Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information technology service management processes maturity in the Brazilian Federal Direct Administration

This work aims at the scrutiny of the current situation of the Information Technology Service Management practices within the Brazilian Federal Direct Administration, from the perceptions of the Information Technology Managers of twelve Ministries. The methodology used followed the Process Maturity Framework as a guideline, which is a maturity model whose patterns are described in ITIL v3. The work consists of interviews with questions related to the five maturity levels, as follows: initial, repetitive, defined, managed and optimized. Information on the five basic Information Technology Service Management processes was collected. Besides the classification of the maturity levels of the processes, the interviews allowed us to gather information about the possible causes that hinder the improvement of the maturity of the processes. The outcomes of the survey on the researched ministries showed low maturity level in all the assessed service management processes. The Incident Management Process presented the highest level of maturity, while Problem Management proved to be the most flawed one, in relation to maturity. The other assessed processes, like Change Management, Service Assets and Configuration Management and Release and Deployment Management presented some sort of homogeneity among the ministries. As for the probable causes that hinder the improvement of the maturity level of the Information Technology Service Management processes, pointed by the managers, the following one stand out: the reduced staff, the lack of resources, the gap between the organizational targets and their processes aims, and the lack of skilled labor.
The Sport Psych Handbook

Athletes' physiques and conditioning levels have advanced significantly in the past decade. Now, it's time for their mental prowess to catch up. "The Sport Psych Handbook" makes significant performance improvement possible through training the mind to parallel the body's enhanced development. Experts covering each facet of the mental game present research-based, field-tested approaches to enhance individual and team performance. More specifically, this comprehensive guide will give athletes breakthrough methods to do the following: -Optimize inner drive for training and competition-Maintain emotional and mental control for unwavering focus-Improve communication skills for better leadership and teamwork-Avoid and overcome slumps, injuries, and other challenges to a successful seasonComplement your physical skills with sharper mental skills. Make "The Sport Psych Handbook" part of your training arsenal, and start performing to your potential.
Making a Difference in the Lives of Infants and Toddlers and Their Families: The Impacts of Early Head Start. Volume II: Final Technical Report Appendixes

The final report to Congress presents complete findings from our seven-year national evaluation of Early Head Start. The findings show that the program promotes learning and the parenting that supports it within the first three years of life. Participating children perform significantly better in cognitive, language, and social-emotional development than their peers who do not participate. The program also has important impacts on many aspects of parenting and the home environment, and it supports parentsâ€™ progress toward economic self-sufficiency.
Inward rectification and low threshold calcium conductance in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells. An in vitro study.

The bioelectrical properties of Purkinje cells were analysed in sagittal slices of adult rat cerebellum by the use of intracellular recordings performed at a somatic level in current or in voltage clamp. The passive electrical constants of Purkinje cells were determined by measuring the time course and the amplitude of the voltage responses induced by hyperpolarizing current pulses. The mean value of input resistance was 21 +/‐ 1 M omega. Mean values of the membrane time constant and of the total electrotonic length of Purkinje cells were 19.5 +/‐ 1.7 ms and 0.59 +/‐ 0.01 ms respectively. A time dependent inward rectification was present in all cells. In current‐clamp experiments it appeared as a sag in hyperpolarizing voltage responses which were followed by well developed anodal breaks. In voltage‐clamped cells, the inward relaxation induced by hyperpolarizing commands fitted to a single exponential. It was already present near resting potential and could reach an amplitude of up to 4 nA for jumps near to ‐120 mV. This relaxation was provisionally termed Ih. Tail current relaxations also fitted to a single exponential when they were recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and of Co. The inward relaxation induced by hyperpolarizing commands was readily blocked by Cs, whereas it was unaffected when Ba replaced Ca in the bath, except near rest where it was strongly reduced. The Ca channel blockers Cd, Co and D600 also markedly depressed or even suppressed the inward rectification near resting potential, and up to about ‐85 mV, whereas this blocking effect was much less apparent or even absent at more negative potentials. Ih was clearly enhanced when the external K concentration was raised up to 20 mM. In the presence of TTX and Co in the bath, inward relaxations induced by hyperpolarizing jumps were unaffected in Na‐free solution, whereas the amplitude of tail currents was reduced. Furthermore, the reversal potential of Ih which ranged between ‐45 and ‐56 mV in the Co plus TTX containing solution, shifted toward more negative values in the Na‐free medium. In contrast, Ih remained unchanged in low Cl solution. From these experiments, it is likely that K and Na are the main charge carriers of Ih. Furthermore, this current seems to be contaminated near resting potential by a Ca‐dependent K current. Anodal breaks following hyperpolarizing commands were slightly attenuated when Cd or TTX were added to the bath. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
CRITICAL ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN 4 IN THE INDUCTION OF NEONATAL TRANSPLANTATION TOLERANCE

Neonatal injection of semiallogeneic cells is known to promote differentiation of donor-specific CD4+ T cells into TH2-like cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs. We reasoned that the propensity of neonatal T cells to synthesize high levels of IL-4 might be involved in this polarization of the alloreactive response and thereby in the development of neonatal transplantation tolerance. First, analysis of cytokine gene expression in lymph nodes after neonatal injection of 107 (A/J×BALB/c)Fl cells in BALB/c mice indicated that IL-4 but not IL-2 is rapidly produced by CD4+ cells after allogeneic challenge in vivo. To determine whether the early production of IL-4 was involved in the establishment of allotolerance, BALB/c mice neo-natally injected with (A/JxBALB/c)Fl spleen cells received on days 1 and 3 after birth 1 mg of anti-IL-4 mAb (11B11) or the same amount of control mAb. When grafted with A/J skin at 4 weeks, 88% of mice treated with control mAb retained their graft for more than 50 days, whereas rejection occurred within 30 days in 93% of mice treated with anti-IL-4 mAb. Analysis of T cell functions after in vitro restimulation with A/J spleen cells indicated that early IL-4 neutralization did not prevent donor-specific CTL unresponsiveness but allowed the emergence of alloreactive T cells secreting increased levels of IL-2 and IFN–y. We conclude that early production of IL-4 is critical for the establishment of neonatal transplantation tolerance in this strain combination, which has disparities across the entire H-2 region.
Creation of disease-inspired biomaterial environments to mimic pathological events in early calcific aortic valve disease

Significance Due to an insufficient understanding of the mechanisms that drive its progression, there is currently no treatment for calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) other than valve replacement. In this report, we describe the generation of engineered environments that mimic features found in early CAVD. By combining these engineered models of valve disease with other exogenous cues present during CAVD, we were able to propose a previously unidentified cascade of pathological events and identify specific extracellular components that are critical in regulating this process. These findings demonstrate the utility of engineered in vitro models to perform systematic, controlled studies of events related to disease progression that may lead to future identification of potential targets for therapeutic interventions. An insufficient understanding of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) pathogenesis remains a major obstacle in developing treatment strategies for this disease. The aim of the present study was to create engineered environments that mimic the earliest known features of CAVD and apply this in vitro platform to decipher relationships relevant to early valve lesion pathobiology. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) enrichment is a dominant hallmark of early CAVD, but culture of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) in biomaterial environments containing pathological amounts of hyaluronic acid (HA) or chondroitin sulfate (CS) did not directly increase indicators of disease progression such as VIC activation or inflammatory cytokine production. However, HA-enriched matrices increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), while matrices displaying pathological levels of CS were effective at retaining lipoproteins, whose deposition is also found in early CAVD. Retained oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), in turn, stimulated myofibroblastic VIC differentiation and secretion of numerous inflammatory cytokines. OxLDL also increased VIC deposition of GAGs, thereby creating a positive feedback loop to further enrich GAG content and promote disease progression. Using this disease-inspired in vitro platform, we were able to model a complex, multistep pathological sequence, with our findings suggesting distinct roles for individual GAGs in outcomes related to valve lesion progression, as well as key differences in cell–lipoprotein interactions compared with atherosclerosis. We propose a pathogenesis cascade that may be relevant to understanding early CAVD and envision the extension of such models to investigate other tissue pathologies or test pharmacological treatments.
Processing of Neutrophil α-Defensins Does Not Rely on Serine Proteases In Vivo

The α-defensins, human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) are the predominant antimicrobial peptides of neutrophil granules. They are synthesized in promyelocytes and myelocytes as proHNPs, but only processed in promyelocytes and stored as mature HNPs in azurophil granules. Despite decades of search, the mechanisms underlying the posttranslational processing of neutrophil defensins remain unidentified. Thus, neither the enzyme that processes proHNPs nor the localization of processing has been identified. It has been hypothesized that proHNPs are processed by the serine proteases highly expressed in promyelocytes: Neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G (CG), and proteinase 3 (PR3), all of which are able to process recombinant proHNP into HNP in vitro. We investigated whether serine proteases are in fact responsible for processing of proHNP in human bone marrow cells and in human and murine myeloid cell lines. Subcellular fractionation of the human promyelocytic cell line PLB-985 demonstrated proHNP processing to commence in fractions containing endoplasmic reticulum. Processing of 35S-proHNP was insensitive to serine protease inhibitors. Simultaneous knockdown of NE, CG, and PR3 did not decrease proHNP processing in primary human bone marrow cells. Furthermore, introduction of NE, CG, and PR3 into murine promyelocytic cells did not enhance the proHNP processing capability. Finally, two patients suffering from Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome, who lack active neutrophil serine proteases, demonstrated normal levels of fully processed HNP in peripheral neutrophils. Contradicting earlier assumptions, our study found serine proteases dispensable for processing of proHNPs in vivo. This calls for study of other protease classes in the search for the proHNP processing protease(s).
The utility and cost-effectiveness of D-dimer measurements in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The potential utility of D-dimer measurements for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis became evident soon after the development of reliable commercial assays. The purpose of this review is to outline some critical aspects affecting cost-effectiveness of D-dimer measurements in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS The authors have been working in this field contributing original papers whose data have been used for this study. In addition, the material analyzed in this article includes papers published in the journals covered by the Science Citation Index and Medline. RESULTS D-dimer levels are very sensitive to the process of fibrin formation/dissolution occurring with ongoing thrombosis. However, they may not be highly specific for venous thromboembolism as they are influenced by the presence of comorbid conditions potentially elevating plasma D-dimer (cancer, surgery, infectious diseases). In addition, commercially available ELISA assays, although quantitative and reproducible, cannot be used under emergency conditions because they are time-consuming and suited for batch-processing of plasma samples. Recently, new assays have been introduced which permit fast and quantitative D-dimer estimations in individual patients. We have evaluated the utility of two new rapid assays (LPIA D-dimer. Mitsubishi, and VIDAS D-DIMER, bio-Merieux) in combination with compression real-time-B-mode ultrasonography for the detection of deep vein thrombosis in asymptomatic patients following elective hip replacement and in patients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis. In both settings, we identified cut-off values with optimal sensitivity which allow exclusion of deep vein thrombosis in a considerable percentage of patients, with substantial sparing of economic resources. In fact, based on a cost-effectiveness analysis, a diagnostic algorithm combining D-dimers measurement and compression ultrasonography would result in cost-savings ranging from 5% to 55% in patients with high or low clinical pretest probability respectively. However, the specificity of D-dimer measurements for deep vein thrombosis was much higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients. Choice of the cut-off value proved to be dependent on the method as well as on the patient populations studied. CONCLUSIONS The cost-effectiveness of D-dimers measurement in the diagnosis of asymptomatic DVT remains questionable. Conversely, our data strongly support the utility of D-dimers determinations in the diagnosis of symptomatic DVT. In terms of sparing economic resources, the introduction in the clinical laboratory of the rapid quantitative assays would be highly convenient, because they avoid a source of bias in the interpretation of D-dimers results, are easy to perform and do not require dedicated personnel or instrumentation. Prospective management studies validating the utility of D-dimer measurement in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis are urgently needed.
Structure of mathematics achievement and response to intervention in children with mild disabilities

Children with mild disabilities are known to have difficulties with developing mathematical skills (Hoard, Geary, & Hamson, 1999). Yet, children with mild intellectual disabilities (MIDs) have rarely been included in rigorous scientific research. The present study has three goals. The first goal was to determine the structure of mathematics achievement in elementary aged children with MIDs and children with reading disabilities (RDs) without accompanying mathematics disabilities. The second goal was to establish the measurement stability of mathematics achievement. The third goal was to evaluate students’ response to a mathematics intervention. The participants were 265 children with MIDs and 137 children with RDs. Confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance evaluation was utilized to determine the structure of mathematics achievement and to ensure reliable and valid measurement of mathematics achievement between groups across three time points. The results of measurement invariance evaluation indicated that a joint model specification, characterized by two groups, both of which included children with MIDs and children with RDs who were differentiated according to intervention condition participation (not disability status), provided the best account of the underlying data structure. Further, the structure of mathematics achievement in the present sample was unidimensional, and the measurement of mathematics achievement was temporally stable between groups. Finally, latent mathematics achievement growth was evaluated. The results indicated that students in the mathematics intervention condition evidenced an advantage over those in a reading intervention condition at midand post-intervention evaluation, while also evidencing more growth in this conceptual domain. Instructional implications are discussed in terms of topic choice and pacing. INDEX WORDS: Mathematics, Math achievement, Mild disabilities, Mild intellectual disabilities, Learning disabilities, Reading disabilities, Measurement invariance, Measurement equivalence, Mathematics achievement structure, Mathematics achievement nature, Response to intervention, Math intervention. STRUCTURE OF MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT AND RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION IN CHILDREN WITH MILD DISABILITIES
Teaching Transformed: Achieving Excellence, Fairness, Inclusion, and Harmony

eScholarship provides open access, scholarly publishing services to the University of California and delivers a dynamic research platform to scholars worldwide. This study examined the relationship between Latino paraeducators and collaborating classroom teachers, finding that a lack of interaction between the groups with little time for paraeducators to ask questions of the teachers or for teachers to assist paraeducators in developing effective teaching strategies. The schools’ cultures were not structured to support collaboration. Policy implications for professional developement are discussed. (RR 8, $5) This report outlines findings from a study of school/community-based organization (CBO) partnerships that promote the academic achievement of language minority students. It describes the types of CBOs that partner with schools, the ways partners work together, and the work they do. Crucial elements of program success are discussed, as well as challenges that partnerships may face. (EPR $5) instructions. )
How Well Are We Providing Instructional Improvement Services

W ith the continuing press to improve the quality of schooling, it is important to seek agreement on the most produc tive avenues for school improvement. In this article we delineate the skills needed to improve instruction and report on an ASCD-sponsored re search project carried out during the 1979-80 school year. 1 The four major instructional im provement processes2 used by school systems to provide instructional serv ices to teachers are: • Curriculum development—as sessing needs, setting goals and ob jectives, selecting and organizing content and learning activities, and evaluating the curriculum. • Clinical supervision—holding planning sessions with teachers be fore classroom visits; observing in struction; and, after observing, an alyzing the thinking-learning process. • Staff development—providing inservice based on teachers' and leaders' needs and on knowledge of how adults learn. Experienced-based learning is far more effective than didactic approaches. • Teacher evaluation—determin ing the professional adequacy of in dividual teachers. Since the purpose of teacher evaluation is to improve teaching, good evaluation procedures can focus on characteristics of teach ing that are substantive and related to effective teaching, rather than on trivial "trait" factors.
Effects of treatment on morbidity in hypertension. II. Results in patients with diastolic blood pressure averaging 90 through 114 mm Hg.

Three hundred and eighty male hypertensive patients with diastolic blood pressures averaging 90 to 114 mmHg were randomlyassigned to either active antihypertensive agents or placebos. The estimated risk of developing a morbid event overa five-year period was reduced from 55% to 18% by treatment. Terminating morbid events occurred in 35 patients of the control group as comparedto 9 patients in the treated group. Nineteen deaths related to hypertension or atherosclerosis occurred in the control group and 8 in the actively treated group. In addition to morbid events, 20 control patients developed persistent diastolic levels of 125 mm Hg or higher. Treatment was moreeffective in preventing congestive heartfailure and stroke than in preventing the complicationsof coronary artery disease. The degree of benefit wasrelatedto the level of prerandomization blood pressure.
Diabetic retinopathy screening and the use of telemedicine

Purpose of review Evidence-based practice guidelines and treatments are highly effective in reducing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. However, less than half of the total number of patients with diabetes mellitus receive recommended annual retinal evaluations, and vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness in adults. Poor adherence to screening recommendations stems from a number of challenges which telemedicine technology may address to increase the evaluation rates and ultimately reduce vision loss. The aim of this review was to provide an update on the recent advances in tele-ophthalmology and how it may expand our current concept of eye care delivery for diabetic eye disease. Recent findings The benefits of telemedicine diabetic retinopathy are proven for large population-based systems. Outcomes information from community-based programs is now also beginning to emerge. Improved screening rates and less vision loss from diabetic retinopathy are being reported after implementation of telemedicine programs. New imaging platforms for telemedicine programs may enhance the ability to detect and grade diabetic retinopathy. However, financial factors remain a barrier to widespread implementation. Summary Telemedicine diabetic retinopathy screening programs may have a significant impact on reducing the vision complications and healthcare burden from the growing diabetes epidemic. Video abstract http://links.lww. com/COOP/A17
Jogging over a distance between Europe and Australia

Exertion activities, such as jogging, require users to invest intense physical effort and are associated with physical and social health benefits. Despite the benefits, our understanding of exertion activities is limited, especially when it comes to social experiences. In order to begin understanding how to design for technologically augmented social exertion experiences, we present "Jogging over a Distance", a system in which spatialized audio based on heart rate allowed runners as far apart as Europe and Australia to run together. Our analysis revealed how certain aspects of the design facilitated a social experience, and consequently we describe a framework for designing augmented exertion activities. We make recommendations as to how designers could use this framework to aid the development of future social systems that aim to utilize the benefits of exertion.