it suitable for use in a real system. We integrated our lightweight repartitioner into Hermes, which we designed as an extension of the open source Neo4j graph database system, to support workloads over partitioned graph data distributed over multiple servers. Using real-world social network data, we show that Hermes leverages the lightweight repartitioner to maintain high quality partitions and provides a 2 to 3 times performance improvement over the de-facto standard random hash-based partitioning.
Improved Functional Performance in Geriatric Patients During Hospital Stay

Objective The aim of this work was to evaluate the time course of changes in strength and functional performance in elderly hospitalized medical patients. Design This was a prospective observational study in elderly medical patients of age 65 years or older at a geriatric department. Measurements were obtained on days 2 to 4, day 5 to 8, and days 9 to 13. Functional performance was measured with De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) test and a 30-second chair stand test (30-s CST). Muscular strength was measured with handgrip strength. Activity level was determined with accelerometry (ActivPAL). Results Results in DEMMI and 30-s CST gradually improved (P < 0.05), whereas handgrip strength remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Larger functional improvements were observed in patients with “high” compared to “low” and “moderate” activity level (P < 0.05). Changes in DEMMI score correlated with changes in 30-s CST (P < 0.05); however, changes in DEMMI score and 30-s CST were more likely to occur in patients with a low versus high functional level, respectively. Conclusions Functional performance of the lower extremities in geriatric patients improves moderately over the time of a hospital stay of less than 14 days, with larger improvements in patients with high activity level. The DEMMI test and the 30-s CST seem to be complementary to each other when evaluating functional changes in a geriatric hospital population. To Claim CME Credits Complete the self-assessment activity and evaluation online at http://www.physiatry. org/JournalCME CME Objectives Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able to (1) describe changes in mobility and muscle strength of geriatric patients during a hospital stay of less than 14 days, (2) understand the significance of physical activity during hospital admission in geriatric patients, and (3) discuss the potential limitations of measures for assessing mobility and lower extremity strength status and change during a hospital admission. Level Advanced Accreditation The Association of Academic Physiatrists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Association of Academic Physiatrists designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Custodians and Custodianship in Urban Neighborhoods

The paper introduces a methodology for using a city’s administrative data to study custodianship, or those behaviors aimed at preventing physical disorder in the public space. Custodianship was operationalized through requests for city services regarding public maintenance (e.g., potholes), provided by the database generated by Boston, MA’s hotline for requesting city services (i.e., 311). Users can register with the system, permitting analysis of individual differences in custodianship (N = 12,361), including frequency of reports, variety of issues reported, and geographical range of reports. Home location (available for N = 7,433) was combined with Census statistics to infer demographic characteristics. Most (76%) reported one case. There was no evidence that individuals specialize on a single type of issue. Most reported issues over a narrow geographic range (80% within 2 blocks of home). Homeowners were three times more likely than renters to report public issues. A technique for estimating the home locations of users is also tested.
Modeling Protocol Offload for Message-oriented Communication

In this paper, we present a new, conceptual model that captures the benefits of protocol offload in the context of high performance computing systems. In contrast to the LAWS model, the extensible message-oriented offload model (EMO) emphasizes communication in terms of messages rather than flows. In contrast to the LogP model, EMO emphasizes the performance of the network protocol rather than the parallel algorithm. The extensible message-oriented offload model allows protocol developers to consider the tradeoffs and specifics associated with offloading protocol processing including the reduction in message latency along with benefits associated with reduction in overhead and improvements to throughput. We give an overview of the EMO model and show how our model can be mapped to the LAWS and LogP models. We also show how it can be used to analyze individual messages within TCP flows by contrasting full offload (TCP offload engines) with other approaches, e.g., interrupt coalescing and splintered TCP
Congestion control for vehicular safety: synchronous and asynchronous MAC algorithms

The IEEE 802.11p standard specifies the PHY and MAC layer operations for transmitting and receiving periodic broadcast messages for vehicular safety. Many studies have identified issues with the CSMA based IEEE 802.11p MAC at high densities of devices, mainly reflected by low packet reception rate. In this paper, we make an interesting observation that with increasing density, the IEEE 802.11p MAC tends towards an ALOHA-type behavior where concurrent transmissions by close-by devices are not prevented. This behavior can lead to poor packet reception rate even for vehicles in close neighborhood. Many efforts have been made to address the IEEE 802.11p MAC issues to provide better performance for DSRC safety applications, including the introduction of Decentralized Congestion Control (DCC) algorithm to ETSI standards in Europe. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the proposed DCC algorithm and observe that the nominal parameters in DCC are unsuitable in many scenarios. Using transmit power control as an example, we develop a simple rule within the DCC framework that can significantly improve the safety packet reception performance with increasing densities. The DCC algorithms are fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11p standards and asynchronous in nature. A parallel approach to handle high device densities is a slotted synchronous MAC, where time is slotted based on GPS synchronization and each transmitter contends for a set of recurring time slots (or channels) with periodicity matching the required safety message periodicity. As compared to the per-packet based contention scheme as in CSMA defined in IEEE 802.11, such a scheme is much better suited for periodic safety broadcast. In this paper, we design a standard compliant TDM overlay on top of the MAC layer that can significantly improve the packet reception performance. Combined with a distributed resource selection protocol, the synchronous MAC can discover even more neighboring devices than the improved asynchronous approach, making DSRC safety applications more reliable.
Malnutrition and poor academic performance : critical contributions

This article rises some contributions from psychology to the reflections on malnutrition and low school performance, through an analysis of some statements on the causes and consequences of malnutrition to child development as well as schooling of lower classes children. It analyses the assumptions that low performance at school of a great number of students in Brazil would be explained by the presence of malnutrition, current or previous. It critically discusses the investigative methodologies and analysis which presented questionable conclusions that children who are victims of malnutrition suffer from cognitive and linguistic deficiencies. Finally, it provides survey results, showing the need of reviewing these assumptions, since they continue to guide policies and practices on education and health, rendering impossible the solutions to school problems.