Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recombinant Human Deoxyribonuclease Shortens Ventilation Time in Young, Mechanically Ventilated Children

Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I (dornase alfa) is currently used as an inhaled mucoactive agent in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical study in 100 infants, we investigated whether the therapeutic use of dornase alfa can be extended to ventilated, fluid‐restricted children to reduce reintubation rate, ventilation duration, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay, and ventilation complications. While reintubation rates were similar for dornase alfa 7% vs. placebo 9% (odds ratio, 0.77; confidence interval, 0.11–4.9), the incidence of atelectasis (6 vs. 17, respectively; P‐value 0.051), median ventilation time (2.2 vs. 3.4 days, respectively; P‐value 0.043), median length of PICU stay (7 vs. 8 days, respectively; P‐value 0.051), and mean costs (€4,830 vs. €6,320, respectively) were lower in the dornase alfa group. No adverse effects were observed, even in critically ill patients. We found that dornase alfa was beneficial and safe. Our findings also indicate that dornase alfa is possibly of value from the first day of mechanical ventilation onward, particularly when longer ventilation (>3 days) is expected in fluid‐restricted children after cardiac surgery. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Handwritten Bangla Basic and Compound character recognition using MLP and SVM classifier

A novel approach for recognition of handwritten compound Bangla characters, along with the Basic characters of Bangla alphabet, is presented here. Compared to English like Roman script, one of the major stumbling blocks in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) of handwritten Bangla script is the large number of complex shaped character classes of Bangla alphabet. In addition to 50 basic character classes, there are nearly 160 complex shaped compound character classes in Bangla alphabet. Dealing with such a large varieties of handwritten characters with a suitably designed feature set is a challenging problem. Uncertainty and imprecision are inherent in handwritten script. Moreover, such a large varieties of complex shaped characters, some of which have close resemblance, makes the problem of OCR of handwritten Bangla characters more difficult. Considering the complexity of the problem, the present approach makes an attempt to identify compound character classes from most frequently to less frequently occurred ones, i.e., in order of importance. This is to develop a frame work for incrementally increasing the number of learned classes of compound characters from more frequently occurred ones to less frequently occurred ones along with Basic characters. On experimentation, the technique is observed produce an average recognition rate of 79.25 after three fold cross validation of data with future scope of improvement and extension.
Developing a work-based leadership programme in the UK social care sector

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the application of action research in the design of a degree‐level leadership skills programme in the English social care sector.Design/methodology/approach – The action research study involved four formal semi‐structured interviews with strategic leaders in the social care sector and three focus groups with managers. The paper captures some of the reflections of university lecturers who are both researchers and collaborative partners in the project in its early stages.Findings – The findings demonstrate consensus in the sector at regional strategic and organisational level about leadership skills required for future service models.Research limitations/implications – The sample remains small; however, the findings may have relevance for leadership development planning for social care in other regions of England, as the personalised care agenda gains momentum and services need to realign. Service users were not part of the focus groups and f.
Teaching child-care and safety skills to parents with intellectual disabilities through self-learning

Children of parents with intellectual disabilities are at risk for neglectful care due to parenting skill deficiencies. In this study, the efficacy of self-instructional audiovisual child-care manuals was evaluated using a multiple baseline design across 10 parents. Self-instruction was effective with 9 out of 10 parents and 11 of 12 skills; skills reached percentage correct levels seen in parents without intellectual disabilities. Increased skills maintained up to 6.5 months after training, during which time observations of the trained skills were reduced. Only one parent required full training. Consumer satisfaction ratings were uniformly high. Overall, the results of this study indicate that many parents with intellectual disabilities may improve their parenting skills with low cost, low tech, self-instructional materials.
The Two Faces of Micropolitics.

A reading of the contributions in this special feature led the present author to distinguish between two 'faces' of micropolitics as an area of enquiry. 'Policy micropolitics' is concerned to maintain a distinction between micropolitics and management and is focused on the relationship between micropolitics in the school and the wider macropolitical context. 'Management micropolitics' does not draw such a clear distinction between micropolitics and management and is focused on the strategies used by school leaders and teachers in pursuit of their, sometimes conflicting, interests. The paper considers the other contributions in terms of this distinction according to a number of emergent themes, i.e. boundary, professional expertise, participation, ambiguity, and the management of change. A final section takes seriously the implications of micropolitics for school leadership and offers some observations on its place in leadership development programmes.
Self-Perceived Effective and Ineffective Problem Solvers' Differential Views of Their Partners' Problem-Solving Styles.

The purpose of this investigation was to investigate if self-perceived ineffective problem solvers (SPIPS; high scorers on the Problem Solving Inventory [PSI; Heppner, 1988]) as compared with self-perceived effective problem solvers (SPEPS; low scorers on the PSI) would view their significant others' problem-solving style and level of problem solving more negatively. Participants included 101 SPIPS and SPEPS and their 101 respective partners. Results indicate that SPIPS as compared with SPEPS perceived their partners' problem-solving style more negatively. Likewise, the former compared with the latter and men compared with women rated their partners' level of problem solving as less effective. Implications for counselors are discussed.
Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatocarcinogenesis in Transgenic Mouse Models of Liver Cancer

Overexpression of c-myc and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) has been frequently observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting a pivotal role played by these protooncogenes in liver oncogenesis. In order to investigate the molecular events underlying human hepatic malignant transformation, we have generated c-myc and c-myc/TGF-α transgenic mice that are prone to liver cancer. These transgenic mice develop HCCs with different incidence, kinetics and histopathological features. Indeed, co-expression of c-myc and TGF-α transgenes results in a dramatic synergistic effect on liver tumor development when compared with respective single transgenic lines, including a shorter latency period and a more aggressive phenotype. The more malignant histopathological features characteristic of c-myc/TGF-α HCCs are the result of the increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis in this model of liver cancer when compared with single parental lines. Accordingly, c-myc and c-myc/TGF-α transgenic mice display a different molecular pathogenesis of HCC. Importantly, the genetic and molecular mechanisms that are involved in c-myc and c-myc/TGF-α liver cancer development are major oncogenic events in human hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating that these mouse models represent a useful tool to dissect and elucidate the molecular basis of human HCC.
Elements of the management of norms and their effects on the sense of virtual community

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how decisions of managers and administrators of online communities on norms and rules affect the sense of virtual community (SOVC), which is an important factor of the quality of online information. Design/methodology/approach – The study followed a two-level research design based on 970 online community members, nested within 36 online communities. Data collection consisted of two stages: first a web survey of a sample of online community members was conducted, followed by a web survey of administrators of the same online communities. A two-level hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The empirical results suggest that prominence of rules under the condition of members’ participation in their creation, presence of reputation mechanisms, and content moderation contribute significantly to the SOVC , while presence of lighter sanctions and interactive moderation do not. Research limitations/implications – Since this .
First flight tests for a quadrotor UAV with tilting propellers

In this work we present a novel concept of a quadrotor UAV with tilting propellers. Standard quadrotors are limited in their mobility because of their intrinsic underactuation (only 4 independent control inputs vs. their 6-dof pose in space). The quadrotor prototype discussed in this paper, on the other hand, has the ability to also control the orientation of its 4 propellers, thus making it possible to overcome the aforementioned underactuation and behave as a fully-actuated flying vehicle. We first illustrate the hardware/software specifications of our recently developed prototype, and then report the experimental results of some preliminary, but promising, flight tests which show the capabilities of this new UAV concept.
Effects of Rhythmic and Melodic Alterations and Selected Musical Experiences on Rhythmic Processing

This study investigated the psychological dimensions underlying auditory processing of monotonic and melodic-rhythmic patterns, and influences of musical experiences on the dimensionality of 38 university music students' rhythmic processing. Apparent alterations in tempo, duration and pitch characteristics, melodic and rhythmic phrase patterning, and monotony were shown to be organizers of rhythmic processing. Both major performing instrument and classification of major performing instrument significantly affected the dimensionality of subjects' rhythmic processing. Analyses of variance also showed slight effects of generic style music listening preference, music course experience, and hours music listening on rhythmic processing. The importance of each organizer for subjects depended in part on the objective ordering of the rhythmic and tonal information, and in part on past musical experiences.
Comparative and cost‐effectiveness of oxaliplatin‐based or irinotecan‐based regimens compared with 5‐fluorouracil/leucovorin alone among US elderly stage IV colon cancer patients

Clinical trials have shown a statistically significant disease‐free survival benefit of oxaliplatin‐based or irinotecan‐based combination regimens for stage IV colon cancer. Less is known regarding the comparative effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of these agents among elderly patients. Whether the benefits of these agents justify the additional costs for elderly Medicare recipients is particularly policy relevant after US health care reform.
Sensitivity Analysis of the Nonparametric Nearest Neighbor Technique to Estimate Soil Water Retention

A k‐nearest neighbor (k‐NN) nonparametric algorithm variant was earlier applied successfully to estimate soil water retention. In this study, we tested the sensitivity of that k‐NN variant to different data and algorithm options, such as: (i) estimations made to soils with differing distribution of properties; (ii) the use of different sample weighting methods; (iii) the number of ensembles we developed; (iv) data density in the reference data set; (v) the presence of outliers in the reference data set; (vi) unequal weighting of input attributes; and (vii) the addition of locally specific data to the reference data set. We used a hierarchical set of input attributes and data set sizes to develop ensembles of predictions using multiple randomized subset selections. The k‐NN technique performed comparably well as neural network models developed on the same data. Using >50 ensemble members did not improve the results any further. The k‐NN technique showed little sensitivity to the choice of sample weighting methods and to suboptimal weighting of input attributes. Differences in data density in parts of the reference data set did not substantially impact estimation errors. Estimations substantially improved for locally specific data when some local samples were included in the reference data set, while estimations for other samples remained almost unaffected. The k‐NN technique shows a large degree of stability and insensitivity to different settings and options, can easily adopt new data without the need to redevelop equations, and is an effective alternative to other techniques to estimate soil water retention.
Academic integrity: a quantitative study of confidence and understanding in students at the start of their higher education

Establishing a positive, proactive approach to issues such as plagiarism requires that students are equipped with the skills and experience to act with integrity, and that educators are fully aware of the attitudes and ability of students, particularly when they start university. This project used a questionnaire-based methodology to probe the attitudes, ability and confidence of undergraduates newly enrolled at a university in the UK, with a focus on concepts relating to written assignments. New undergraduates were confident in their understanding of plagiarism, yet performed poorly on simple tests of referencing. Students were generally of the opinion that academic misconduct should be modestly penalised compared to the standard penalties imposed by the UK higher education sector. Positive correlations were found between confidence, performance and recommended penalties, suggesting that confident students did better on tests of simple tests of referencing, and recommended more severe penalties for transgressions of academic integrity. These correlations were supported by findings that new postgraduates were more confident than new undergraduates, recommended more severe penalties and performed better in the simple tests of referencing. Findings are discussed in the context of educational needs identified for students, educators and institutions.
Fingerprinting the Substrate Specificity of M1 and M17 Aminopeptidases of Human Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum

Background Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of human malaria, expresses two aminopeptidases, PfM1AAP and PfM17LAP, critical to generating a free amino acid pool used by the intraerythrocytic stage of the parasite for proteins synthesis, growth and development. These exopeptidases are potential targets for the development of a new class of anti-malaria drugs. Methodology/Principal Findings To define the substrate specificity of recombinant forms of these two malaria aminopeptidases we used a new library consisting of 61 fluorogenic substrates derived both from natural and unnatural amino acids. We obtained a detailed substrate fingerprint for recombinant forms of the enzymes revealing that PfM1AAP exhibits a very broad substrate tolerance, capable of efficiently hydrolyzing neutral and basic amino acids, while PfM17LAP has narrower substrate specificity and preferentially cleaves bulky, hydrophobic amino acids. The substrate library was also exploited to profile the activity of the native aminopeptidases in soluble cell lysates of P. falciparum malaria. Conclusions/Significance This data showed that PfM1AAP and PfM17LAP are responsible for majority of the aminopeptidase activity in these extracts. These studies provide specific substrate and mechanistic information important for understanding the function of these aminopeptidases and could be exploited in the design of new inhibitors to specifically target these for anti-malaria treatment.
Methylation of the DCC gene is lost in advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND Deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC), one of the Netrin-1 receptors, belongs to the functional dependence receptor family, members of which share the ability to induce apoptosis in the absence of their ligands. Recently, we examined the methylation status of the DCC gene in colorectal carcinomas and found that aberrant methylation of the DCC gene was detected in 28 out of the 50 (56%) primary colon carcinomas. This result prompted us to examine the methylation status of the DCC gene in gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methylation status of the DCC gene was examined in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 36 patients with gastric cancer using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP) and the correlation between the methylation status and the clinicopathological findings was evaluated. RESULTS Aberrant methylation of the DCC gene was detected in 16 out of the 36 (44%) primary gastric carcinomas. A significant difference was observed in regard to the TNM stage (p=0.0093). CONCLUSION DCC methylation was observed in the course of gastric carcinogenesis and disappeared in advanced gastric carcinoma.
Macrolide effects on the prevention of COPD exacerbations

The number of senile patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has recently increased due to an increase in life expectancy, the habit of smoking and the inhalation of toxic particles. COPD exacerbations are caused by airway bacterial and viral infections, as well as the inhalation of oxidative substrates. COPD exacerbations are associated with the worsening of symptoms and quality of life, as well as an increased mortality rate. Several drugs, including long-acting anti-cholinergic agents, long-acting &bgr;2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids, have been developed to improve symptoms in COPD patients and to prevent COPD exacerbations. Treatment with macrolide antibiotics has been reported to prevent COPD exacerbations and improve patient quality of life and symptoms, especially in those patients who have frequent exacerbations. In addition to their antimicrobial effects, macrolides have a variety of physiological functions, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects, reduced sputum production, the inhibition of biofilm formation and the inhibition of bacterial virulence factor production. These unique activities may relate to the prevention of exacerbations in COPD patients who receive macrolides. Herein, we review the inhibitory effects that macrolides have on COPD exacerbations and explore the possible mechanisms of these effects.
The International School Psychology Survey

Using the International School Psychology Survey (ISPS), this study aims to advance our knowledge of the characteristics, training, roles and responsibilities, challenges and research interests of school psychologists around the world by comparing recent international data. The current study contributes valuable information regarding the profession of school psychology by building upon previous surveys of school psychologists using ISPS data gathered in Albania, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Northern England, Australia, china, Germany, Italy and Russia. The discussion provides unique insights regarding similarities, differences and diversity among school psychologists in Georgia, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
Intergenerational Continuity in School Performance: Do Grandparents Matter?

We investigate whether present-day ninth grade students with top marks in Swedish and mathematics tend to descend from grandparents who did well in these school-subjects too. We also examine the extent to which such inheritance is domain-specific and works through the educational attainment of the previous two generations. The study is based on grandsons (n = 6,110) and granddaughters (n = 5,658) of subjects born in Uppsala 1915–1929. Results show that the odds of students receiving top marks in mathematics and Swedish tend to increase the higher the marks their grandparents achieved in these subjects. However, associations differ by the specific school-subject and according to the gender-specific intergenerational line of transmission. In broad terms, our results indicate that grandfathers are important for the transmission of mathematical and linguistic ability to their granddaughters and grandsons. Grandmothers appear to play a smaller role in the transmission of abilities, with the distinct exception of the transmission of linguistic ability from maternal grandmothers to their granddaughters. The fact that associations vary quite strongly according to type of ability and the gender-specific line of intergenerational transmission implies that we should be looking to historical context and learning environments rather than to a simple genetic transmission model to explain our findings.
Psychological empowerment and development

Using the archival method of investigation, this paper explores the subject of psychological empowerment (particularly in relation to youths) and national development. The specific objective of the paper is to explore and establish the importance of psychological empowerment of the masses and particularly the youths, in order to enhance national development. The paper establishes the fact that several empowerment programs that have been introduced at different times, by different regimes might not have yielded the expected results probably because attention has not been paid to the psychological empowerment of the masses. The assertion and recommendation that psychological empowerment is paramount to national development is based on the fact that human beings are psychological entities and as long as they experience psychological frustration, they may almost always antagonize government’s move towards development. The paper thus concludes that psychological empowerment of the masses (particularly the youths) is of paramount importance in enhancing national development.