Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance in obese children and adolescents.

AIM To investigate which obese children have an increased risk for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a risk factor for later diabetes. METHODS We studied 169 European untreated obese children and adolescents with normal glucose tolerance at baseline. Waist circumference, fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, pubertal stage, 2 h glucose in oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), and HbA1c were determined at baseline and 1 year later. RESULTS One year after baseline, 19 (11.2%) children demonstrated IGT, 4 (2.4%) children had impaired fasting glucose, no (0%) child suffered from diabetes, and 146 (86%) children still showed normal glucose tolerance. At baseline, the children with IGT and with normal glucose tolerance in a one-year follow-up did not differ significantly in respect of any analyzed parameter, apart from pubertal stage. The children developing IGT entered puberty significantly more frequently (37% vs 3%, P < 0.001). One year after baseline, the children with IGT demonstrated significantly increased waist circumference, blood pressure values, insulin and triglyceride concentrations, and insulin resistance index HOMA. The children remaining in the normal glucose tolerance status 1 year after baseline did not demonstrate any significant changes. CONCLUSION During the study period of 1 year, more than 10% of the obese children with normal glucose tolerance converted to IGT. Repeated screening with oGTT seems meaningful in obese children entering puberty or demonstrating increased insulin resistance, waist circumference, blood pressure, or triglyceride concentrations.
Clinical characteristics associated with myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and sudden death in patients with vasospastic angina.

A total of 349 patients with vasospastic angina were followed in eight centers in Japan for a period of 3.4 +/- 0.1 years (mean +/- SE). Ninety-eight percent of patients were treated with calcium blockers. Twenty-one episodes of myocardial infarction occurred in 18 patients (5%), including two fatal myocardial infarctions. The rate of myocardial infarction was higher (p less than .01) in patients with a fixed stenosis of 90% or greater than in patients with a fixed stenosis of less than 90% or normal coronary arteries. Myocardial infarctions occurred predominantly during hospital stays or at a time when the frequency of vasospastic angina increased. There were five sudden deaths (2%). Only one patient suffering sudden death had a fixed stenosis of 75% or greater. Serious arrhythmias were noted in 49 patients (14%). The risk of arrhythmias did not depend on the presence of a fixed stenosis of 75% or greater. These results suggest that cardiac events are rather infrequent in Japanese patients with vasospastic angina who are receiving treatment with calcium blockers and that the presence of a severe fixed stenosis markedly increases the risk of myocardial infarction but not the risk of arrhythmias.
Peer Assessment of Professional Performance by Hospitalist Physicians

Background The clinical collaborations among hospitalist physicians create opportunities for peer evaluation. We conducted this study to generate validity evidence for a scale that allows for peer assessment of professional performance. Methods All of the hospitalist physicians working for >1 year at our hospital were asked to assess each of their physician colleagues along eight domains and name three colleagues whom they would choose to care for a loved one needing hospitalization. A mean composite clinical performance score was generated for each provider. Statistical analyses using the Pearson coefficient were performed. Results The 22 hospitalist physician participants were confident in their ability to assess their peers’ clinical skills. There were strong correlations between the domains of clinical excellence (r > 0.5, P < 0.05). Being selected as a doctor whom colleagues would choose to take care of their loved ones was highly correlated with high scores in the domains of humanism, diagnostic acumen, signouts/handoffs, and passion for clinical medicine, and higher composite clinical performance scores (all r > 0.5, P < 0.05). High scores on the Press Ganey questions correlated with peer assessment of humanism (r = .78, P = 0.06). Conclusions The correlation among scale items, the composite clinical performance score, and the variable “a doctor whom you would choose to care for a loved one” provides validity evidence to our assessment scale. Such measurements may allow hospitalist groups to identify top performers who could be recognized, rewarded, and held up as role models and weaker performers who may need focused training or remediation.
Rapid Adaptation to Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

This study examined eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage and rapid adaptation. Twenty-two male subjects performed 70 eccentric actions with the knee extensors. Group A (n = 11) and group B (n = 11) repeated the same exercise 4 and 13 days after the initial bout, respectively. Criterion measures included muscle soreness, muscle force generation (vertical jump height on a Kistler platform), and plasma levels of creatine kinase (CK), slow-twitch skeletal (cardiac beta-type) myosin heavy chains (MHC), and cardiac troponin I. Subjects were tested pre-exercise and up to day 4 following each bout. The initial exercise resulted in an increase in CK and MHC, a decrement in muscle force, and delayed onset muscle soreness in all participants. CK and MHC release correlated closely (rho = 0.73, p = 0.0001), both did not correlate with the decrement in muscle force generation after exercise. Because cardiac troponin I could not be detected in all samples, which excluded a protein release from the heart (cardiac beta-type MHC), this finding provides evidence for a injury of slow-twitch skeletal muscle fibers in response to eccentric contractions. Repetition of the initial eccentric exercise bout after 13 days (group B) did not cause muscle soreness, a decrement in muscle reaction force with vertical jump or significant changes in plasma MHC and CK concentrations, whereas in case of repetition after 4 days (group A) only the significant increases in CK and MHC were abolished. The decrement in reaction force with vertical jump did not differ significantly from that after the initial exercise session, but perceived muscle soreness was less pronounced. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Specific features of the capacitance and mobility behaviors in FinFET structures

This paper discusses experimental characterization of the gate-to-channel capacitance and the effective mobility in two types of FinFET structures: 1) with poly-Si/SiO/sub 2/ and 2) TaN/high-k dielectric gate stacks. Surprisingly, these two systems exhibit the same common features in terms of mobility and capacitance behavior of narrow-fin devices vs. quasi-planar wide-fin devices in spite of their rather different fabrication processes. Specific features revealed in effective capacitance and mobility behaviors of narrow-fin devices are discussed. We suggest that observations of the essentially lower effective dielectric capacitance and improved mobility values, in particular, the electron mobility, in narrow-fin devices compared to wide-fin devices (for both poly-Si/SiO/sub 2/ and TaN/high-k dielectric gate stacks) is related to a deeper inversion charge centroid in FinFETs operating in double-gate regime.
A Follow-up Study of a Successful Assistive Technology for Children with ADHD and Their Families

Little research on assistive technologies for families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has investigated the long-term impact, after the assistive technology is returned to the researchers. In this paper, we report the outcomes of a follow-up study, conducted four-weeks after a field study of 13 children with ADHD and their families who used an assistive technology designed to help establish and change family practices. We show that some of the positive effects on parent frustration level and conflict level around morning and bedtime routines that we observed in the first phase of the study, continued even after the study period, when the technology was no longer available. We furthermore present insights into family practices in families of children with ADHD and how these could lead to unexpected challenges and implications related to the adoption, use, and outcome of the assistive technology.
AcroBel--the Belgian registry on acromegaly: a survey of the 'real-life' outcome in 418 acromegalic subjects.

OBJECTIVES To constitute a registry on acromegaly, AcroBel, to evaluate the epidemiology and quality of care of acromegaly in Belgium and Luxembourg. DESIGN A nationwide survey from June 2003 till September 2004 aiming to collect data from all patients with acromegaly who had visited the participating endocrine clinics after 1 January 2000. METHODS Retrospective data collection coupled to a visit within the survey period, allowing sampling of metabolic parameters and centralised determination of GH and IGF-I. RESULTS Four hundred and eighteen patients (51% men) were included, of which 96 were new cases, giving a mean incidence of 1.9 cases per million (c.p.m.) per year. The global prevalence was 41 c.p.m. but varied between 21 and 61 among different areas. Twenty-eight deaths were reported at a median age of 68 years in men and 74 years in women. The standardised mortality rate was significantly increased only in irradiated patients (2.70; confidence interval 1.60-4.55). Central measurements were available in 316 (75%) patients. Mean GH was < or = 2 microg/l in 65% and IGF-I was normal for age in 56%, while both criteria were fulfilled in 49%. Multimodal treatment was more effective than primary medical therapy, since 56.5% were controlled versus 24.3% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS AcroBel provides an excellent tool to analyse the prevalence, incidence, treatment modalities and outcome of acromegaly in Belgium. This real-life survey reveals that only half of acromegalic patients received an adequate therapy resulting in cure or disease control when stringent biochemical criteria are used.
Tracking Control of complementarity Lagrangian Systems

In this paper we study the tracking control of Lagrangian systems subject to frictionless unilateral constraints. The stability analysis incorporates the hybrid and nonsmooth dynamical feature of the overall system. The difference between tracking control for unconstrained systems and unilaterally constrained ones, is explained in terms of closed-loop desired trajectories and control signals. This work provides details on the conditions of existence of controllers which guarantee stability. It is shown that the design of a suitable transition phase desired trajectory, is a crucial step. Some simulation results provide information on the robustness aspects. Finally the extension towards the case of multiple impacts, is considered.
Orthodontic Consideration in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major: Case Report and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE Beta Thalassemia (βT) patients present a unique facial appearance and specific craniofacial, jaw and dental patterns. Although this anomaly often requires orthodontic management, βT patients have received scant attention in the orthodontic and dental literature over the past 50 years. The aim of this article is to review the characteristic craniofacial and dental manifestation pattern of βT patients and to emphasize their preferred orthodontic management protocol by presenting a βT orthodontic treated patient. CASE REPORT A 10 year old patient presented with a complaint of severe esthetic and functional disorders due to her diagnosis of βT. We initiated orthodontic treatment including a combined orthopedic and functional treatment modality to improve facial appearance. RESULTS Maxillary restraint and increased mandibular size during treatment along with an increase in the vertical dimension were achieved. The patient presented with Angle class I molar relationship, with reduction of the excessive overjet and deep overbite. CONCLUSION Orthodontic treatment comprised of maxillary orthopedic treatment directed especially toward premaxilla with light forces, and mandibular modification by functional appliance along with fixed orthodontic treatment is recommended in βT patients.
A critical review of language errors in the writing of distance education students

‘A critical review of language errors in the writing of distance education students’ examines linguistic competence and investigates the language errors made by a heterogeneous group of 100 entry-level distance education university students with a view to improving their academic writing skills. The research follows a process of error identification and statistical analysis, and reviews intervention strategies based on the findings. Despite the continuing debates on the value of error correction, especially in relation to ‘World Englishes’, language accuracy remains a key factor in determining academic success. This is of particular concern in the South African multi-lingual context and in the light of the under-performance of South African students as evidenced in international comparative studies. The implications of the bimodal pattern of distribution in the review findings are discussed and pedagogically appropriate approaches and intervention strategies are suggested. Key terms: language errors, error correction, distance education, academic writing skills, intervention strategies, South African English (SAE), Black South African English (BSAE), TESOL, World Englishes, linguistic competence.
Thirty shades of truth: conspiracy theories as stories of individuation, not of pathological delusion

Recent studies on conspiracy theories employ standardized questionnaires, thus neglecting their narrative qualities by reducing them to mere statements. Recipients are considered as consumers only. Two empirical studies—a conventional survey (n = 63) and a study using the method of narrative construction (n = 30)—which were recently conducted by the authors of this paper—suggest that the truth about conspiracy theories is more complex. Given a set of statements about a dramatic historic event (in our case 9/11) that includes official testimonies, allegations to a conspiracy and extremely conspiratorial statements, the majority of participants created a narrative of 9/11 they deemed plausible that might be considered a conspiracy theory. The resulting 30 idiosyncratic stories imply that no clear distinction between official story and conspiratorial narrative is possible any more when the common approach of questionnaires is abandoned. Based on these findings, we present a new theoretical and methodological approach which acknowledges conspiracy theories as a means of constructing and communicating a set of personal values. While broadening the view upon such theories, we stay compatible with other approaches that have focused on extreme theory types. In our view, accepting conspiracy theories as a common, regulative and possibly benign phenomenon, we will be better able to understand why some people cling to immunized, racist and off-wall stories—and others do not.
Examining e-travel sites: an empirical study in Taiwan

Purpose – For the internet to realise its full marketing potential, travel agencies need a well‐designed e‐travel site. Yet the attributes that affect customers' perceptions leading to acceptance of e‐travel sites are still unclear. This study seeks to focus on why users accept or reject e‐travel sites and how users' acceptance is affected by three widely recognised features of sites – relevant information content, information quality, and functionality needs service.Design/methodology/approach – The study analysed a survey of 242 users of Taiwanese e‐travel sites to test the hypothesised expanded technology acceptance model.Findings – The empirical results indicate that the information content, information quality and functionality service of e‐travel sites strongly determine the perceived ease of use. Relevant information content and information quality also strongly determine perceived usefulness, which in turn leads to the behavioural intention to use e‐travel sites.Originality/value – The findings of.
Phenotypic Space and Variation of Floral Scent Profiles during Late Flower Development in Antirrhinum

The genus Antirrhinum comprises about 28 species with a center of origin in the Iberian Peninsula. They show an important diversity of growing niches. We have performed a comprehensive analysis of scent profiles in eight wild species, Antirrhinum linkianum, A. tortuosum, A. cirrigherum, A. latifolium, A. meonanthum, A. braun-blanquetii, A. barrelieri, and A. graniticum. We used also two laboratory inbred lines A. majus, 165E and Sippe50. We identified 63 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to phenylpropanoids, benzenoids, mono- and sesquiterpenes, nitrogen-containing compounds, and aliphatic alcohols previously described in plants. Twenty-four VOCs were produced at levels higher than 2% of total VOC emission, while other VOCs were emitted in trace amounts. The absolute scent emission varied during flower maturation and species. The lowest emitting was A. meonanthum while A. tortuosum had the largest emissions. Species were clustered according to their scent profiles and the resulting dendrogram matched the current species phylogeny. However, two accessions, A. majus Sippe 50 and A. braun-blanquetii, showed development-specific changes in their VOC composition, suggesting a precise control and fine tuning of scent profiles. Cluster analysis of the different scent components failed to identify a specific synthesis pathway, indicating a key role of scent profiles as blends. There is considerable degree of chemodiversity in scent profiles in Antirrhinum. The specific developmental stage plays an important role in scent quantitative emissions. The relative robustness of the bouquets could be an adaptation to local pollinators.
Cochlear Implantation in a Patient with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome : Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: The Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) belongs to the group of mitochondrial diseases. Cells that require more energy intake, such as muscle, nerve, retinal and cochlear, are most commonly affected. The established diagnostic criteria are: 1) the age of onset before 20 years old (100%), 2) progressive external ophthalmoplegia (100%), 3) pigmentary retinopathy (100%), and 4) at least one of the following: heart block, cerebellar ataxia (84%) and protein> 100 mg/dL in the cerebrospinal fluid. Additional features are the presence of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and myopathy. Genetic testing of mitochondrial DNA can confirm the diagnosis. The aspect of muscle biopsy is typical, showing ragged red fibers (RRF). Objectives: Present a literature review and report the cochlear implantation in a
Journal of Information Technology Education Assessing the Factors Deemed to Support Individual Student Intrinsic Motivation in Technology Supported Online and Face-to-face Discussions Executive Summary Factors Deemed to Support Individual Student Intrinsic Motivation

Research has established that intrinsic motivation has a positive effect on learning and academic achievement. In order to investigate the phenomenon of intrinsic motivation in technology-supported learning environments, this paper investigates the factors deemed to support individual student intrinsic motivation in online discussions. A research model is presented based on research into motivation, and the specific areas of self-determination and curiosity provide a framework for the model. Mean scores for both online discussions and face-to-face discussions were compared using a two-tailed t-test for the six constructs of perceived competence, perceived challenge, feedback, perceived choice, perceived interest, and perceived curiosity. Results from the study showed that online discussions provided significantly stronger mean ratings (t=3.2) for perceived choice than did face-to face-discussions, while online discussions gave somewhat significantly stronger mean scores for perceived competence (t=1.84) than similar face-to-face discussions. Feedback obtained identical mean scores for both online and face-to-face discussions, as did perceived interest , while the slightly higher differences in the online situation were not significant for perceived challenge (t=0.96) or perceived curiosity (t=1.19). Assessing the factors deemed to support individual student intrinsic motivation may assist in enhancing intrinsically motivated behavior in technology-supported learning environments. This would assist Web course designers and science educators to create online learning programs that best utilize students' capacity for learning and academic performance. The Web, with no direct verbal face-to-face interaction, lends itself better to online discussion in a more structured manner by enabling students to communicate more comfortably with their peers and provides a more egalitarian environment, where participants share the same tools and opportunities to communicate. The creation of online learning programs provides students significant opportunities for learning , such as the extended exchange of ideas and expertise where students can read, respond to, or initiate comments in a virtual meeting space. Material published as part of this publication, either on-line or in print, is copyrighted by the Informing Science Institute. Permission to make digital or paper copy of part or all of these works for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage AND that copies 1) bear this notice in full and 2) give the full citation on the first page. It is permissible to abstract these works so long as credit is given. To copy in all other cases or to republish or to post on …
Anti-heart autoantibodies in familial dilated cardiomyopathy

Familial aggregation is a feature of myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Myocarditis, a clinically polymorphic inflammatory disease of the myocardium, is diagnosed by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and may lead to DCM. Mutations in several genes encoding myocyte structural proteins are known monogenic DCM causes, but because of high etiologic and genetic heterogeneity, the gene defects identified so far account for a minority of cases. In the last decade, it has been discovered that autoimmunity plays a pivotal role in myocarditis and DCM that are thought to represent different stages of an organ-specific autoimmune disease in genetically predisposed individuals. None of the available genetic studies in familial DCM has taken into account the autoimmune phenotype markers in the characterization of index patients and relatives, thus it is not known whether or not the described gene defects are involved in the autoimmune form of the disease. In animal models autoimmune myocarditis/DCM can be induced by viral infection, immunization with heart-specific autoantigens, or develop spontaneously in genetically predisposed strains. It may be cell or antibody-mediated; susceptibility is based upon multiple MHC and non-MHC genes. In patients, the diagnosis of autoimmune myocarditis/DCM requires exclusion of viral genome on EMB and detection of serum heart-reactive autoantibodies. They are found in index patients and relatives from about 60% of both familial and non-familial pedigrees and predict DCM development among healthy relatives. Some antibodies have functional effects on cardiac myocytes in vitro, in animal models and possibly in a DCM subset without inflammation, responsive to extracorporeal immunoadsorption. Cardiac-specific autoantibodies, which are shown to be disease-specific for myocarditis/DCM, can be used as biomarkers for identifying patients in whom, in the absence of active infection of the myocardium, immunosuppression and/or immunomodulation may be beneficial and their relatives at risk. Future studies should clarify genetic basis of human autoimmune myocarditis/DCM as well as genotype/immune phenotype correlations.