Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influenza vaccination in children at high risk of respiratory disease

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases that can affect the pediatric population and health authorities throughout the world recommend influenza vaccination because of the significant risk of influenza-related complications. However, despite this recommendation, vaccine coverage is generally unsatisfactory. The aim of this review is to analyze the impact of influenza on children at high risk of respiratory disease, and the immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in such children. The results show that there is a significant risk of influenza-related complications in preterm neonates and infants, in whom influenza vaccines are immunogenic and safe (although their efficacy has not been specifically studied). There are conflicting data concerning the effect of influenza infection on asthma morbidity in children, and whether or not influenza vaccination helps to prevent asthma exacerbations. Recent data provide no evidence that influenza is more frequent in patients with cystic fibrosis than in healthy subjects, or that it is responsible for increased lower respiratory tract morbidity. The lack of any clear correlate of protection suggests that future studies should also consider the efficacy of the different influenza vaccines and not only evaluate them in terms of immunogenicity. Furthermore, there is a need for clinical studies to assess the effectiveness of the available vaccines in patients with other rare CRDs and other chronic underlying diseases with possibly severe respiratory involvement. It is also important to determine whether children with recurrent respiratory tract infections should be included in the list of those for whom influenza vaccination is recommended. In the meantime, given the increasing evidence of the burden of influenza on the population as a whole and the benefits associated with vaccination, annual influenza vaccinations should be recommended for all children at high risk of respiratory disease and the members of their households.
Parameterization of Manifold Triangulations

This paper proposes a straightforward method of parameterizing manifold triangulations where the parameter domain is a coarser triangulation of the same topology. The method partitions the given triangulation into triangular patches bounded by geodesic curves and parameterizes each patch individually. We apply the global parameterization to remeshing and wavelet decomposition.
Consuming Bollywood: Young Sikhs social comparisons with heroes and heroines in Indian films

Abstract This interpretivist study uses social comparison and social identity theory to consider how members of the British Sikh community are consuming Bollywood films (the Indian movie industry). In applying social comparison theory to this ethnic context, we seek to extend knowledge of how this theory relates to cultural identity construction. In terms of social identity and acculturation, the social function of Bollywood films and their popular consumption provide a valuable narrative space to negotiate and ‘remoor’ ethnic identity. Three key themes emerged to illustrate the ways in which the social comparisons that Bollywood encourages are influencing the identities of third generation British Sikhs: (1) social comparison and ideals of romance; (2) gender differences: making comparisons to heroes and heroines; and (3) British versus Indian self: Bollywood as a medium for identity reconstruction.
Factors affecting university image formation among prospective higher education students: the case of international branch campuses

Previous research has found that the images of universities formed by prospective students greatly influence their choices. With the advent of international branch campuses in several higher education hubs worldwide, many international students now attempt to construct images of these institutions when deciding where to study. The aim of this research is to identify the sources of information and other influences that impact upon the images of international branch campuses formed by prospective undergraduate students. The study involved 407 students studying at nine international schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was found that recommendations and feedback resulting from personal relationships was by far the most influential factor shaping the images of institutions constructed by students. It was also discovered that elite institutions can benefit from positive home campus images based on heritage and prestige, which positively influence the images constructed of the international branch campuses operated by these institutions. The implications of the findings for higher education institutions are discussed.
A Reconceptualization of General and Specific Deterrence

The distinction between general and specific deterrence is widely recognized and accepted by deterrence researchers, and is used commonly to classify deterrence studies. However, the logical and empirical grounds for the distinction are not as clear as they might appear, and the conventional conception has done more to obfuscate than to clarify the deterrence process. Following a discussion of these issues, the authors propose a reconceptualization of general and specific deterrence, and apply it to several current controversies in the deterrence literature.
Mind Economy: Dynamic Graph Analysis of Communications

Social networks are growing in reach and impact but little is known about their structure, dynamics, or users’ behaviors. New techniques and approaches are needed to study and understand why these networks attract users’ persistent attention, and how the networks evolve. This thesis investigates questions that arise when modeling human behavior in social networks, and its main contributions are: • an infrastructure and methodology for understanding communication on graphs; • identification and exploration of sub-communities; • metrics for identifying effective communicators in dynamic graphs; • a new definition of dynamic, reciprocal social capital and its iterative computation • a methodology to study influence in social networks in detail, using • a class hierarchy established by social capital • simulations mixed with reality across time and capital classes • various attachment strategies, e.g. via friends-of-friends or full utility optimization • a framework for answering questions such as “are these influentials accidental” • discovery of the “middle class” of social networks, which as shown with our new metrics and simulations is the real influential in many processes Our methods have already lead to the discovery of “mind economies” within Twitter, where interactions are designed to increase ratings as well as promoting topics of interest and whole subgroups. Reciprocal social capital metrics identify the “middle class” of Twitter which does most of the “long-term” talking, carrying the bulk of the system-sustaining conversations. We show that this middle class wields the most of the actual influence we should care about — these are not “accidental influentials. ” Our approach is of interest to computer scientists, social scientists, economists, marketers, recruiters, and social media builders who want to find and present new ways of exploring, browsing, analyzing, and sustaining online social networks. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Computer and Information Science This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/455 First Advisor Lyle Ungar Second Advisor George Cybenko
Joint Spatial Modeling of Recurrent Infection and Growth with Processes under Intermittent Observation

Summary In this article, we present a new statistical methodology for longitudinal studies in forestry, where trees are subject to recurrent infection, and the hazard of infection depends on tree growth over time. Understanding the nature of this dependence has important implications for reforestation and breeding programs. Challenges arise for statistical analysis in this setting with sampling schemes leading to panel data, exhibiting dynamic spatial variability, and incomplete covariate histories for hazard regression. In addition, data are collected at a large number of locations, which poses computational difficulties for spatiotemporal modeling. A joint model for infection and growth is developed wherein a mixed nonhomogeneous Poisson process, governing recurring infection, is linked with a spatially dynamic nonlinear model representing the underlying height growth trajectories. These trajectories are based on the von Bertalanffy growth model and a spatially varying parameterization is employed. Spatial variability in growth parameters is modeled through a multivariate spatial process derived through kernel convolution. Inference is conducted in a Bayesian framework with implementation based on hybrid Monte Carlo. Our methodology is applied for analysis in an 11‐year study of recurrent weevil infestation of white spruce in British Columbia.
Bleeding in Hepatic Surgery: Sorting through Methods to Prevent It

Liver resections are demanding operations which can have life threatening complications although they are performed by experienced liver surgeons. The parameter “Blood Loss” has a central role in liver surgery, and different strategies to minimize it are a key to improve results. Moreover, recently, new technologies are applied in the field of liver surgery, having one goal: safer and easier liver operations. The aim of this paper is to review the different principal solutions to the problem of blood loss in hepatic surgery, focusing on technical aspects of new devices.
Autonomic Regulation on the Stroop Predicts Reading Achievement in School Age Children

In this study we examined high frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV, a parasympathetic index) both at rest and during challenge, to assess if variations in cardiovascular activity measured during a Stroop task could be used to predict reading achievement in typically developing children. Reading achievement was examined using the Peabody Individual Achievement Test–Revised. Results showed that greater HF-HRV suppression during both the Stroop word and Stroop word–color conflict tasks was associated with better reading achievement. Higher basal levels of HF-HRV did not predict better reading scores. These results are among the first to show a link between HF-HRV and reading achievement in a normative school age population, and offer new insight into the association between cognitive activity and autonomic regulation of the heart.
A Comparison of HIV-Related Factors Among Seropositive Brazilian, South American, and Puerto Rican Gay Men in the United States

Latino men who have sex with men are a group at high risk for HIV infection. Much of the research addressing attitudes and behaviors related to HIV among Latinos in the United States has overlooked differences based on nationality. Brazilian immigrants, in particular, are an understudied subgroup of Latinos. This study compared HIV-positive Brazilian gay men (n = 75) with their Spanish-speaking counterparts from South America (n = 103) and Puerto Rico (n = 61) on a variety of HIV-related factors. Results failed to reveal any significant group differences in disclosure of serostatus or in behaviors relevant to sexual risk. Some differences in demographic characteristics, reasons for immigration, and acculturation, however, did emerge among the three groups. Implications for aggregation of Latino subgroups in HIV-related programs are discussed.
Assessment and biological significance of JC polyomavirus in colorectal cancer in Tunisia.

PURPOSE Several reports have indicated the presence of JC polyomavirus (JCV) in many human tumors, including colorectal cancers (CRCs). The presence of JCV infection in CRC patients has not been investigated in African countries. METHODS We examined the prevalence and the biological significance of JCV in Tunisian CRC patients. The presence of JCV was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a series of 105 CRCs and 89 paired non-tumor colonic mucosa samples from Tunisian patients. Results were correlated with the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin, p53, and the proliferation marker Ki-67. RESULTS JCV DNA was detected in 58.1% (61/105) of CRC and in only 14.6% (13/89) of paired non tumor colonic mucosa samples (p=0.03). The presence of JCV was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (p=0.03). Moreover, JCV presence was significantly correlated with nuclear accumulation of β-catenin (p=0.008) and p53 accumulation (p=0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor differentiation, β-catenin and p53 accumulation were independent parameters significantly associated with the presence of JCV in CRC (p=0.04; p=0.05; p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION We support a role of JCV in colorectal carcinogenesis in Tunisian patients, especially of well differentiated morphology.
Starting a New Job: The Social and Emotional Experience of People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Background Employment is viewed by policy makers as both a human right and as a means of changing the marginalized status of people with intellectual disabilities, with important social and emotional benefits. However, there has been little longitudinal research examining the experience of people with intellectual disabilities in the workplace. Methods Thirty-five individuals with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities participated in this study. They were recruited from supported employment agencies in Scotland. A longitudinal approach was adopted, with the participants being interviewed around the time of starting their jobs, and again 9–12 months later. Results The content analyses of the semi-structured interviews indicated that the participants perceived continuing benefits from entering mainstream employment, including more purposeful lives and increased social status. However, over the follow-up period the participants reported few social opportunities that extended beyond the workplace, and an anxiety about their competence to meet employers’ demands remained a concern for some. Conclusions The discussion addresses the importance of understanding work in relation to the participants’ wider lives, along with the longer-term role for supported employment agencies to help people achieve their social and emotional goals in a vocational context.
The Negative Aspects of Social Exchange: An Introduction to Perceived Organizational Obstruction

The authors introduce the concept of perceived organizational obstruction (POO) to fill a theoretical gap in the social exchange literature. They draw on four different samples of employees working in various organizations to: (a) generate items to measure POO, (b) assess the psychometric properties of the POO scale, (c) replicate the factor structure and other psychometric properties of the scale, (d) assess the discriminant validity with respect to existing measures of the employer—employee relationship, and (e) determine whether POO explains additional variance beyond existing constructs (perceived organizational support, psycholosgical contract breach, organizational politics, procedural justice, and organizational frustration) in the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect framework. The results of this study indicate that the POO scale is internally consistent and unidimensional, demonstrates discriminant validity with respect to existing employer— employee relationship constructs, and explains additional variance in the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect framework.
Estimation of the effect of neutropenia on rates of clinical bacteraemia in HIV-infected patients

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to quantitate the relationship between neutropenia and rates of clinical bacteraemia among adults with HIV infection receiving medical care at one institution between 1991–5. The primary exposure, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), was summarized as mean ANC within a given week, using a five-level stratification (reference > 1000/μl). ANC stratum-specific rates of bacteraemia were calculated, by organism type. Linear trend tests were performed to assess dose-response relationship between neutropenia and rates of bacteraemia. The cohort included 1645 patients contributing 26785 patients-weeks and 191 episodes of bacteraemia. The unadjusted effect of neutropenia was most evident for bacteraemia due to E. coli (RR 3.4), Klebsiella pneumoniae (RR 16·7), and P. aeruginosa (RR 10.4). For bacteraemia due to any of these three organisms (47 episodes), with reference ANC > 1000/μl, relative rates were: 751–1000/μl, 1·12; 501–750/μl, 2.11; 251–500/μl, 13·58; 0–250/μl, 21·89.
Surgery-related posttraumatic stress disorder in parents of children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: A prospective cohort study

Objective: We aimed at evaluating surgery-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in parents of children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Risk factors for parental PTSD symptoms were explored. Design: A prospective cohort study was performed assessing PTSD symptoms immediately after discharge and 6 months after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Setting: Recruitment took place at a tertiary pediatric medical center in Switzerland. Subjects: German-speaking parents of children with congenital heart defects aged between 0 and 16 yrs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery were eligible (n = 228). After child discharge, 135 mothers and 98 fathers of 139 children (response rate 61.0%) participated. Six months after surgery, 121 mothers and 92 fathers of 128 children (response rate, 56.1%) took part in the study. Interventions: Assessment via a screening instrument and self-rating scale, and extraction of data from charts. Measurements and Main Results: The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale was applied to estimate self-reported symptoms of PTSD. Following discharge, 16.4% of mothers and 13.3% of fathers met diagnostic criteria for acute PTSD. Another 15.7% of mothers and 13.3% of fathers experienced significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Six months after surgery, PTSD rates were 14.9% and 9.5%, respectively. Mothers experienced more severe symptoms of PTSD, but gender differences were not detected with regard to the frequency of PTSD at either time. After controlling for socioeconomic status and child preoperative morbidity, PTSD symptom severity after discharge remained the only significant predictor of PTSD severity at 6 months. Pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors did not predict parental PTSD. Conclusions: Parents of children undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery are at increased risk for intermediate and long-term psychological malfunctioning. Acute symptoms of PTSD in parents shortly after discharge of their child are a major risk factor for the development of chronic PTSD. Clinicians need to identify parents at risk at an early stage to provide them with systematic support.
Implementation and experimental validation of efficiency improvement in PMSM drives through switching frequency reduction

Energy efficiency improvement in variable speed motor drives is of widespread interest because of the rising cost of energy. Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives are especially favored in variable speed applications due to their high efficiency of operation. This research focuses on improving efficiency of the PMSM drive system by reducing the switching frequency of the inverter driving the motor. At reduced switching frequencies, programmed pulse width modulation methods that results in elimination or reduction of the low ordered sidebands of the currents are considered in this work. The study showcases new implementation aspects of programmed PWM and closed loop current control at reduced switching frequencies necessary to operate the PMSM drive system at higher efficiency. The experimental measurements validate the total system efficiency improvement at reduced switching frequencies.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER AT TIFFANY CREEK ELEMENTARY

________________Peterson______________Keri__________L. __________________ (Writer) (Last Name) (First) (Initial) Parental Involvement in the Early Learning Center at Tiffany Creek_________________ (Title) Elementary______________________________________________________________ Home Economics_______Dr. _Karen_Zimmerman_____August,2002_______77_______ (Graduate Major) (Research Advisor) (Month/Year) (No. of Pages) ____________________American_Psychological_Association_____________________ (Name of Style Manual Used in this Study) The purpose of this study was to assess the current level of parental involvement in a four-year-old kindergarten program in a public elementary school. Research has shown that parental involvement in children’s schooling has a dramatic effect on children’s academic achievement (Henderson & Berla 1995; National PTA 1997; US Department of Education 1997). The benefits of effective parental involvement programs reach beyond the child to the parents and schools as well. When parents are involved in their children’s schooling, parents show increased self-confidence in parenting and are more knowledgeable about how to help their child with learning at home. When teachers and parents connect, teachers reap the benefits as well. Teachers who involve parents become better teachers and devote more time to teaching. Schools that work well with families have improved teacher morale.
An Investigation of Adolescent Girls' Global Self-Concept, Physical Self-Concept, Identified Regulation, and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Physical Education.

This study examined the relationships among identified regulation, physical self-concept, global self-concept, and leisure-time physical activity with a sample of middle and high school girls (N = 319) enrolled in physical education. Based on Marsh’s theory of self-concept, it was hypothesized that a) physical self-concept would mediate the relationship between identified regulation and global self-concept and b) physical self-concept would mediate the relationship between identified regulation and leisure-time physical activity. Data analysis revealed a structural model in which physical self-concept mediated the relationship between identified regulation and global self-concept as well as the relationship between identified regulation and leisure-time physical activity. Findings provide support for examining self-concept from a hierarchical and domain-specific perspective. Results also offer greater understanding about one possible mechanism that links physical education to increases in global self-conc.
Efeito de um programa de intervenção motora sobre o desenvolvimento motor de crianças em situação de risco social na região do Cariri-Ceará

Objetivou-se neste estudo, verificar o efeito de um programa de intervencao motora sobre o desenvolvimento motor (DM) de escolares de uma comunidade em situacao de vulnerabilidade socioeconomica na Regiao do Cariri, Ceara, Brasil. Participaram do estudo 46 escolares de ambos os generos (23 Grupo Intervencao e 23 Grupo Controle), com idades entre 7 e 9 anos ( = 8,27 - s = 0,61). A intervencao motora foi baseada na proposta de Valentini e Toigo (2006) e nos Processos Proximais destacados por Bronfenbrenner e Morris (2007). O desempenho motor foi avaliado por meio do Teste de Desenvolvimento Motor Grosso-2 (TDMG-2). Os resultados evidenciaram efeito positivo e significativo no DM das criancas atendidas no programa interventivo. Conclui-se que a proposta didatico-pedagogica adotada mostrou-se eficaz para promover o desenvolvimento das habilidades locomotoras e manipulativas dos escolares, mostrando-se como uma alternativa viavel para promover o DM das criancas do Ensino Fundamental I.