Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of very low birthweight infants: Intelligence and aspects of school progress at 14 years of age

Abstract Consecutive surviving children weighing less than 1501 g when born in 1966–70 were followed prospectively: 87% (146/168) attended normal secondary schools, 4% (7/168) attended schools for those with special needs and 9% (15/168) were untraced. The psychologist assessed 140 children at a mean age of 14.5 years. The mean WISC‐R Verbal Score of 89.7 was almost identical to that achieved by the children at 8 years of age (89.2). Thirty three children (24%) had delay in Reading Accuracy on the Neale Analysis of Reading Ability, whilst 66 children (48%) were delayed on the Comprehension Scale. Social class and duration of maternal education were significant predictors of the WISC‐R Verbal Scores and Reading Comprehension at 14.5 years but the total variance explained was small. The Bayley Development Index (MDI) available for half of the children at 2 years often underestimated their potential as defined by the WISC‐R Verbal Score at 14.5 years. The 8 year intelligence (WISC‐R) and reading measures (Neale) were significantly and highly associated with the corresponding measures at 14.5 years. It was concluded that 8 years was an appropriate age to evaluate the outcome of the children and to identify many of those needing educational intervention. The spasmodic nature and sometimes short duration of the help received by many of the children underlines the need for more appropriate intervention for children with learning difficulties.
Contribution of Genetics to the Understanding of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

The biologic mechanism by which behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) occur in some patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not understood, but it may be related to the selected loss of different neuronal populations or specific neurotransmitters. In many patients, these neuronal and neurotransmitter losses are likely to be the end result of the inheritance of a number of genetic risk factors for AD. Thus BPSD may arise indirectly as a result of genetic risk factors for AD. However, an alternative, or possibly complementary, hypothesis is that genetic risk factors for neuropsychiatric phenomena may, in normal circumstances, be clinically silent until neurodegeneration occurs from whatever cause.
Recent changes in lung cancer incidence for south Asians: a population based register study

In Britain the incidence of lung cancer among south Asians (Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi) is much lower than in the rest of the population.1 In the UK south Asian population, however, it is the commonest cancer for men and the second commonest for women.2 Little has been reported on lung cancer trends among south Asians in Britain. We explored trends in lung cancer incidence from 1990 to 1999 in Leicester (22% of residents classified as south Asian in 1991 census). We identified cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Leicester residents between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1999 from the Trent Cancer Registry. Ethnicity data were not available for all patients, so we used software assessing forename and surname to classify patients as south Asian or non-south Asian,3 with visual inspection of the data to increase accuracy. We assessed deprivation using the Townsend index. The local research ethics committee approved the study. Population …
Effect of an Internet-Based Professional Development Program on Teachers' Assessment Literacy for All Students

This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of Assessing One and All (AOA), a Web-based teacher professional development program. AOA was designed to enhance teachers' assessment literacy and skills in general and inclusive educational assessment practices. Fifty-five teachers from Arizona, South Carolina, and Wisconsin participated in the study. Repeated-measure analysis, matched-pair t-tests, and qualitative analysis were used to examine whether (a) AOA effectively enhanced teachers' knowledge and self-efficacy in inclusive assessment practices, and (b) teachers accepted the online course as an alternative to traditional professional development programs. Despite some limitations in the design and execution of the study, AOA improved teachers' knowledge and self-efficacy of assessment issues and can serve as an efficient and effective professional development tool.
Breast cancer biomarker measurements and standards

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by changes in the levels and activities of important cellular proteins, including oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Genetic mutations cause changes in protein activity and protein expression levels that result in the altered metabolism, proliferation, and metastasis seen in cancer cells. The identification of the critical biochemical changes in cancer has led to advances in its detection and treatment. An important example of this is the measurement of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), where increased expression occurs in approximately 20–30% of breast cancer tumors. HER2 is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor family and is an important biomarker expressed on the cell surface. Measurement of the HER2 levels in tumor cells provides diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment information, because a targeted therapeutic is available. The most common methods to measure HER2 levels are immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization assays. The accurate and reliable measurements of the specific changes in protein biomarkers for detection and treatment of cancer are important challenges. This review is focused on efforts to improve the quantitation and reliability of cancer biomarkers by using standards and reference materials.
Exploring barriers to optimal anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: interviews with clinicians

Background Warfarin, the most commonly used antithrombotic agent for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation (AF), requires regular monitoring, frequent dosage adjustments, and dietary restrictions. Clinicians’ perceptions of barriers to optimal AF management are an important factor in treatment. Anticoagulation management for AF is overseen by both cardiology and internal medicine (IM) practices. Thus, gaining the perspective of specialists and generalists is essential in understanding barriers to treatment. We used qualitative research methods to define key issues in the prescription of warfarin therapy for AF by cardiology specialists and IM physicians. Methods and results Clinicians were interviewed to identify barriers to warfarin treatment in a large Midwestern city. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation occurred. Content analysis yielded several themes. The most salient theme that emerged from clinician interviews was use of characteristics other than the patient’s CHADS2 score to enact a treatment plan, such as the patient’s social situation and past medication-taking behavior. Other themes included patient knowledge, real-world problems, breakdown in communication, and clinician reluctance. Conclusion Warfarin treatment is associated with many challenges. The barriers identified by clinicians highlight the unmet need associated with stroke prophylaxis in AF and the opportunity to improve anticoagulation treatment in AF. Social and lifestyle factors were important considerations in determining treatment.
GAME EFFICIENCY OF ELITE FEMALE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL PLAYERS DURING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (GOLD CUP) 2006

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to describe of game efficiency in relation to teams ranking in Gold Cup 2006, and (2) to explore the relationship between the functional classification levels of female elite wheelchair basketball athletes and their basketball performance. All 72 athletes representing the eight teams participating in the World Championships for Wheelchair Basketball in 2006 (3-16 July, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) were evaluated in this study. All twenty-four scheduled games were videotaped. Female athletes were divided according to their functional classification level (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5) and Gold Cup’s team ranking (teams from 1st to 4th place, teams from 5th and 6th place, teams from 7th and 8th place). Nineteen variables of game efficiency were evaluated. To determine quality of an athlete’s contribution to the game, modification of the Comprehensive Basketball Grading System (CBGSmodified) was used. Analyses of the results demonstrated that game efficiency in women’s wheelchair basketball is dependent on the athlete’s functional level and team ranking. The results support the notion that athletes from the “best” teams demonstrate higher shooting efficiency and significantly better CBSG values in comparison to female players from the “weakest” teams. In addition the data shows many similarities in game efficiency between those athletes from adjacent classifications levels.
Multiple-Valued Quantum Logic

This paper introduces the concept of multiplevalued quantum logic, where more than two quantum basis states are introduced, for instance { 0 , 1 , 2 } for ternary quantum logic. Since the binary 2-qubit Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) basis states play an important role in quantum logic circuits and superdense coding, their generalization to multiple-valued N-qubit EPR basis states is interesting to be considered, especially that multiple-valued quantum logic is physically feasible. The multiple-valued EPR basis states are achieved by utilizing the new quantum Chrestenson operator, which is also presented in this work. New multiple-valued Galois-field quantum primitives, evolution processes, and the corresponding canonical quantum decision trees and decision diagrams are also introduced as their representations.
Bank Lending and Monetary Transmission in the Euro Area

To what extent does the availability of credit depend on monetary policy? And, does this relationship vary with bank characteristics? Based on a common source of balance sheet data for the four largest economies of the euro area over the period 1999-2011, we uncover three main regularities. First, the effect of monetary policy on bank lending is significant and heterogeneous in Germany and Italy, which are characterised by a large number of banks; but it is very weak in Spain and more homogeneous in France, where the banking industry has a higher degree of market concentration. Second, there is some evidence that monetary policy exerts larger effects on cooperative and savings banks with lower liquidity and less capital in Germany and savings banks with smaller size in Italy. Third, heterogeneity across groups of banks belonging to the same category in any particular country is found to be less pronounced. JEL Classification: C33, E44, E52, G21
Effects of n-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy and/or Lactation on Neurodevelopment and Visual Function in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) supplementation of pregnant and/or lactating women on the neurodevelopment and visual function of their children. Methods: Systematic review. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing n-3 LCPUFA maternal supplementation were identified through electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library) and the references of reviewed articles. Results: Overall, 13 publications, some with important methodological limitations, were included. With regard to supplementation during pregnancy, among 3 RCTs that evaluated this intervention, 1 RCT (n = 72) showed significantly better eye and hand coordination assessed with the Griffiths Mental Development Scales at 30 months of age. Another RCT (n = 29) demonstrated an effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on the cloth step of intentional solutions of the 2-step problem-solving test. No other effects were demonstrated. There was no consistent effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy on the children's visual acuity. With regard to supplementation during lactation, among 3 RCTs that assessed this intervention, 1 RCT (n = 133) showed significant improvement on the Bayley Psychomotor Development Index in 30-month-old children; however, there was no influence of such supplementation on the results of different tests performed in the same group of children or in others. There was no consistent effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during lactation on the children's visual function. Supplementation during pregnancy and lactation (3 RCTs) did not affect child neurodevelopment assessed up to 7 years of age. Conclusion: Evidence from RCTs does not demonstrate a clear and consistent benefit of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation on child neurodevelopment and visual acuity. These results should be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations of the included studies.
Triboelectric charging between polytetrafluoroethylene and metals

Measurements were obtained on charge exchange processes occurring between small metal ballistic pellets and a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube. Lead pellets of 5.5-mm diameter were propelled at a range of speeds through PTFE tubes of different lengths by compressed carbon dioxide. The charge incurred by the pellets and the tube was compared with the charge observed on copper and lead spheres rolled through the tube, driven by gravity. In all experiments, the charge on the moving pellet was measured with a Faraday cup. The experiments determined the effect of pellet speed on the magnitude of the charge accumulated on the pellet and on the PTFE tube. Sectioned shielding on the PTFE tube allowed the determination of surface charge distribution along its length by means of an electrometer. It was observed that the charge also depended on the work functions of the materials involved (lead, copper, PTFE). The charge on the pellets was found to range from +0.5/spl times/10/sup -8/ to +3.0/spl times/10/sup -8/ C, for pellet speeds from 10 to 80 m/spl middot/s/sup -1/. The reproducibility of results is discussed and comment provided on the degree of charge imbalance observed.
Caregiving and Its Resulting Effects—The Care Study to Evaluate the Effects of Caregiving on Caregivers of Patients with Advanced Cancer in Singapore

Informal caregivers (IC) are key to enabling home deaths, where preferred, at the end-of-life. Significant morbidity from advanced cancer can make caregiving burdensome. However, knowledge about the nature of the caregiving burden for caregivers in Singapore is limited. Hence, the key objective in this study was to examine the impact of the caregiving burden on quality of life (QOL), mental health and work capacity among local ICs. Eligible English-speaking ICs of hospitalized advanced cancer patients were recruited through non-random sampling. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Caregiver Quality of Life Index—Cancer (CQOLC), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale—Revised (CESD-R), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI) were interviewer-administered to eligible ICs. Altogether, 16 ICs were surveyed. The mean age of ICs was 43.8 years. Most were children of patients (43.8%), and eight ICs had high burden (ZBI > 17). Those with ZBI > 17 had lower QOL, higher depression scores as well as greater work and activity impairment. In conclusion, high caregiver burden has adverse effects on QOL, mental health and work productivity. Non-physical elements of caregiving (particularly financial and decision-making) and increased number of care roles undertaken by a single IC contribute to high burden. Future interventions for caregiving burden in Singapore should also address the financial and decision-making aspects of caregiving. Outsourcing selected aspects of the caregiving role to community services may reduce the number of caregiving aspects undertaken by a single IC and caregiver burden.
Variation in Effects of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors According to the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DRB1*01:01 Allele and Ancestral Haplotype 8.1

Genetic variations in human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are critical in host responses to infections, transplantation, and immunological diseases. We previously identified associations with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and the HLA-DRB1*01:01 allele and extended ancestral haplotype (AH) 8.1 (HLA-A*01-B*08-DR*03-TNF-308A). To illuminate how HLA alleles and haplotypes may influence NHL etiology, we examined potential interactions between HLA-DRB1*01:01 and AH 8.1, and a wide range of NHL risk factors among 685 NHL cases and 646 controls from a United States population-based case-control study. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals by HLA allele or haplotype status, adjusted for sex, age, race and study center for NHL and two major subtypes using polychotomous unconditional logistic regression models. The previously reported elevation in NHL risk associated with exposures to termite treatment and polychlorinated biphenyls were restricted to individuals who did not possess HLA-DRB1*01:01. Previous associations for NHL and DLBCL with decreased sun exposure, higher BMI, and autoimmune conditions were statistically significant only among those with AH 8.1, and null among those without AH 8.1. Our results suggest that NHL risk factors vary in their association based on HLA-DRB1*01:01 and AH 8.1 status. Our results further suggest that certain NHL risk factors may act through a common mechanism to alter NHL risk. Finally, control participants with either HLA-DRB1*01:01 or AH 8.1 reported having a family history of NHL twice as likely as those who did not have either allele or haplotype, providing the first empirical evidence that HLA associations may explain some of the well-established relationship between family history and NHL risk.
Dielectric Engineering of Nanostructured Layers to Control the Transport of Injected Charges in Thin Dielectrics

A new concept concerning dielectric engineering is presented in this study aiming at a net improvement of the performance of dielectric layers in RF MEMS capacitive switches with electrostatic actuation and an increase of their reliability. Instead of synthesis of new dielectric materials, we have developed a new class of dielectric layers that gain their performance from design rather than from composition. Two kinds of nanostructured dielectrics are presented. They consist of 1) silicon oxynitride layers (SiOxNy:H) with gradual variation of their properties (discrete or continuous) and 2) organosilicon (SiOxCy:H) and/or silica (SiO 2) layers with tailored interfaces; a single layer of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is embedded in the vicinity of the dielectric free surface. The nanostructured dielectric layers were deposited in a plasma process. They were structurally characterized and tested under electrical stress and environmental conditions typical for RF MEMS operation. The charge injection and decay dynamics were probed by Kelvin force microscopy. Modulation of the conductive properties of the nanostructured layers over seven orders of magnitude is achieved. Compared to dielectric monolayers, the nanostructured ones exhibit much shorter charge retention times. They appear to be promising candidates for implementation in RF MEMS capacitive switches with electrostatic actuation, and more generally for applications where surface charging must be avoided.
Working with schizophrenia: Experts' views on barriers and pathways to employment and job retention

BACKGROUND: Unemployment among people with schizophrenia remains high despite slight improvements in vocational rehabilitation services and attitudes towards people with mental health disorders over the years. Experts are in a good position to increase our understanding on why this group still experiences such significant barriers to employment. OBJECTIVE: Interviews explored experts’ views on schizophrenia and employment; with a particular focus on individual, attitudinal and structural barriers, as well as available interventions and their outcomes. METHODS:The sample of 20 experts were recruited using theoretical sampling. The experts consisted of: employment specialists, healthcare professionals, activists from patient organisations, academics, caregivers and employers. A thematic approach was used for analysis. RESULTS: Low expectations of healthcare professionals which were often manifested as minimal recognition of employment as an outcome for people with schizophrenia as well as a “benefits trap” were identified as the strongest barriers to employment. In addition, the IPS model was identified as the most effective to support people to work, but lack of funding to implement the model nationally and concerns of poor implementation were raised by the experts. CONCLUSIONS: More research is required to examine which adaptations are needed for vocational interventions in order to implement them successfully.
Children's Social Constructions of Popularity

Children's social constructions of popularity were assessed with perceived popularity nominations (i.e., ‘Who are the most [least] popular students? ’) in a sample of 487 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade elementary school students. Correlational and group-difference analyses demonstrated that perceived popularity is moderately and positively related to sociometric popularity and social dominance. Perceived popular girls were viewed as prosocial, bright, and in possession of the expressive equipment of popularity (i.e., attractiveness and spending power); perceived popular girls who were not well-liked (i.e., sociometrically popular) had these characteristics as well but also were above-average (>.5 SD) on social aggression and social visibility (i.e., cool and athletic). Perceived popular boys were reported to be socially visible (i.e., cool and athletic) and with low levels of social withdrawal; perceived popular boys who were not well-liked had these characteristics but also were reported to be socially aggressive, attractive, and to possess spending power. Finally, group comparisons revealed that perceived popularity, either alone or in combination with sociometric popularity, is accompanied by more social prerogatives (i.e., admiration, leadership, social control) than sociometric popularity alone. It was argued that being perceived as popular is a key determinant of social power in peer groups of older elementary school students.
Spo0A regulates chromosome copy number during sporulation by directly binding to the origin of replication in Bacillus subtilis

When starved, Bacillus subtilis cells can enter the developmental programme of endospore formation by activation of the master transcriptional regulator Spo0A. Correct chromosome copy number is crucial for the production of mature and fully resistant spores. The production and maintenance of one chromosome for the mother cell and one copy for the forespore requires accurate co‐ordination between DNA replication and initiation of sporulation. Here, we show that Spo0A regulates chromosome copy number by directly binding to a number of Spo0A binding sites that are present near the origin of replication (oriC). We demonstrate that cells lacking three specific Spo0A binding sites at oriC display increased chromosome copy numbers when sporulation is induced. Our data support the hypothesis that Spo0A directly controls DNA replication during sporulation by binding to oriC.