Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized, controlled trial of computerized physiologic trend monitoring in an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether the provision of computerized physiologic trend data could improve outcome in newborn infants requiring intensive care. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial, with subsidiary questionnaire studies. SETTING Tertiary neonatal intensive care unit with 12 intensive care cots. PATIENTS All infants admitted between January 1991 and September 1993 who were < or =32 wks gestation or >32 wks gestation, and ventilated for >4 hrs or asphyxiated. INTERVENTIONS Randomization to one of four groups for first 7 days of life: A) no display of trend data; B) continuous display of trend data; C1) alternating 24-hr display of trend data, starting with display in first 24 hrs; and C2) alternating 24-hr display of trend data, starting with no display in first 24 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The short-term effects of monitoring on patient outcome was judged by volume of colloid given, number of blood gases taken, and by measurement taken from cranial Doppler ultrasound. Medium-term measures included time ventilated, time given supplemental oxygen, death, time to death or discharge, and cranial ultrasound at discharge. Long-term outcome was assessed by neurodevelopmental status at age 1 to 4 yrs of age. Staff and parent questionnaires assessed their respective attitudes to the introduction of this technology. None of the patient outcome measures, short-, medium-, or long-term, demonstrated any significant benefit from the provision of computerized physiologic trend monitoring. Staff questionnaires demonstrated an acceptance of the system and an improved understanding of neonatal physiology as a result of computerized physiologic trends. Parent questionnaires demonstrated increased anxiety caused by the system in 11% of parents, although only 1% of parents continued to have concerns if the system were able to help their child. CONCLUSIONS A randomized, controlled trial was unable to demonstrate any benefit to patients resulting from the introduction of a computerized physiologic trend monitoring system. Benefits of the system have been recognized, however, in subsidiary studies, staff education, and research studies.
Hepatic steatosis at 1 year is an additional predictor of subsequent fibrosis severity in liver transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis C virus

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common cause of graft loss for HCV‐infected recipients of liver transplantation (LT). Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been associated with increased rates of fibrosis progression, but whether steatosis affects post‐LT outcomes independently of DM is unclear. Using a retrospective cohort of HCV‐infected LT recipients, we determined the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and evaluated the relationship between steatosis on index biopsy 1 year after LT (±6 months) and the severity of the subsequent fibrosis. One hundred fifty‐two LT recipients with HCV were followed up for a median of 2.09 years (range = 0.13‐6.17 years) after index biopsy; the median number of biopsy procedures per patient after index biopsy was 2 (range = 1‐6). Steatosis (≥5%) was present in 45 individuals (29.6%) according to index biopsy samples taken 1 year after LT; the steatosis was mild (grade 1) in 80% of the patients. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of steatosis 1 year after LT was positively associated with HCV genotype 3 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.60, P = 0.02], older donor age (OR = 1.03, P = 0.04), and pre‐LT hypertension (OR = 3.29, P = 0.009). Two years after index biopsy, the cumulative rate of significant fibrosis (F2‐F4 on the Ludwig‐Batts scale) was 49% in the patients with steatosis at 1 year and 24% in the patients without steatosis (P = 0.003). In the multivariate analysis, steatosis at 1 year was an independent predictor of subsequent F2 to F4 fibrosis (HR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.49‐4.63). Steatosis was a stronger predictor of fibrosis in the setting of sirolimus use (hazard ratio = 9.38, 95% confidence interval = 1.37‐64.16, P = 0.02). In conclusion, steatosis is frequent in the early post‐LT period, and steatosis within the first year after LT is a marker of a higher risk of fibrosis progression in HCV‐infected patients. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Does exchange-rate volatility affect import flows in G-7 Countries? Evidence from cointegration models

This paper provides new evidence on the long-run relationship between imports and exchange-rate volatility in G-7 countries. The period examined is 1973:2 through 1995:1. Cointegration analyses are based on Johansen's (1991, 1994) approach and robust single-equation methods of Stock and Watson (1993) and Phillips and Loretan (1991). In conformity with theoretical considerations, the results indicate that exchange-rate volatility has a significant negative effect on the volume of imports of most G-7 countries whereas for Canada, it is positive and significant. These findings are reasonably robust in terms of measures of exchange-rate volatility and different estimation methods.
Effects of ADHD, conduct disorder, and gender on substance use and abuse in adolescence.

OBJECTIVE The relationships of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and gender to substance abuse were studied in a large population-based sample of adolescent twins. METHOD Structured interviews were administered to 626 pairs of 17-year-old twins (674 girls and 578 boys) and their mothers to generate lifetime psychiatric diagnoses, and computerized measures of current substance use were obtained. Hierarchical logit analyses were performed to assess the independent effects of ADHD, conduct disorder, and gender on current substance use, frequency of substance use, and DSM-III-R diagnoses of substance use disorders. RESULTS Conduct disorder was found to increase the risk of substance use and abuse in adolescents regardless of gender. In contrast, independent of its association with conduct disorder, an ADHD diagnosis did not significantly increase the risk of substance use problems. CONCLUSIONS This study found no significant gender differences in the effects of ADHD and conduct disorder on substance use and abuse, although there was some suggestion that girls with ADHD might be at slightly higher risk than boys for substance abuse. In addition, increased risk of substance abuse among adolescents with conduct disorder may be primarily confined to those with persistent conduct disorder.
Thrips pollination of Mesozoic gymnosperms

Within modern gymnosperms, conifers and Ginkgo are exclusively wind pollinated whereas many gnetaleans and cycads are insect pollinated. For cycads, thrips are specialized pollinators. We report such a specialized pollination mode from Early Cretaceous amber of Spain, wherein four female thrips representing a genus and two species in the family Melanthripidae were covered by abundant Cycadopites pollen grains. These females bear unique ring setae interpreted as specialized structures for pollen grain collection, functionally equivalent to the hook-tipped sensilla and plumose setae on the bodies of bees. The most parsimonious explanation for this structure is parental food provisioning for larvae, indicating subsociality. This association provides direct evidence of specialized collection and transportation of pollen grains and likely gymnosperm pollination by 110–105 million years ago, possibly considerably earlier.
Functional movement screen normative values in a young, active population.

BACKGROUND The Functional Movement Screen(TM) (FMS(TM)) is a screening instrument which evaluates selective fundamental movement patterns to determine potential injury risk. However, despite its global use, there are currently no normative values available for the FMS(TM). OBJECTIVES To establish normative values for the FMS(TM) in a population of active, healthy individuals. Secondary aims were to investigate whether performance differed between males and females, between those with and without a previous history of injury, and to establish real-time inter-rater reliability of the FMS(TM). METHODS Two hundred and nine (108 females and 101 males) physically active individuals, aged between 18 and 40 years, with no recent (<6 weeks) history of musculoskeletal injury were recruited. All participants performed the FMS(TM) and were scored using the previously established standardized FMS(TM) criteria. A representative sub-group participant sample (28%) determined inter rater reliability. RESULTS The mean composite FMS(TM) score was 15.7 with a 95% confidence interval between 15.4 and 15.9 out of a possible total of 21. There was no statistically significant difference in scores between females and males (t(207) = . 979, p = . 329), or those who reported a previous injury and those who did not (t(207) = . 688, p= . 492). Inter-rater reliability (ICC(3,1)) for the composite FMS(TM) score was . 971, demonstrating excellent reliability. Inter-rater reliability (Kappa) for individual test components of the FMS(TM) demonstrated substantial to excellent agreement (0.70 - 1.0). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This cross-sectional study provides FMS(TM) reference values for young, active individuals, which will assist in the interpretation of individual scores when screening athletes for musculoskeletal injury and performance factors.
Sibling adaptation to childhood cancer collaborative study : Cross-cultural aspects

Cross-cultural aspects of siblings' adaptation to childhood cancer were examined in two studies as part of a cooperative multi-institutional investigation in Israel and the United States. Study 1 compared the behavioral adaptation of Israeli siblings of patients with childhood cancer with matched clinically referred and normal Israeli children. Study 2 compared the behavioral adaptation of case-matched samples of Israeli and American siblings and assessed the contribution of family relations and parental coping to the siblings' behavioral adjustment. Israeli patients' siblings and normal samples scored significantly lower on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) than the clinically referred sample did, indicating fewer behavior problems, with no differences between the sibling and normal samples. The CBCL scores of the Israeli and American samples did not differ significantly on the Externalizing and Internalizing subscales and the Total Behavior Problem score. Significant correlations were found in both the Israeli and American samples between the parental coping and family relations variables and the CBCL scores, indicating that greater internal family support and emotional expressiveness and lower conflict were associated with less behavior disturbance in the sibling. The authors consider cross-cultural and methodologic issues when interpreting similarities and differences among Israeli and American siblings of pediatric cancer patients.
Recent advances in understanding secondary organic aerosol: Implications for global climate forcing

Anthropogenic emissions and land use changes have modified atmospheric aerosol concentrations and size distributions over time. Understanding preindustrial conditions and changes in organic aerosol due to anthropogenic activities is important because these features (1) influence estimates of aerosol radiative forcing and (2) can confound estimates of the historical response of climate to increases in greenhouse gases. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA), formed in the atmosphere by oxidation of organic gases, represents a major fraction of global submicron‐sized atmospheric organic aerosol. Over the past decade, significant advances in understanding SOA properties and formation mechanisms have occurred through measurements, yet current climate models typically do not comprehensively include all important processes. This review summarizes some of the important developments during the past decade in understanding SOA formation. We highlight the importance of some processes that influence the growth of SOA particles to sizes relevant for clouds and radiative forcing, including formation of extremely low volatility organics in the gas phase, acid‐catalyzed multiphase chemistry of isoprene epoxydiols, particle‐phase oligomerization, and physical properties such as volatility and viscosity. Several SOA processes highlighted in this review are complex and interdependent and have nonlinear effects on the properties, formation, and evolution of SOA. Current global models neglect this complexity and nonlinearity and thus are less likely to accurately predict the climate forcing of SOA and project future climate sensitivity to greenhouse gases. Efforts are also needed to rank the most influential processes and nonlinear process‐related interactions, so that these processes can be accurately represented in atmospheric chemistry‐climate models.
The functions of music for affect regulation

Musical experiences are often reported to influence emotions (Juslin & Västfjäll, 2008; Sloboda, O’Neill, & Ivaldi, 2001): people consciously and unconsciously use music to change, create, maintain or enhance their emotions and moods (affect) on a daily basis for their personal benefit (DeNora, 1999; Schramm, 2005). This is known as affect regulation. However, existing research has not yet answered questions of how music regulates affect, especially beyond the expressive properties of music (Meyer, 1956). The aims of the studies presented here were to investigate (a) how music functions to regulate affect, (b) which affects it regulates, and (c) whether music listening can be considered a successful affect regulation device. A one-week diary study with interviews and a three-week diary study were conducted. The main findings were: (1) music helps through broader affect regulation strategies like distraction, introspection, and active coping; music can for example distract someone from the affect or situation, or help to think about the affect or situation in a rational way; (2) music plays a major role in creating happiness and relaxation; (3) music overall is a successful regulation device with a range of underlying mechanisms helping different strategies. The current paper is a valuable addition to the existing literature and provides several new insights into the function of music for affect regulation in everyday life. The insight gained into which strategies and underlying mechanisms are involved when music is used for affect regulation might be used for the benefit of people’s emotional wellbeing.
The Effects of Size Grading on Production Efficiency and Growth Performance of Yellow Perch in Earthen Ponds

Abstract The culture of yellow perch Perca flavescens has received considerable interest in the Midwest and elsewhere in the USA as a result of the decline of wild populations and their high market demand. In this study, the effects of size-grading on the production efficiency and growth performance of food-sized yellow perch were determined in six 0.1-ha ponds by grading fingerlings into three size-groups (mean initial size): small (5.3 g), large (18.3 g), and unsorted (11.3 g). The mean percentage of marketable production from large-group ponds was significantly greater than that from the small- and ungraded-group ponds. The final biomass of large size-groups was 77% and 27% greater than that of small and ungraded groups, respectively, although no significant differences in total production were detected among the three size-groups. Size-sorting of fingerling yellow perch did not result in improved growth of the small-fish group. No significant differences in growth rates among the three groups were det.
Mathematics or computers? Confidence or motivation? How do these relate to achievement?

The use of computers in the teaching and learning of undergraduate level mathematics raises many still unanswered questions about the relationships between students’ perceived abilities and attitudes towards mathematics and computers (both separately and interactively), and their performance on assessment tasks. This paper reports on an investigation of the correlations between first-year mathematics students’ performances on a range of assessment items, and the following affective factors: • students’ levels of confidence in their ability to do and learn mathematics • their motivation when doing mathematical tasks • their levels of confidence in the use of computers • their motivation to use a computer • their attitudes to technology in the learning of mathematics. The study targeted a class of students in a typical first-year Australian Linear Algebra and Calculus course. Support for the use of MATLAB was integrated into their learning, and students did both hand exercises, and tasks requiring the use of technology, in tutor-supported weekly computer laboratory sessions. The USQ MTech scales and Galbraith-Haines scales, instruments already well tested for internal consistency and reliability, were used to assess students’ confidence levels with mathematics and with computers, their mathematics motivation and computer motivation, and their attitudes to technology in the learning of mathematics. Scatter plots and correlation coefficients are offered where appropriate, to illustrate the relationships between the students’ mean scores on each of these scales, and their achievement levels on a range of assessment items: three assignments and two examinations. The trends and significant findings are discussed in relation to the overall nature of the assessment items. The data collected are also used to further establish the reliability and validity of the scales used.
Effect of the parental involvement style perceived by elementary school students at home on Language and Mathematics performance in chilean schools

Abstract The present study intends to measure the effect of the parental involvement style perceived by fourth-grade students on their Language and Mathematics performance. It uses data taken from a sample of 55,401 students evaluated by the National Education Quality Measurement System [Sistema Nacional de Medición de la Calidad de la Educación, SIMCE]. The results show that the nourishing parental involvement style, and not only household income and the parents’ years of schooling, are associated with and significantly predict higher scores on the Language and Mathematics tests. This finding is relevant inasmuch as it provides operational information regarding parental involvement styles, which opens up more possibilities for psychoeducational intervention by the school.
Understanding English teaching and learning context in China

The recent economic boom has seen the number of English language learners escalating in China. The Chinese enthusiasm for learning English has generated a growing interest from the West to teach in China. There is a need for these teachers to understand the unique teaching context in China. This understanding will help them deliver effective teaching. Focusing on EFL teaching history and discusses the impact of Confucian educational philosophy on its distinctive features of EFL teaching. This paper will be useful for all the educators who deal with Chinese learners and will help them make informed decisions in their classroom practices.
Correlation between Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus and the Expression of HBsAg in Ovarian Follicles and Placenta

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in human ovary and placenta and the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methodology/Principal Fidnings Ovarian and placental tissue specimens of pregnant women infected with HBV were collected during cesarean section and immunostained for HBsAg. The sera of the corresponding newborns were tested for HBV markers and HBV DNA. HBsAg was detected in 15 out of 33 (45%) placental tissues and was further detected in capillary endothelial cells in 4 specimens (26%), of which 3 (75%) corresponding infants were infected with HBV in utero. Out of the 33 ovarian tissues, 7 (21%) were positive for HBsAg, of which 2 (28%) showed HBsAg in ovarian follicles and the 2 corresponding infants (100%) had intrauterine HBV infection. Conclusions/Significance HBsAg expression in cells of the ovarian follicle or placental capillary endothelium signal a higher risk for intrauterine HBV infection.
Mesalazine–probiotics beads for acetic acid experimental colitis: formulation and characterization of a promising new therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background: Acetic acid ulcerative colitis (UC) is an experimental condition created due to intra-rectal administration of acetic acid which causes inflammation and ulceration in the lining of colon and rectum. In such condition, the colon cannot absorb liquid from the stools, resulting in larger volume of watery stools. Mesalazine is mainly used for the treatment of UC but suffers from the drawback of having poor bioavailability. UC is also characterized by alteration in colonic microflora. The present work was focused on delivering mesalazine along with probiotic, which would facilitate to refurbish customary growth of microflora. Mesalazine and probiotic were encapsulated in pectin beads with an aim to protect the drug from gastric environment and target to colonic region. Methods: Pectin beads were prepared, formulation process was optimized for polymer concentration, drug concentration, cross-linking agent concentration. Formulation was characterized for surface morphology, in vitro drug release studies, determination of viable cell count, in vivo ulcer protective studies and stability studies. Results: Average particle diameter of beads was ∼1.44–1.72 mm. Drug entrapment efficiency was found to be optimal (78–79%). A sustained release of drug was observed for 5 h; nearly 60% of drug was released at the end of 10 h. Microbiological studies of probiotic showed best cell viability. In acetic acid induced UC model, Mesalazine–probiotic beads-treated group showed significant (p < 0.01) ulcer protection index with respect to free drug-treated group. Conclusion: In conclusion, mesalazine–probiotic loaded beads may serve as a useful colon specific drug delivery system for treatment of colitis.
A model of force balance in Saturn's magnetodisc

We present calculations of magnetic potential functions associated with the perturbation of Saturn's planetary magnetic field by a rotating, equatorially situated disc of plasma. Such structures are central to the dynamics of the rapidly rotating magnetospheres of Saturn and Jupiter. They are 'fed' internally by sources of plasma from moons such as Enceladus (Saturn) and Io (Jupiter). For these models, we use a scaled form of Caudal's Euler potentials for the Jovian magnetodisc field. In this formalism, the magnetic field is assumed to be azimuthally symmetric about the planet's axis of rotation, and plasma temperature is constant along a field line. We perturb the dipole potential ('homogeneous' solution) by using simplified distributions of plasma pressure and angular velocity for both planets, based on observations by the Cassini (Saturn) and Voyager (Jupiter) spacecraft. Our results quantify the degree of radial 'stretching' exerted on the dipolar field lines through the plasma's rotational motion and pressure. A simplified version of the field model, the 'homogeneous disc', can be used to easily estimate the distance of transition in the outer magnetosphere between pressure-dominated and centrifugally dominated disc structure. We comment on the degree of equatorial confinement as represented by the scaleheight associated with disc ions of varying mass and temperature. For the case of Saturn, we identify the principal forces which contribute to the magnetodisc current and make comparisons between the field structure predicted by the model and magnetic field measurements from the Cassini spacecraft. For the case of Jupiter, we reproduce Caudal's original calculation in order to validate our model implementation. We also show that compared to Saturn, where plasma pressure gradient is, on average, weaker than centrifugal force, the outer plasma disc of Jupiter is clearly a pressure-dominated structure.